15 Year Old Got His First Brush Hogging Job!!

[deere4320]

Hi All,
I finally got my first brush hogging job!! I am so happy, i will be able to get alot of seat time and make some money:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: I just need a little advice about how much to charge:

Should i Charge by the hour or the acres

Here is some information about the field if is necessary to calculate the price.

A: It is very over grown.

B: It is one somewhat hilly terrain

C: It is about 11 Acres.


The picture that is a attached is not the field, i found it on google, But the grass length is about equivalent to the one i will be brush hogging

 

[Johndeere3720]

I usually go by hour, not by acre. I'd say $50-$75 per hour. I have done some brush mowing jobs myself. I know that the 4320 will go right through the brush with ease as I have mowed brush that tall with a 3720 with ease. I mowed 50 some acres with an MX6. Does the 4320 have cruise control? That was probably one of the best features i've found when mowing since you dont have to constantly hold down the hydro pedal.

 

[deere4320]

I usually go by hour, not by acre. I'd say $50-$75 per hour. I have done some brush mowing jobs myself. I know that the 4320 will go right through the brush with ease as I have mowed brush that tall with a 3720 with ease. I mowed 50 some acres with an MX6. Does the 4320 have cruise control? That was probably one of the best features i've found when mowing since you dont have to constantly hold down the hydro pedal.

Yes i have the 'automotive' style cruise control

 

[myyaz33]

Some advice- be cautious of what may be lying in the field. Those fun things found can get expensive and/or time consuming. Good luck.

 

[deere4320]

Some advice- be cautious of what may be lying in the field. Those fun things found can get expensive and/or time consuming. Good luck.

Ahhhhhh, good to know thanx!!!

 

[smstonypoint]

<snip>

Should i Charge by the hour or the acres

Here is some information about the field if is necessary to calculate the price.

A: It is very over grown.

B: It is one somewhat hilly terrain

C: It is about 11 Acres.


<snip>

I think you need to determine your costs (variable and fixed) before trying to make a pricing decision.

Steve

 

[ModMech]

Yes! Ask if the owner knows of stumps, rocks or other objects that might damage the equipment.

You might consider a clause in your agreement that it's one (higher) price for the first cutting and a second reduced price for the next cuttings (per hour) to offset the risk of damage your first time thru.

 

[dex3361]

I agree with the previous poster and would say that you should take the time to walk the fields and see if there are surprises in the grass/weds.I would ask if there is any junk in the field and if the answer is I don't know I wold go much slower. I would start out at the low end of my pricing to start out with and I would charge by the hour after you know how much time it takes to cut it then you can do it by the job. Do a great job and the word will spread. Have fun and be safe. Do not take chances especially in unfamiliar territory.

 

[Johndeere3720]

On some of my jobs, i walk out an area to locate sticks, stumps, rocks, etc. I usually remove the rocks and sticks from the area before mowing. i also have to do this at home since the dogs leave large sticks and limbs around from playing fetch.

 

[beenthere]

I would second the $50-75 per hour. And I'd suggest you have an idea what liability you (or your father) have if you damage something on someone else's property.

Or know what your own insurance policy covers if you damage your tractor or cutter (say you cave in an old cistern or the septic system ).
Things happen, and you should know a bit about where you stand ahead of time.

For example, say you cross a hidden swamp, get hopelessly stuck, and make a big mess of some wetland. Your tractor is mired in mud, the landowner is upset as well as the local natural resources people, and you have to hire a rig to come in and extricate your machine. :confused3:

Very likely, everything will go just fine.

 

[deere4320]

Thanks for all the replies.......I wish I knew somebody close to my age that I could start start a business with, buy they are all obseesed with electronics......

 

[Duffster]

Do you have insurance?

 

[two_bit_score]

Hi All,
I finally got my first brush hogging job!! I am so happy, i will be able to get alot of seat time and make some money:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: I just need a little advice about how much to charge:

Should i Charge by the hour or the acres

Here is some information about the field if is necessary to calculate the price.

A: It is very over grown.

B: It is one somewhat hilly terrain

C: It is about 11 Acres.


The picture that is a attached is not the field, i found it on google, But the grass length is about equivalent to the one i will be brush hogging

Making an assumption here based on what you are asking: that you haven't agreed on a price with the landowner.

If you haven't agreed on a price, how do you 'have the job'?

What if you take a look at all the variables like some have astutely pointed out like damage to your equipment or some one elses property, accidents, fuel, oil, wear and tear, etc and decide that to even break even you would need to charge more than the owner would like to pay?

Good on you for wanting to get into business for yourself and I wish you luck.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[beenthere]

Thanks for all the replies.......I wish I knew somebody close to my age that I could start start a business with, buy they are all obseesed with electronics......

Not sure why you would want to do that. Care to elaborate?

 

[om21braz]

Thanks for all the replies.......I wish I knew somebody close to my age that I could start start a business with, buy they are all obseesed with electronics......

Have you got something against us older folks? Just kidding, good luck on your mowing job and be careful!

 

[flyingcow]

As pointed out, walk the fields. If possible, keep a few marker sticks or flaggin'g tape. Mark the rocks and stumps, keep looking around as you mow. Be ready to pick up the mower. I just rebuilt my bush hog, it was about $1500 in parts and time.

Is it all grass, or does the field have small trees/bushes in it. More brush, the higher the price. If there is a clump of brush, it may be hiding a rock also.

How wide is your mower? Wider = more dollars per hour.

How much seat time/experience do you have bush hogging?

 

[wedge40]

Not sure what to charge? But here are few suggestions.

First time cutting leave the mover up pretty high and go slow. I'd charge by the hour here.
Second cut, now that you've found the lay of the land charge by the acre.

I would see if I could get a few friends who could walk or ride the field first?
Hopefully the person who wants it cut can give you some idea's about what's out there.


Wedge

 

[MarkV]

If it were me I would try to find out what the local rate is for mowing in your area. Where I live the $50-$75 dollar an hour figure mentioned would price you right out of the market. That is not what you want to do if you are trying to get started in a business. If this land owner is a family friend be honest and ask him what he has been paying.

MarkV

 

[TripleR]

Looking at this from the other side, it might be helpful to be able to estimate the total amount. I have contracted jobs by the hour and paid way more than it was worth as there was no incentive to complete the job quickly. Whenever possible, I now contract by the cost of the job and refuse to pay for a "pig in the poke" unless I know the person is reliable.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

post pictures when your done.

I would pay by the job. last time I did a field that size, I charged around $200, but that's been a few yrs back.