I think I work too cheap.

[PHPaul]

Got hired to cut the brush on a waterfront lot. Hasn't been touched in years, dead trees down, rocks, holes, stumps, debris, lots of woody brush we call hardtack bushes, alders, wild cherry, wild roses and climbing vines.

Told the lady I'd do it for $50/hr when running the tractor and rotary mower, $25/hr when running the chainsaw.

Wound up with 3 hours on the tractor and 1 hour with the saw. That was creeping along in low range watching for hazards as I'd never been on that piece before, cutting up one 30 foot larch that had blown over and a half-dozen clumps of alder that were too big to mow over.

Also stacked all the brush/trash to be burned later. My forks with the Green Machine thumb made short work of stacking brush.

So that means I only billed her $175. When I was walking around looking at that hellhole, I estimated $250-$300. Owner is happy. My toy fund is feeling a bit left out...

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yea I think your on the cheap side.

$150 Equipment moving, hourly or no charge for close enough to drive.
$65 /hr for simple dirt work,or simple field mowing.
$95 /hr for rock or excavation
$125 /hr for slash work, and no difference using the tractor or the chainsaw.

Your $300 was closer, to what you should have been paid to do it.

$50 an hour for tractor work barely covers fuel and maintenance.

 

[PHPaul]

$50 an hour for tractor work barely covers fuel and maintenance.

True, and it's due for the 300 hour maintenance. Filters and oil will pretty much wipe that out.

It was 2 minutes on the tractor from the house so there's that. After I had it about 99% done I ran home, dropped the bucket off, put the forks and thumb on and went back and piled the brush.

I'll jack my rates up if a job like that comes up again.

Other than tilling gardens and one field I've been mowing for 25+ years I don't hire out much. I'm not looking for work but I'll do a job here and there if people seek me out.

 

[skeets]

Yeah but look at all the fun you had

 

[jryser]

With respect to Skeets’ true answer, ANY time you are doing something for $, be MORE THAN FAIR to yourself. Otherwise consider it a gift and BOTH ways you will have no resentments.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hodge]

It's a learning curve. You could have made more, but you also could have been home, watching the View, making nothing. The experience gives you perspective, and you can price it differently next time. Sometimes, valuable experience costs.

 

[PHPaul]

It's a learning curve. You could have made more, but you also could have been home, watching the View, making nothing. The experience gives you perspective, and you can price it differently next time. Sometimes, valuable experience costs.

I've been hiring out tractor work as a sideline for close to 30 years.

My problem is I'm stuck in the 50's on prices, both on what I buy (you want HOW MUCH for that? Have you lost yer tiny little mind? ) and what I charge for my services. I just can't wrap my head around $85 an hour, but I really should be in that neighborhood to actually make money after expenses.

Also, if you EVER catch me watching The View, just shoot me, mmmm-kay?

 

[PHPaul]

With respect to Skeets’ true answer, ANY time you are doing something for $, be MORE THAN FAIR to yourself. Otherwise consider it a gift and BOTH ways you will have no resentments.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I do enjoy running the 'hog. Your progress is obvious and it looks so much better when you're done.

First time over a new piece can be a little nerve-wracking. They don't call this "The Rockbound Coast of Maine" for nothing! Not to mention stumps and holes...

 

[jryser]

I've been hiring out tractor work as a sideline for close to 30 years.



My problem is I'm stuck in the 50's on prices, both on what I buy (you want HOW MUCH for that? Have you lost yer tiny little mind? ) and what I charge for my services. I just can't wrap my head around $85 an hour, but I really should be in that neighborhood to actually make money after expenses.



Also, if you EVER catch me watching The View, just shoot me, mmmm-kay?

