Just hired a mulcher

[brin]

So this was the 'lowest' bid ?

No there was one other bid..he advertised mulching for $100.00 and hr. on Craig's List but when I called him he told me he was actually a landscaper and had a skid steer and needed to do some mulching for himself so he was trying to line up enough other work to go rent a mulching head and get his mulching work done for nothing or a lot less...

That of course told me he did not have experience either mulching ( would have to pay for his learning curve ) or with the mulching head itself and with the probable condition of a rented head he would likely have mechanical problems...so I passed on that one and took the $150.00 an hour bid..It is a father and son team that have been in the mulching business for quite some time and I saw their work.

 

[brin]

Brin,
I just had 10 acres of 3-4YO clear cut mulched here in AL. Same machine, same price. I had pine stumps every few feet and regrowth from hardwoods. It took my mulcher three 8hr days spread over a month and half because of the rain we've had. The smaller machines may be a little slower, but they can also get into tighter places. Most important though, is their footprint impact. Those smaller machines with rubber tracks barely left a tread mark even with muddy ground. A big skidder type machine would have left ruts all over the place that I would have to smooth out. Mine looks like he spread bags of mulch all over the ground.

Catfish, Thanks for that information...they estimate my work will take 8 hrs., in fact , We have an agreement on the work they guarantee to finish within the 8 hrs...but if it takes them longer then the price is the same..so it is a guaranteed bid but they did agree if the get done in say 6 hrs..they will continue and do more mulching for the full 8 hrs...so I am in hopes they have over estimated how long it will take them to do what we agreed on since I have a couple of more areas I would like them to get to. I plan of adding the work at the end regardless but it would be nice to get it in that 8 hrs. Thanks again...17 deg. here this AM and snow and black ice on the roads..

 

[WestshoreConstruction]

OK CB your turn.. LOL

 

[yellowdogsvc]

Catfish, Thanks for that information...they estimate my work will take 8 hrs., in fact , We have an agreement on the work they guarantee to finish within the 8 hrs...but if it takes them longer then the price is the same..so it is a guaranteed bid but they did agree if the get done in say 6 hrs..they will continue and do more mulching for the full 8 hrs...so I am in hopes they have over estimated how long it will take them to do what we agreed on since I have a couple of more areas I would like them to get to. I plan of adding the work at the end regardless but it would be nice to get it in that 8 hrs. Thanks again...17 deg. here this AM and snow and black ice on the roads..

always nice to hope the contractor over estimated and does more work for free.. I think if they do extra areas above and beyond they should get a tip.

 

[WestshoreConstruction]

If the guys estimates the work at 8hrs and his rate is so much per hour you can bet he is going to take the 8 hrs, your paying a price per hour, not by the job. I would bet if he charged you say $1200 for the job he would be done in 4 hrs, but per hour he`s gonna take as much time as he can without looking like he`s doggin it. Like they say you get what you pay for, always remember to compare Apples to apples etc.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

If the guys estimates the work at 8hrs and his rate is so much per hour you can bet he is going to take the 8 hrs, your paying a price per hour, not by the job. I would bet if he charged you say $1200 for the job he would be done in 4 hrs, but per hour he`s gonna take as much time as he can without looking like he`s doggin it. Like they say you get what you pay for, always remember to compare Apples to apples etc.

I did a by the hour once and the customer started yelling (I wanted it to look nice). Turns out, he just wanted me to blow and go and no mulching backwards with trap door down. It looked rough to say the least but that's what the guy wanted. I won't do that anymore unless it's WAY off the road. don't want someone to think that's my normal quality!

 

[DirtyWorks]

If the guys estimates the work at 8hrs and his rate is so much per hour you can bet he is going to take the 8 hrs, your paying a price per hour, not by the job. I would bet if he charged you say $1200 for the job he would be done in 4 hrs, but per hour he`s gonna take as much time as he can without looking like he`s doggin it. Like they say you get what you pay for, always remember to compare Apples to apples etc.

I would take that bet anyday. A lot of guys that I have worked with (myself included) actually enjoy mulching. I've worn out several heads and machines and I still like the "challenge" of allowing a landowner to enjoy their view.If the economy and the weather in GA is anything like south MS lately, then the price is a very good one. I would also charge by the day and give the land owner his moneys worth.I have put in alot of extra time on select jobs just to make it look good to me. They may not know what a good through job looks like but I do. If you do it long enough ,you get to a point where you recognize the 'customer's percieved value'. That, along with the word of mouth advertising and reputation that you get, will ensure your business is successful. Anytime you can operate your machine, have fun and have someone else pay the fuel bill and appreciate your work its a good day mulching.
Everyone does not have to play "beat the clock".

(P.S. to WestShore - This was by no means a personal jab at you, just ment to be informative. Sorry it sounded so harsh)

 

[brin]

OK guys we will see how they do and who was right ! This is a father and son team and I have seen the work they do plus I told them I am a real estate broker / developer and up until now I have only used outfits with skid steers to clear land and if this worked out well I would use them and I will, I will also be on the farm to observe. I am inclined to agree with Dirtyworks and his assessment since I have met with these fellas and they impressed me to have a similar work ethic to that expressed by Dirtyworks.

It has been below freezing here with ice and snow for it seems like forever..about a week now so I am hoping by mid week next week we will get 'er done and I will let you all know all the details and post before and after pics. Thanks for the input.

 

[Eagleview]

They are sure to do a good job then , they have a big incentive and a lot to lose if they don't . Lets just see how far over the budgeted time they go without charge to make sure it is done well .

 

[brin]

My Father and Son mulching team started Friday morning, had an equipment problem - a little overheating...go that fixed but it was a short day..continued on Saturday but only got in a few hours due to rain...wouldn't you know, we got rained out..what a difference. I will post the before and after pictures once they have finished.

I have told them of TBN and invited them to join..