Cutting Acreage for $$$$$$$

mitchdb · Jul 20, 2004

What is a fair price to charge per acre for cutting grass? I have a 6' cutter! I'm sure the price goes down per acre with more acreage but I could be doing anything from 5 - 50 acres.

Thanks,
Mitch

RCannon · Jul 20, 2004

Whatever you decide, remember to include in your price the potential for running over hidden objects and tearing up your equipment. Know your property!

BillG_in_TX · Jul 20, 2004

See this previous discussion.

BB_TX · Jul 20, 2004

Here is the secret. If you have a really small cutter, charge by the hour. If you have a really large cutter, charge by the acre. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

EastTexFrank · Jul 20, 2004

I think this has been covered a couple of times in the past. If I remember correctly the rates were about $40 to $50 an hour up north and about $25 to $40 an hour down south. I know that the guy that cuts my pasture occasionally, charged me $25/hr the first time he cut it with a 6' mower. It cost me $125 to have it done and that is what he charges me now whether he uses a 6' or 8' mower or whether both he and his son cut with 2 machines. Personally I think it's pretty cheap considering that he does it twice as fast as I do with my little 4' bush hog and he goes places that I won't go on my B2400.

I forgot to mention, CHARGE BY THE HOUR until you establish a cost for repeat customers. An hour is always going to be an hour but one acre is not always the same as another acre.

BB_TX · Jul 20, 2004

I looked at ads in the local Penny Saver tonight. There were 3 for acreage mowing. All 3 stated $15/acre with a minimum. 2 stated $60 minimum. One stated $200 minimum.

mitchdb · Jul 21, 2004

Sorry for the slow response, I didn't get the response notification in my e-mail!

I could sure handle $50/hour but I don't think the old cattle farmers around here will go for that! I guess charging by the hour would make more sense, they can lie about the amount of acres by 10-15% and I wouldn't know any better.

Thanks a lot for all the info,
Mitch

BB_TX · Jul 21, 2004

I was actually a little surprised they all priced by the acre. There would be a lot difference in time between a flat, open acre with 6" tall grass vs a rough or sloped or treed acre with 3' tall grass and brush.

Gatorboy · Jul 21, 2004

<font color="blue"> I was actually a little surprised they all priced by the acre. </font>

I would think this would be the typical pricing scheme (by the acre). It would be similar to a lawn care business -- they quote you by your yard, not by the hour.

mitchdb · Jul 21, 2004

I'm really not sure how many acres I could cut in 1 hour, I've never really measured the amount of land cut vs. time. I usually get side-tracked when mowing several acres. Maybe I should measure out 3-5 acres and see how long it takes me to cut it!

I'm not out to rip anyone off, I'd just like to be able to pay for my equipment + wear and tear and maybe put a little extra in my pocket at the end of the day. Plus, I really like doing anything that I can do on my tractor, it's not work to me, it's more like FUN!

Thanks!