Calculating price/hr

[cdover73]

I am trying to start a new business with my dozer and have a lot of learning to do. I am working on getting the business legalities completed and am now working on the budgeting. I need to know the best way to calculate how much per hour I need to charge for the dozer. I know I need to include all costs (operator, fuel, oil, percentage for breakdowns/repairs, insurance, and business profit), but what else? Is there any software programs already out there to do this? Do I just call around to see what the going rates are for similar sized machines? My concerns are I will either be too low or too high. I also know experience with bad bids will teach me real fast, but I would rather make an educated decision instead of a costly one. I appreciate any and all opinions.

 

[nobull1]

My experience has been the competition will decide how much you charge, either directly or indirectly. How bad you want/need the work will determine how much you can charge. Unless you have an angle that others don't have you are at the mercy of the competitors. I would try to set myself to a different level by maybe being well experienced, fast service or even better payment terms. Making yourself stand out from the crowd could and probably will get you a better price.