15 Year Old Got His First Brush Hogging Job!!

[scoutcub]

Keep in mind if you cut it high, then low, and charge by the hour....it will double your estimate/cost. IF you can successfully cut it with one pass, so much the better.
I agree with not charging "premium" or going rates as your level of expertise is going up against an experienced operator.
If you can figure out your costs as close as you can, then add a "percentage" for profit....but below the going price....you'll perhaps gain a steady customer, and figure your costs more appropriately.
To check on rates in your area, I would make a few calls from the phone book, and check Craigslist for operators....then bid accordingly. Make it know to your customer that you will give him an "introductory" rate as he is allowing you to gain experience...in this same conversation I would be asking him if he knows of any obstacles/wetlands/groundhog dens/fences.etc. etc. that would affect your operation. Discuss contingencies in the event you run into a problem.
I'm not completely sold on a written contract...for brushhogging.... but that's your call. I think a well discussed verbal agreement and a handshake would go a long ways....at least it used to.
Good luck with it and let us know how it turns out....

 

[rmully]

When you are learning to swim sometimes you can not just wade in the shallow end of the pool. I think he has done his homework asking for opinions and what to look out for and how much to charge.... now the boy has to man-up and sort out all the info he got here and go for it. I was a kid once long time ago and somehow it never goes away.... kind of glad of that!! You go son and be safe.

 

[Johndeere3720]

No its okay, i just thinking to myself and wishing that i had a friend that into tractor that lives near me

If only I lived closer....

 

[newbury]

Hi All,
I finally got my first brush hogging job!! I am so happy, i will be able to get alot of seat time and make some money:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: I just need a little advice about how much to charge:

Should i Charge by the hour or the acres

Here is some information about the field if is necessary to calculate the price.

A: It is very over grown.

B: It is one somewhat hilly terrain

C: It is about 11 Acres.


The picture that is a attached is not the field, i found it on google, But the grass length is about equivalent to the one i will be brush hogging

The OP has good questions often raised by peeps 3 to 4 times his age.

We have to realize that he has limited experience and doesn't have the "life experience" of brush hogging.

Also - and OP please correct me if I'm wrong - your bud's and family don't have a lot of experience in this field

So he's taking on an 11 acre unknown field for his first job and he's 15.

If the OP trusts the people he's working for he should do the FIRST job for fuel ($5/hr??) plus a swag for costs ($10/hr??), plus a tip, AND REFERENCES.
iF HE DOESN'T TRUST THEM - REFUSE THE JOB.

This will give him a good chance to estimate how long it takes to walk a site, deal with the owners, finish the job. And build a customer base.

And if they are good people they will know that an hour of his time should be worth $20 (plus the $15/hr fixed cost) at least and tip accordingly.

And OP - get your friends that are into electronics to build a boom on your FEL to detect wood and metal hazards
AND GO FOR IT!!

 

[MESSMAKER]

Pick a price. I would say between $350 and $450. give him the price and go from there. Take your time. Enjoy the job and the money. Stay safe.

 

[deere4320]

If only I lived closer....

I wished you did

 

[deere4320]

When you are learning to swim sometimes you can not just wade in the shallow end of the pool. I think he has done his homework asking for opinions and what to look out for and how much to charge.... now the boy has to man-up and sort out all the info he got here and go for it. I was a kid once long time ago and somehow it never goes away.... kind of glad of that!! You go son and be safe.

Thanks my friend....... hey they all say 'live and learn'

 

[deere4320]

Keep in mind if you cut it high, then low, and charge by the hour....it will double your estimate/cost. IF you can successfully cut it with one pass, so much the better.
I agree with not charging "premium" or going rates as your level of expertise is going up against an experienced operator.
If you can figure out your costs as close as you can, then add a "percentage" for profit....but below the going price....you'll perhaps gain a steady customer, and figure your costs more appropriately.
To check on rates in your area, I would make a few calls from the phone book, and check Craigslist for operators....then bid accordingly. Make it know to your customer that you will give him an "introductory" rate as he is allowing you to gain experience...in this same conversation I would be asking him if he knows of any obstacles/wetlands/groundhog dens/fences.etc. etc. that would affect your operation. Discuss contingencies in the event you run into a problem.
I'm not completely sold on a written contract...for brushhogging.... but that's your call. I think a well discussed verbal agreement and a handshake would go a long ways....at least it used to.
Good luck with it and let us know how it turns out....

Cool Thanks i will let you know how it turned out!

 

[two_bit_score]

No offense to anyone, but I would have to agree on this. There is absolutely no way I would hire anyone with this little of experience to mow anything and especially at the "going rate". I have been driving tractors for over fifty years and still do regularly, gonna bush hog today, and doing a good job entails some experience. I am still not completely satisfied with some of my own results especially when using new or unfamiliar equipment.

Consideration might be given to offering an "introductory" rate until some experience is accumulated. I do admire initiative, but I expect quality results.

I have hired two sixteen year old boys to do some work for me on one of our farms and their pay is commensurate with their experience.

As always; just an opinion.

Good points but keep in mind that he hasn't given them a price yet.

 

[doall]

he won't ever get experience if he don't use it. go for it buddy.
Man you guys have it made. We are lucky to get 10-15 $'s an acre here.