Price? for Work

rccoyote · Oct 26, 2002

I live in a fairly new rural develpment.I just recently purchased a tractor (FEL,boxblade, and rototiller) and put in a nice sized garden and have done some maintenance to my gravel drive. I have had neighbors approach me on what i would charge to put in a garden for them(variuos sizes) and have also been asked to grade and level some driveways. I've had 3 people ask me what i would charge to break and till areas in preparation for lawn seed planting. I bought the tractor for my personal use but if i can make money with it and get in some extra seat time, well, heck it's very tempting! My question is what to charge. I guess my interest would be to see what ya'll think is a fair price to charge for an acre of lawn prep (scarify and till to a depth of about 3 or 4 inches, maybe some minor leveling), and then adjust my price from there on various sizes of lawns and gardens. I would like to charge by the job instead of by the hour to avoid the headache of people who have no clue thinking i'm taking advantage of them by spending extra time on the job. I realize i will need some form of waiver of liability. My question really just concerns a fair amount to charge for the job. I live in the north texas area. Bush hoggin goes for around 45 bucks an acre but it is not as labor intensive nor as hard on equipment as busting and tilling, so i'm trying to get an idea from ya'll. Thanks, rccoyote

gws · Oct 26, 2002

Look at what your insurance covers before doing anything.
What happens if you hit the side of someones home, dig up a phone or cable line or hit a gas line. most likley your going to find out that your tractor is not covered, but if it is that hireing out yourself is a business venture and your home policy doesnt cover that.

wroughtn_harv · Oct 27, 2002

I think I'd check around and find out what the going rate is and then decide from that. You might find that you really don't want to abuse your equipment for that kind of money.

It was once pointed out to me when I was a young man that you either charged the going rate or you did it for free. Anything in between was prostitution of one form or another.

If they're you're neighbors and you do it for them because they're your neighbors then that's kewl. You will probably find out that they have some skill or source that will compensate you more than fairly.

But if they hire you then the picture is completely different. You are now an entity that can be held responsible for damages or to a standard of performance that you may not have envisioned or are even capable of attaining.

Today I'm fulfilling a promise to a friend to haul some twelve foot telephone poles I've got up to Denison. On my way back I'm also going to stop by Tom Bean and pick up ten steel trusses twenty nine feet long. I'll keep them at my shop until my friend is ready for them.

My friend is one of those sorry people who never ever let you get one up on them. I happened to mention to him that I'd like to borrow a small Honda generator that could handle two screw guns for a week. He sells Honda equipment. He's the owner.

This trip involves visiting with some mutual friends and probably lunch. So I figured the use of the generator more than compensated for the fuel and wear and tear on the truck and trailer.

I was wrong. My friend seems to think the poles, which were free to me, and their delivery along with the hauling of the trusses deserves a new generator and accessories.

I find this happens often with folks. You do things for them because of friendship and you've got something going you never can catch up with.

So I'd recommend you do some work for the neighbors that you know you're going to be friends with over time. You do it for whatever they offer as compensation. If you feel you got burned by them then that's their last time. But I'd guess you will find your effort and fun rewarded big time again and again. It might only be some pie and coffee that comes with great conversation. One of those things money can't buy.............

Carl_NH · Oct 27, 2002

I have had similar situations here where the neighbors have some holes needed for plants, move some rocks etc.. Almost all of the time I do it N/C and most of the time it comes back in the form of gift.

I did do one small job moving some dirt and wood chips that was put in wetlands by mistake and needed to be moved. He insisted paying me. In this case I charged $25 for me and $25 for the machine per hour.

For what you describe I would get insurance covering you off property then decide what to charge based on your cost basis.