Re: Mole trapping: 3 beginner business questions...
[Re: Jay SS]
#7885973
06/16/23 08:26 PM
06/16/23 08:26 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,849 Nashville, TN 27 y/o
JoeyHalk
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,849
Nashville, TN 27 y/o
|
Welcome.
I know someone around here who charges by the mole and they do very well. I think they are on this board. I don't know what you plan on charging, but don't short yourself. Make it worth your while if they only have one mole or you'll get burned. It's easier to give discounts later if you catch a bunch than it is to raise a price when you only catch one.
I don't do a whole lot of contracts for moles, nor do I do onsite estimates. I ask how long they've noticed them, where they are located, and the size of their yard.
I think the biggest thing about moles is to set realistic expectations for the customer. They will get moles again. Some places it never ends, and some places might be every 2 years, but it will happen again.
I like charging for a certain number of visits for a set price. I might catch them all in one visit, but I will still check back for two weeks to see if any others are hiding around. Weather is a big factor in moles and a rain during dry season will really make them pop.
I don't like proving to people how many I caught. I use traps that can be checked from above and I teach customers to know if they are set off. Only for the purpose of them knowing that it worked.
In my opinion, it is not much harder or time consuming to catch 10 moles at one location or 1 mole at the same location during the same service. That's why I like getting paid "per visit".
|
|
|
Re: Mole trapping: 3 beginner business questions...
[Re: Jay SS]
#7886524
06/17/23 12:22 PM
06/17/23 12:22 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 777 Schenectady, NY
EatenByLimestone
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 777
Schenectady, NY
|
I have my Ohio CNWACO license and will be getting insurance. At least for the beginning, I plan on charging by the mole caught as opposed to a maintenance package.
I have three questions for which I've found little or no reference here on the forums:
1. Do you provide the customer with a written estimate, invoice, and/or any other paperwork?
Yes, how would you ever be sure what you think the job is, and they think the job is, match? There’s a contract detailing exactly what we will be doing, how many visits, etc. it also allows them to increase trapping on a per week basis.
2. How do you prove the number of moles you've caught? Are emailed digital photos adequate?
if the customer isn’t home, emailed notes generally work. We do not trap per mole. There’s an average of 1-3 moles at our jobs. We’d have to charge an awful lot per mole, lol.
3. Do you make it clear to the customer up front that you are going to kill the moles? (Most people probably expect and want that but I know a few people who are not in favor of killing animals.)
We only use lethal mole traps. Mole relocation isn’t a service we offer. Live traps need to be checked daily, our check schedule is weekly for moles.
I appreciate any input or comments!
Jay
|
|
|
Re: Mole trapping: 3 beginner business questions...
[Re: Jay SS]
#7886654
06/17/23 01:59 PM
06/17/23 01:59 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,549 West Central MN
20scout
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,549
West Central MN
|
We don't have much for moles up here but know of a professional in the metro are who makes a nice living doing so. He charges per trap set and per mole caught. Once caught, he again charges for the remake.
Common sense is a not a vegetable that does well in everyone's garden.
|
|
|
Re: Mole trapping: 3 beginner business questions...
[Re: Jay SS]
#7886745
06/17/23 05:10 PM
06/17/23 05:10 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,474 New York border
Cragar
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,474
New York border
|
I charge per season - $895 ( for most residential sized properties -about an acre ) Generally when the weather gets warm until it gets cold. I also give a warranty that I will keep a yard mole-free or money back. I start out with the shock and awe method of many traps and wipe them out quickly. Then when I have control the customer watches for new activitiy. When they see it , they call me , I trap them.
A good selling point for a seasonal fee is that new animals will migrate to a customer's yard and repopulate. I also encourage my customers to get their neighbors to hire me to keep the moles out of my customers yard. This works well as it is just one stop and you just walk over to the neighbors yard to check traps. I have had customers hire me year after year. Very profitable if you are good at catching moles. I use no-mol traps. Customers like the fact that they are not dangerous to children or pets.
No one has ever gotten their money back. I just trap harder and get them.
NRA benefactor member
|
|
|
|
|