What Would You Charge For This Tractor Job?

[atsah]

Reading your initial post I thought... wow only $45... you are giving way too good of a deal. Then I read that you "would also tell him if his wife needs me for any reason when he isn't home to call me", and I thought... OKAY maybe you are getting the deal! Then I read she is 70 years old. :laughing:

LOL..

 

[sixdogs]

I forgot you would be driving your tractor down to their place in the snow...and salt. That would leave a nice layer of salt to gradually rust anything possible on the best parts of your tractor as well as work its way into any electrical connections. Maine also uses liquid brine that's especially good at infiltrating metal parts even when there's just a dusting of snow.

 

[RNeumann]

Sounds like you are the neighbor who bales him out when he needs a hand.”- But you aren’t looking for a job. I’d be inclined to keep it that way! No way I’d be on the hook to plow for someone. What if it’s Christmas or you wanted to leave town for a few weeks. F THAT!!!

 

[mopardude318]

Reading your initial post I thought... wow only $45... you are giving way too good of a deal. Then I read that you "would also tell him if his wife needs me for any reason when he isn't home to call me", and I thought... OKAY maybe you are getting the deal! Then I read she is 70 years old. :laughing:

oh man that's funny. I was thinking that too. LOL

 

[4570Man]

When you reply "No" to the snow clearing because of lack of insurance coverage, it also eliminates your road grading....or it makes you someone real good at not telling the truth!

Just say there’s not much to go wrong grading a road and snow plowing is more risky.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I would just tell him that I am not interested in cold weather work due to the excessive cold AND the excessive dangers involved with snow blowing.

In regard to the dirt work, if charging for the road work, I would charge a lot more than $45 for 2 hours work. For that amount of work, I would either do it for free or charge at least $60 per hour. $22.50 per hour doesn't even cover your labor cost and nothing for your tractor and fuel cost.

So either do it as a neighborly thing for free or charge more.

 

[sixdogs]

I've been in your shoes and if you want a way out just say you reviewed your insurance policy with your agent and discovered nothing was covered with your equipment off property and that the agent said you are specifically excluded from doing that without commercial coverage and to stop it. That's true and what I learned. Sadly, you not only have to decline the snow job but also cannot fix the road work. Now, go fishing or work on your own place.

It's not mean and it's not unneighborly, it's life. We cannot right the wrongs of the world. And, if I sound dumb on this, let me tell you about my free neighborly work that wound up costing me (and insurance co) around $25,000 of todays dollars, surgery on my arm and a sling for six weeks followed by phys therapy. Oh, the recepient never even said thank you.

 

[atsah]

I'm not a big fan of driving down a road filled with salt with chains on several times a month, so the plowing is out.. I told him that this morning, I stopped at a friends construction company and he is going to take a look at the driveway and give him a price for snow removal.. As far as the driveway grading, I do it because I'm bored and the $45 pays for the fuel and a couple of pizza's and I'm good with that..

I set him up with my buddy that has all the equipment for driveway repair and snow removal because I'm moving to FL in the spring so he is going to have to figure something out anyway..

 

[TheMan419]

I'm not a big fan of driving down a road filled with salt with chains on several times a month, so the plowing is out.. I told him that this morning, I stopped at a friends construction company and he is going to take a look at the driveway and give him a price for snow removal.. As far as the driveway grading, I do it because I'm bored and the $45 pays for the fuel and a couple of pizza's and I'm good with that..

I set him up with my buddy that has all the equipment for driveway repair and snow removal because I'm moving to FL in the spring so he is going to have to figure something out anyway..

That was the perfect way to handle it. That is a good neighbor.

 

[oosik]

I had a neighbor that wanted to borrow my tractor to plow his driveway. I held my tongue when I told him no. He was noticeably upset - I could see that he was expecting a couple hours of fun using my tractor. My insurance only covers my tractor while used on my property - I have no plans to change that.