Re-negotiating existing contracts /agreements

In this current economic climate, everyone is doing their best to cut costs and tighten up the budgets.

We have a large lawn, but it isn't to (foo foo) no real flowers (black thumb here) just grass, some shrubs, Ivy that WON'T die (I don't water it!) and some kind of flowery things in the front.

We have our lawn mowed every week and for an extra fee quarterly the gardner goes up the slope and pulls the ivy off the trees so they don't die. He has planted some Tulips for me (I brought them back from Amsterdam but they didn't do so good) and he occasionally will cut the long stragly limby things from one of the trees in our back yard.

We constantly get flyers on our yard and door from new gardners trying to get our business, I used to ignore them but with my ongoing salary cut and a looming cut for my husband I have to look at all expenses.

Please keep in mind when re-negotiating a contract how long the person has been working with you and the quality of their work. Also remember they have been hit by the economy too, we all need to work together to make it thru.

I sent my current gardner a letter letting him know that I valued his services and would like to continue to engage him and could he meet the price I recently received, I also sent a copy of the flyer.

I did state however that I would continue to pay extra for the Ivy upkeep and I would pay extra in the future for services he included in the past (i.e. planting flowers or trimming trees) at no charge.

The fact of the matter is if he can lower his price 40% I will stay with him because of the length of time and quality service he has provided. Be fair but be firm.