How much should I charge

[MikeFromVA]

Some pros told my neighbor that they would charge $45 per acre plus $45 to get to them. I know that I can do it for less (they're right next door and have about 4 acres of field) but I'm not sure that I want to be in the position of being hired by neighbors...

 

[creeper]

Maybe unrealistic in your area, the local market sets the price and I get paid that much on a weekly basis in Va with a 30 hp tractor. Point being charging by the acre not such a good idea, because too many other things factor into how much of your time it will take.

 

[comtaz]

Someone said that they needed insurance - what kind of insurance? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[2nstonge]

If you're hiring yourself out you'll need to think about liability and inland marine (for towing the tractor around) for starters. My insurance costs aren't huge - about $1500/year - but it's a necessary expense in my opinion.

-Norm

 

[Lawnjocky]

By now the deal is done, but I will post anyway for future use by others.
To figure how much to charge do this. ( hypothetical #'s)
First step
tractor cost - $25000/2500 hrs ( dep. rate )= $10.00
mower - $600/ 600 hrs ( dep. rate ) = $1.00
truck - $30000/ 5000 hrs ( 5 yrs / 1000hrs per yr use )=$6.00
trailor - $1000/ 2000 hrs (2 yrs / 1000hrs per yr use ) = $.50
fuel - $5.00 for burn rate of 1 gal for truck + 1 gal for tractor
tractor maint. -$50 per service/ 100 hrs = $.50
truck maint. - $100 per yr. ( 4 oil changes )/ 1000 hrs = .10
labor - $ 10.00 per hr at a minimum
The above is just the basic's (figured fast and dirty) and I get $33.10 per hr. You will need to enter you own #'s.
Step 2
Find out the market price.
If the market price is $45 per hour charge $40
If it's $25 charge $33.10 or don't do the job
There is a lot more to charging/bidding work but this will get you started.