Fair Price for cutting

[aaluck]

Someone purchased a 5 acre lot next to me (same fence line). I saw them out there the other day and introduced myself. After we got to talking she explained that she wouldn't probably build for a year or more but wanted to keep the property cut. I told her I could probably get my son to do that. She explained that she had quotes from others and the lowest was $350. Since I live right here there is no travel. The lot is wide open, no obstacles. What would be a fair charge? Probably won't take an hour with the 6 foot bush hog after the initial cut-down.

 

[RCW]

That's a tough one, especially since they're new to you guys.

Some say good fences make good neighbors, but others say good neighbors don't need good fences.

Is this a regular thing, or just a one-time?

5 acres is a lot of turf. Lot of folks don't realize how big an acre is. (Pretty sure @aaluck knows).

If you figure an hour +/- is good, I think you work with them. Sounds optimistic, but you know the piece better than me.

Just my opinion, but for $300 each mowing, it would build some relationship with the new neighbors.....but have an understanding the price could change with time.

 

[dirtydeed]

I would think $300 should be about right. Is it just brush hogging?

I do the neighbors place (finish mow/trim) about 4.5 acres for that price...but it takes about 2.5-3 hours to do. Around here, mows (finish mow) get roughly $75/acre.

The other thing to consider...is it as a business (are you insured etc) and if so, do you have to deal with sales tax (if your state requires it). Here in PA, there is a 6% sales tax on any "maintenance" tasks like mowing, fertilizing, mulching etc.

 

[McMXi]

Someone purchased a 5 acre lot next to me (same fence line). I saw them out there the other day and introduced myself. After we got to talking she explained that she wouldn't probably build for a year or more but wanted to keep the property cut. I told her I could probably get my son to do that. She explained that she had quotes from others and the lowest was $350. Since I live right here there is no travel. The lot is wide open, no obstacles. What would be a fair charge? Probably won't take an hour with the 6 foot bush hog after the initial cut-down.

I charge $135/hour for any tractor work. I also charge $100 flat fee for loading/unloading/travel within a reasonable radius from my house.

I have a bunch of spreadsheets made up to calculate cutting time with the 5ft flail, 7ft rotary cutter and 12ft folding cutter. I include the time it takes to make a turn in my calculations since that can really add up. I do this so that I can provide a reasonable estimate of the time it will take to cut an area, but always charge by the hour which protects me from underbidding a job.

Woods has a useful chart to estimate how long it takes to cut an area. I don't think they include the time it takes to make a turn though.

 

[GeoHorn]

It’s gonna take more than ”an hour” to mow 5 acres unless you have a large bat-wing.

A typical 72” shredder will take 3+ hrs to mow 5 acs….and that doesn’t include the large, hidden rocks and logs that break your mower….and the resulting conversation that ruins the new relationship.

I’d walk it once and decide if I’d want my machine on it…. Then I’d offer to mow it ONCE, just as a good neighbor gesture. If they want to pay me for that gift….fine. But I’d never enter into a work-for-pay arrangement with a new neighbor for fear of the many ways that can go wrong. YMMV

 

[chim]

As mentioned, insurance is something to consider. My cost and coverage are dependent on whether I charge or not. I'd guess you're going to need a lot more than an hour with a 6 foot mower.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

@McMXi has it figured out--nobody is making $300+/hour mowing grass.

Equipment doesn't run forever, so there's a per-hour cost of running machinery, time and money for maintenance (grease, cleaning, sharpening), and the unexpected like hitting something that trashes a mower decK or wrecks a bearing--hidden steel might slice open a tire the fifth time you're mowing, never know. Hornets and ground bees...the first time you run into them you'll know why people charge what they charge, and they're not getting rich off cutting grass.

 

[kcs 61]

I charge $200/hr. With a minimum of 1 hour. And if I have to travel more than 10 miles it’s $5 per mile

 

[GeoHorn]

My local prices from service provider run thusly:

50 hp Tractor/Mower rental - $300/day plus $150 delivery/pick-up. Fuel surcharge applies.
High-Lift/ Scissor Lift, 2 day minimum rental, local delivery - $800/2-days.
Tractor work for mowing, grading, loader/bucket-work - $275/hr plus $5/mile.