A shot of the Plowz & Mowz app on a smart-phone screen.Photo: www.plowzandmowz.com
A new computer application that delivers on-demand snow plowing and lawn mowing services is not only changing the way homeowners find and schedule these services but also how landscapers connect to the customers who need them.
Developed by former college roommates Wills Mahoney and Andrew Englander, Plowz & Mowz was launched in 2014 in Syracuse, New York, and quickly spread. Today it’s available in more than 30 markets across the country.
To use the app, customers enter their addresses and information about their lawns or driveways, then choose a date for service. Prices are determined by an algorithm that takes into consideration the size of the area and its location. Using the Minneapolis market as an example, those prices typically range from an average of $25 to $45 dollars for plowing and $34 to $87 for a mow, trim and cleanup.
For landscapers working with Plowz and Mowz, the app helps in two ways: finding new customers and billing for services. Service providers set a radius for the area in which they’re willing to accept assignments. When jobs appear in that area, the providers choose to accept the ones they want. Plowz & Mowz pays providers via direct deposit or mailed checks.
Plowz & Mowz expects to enter 15 to 20 more markets by the end of the year. You can see a demo of the app at https://vimeo.com/127868982.
