How much should I charge

deere755 · Apr 15, 2005

I had a guy approach me about bush hogging some empty lots he owns about 4 times a year. These are all good flat level areas that are commercial for sale. The total acres is about 3.75. I figure he would have to spend about $50 an acre to have them mowed on a weekly basis and we mow her about 30 times per season. I figure it would be worth at least $100 per acre to bush hog. that would save him $1100 PER ACRE PER YEAR. Does that seem fair, to low, or to high?

DaMadman · Apr 15, 2005

are all 3.75 acres right together?

greg_g · Apr 15, 2005

( Does that seem fair, to low, or to high? )
Seems high to me, but nobody charges by the acre around here. It's generally by the hour meter by the tractor, and goes pretty much in hand with the capability of the equipment. My 45hp 4wd bush hog services get $22/hr around here. A bigger stronger rig gets paid more. Smaller - less. That way you're fairly paid whether the 3.75 acres are full of torturous curves/hills/valleys/rocks/trees/water hazards - or pool table flat and postage stamp square.

//greg//

Tom_H · Apr 15, 2005

I'd say you're charging 3 to 4 times what he could probably get somebody else to do it for. Why don't you call around and find out?

Indydirtfarmer · Apr 15, 2005

( I had a guy approach me about bush hogging some empty lots he owns about 4 times a year. These are all good flat level areas that are commercial for sale. The total acres is about 3.75. I figure he would have to spend about $50 an acre to have them mowed on a weekly basis and we mow her about 30 times per season. I figure it would be worth at least $100 per acre to bush hog. that would save him $1100 PER ACRE PER YEAR. Does that seem fair, to low, or to high? )

That's one of the things I do for a living.... Assuming the lots are near each other, and could be mowed at one time, without hauling from lot to lot, You're looking at $150 (at least in the Louisville Kentucky market)

I did 2 lots this afternoon, totalling 5-2/3 acres, for $160. I was NOT the lowest bidder on the job. (low bidder's tractor is broke down) (That was 1-1/2 hour job)

ryan123 · Apr 16, 2005

I say charge as much as you think he is willing to p /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gifay. Around here septic guys will pay $300 just to get me to show up with a tractor & hoe even if it only takes 20mins

creeper · Apr 16, 2005

I would say about $55 - $65 per HOUR. $100 per acre is a little high unless it would take you at least a hour and 1/2 to cut 1 acre. Judging from your experience try to figure out how long it will take you to cut it all and transport, then make sure you are being paid for that time. If it ends up equaling $100 per acre, I would be surprised.

greg_g · Apr 16, 2005

( I would say about $55 - $65 per HOUR. )

If in fact deere755 will actually be using a JD755, that's an unrealistic price to suggest for bushhogging with 15 PTO hp

$55/65 per hour is for the big boys. The guys around here that get that kind of money are using batwings behind Cat 3 tractors.

//greg//

Boone · Apr 16, 2005

I don't understand why the size of the equipment matters, if the charge is per lot. If I was the landowner I would not care what type of machine does the job, just that the job is done. In the Green Bay area, a coworker was doing lots and charging $50 per lot, two years ago. His caution was to watch for garbage, boards with nails and concrete piles dumped from cement trucks. Also, I would have proper insurance.

have_blue · Apr 16, 2005

I would guess a good rule of thumb would be $1 per hour per HP. You have to make at least that just to pay for fuel, maintenance, and keep a few meager bucks for your work. It costs you big to pay for a new tractor up front. Then as the tractor is paid for and getting 3-4 years old, maintenance goes up. So you can't make a windfall even after the tractor has paid for itself.