15 Year Old Got His First Brush Hogging Job!!

[deere4320]

Thanks for all the replies.......I wish I knew somebody close to my age that I could start start a business with, buy they are all obseesed with electronics......

 

[Duffster]

Do you have insurance?

 

[two_bit_score]

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

Making an assumption here based on what you are asking: that you haven't agreed on a price with the landowner.

If you haven't agreed on a price, how do you 'have the job'?

What if you take a look at all the variables like some have astutely pointed out like damage to your equipment or some one elses property, accidents, fuel, oil, wear and tear, etc and decide that to even break even you would need to charge more than the owner would like to pay?

Good on you for wanting to get into business for yourself and I wish you luck.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[beenthere]

Thanks for all the replies.......I wish I knew somebody close to my age that I could start start a business with, buy they are all obseesed with electronics......

Not sure why you would want to do that. Care to elaborate?

 

[om21braz]

Thanks for all the replies.......I wish I knew somebody close to my age that I could start start a business with, buy they are all obseesed with electronics......

Have you got something against us older folks? Just kidding, good luck on your mowing job and be careful!

 

[flyingcow]

As pointed out, walk the fields. If possible, keep a few marker sticks or flaggin'g tape. Mark the rocks and stumps, keep looking around as you mow. Be ready to pick up the mower. I just rebuilt my bush hog, it was about $1500 in parts and time.

Is it all grass, or does the field have small trees/bushes in it. More brush, the higher the price. If there is a clump of brush, it may be hiding a rock also.

How wide is your mower? Wider = more dollars per hour.

How much seat time/experience do you have bush hogging?

 

[wedge40]

Not sure what to charge? But here are few suggestions.

First time cutting leave the mover up pretty high and go slow. I'd charge by the hour here.
Second cut, now that you've found the lay of the land charge by the acre.

I would see if I could get a few friends who could walk or ride the field first?
Hopefully the person who wants it cut can give you some idea's about what's out there.


Wedge

 

[MarkV]

If it were me I would try to find out what the local rate is for mowing in your area. Where I live the $50-$75 dollar an hour figure mentioned would price you right out of the market. That is not what you want to do if you are trying to get started in a business. If this land owner is a family friend be honest and ask him what he has been paying.

MarkV

 

[TripleR]

Looking at this from the other side, it might be helpful to be able to estimate the total amount. I have contracted jobs by the hour and paid way more than it was worth as there was no incentive to complete the job quickly. Whenever possible, I now contract by the cost of the job and refuse to pay for a "pig in the poke" unless I know the person is reliable.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

post pictures when your done.

I would pay by the job. last time I did a field that size, I charged around $200, but that's been a few yrs back.