How much to charge for mowing

[pennwalk]

I have the opportunity to mow 2 lots for money. Given the state of the economy having a side job has to be a good thing. I don't want to hammer them but I want to cover expenses with a little left over for me. I guess I will have to declare taxes. One lot takes about 3 hours and I think that once I get the second lot cleaned up and the tall grass hacked down it will take about an hour. I'll probably need to mow weekly. I guess $10/hr is way to low $15? $20?

Chris

[MikeD74T]

Assuming the fields are rough enough that the zero turn people are not your competition and that you'll be using a 4' mower, I wouldn't do it for less than $25-30 per hour. I won't plow snow for less than $60 and you have a similar investment. If you're feeling generous you can always shave the hours if all goes well. Remember - anyone can work for free and they expect a good job even if you loose money, especially when you set the price. MikeD74T

[salopez]

or if you know the acrege go from there...how long will it take you mow one acre and give them a price.

around here bushhogging can go anywhere from 50-150 an acre depending on how much and how bad...price goes down as you clean it up...ie first 2 mows 100...3rd n 4th 80....

[windy acers]

In 1995 with a 9n and 5 foot bush hog I cut 10 acers in 5 hrs once a month for $125.00 each time. I really enjoyed doing it and got a different view of neighbors land. Be preparred for something to break.It seems to happen more on other peoples land.$ 30.00 hr would be the least I would charge today.

[pennwalk]

Well I have to say I'm not sure about this. When I think about social security payments and income taxes and insurance It makes me long for the good old days when I used to mow grass for my neighbors. After it was done I would knock on the door and he would throw me a couple of bucks. I would jump on my bike and head into town for a cherry coke and a three musketeers bar.

Chris

[EddieWalker]

I charge $50 an hour for mowing most areas, and include my driving time to and from the job in that price. I don't do allot of mowing and don't want to do it either, but I have a few realtors that hire me to do things for them, and sometimes they want a field or lot mowed. I did a 3/4 acre lot two weeks ago for $200. It was half an hour drive there and back and it took me almost 3 hours to mow it with my 35hp tractor and 6 foot rotary cutter. It was very thick and tall grass and weeds. I had to clean my radiator screen a dozen times and after nocking it all down, I mowed it again as low as I could get it.

The funny part is the realtor called me to ask if I could do it and what I charge. She said thanks at my price, but said it was too much. No problem, I wasn't wanting to do it anyway, but know that saying no is a death sentance for my business. It's better to charge more and not get the job then to refuse the job and never hear from them again. The next day she called me back and said that the price was fine.

On other jobs, I tell them what I charge and they tell me how much to spend. On a church that was selling off some land, the realtor told me to mow $300 worth. On another house, it was $400 for the mowing fees and to do around the house and driveway first, then to keep mowing as much of the place as I could for that amount of money.

I know of guys who work cheaper then I do, and those who charge more. I don't want to do this for a living, it's just a side thing that I'll do when asked and they need me to do it. I won't do it for less, but because one job leads to more jobs, I try to do what I can when asked.

Eddie

[pennwalk]

I think my next door neighbor told me she pays $70 to have her just over an acre yard mowed. That seems like a lot but talking to the guy who does it it sure doesn't seem like he is getting rich. He really moves on his Exmark mowers. He told me he was working 13 hour days. I don't think he does much in the winter. Maybe a little plowing. I like mowing but I don't really want to get in the business. I wonder what part of that $70 goes in his pocket? Do you thing he keeps half?


Chris

[trook]

I charge $100 for the first hour. Then, $65 for every additonal hour with a 1hour minimum. I don't charge driving time or loading/unloading time. I use the 1st hour to recoup most of my overhead. If I know the acerage and it will not be a slow or difficult cut, I aim for $65 per acre. I use a JD 4320 with a MX-6

[DIRTROAD]

My rates work out to be right around $50/hour. I am able to cover fuel and transportation costs and not go in the hole if I have a minor breakdown. Now this is with a tractor and not lawnmower so adjust accordingly.