Rake ATT': power rake owners??

[DDT]

ATT\': power rake owners??

At this time I am trying out a harey & landpride 6' models. Man what a time diffence from a tiller & pulverizer. I usally charge $50 to $75 per hour. If and will get one of these can I charge more for the power rake? it sounds good to me since the time is alot shorter. How much are all of you charging for your power rakes? I am very reasonaly priced for over hauling yards and want to stay that way but if I could get more for a rake I could get it payed off quicker.

 

[MLB]

Re: ATT\': power rake owners??

I never talk dollars per hour to a customer. They NEVER understand the costs of running a business. If you tell them $60 a hour, they think YOU are pocketing $60 an hour.
You want to give them a TOTAL price only. YOU use the hourly rate to figure what you need to charge them in total.
Short version: You charge the same total price, but it takes you less time, = more per hour.

 

[dfeck]

Re: ATT\': power rake owners??

I agree with MLB. Just keep charging what you're charging. The power rake is an investment which means you need to spend money. The extra overhead will be offset by the savings in time which means more jobs that can be gotten to pay for the power rake. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[DDT]

Re: ATT\': power rake owners??

Thanks for the imput, I was thinking along the same lines, I feel better now. The only time I tell a hourly rate is backhoe work (you just never know)
Well I am going to buy this one , the dealer will call me tomarrow, he is NOT getting it back. So off to the bank I go AGAIN.

 

[BeeBop]

Re: ATT\': power rake owners??

DDT, I own and operate a Landscape/Grading biz and just between you and I and other members we chage a flat rate of $90 an hour when we figure in operating costs which includes the crew and labor portion. You must bear in mind that for you to get your tractor there costs you as well so an additional fee should be levied there as well, (somewhere in the neighborhood of $125 is the norm for delivery). Don't ever be scared to name your price to the client as they will let you work for free if you let them and above all never, ever break the bill down to them in segments, name your price and let it be that. Now, onto the rakes. I know for a fact that landpride had a big recall on their powered rakes as a result of excessive vibration so the new model should be available by now w/the new tooth design and different greese in the unit as well. I would look very closely at the Harley units and buy there because they are the inovators of the powered rake. If you owned a skid steer I'd say go w/the new Bobcat design as it actually is a better rake design than the harley and digs better due to the new tooth design. Hope this helps.

 

[Tags]

Re: ATT\': power rake owners??

DDT,
I Install alot of lawns as well as work for landscape companies that don't have a Harley rake.I charge $800 per day and $500 per half day,and no one ever has questioned it,especially after they see what one of these rakes can do! I think some guys price their raking by the square foot,but I always stick with a flat rate.