Bucket Hooks How much is too much?

[johnrex62]

I am curious about how much is a good price to pay someone to put hooks on a bucket? There is a welder in my area who is advertising he will weld on and paint to match a pair of 3/8 hooks (welded on 1/4 plate) for $70.

I don't have any welding equipment, so am considering having this done. I just don't have any idea what it costs to do this or how much is a good rate to hire it done. Looking for clues.

Also thinking about a stump bucket of some type for digging out very small trees or bushes. Cheapest I have seen for these is $400 retail. Could it be hired for less or would cost more without economies of scale?

 

[k0ua]

Wow, if you were near here, I would do if for you for nothing, It is just not that big of a deal. Far be it from me tho to tell someone what they should charge for 5 minute per hook job. Well ok you need to brush the slag (if stick welded) and wait for it to cool before hitting it with the spray can.. I have done several, all my own.

James K0UA

PS. I see the 1/4 plate, I am guessing he is supplying.. well that changes things some.. that will take more time.
I cannot comment about the stump bucket.

 

[ironpig70]

I say thats a fair price. Remember he has to supply a welder, griders, grinding disks. And the biggest factor is his skill. If the weld is really hot he could really weaken the points around the hooks. If the weld is cold the hooks will stay on the bucket until you give them a good tug.

In short you are paying for piece of mind more than anything.

 

[adjusterr]

Way too expensive. The hooks can be purchased at any hardware store for a few dollars each. The welder will need to grind the mounting area clean then weld the hooks in place, 10 min job. A $3.00 can of Rustoleum paint to finish the job, remember, this is not finished body work, it's a tractor bucket. I would check around the neighborhood, most farmers have welders and know how to use them. Good luck.

 

[qball98]

If he is supplying the hooks, plate, paint and all material than I would say it is not a bad deal. If he is a certified welder then his time and experience is worth something.

 

[IslandTractor]

I agree that $70 for a professional welder to do the work is fair. It is a commercial price and reflects that they guy is spending about an hour total on the job (travel included) as well as his investment in welding equipment, overhead and of course labor.

I had a bucket modified (cut off JD mount, grind smooth, weld on owner supplied QA plate) and paid a pro $100 to come to my driveway to do it. I thought it was fair. I certainly felt a lot better paying that than some of the plumbing bills I've had to fix relatively minor things.

 

[easygo]

I think $70 is a fair price. If you ever tried to strip the paint from these buckets he would have about 10min in that alone with the wire wheel on the grinder. Then 15 min or so for the positioning and welding of the hooks. A few minutes of clean up slag. Wait to cool and then primer plus at least two finish coats of paint. A can of Rustoleum around here cost around $8. Plus the guy will come to your house.
So I think $70 is a good price even if you have to buy the steel and the hooks.

Go to any welding shop and they will have the hourly rate posted on the wall. The last one I remember was around $75/hour and you would have to haul your stuff in there and forget about painting.

 

[LD1]

I agree with the last three. Seems fair to me since he is supplying everything.

Figure about $10 for the pair of hooks, $10 for the plate, and $5 worth of paint. Thats $25 in material cost. That only leaves him $45 for the labor and drive to your house + equipment overhead.

If he is a business, he is in it to make money. Even if you brough the tractor to him, you are still figuring about an hour of his time for grinding, positioning, welding, and painting. AND the materials cost. So if he is a certified/professional welder working for $45 per hour, that aint bad IMO

 

[Army grunt]

**** $70.00,,I gave $100.00 for my used bus box welder Just a thought but look around it might be time to set yourself up with a unit, Sure its a fair price ,But look at what your getting, At most tractor places the "weld on" type of hooks are $6 OR8$ EACH.You need to ask around a little.As a guy said above If you lived near me I would enjoy doing it for a cup of coffee.
Army Grunt

 

[Gizmo2]

If the welder supplies all the materials, I would take a six pack of beer and also give that to him as a token of your appreciation. Nothing takes 10 minutes when it comes to welding. Especially with paint and not to mention, paint to match.