SAME HERE!!! I’m fortunate to have a career that I would do for free (and will when I retire), but I did learn the value of knowing my own value the past several years. I approach my tractoring services the same way; u want the tractor? I come with it and I’m fair but not cheap! (Never loan it!!)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Silver Wings]

For me...When it's a job that has you on and off the tractor, saw work, hand work, ect... I'd look at it and say "How long is this going to take me and how much do I need to make me happy?" Then give the customer a bid that is just north of that. If they want to counter...fine. If they don't...even better.

 

[skeets]

Airborn ??

 

[Missouribound]

It's a matter of finding the balance. Certainly there are people who will charge more and those who will charge less.
If you want the job you will charge a fair price....period. Word spreads fast if you are fair to your clients. If you overcharge that word spreads twice a fast.
It won't take long to know which side of the fence you are on.

 

[motionclone]

Hey, Im in Maine too but more the Midcoast area.

Find out what other legitimate, insured, professional, non drunk, no drama guys are charging IN YOUR AREA and there is good rate to stick around.

I have a small Masonry business going on 27 years in business and I charge more than almost everyone else....but I stay busy, have an excellent reputation and MAKE PROFIT!! I do it for money and dont need the practice.

 

[sgtboz]

It's all relative, my man. You can keep equipment busy and still put a little money in your pocket (not sure about your income tax situation) at $50 as long as you get paid for your time driving to small jobs that are a little further away. I charge $70/hr where I am along with drive time to small jobs and still have to turn down jobs. Some (not many) jobs I simply don't price by the hour but instead price by what I think I'd need to make to justify to myself the effort. I'm just not meant to get all the jobs out there!

That being said, I still have some widows and/or handicapped folks for whom the motive it not necessarily to make much, if any, profit. That's an entirely different situation, of course.

 

[flyidaho]

I deal with this subject all the time in my crane service business. You can be the best or you can be the cheapest. I've learned to let it roll off my back when I lose out on a job because of my lesser equipped competitors getting the work because they are cheaper per hour. NOT cheaper overall as they take longer and usually have to make multiple moves, while I can do the job safer and without making a move due to my higher capacity and reach. Let someone else deal with the penny pinching cheapskates, the customers smart enough to recognize quality when they see it will be much more pleasant to be around! I get some who come up as I'm making the last pick, and ask "how much?" Bypassing the fact it will be another 15 minutes by the time I pack up and hit the road, not to mention the time spent driving away from their job site. It is every bit as much of a skill set, dealing with your pricing and at the same time customer relations, as actually learning how to properly operate the equipment!

 

[Botamon]

My problem is I'm stuck in the 50's on prices, both on what I buy (you want HOW MUCH for that? Have you lost yer tiny little mind? ) and what I charge for my services. I just can't wrap my head around $85 an hour, but I really should be in that neighborhood to actually make money after expenses.

Also, if you EVER catch me watching The View, just shoot me, mmmm-kay?

You, sir, and I am obviously of the same generation...and the same mindset!

 

[Bulldog]

I get $100 just to show up and that gets you the first hr. After that it's by the hr and the rate is the same even when doing manual labor. If the machine is on the job it's earning money.

 

[Jfet]

If you are on a new $30,000 tractor that will be considered wore out at 4,000 hours, that alone is $7.5 an hour. Grease, oil, hydraulic fluid, filters, tires are probably around $1000 for every 500 hours (guess) so now you are at $9.50 an hour.

Fuel use is probably 2 gallons per hour? Maybe a bit more? Say $7 an hour?

So now you are at $16.50 an hour. I guess we have not touched on insurance and such. Also opportunity cost of the $30,000 purchase, which is negated by the 0% financing deals but otherwise could be significant.

 

[Flienlow]

I just did a side job with my excavator. I worked for about 4 hours and left with 350 in my pocket. After chaining and unchaining I realized that I wont do it again for under $100/hr for the excavator and $70 for the tractor.
A. I do it on the side.
B. I would do it for money and not good will.
C. There is risk in this and it should be rewarded.

 

[ipz2222]

The local lawn mower repair business is at $90 an hour.