Grader attachment: How to charge?

[Compact1]

I've been thinking about buying a grader attachment for my tractor. Even though they are more expensive, I've been leaning toward Road Boss. If I charge for my tractor services, how would I determine a fair price to ask for work with the Road Boss? I don't know of anyone else who provides this service in my area.

Do you charge by the hour or the job? Obviously, if you grade a small parking lot you would need to charge by the job. If you grade a long driveway you might get away with charging by the hour. I will be new to the contractor business and need advice on "what a job is worth". I will probably starve to death because I want to be fair with people. Luckily, it would be a second income.

Grading would only be one of the services I would provide. I have acquired several attachments that would enable me to do a variety of small jobs. I've been wanting to get contractor's insurance and a contractor's license for a long time and I'm just about ready to get started.

Any suggestions? Did I post this question in the correct place? Thanks.

 

[Charlesaf3]

Just a thought that in the heavy duty line the Road Runner Grader with the roller looks nice, and from recent road work I can see how useful that roller would be.

 

[JoeinTX]

Well, Compact1, I'd probably do it the same that most charge for shredding/mowing.......price per the hour with a minimum.

Did it a little myself, then real life got in the way, but that's what I did as well. There's going to be a bare minimum cost for you simply loading the tractor up and getting on the highway to a potential customer......mine and many others was 2 hours. Otherwise, it ain't even worth the trouble.

I know what you mean about being "fair" with people and as much faith as I have in the goodness of the human race.........not everyone out there is interested in being "fair" with you. You're going to run into the charity cases.....the "next paycheck"ers.....the affluent types who run around in BMWs and flash their oppulence yet who can't find the time to send you a check for the three hours of tractor work you did for them. On and on.


Have fun!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Hey Charles, is it time for a new avatar? Maybe a side by side picture.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I need to get the camera out, but getting things done keeps getting in the way...

But thanks for the thought - reminded me I have parts lying around to send to you.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Compact1, I am assuming that you have not done all that much road grading maintenance before. If you have not, then I would try the hourly method first. To just look at a job and say that it is going to be X amount, that takes a lot of experience and even then it is only an educated guess. I would definitely consider the grader type as pictured.

 

[Compact1]

Thanks to everyone who replied! Sounds like rock solid advice; a 2-hour minimum for any job.

JoeinTX - did you pro-rate the third hour or charge an additional full hour if you went over 2 hours?

Thanks again.

 

[Rara Avis]

I've been thinking about buying a grader attachment for my tractor. Even though they are more expensive, I've been leaning toward Road Boss. If I charge for my tractor services, how would I determine a fair price to ask for work with the Road Boss? I don't know of anyone else who provides this service in my area.

Do you charge by the hour or the job? Obviously, if you grade a small parking lot you would need to charge by the job. If you grade a long driveway you might get away with charging by the hour. I will be new to the contractor business and need advice on "what a job is worth". I will probably starve to death because I want to be fair with people. Luckily, it would be a second income.

Grading would only be one of the services I would provide. I have acquired several attachments that would enable me to do a variety of small jobs. I've been wanting to get contractor's insurance and a contractor's license for a long time and I'm just about ready to get started.

Any suggestions? Did I post this question in the correct place? Thanks.

Do a search on Owning/Operating using the keyword contracting and read some of those threads...especially the ones that LoneCowboy and FarmWith Junk responded to...

 

[JoeinTX]

Paul's right, lots of threads on here about custom work, its benefits, and its downsides.

"did you pro-rate the third hour or charge an additional full hour if you went over 2 hours?.."


Uh, sort of. I would watch the half-hour mark....work 2:15 and I charge for 2 1/2 hours of work. Work 2:05.......just charge for two. It evens out.

 

[toivo1037]

FYI: MDot schedule bills out a pull behind grader blade at $7.70/hr + tractor rate according to HP range.

Do yourself a favor, and bill by the job.

 

[Cyberroc]

Maybe just make calls or get quotes from the surrounding (or as close to) area.

It might just be that easy, and you not only gain the knowledge of how your area is typically billed, but an idea of where your areas rates fall as well.

If it were me, I would agree with the 'hourly' approach to start. Just make sure your careful about having 'rental' money ready if needed in a pinch, and it may not hurt to have some sort of contract that your customers sign. I did when snow-plowing drives and smaller roads, it saved me on more than one occasion to have things like the area involved and the 'what is expected/resonable' clause, just in case...

Good luck, a job with seat time does sound like a good time...
.
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[Compact1]

Thanks again for everyone's input. I have a lot to consider.

 

[Robert Huffaker]

based on local charge, think minimum of $30 an hour would be fair. You never know what will turn up,like after a storm a lot of washing, ruts etc. I made a grader like yours and it is the best I ever used or saw, Is 6 ft wide. made of 3 inch square tubeing. Cutting blades from tractor supply...A problem with hook up you now have is that front of tractor goes down, the rear grader comes up and vice versa. I put a 7 inch slot for the top link to more in and so the grader floats and I think works better. One could use a chain as well..

 

[TerryJ]

I do alot of bushogging for people and I average around $50/hr. That being said, I bid most all of my work by the job. I have a $100 minimum. I also do stump grinding, driveway work and light backhoe work. It takes a little time but you will find out quickly how much your minimum price per hour/job can be. Good luck!