Contracting tractor services

[Rowski]

I've been asked by a few local people if I would be willing to do some work for them with my tractor. My question is how do you charge for the work? By the hour? Contract? What about charging for hauling? I don't want to over charge. I would like to get payed for using the tractor and some pocket money.

Seem like I have found a few new freinds since I got the tractor! Has this also happens to other people?

Derek

 

[stvman]

Rowski,

I have had the same problem , I figured, find out what your tractor would rent for at a local rental yard (usually it's a 8 hour deal delivered) then figure at least 20 bucks an hour for yourself, I think would be fair. (there is a major plus to have an operator with experience compared to a novice home owner) If you have to move your tractor several miles 1.50 a mile over 20 miles ect...

Hope tht helps, Steve

 

[Muhammad]

FWIW, I've paid $15-$20/hour for a neighbor to do work... snow plowing, grading, mowing, bush hogging, etc. 5 minute minimum. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif 40 horsepower tractor of the green color variety. Won't mention any names...

 

[Rowski]

stvman,

Would the $1.50 be per loaded mile? For our towing service (cars) we charge a hook up fee and $2.50 per loaded mile. But a loaded mile could be shorter than the actual round trip. Example: If you left point A empty drove to point B (20 miles) to get loaded and then delivered to point C (15 miles) and drove back to point A empty. Would you charge a flat fee for going under 20 miles? Thank for the help!

Derek

 

[EddieW]

Around here they charge a 2 hour minmum. If you have more than 4 hours of work they will waive that. I have had people ask me to do things but I tell them I am not good enough tractor operator to work on other people's stuff (which is truer than I like)/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

 

[Bird]

Yeah, Muhammad, prices are cheap around here, too. I don't do much, but a little light tractor work for others in the area. I try to get $20 an hour unless I have to use the tiller or finish mower, then I want $25 an hour - one hour minimum.

Bird

 

[gordon]

Here is a thread that might answer some of your questions hope this helps. http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=construction&Number=1342&page=&view=&sb=&vc=1#Post1342
As for a loaded mile if the tractor is on the trailer it's a loaded mile. Some areas you can do this others just add a flat rate for hauling and in others you couldn't even think of charging for hauling. It's whatever your market will bear.
Gordon

 

[ddl]

I charge $30.00 for a half hour every half hour. I did charge $30.00 an garden or hour which ever came first. I t was funny how they kept comming up with things to till until the hour was gone. Now at $30.00 a half hour they can determine how much they want done, no matter wheather I am tilling, mowing or using the loader. I don't charge to hau;l to the location, but if it is too far away, more than 20 miles, I will charge 35 dollars an half hour. If you do good work no one refuses to pay.
Dan

 

[Thomas]

Rowski,
If there good friends I don't charge them for hauling,and fair as the price goes depends how good of friends they are.
In anothers words if they have help me in the past and I feel I could count on them in the future no charge.

If there local people in which I knew I charge about $10.00 less an hour at the rate of a rental equipment place,but make sure there and understanding in some form of damages in something should go wrong/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Oh yes indeed you will find out also make new friends now that they know you have a tractor./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Stay safe and /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif


Thomas..NH

 

[roysallis]

Rowski,
Do you have liability insurance in case you do something that the customer wants to sue you for? This could affect how much you should charge?