? On fair price for tracor work

[daTeacha]

On a different tack -- is there anything in your area that could end up putting you on the wrong side of the license issuers, regulators, etc.? If you charge for doing work for someone, does someone need to get their fingers in the pie and regulate things?

I hope not, but some areas are a little bureaucrat crazy. I'd just hate to see you get into difficulty for running a business without a license that some busybody thinks you need.

 

[RollTideRam]

Thanks for all the replies. I started mowing at the plant where my wife works this spring. I took the job to help pay for the gator, I could not get a tractor and gator without making a little extra.
The boss knows I just got the tractor and by now means am I professional with it. I borrowed a 4' disc to use. Maybe this will open a door for a some extra tractor work around the plant, and I will charge more if it does. They already asked it I could go over the gravel in the parking lot with the yard rake. JC

 

[CDsdad]

A buddy of mine in the Mobile area had some work done similar to what you did. It was after Katrina, so price may have been inflated, and he paid $65/hour. The suggestion of charging more and discounting seemed a good idea to me, especially if it tends to lead to more work. Just MHO, hope it helps.

 

[DCS]

Do a little research for your area. I looked in the papers for ads for what I do, mowing, dirt work etc. and just called them to find out what they charge. I told them right up front that I am doing the same thing they are doing and am just trying to find out what the going rates are. They all were very receptive. Make sure a price is agreed on up front.
It seems the going rate around here (the Texas Gulf Coast) charge around $40 an hour with a 2 hour minimum.

 

[DCS]

Do a little research for your area. I looked in the papers for ads for what I do, mowing, dirt work etc. and just called them to find out what they charge. I told them right up front that I am doing the same thing they are doing and am just trying to find out what the going rates are. They all were very receptive. Make sure a price is agreed on up front.
It seems the going rate around here (the Texas Gulf Coast) charge around $40 an hour with a 2 hour minimum.

 

[JoshJ]

Seems like $40-50 an hour covers most of the rates for this post, plus extra for specialized/heavy(er) equipment.

My question is, what do you charge if its not your machine?

I dont own the tractor I work with, but the owner (who happens to be my grandmother) has no use for it/ cannot operate it, but does not finance fuel or repairs. I am no pro with any attachments, but am decent, plus it beats the heck out of a rake/shovel/wheelbarrow. (Even so, most people think twice about paying a 19 yr. old 40-50 bucks an hour) So do I try and charge say ~40 bucks/hr and pay a "rent" for the tractor? What woud that be?

 

[JoshJ]

Seems like $40-50 an hour covers most of the rates for this post, plus extra for specialized/heavy(er) equipment.

My question is, what do you charge if its not your machine?

I dont own the tractor I work with, but the owner (who happens to be my grandmother) has no use for it/ cannot operate it, but does not finance fuel or repairs. I am no pro with any attachments, but am decent, plus it beats the heck out of a rake/shovel/wheelbarrow. (Even so, most people think twice about paying a 19 yr. old 40-50 bucks an hour) So do I try and charge say ~40 bucks/hr and pay a "rent" for the tractor? What woud that be?

 

[albmn10]

Try renting a machine here in Upstate NY. Your looking at 250.00 for 8 hours plus a 100 dollar delivery charge. At 30.00 and hour your working for free and beating up your equipment. The rates around here are 60- 70.00 dollars an hour . For 30.00 an hour its simply taking advantage of you.. I would definitely ask him what he expects to pay you in advance. If hes a friend you could do it for less.. Just my opinion... Good luck

 

[albmn10]

Try renting a machine here in Upstate NY. Your looking at 250.00 for 8 hours plus a 100 dollar delivery charge. At 30.00 and hour your working for free and beating up your equipment. The rates around here are 60- 70.00 dollars an hour . For 30.00 an hour its simply taking advantage of you.. I would definitely ask him what he expects to pay you in advance. If hes a friend you could do it for less.. Just my opinion... Good luck

 

[CurlyDave]

I would be very careful here.

If you didn't discuss a price, and it is at his private home, he may be assuming that you are doing it as a favor...

And, I bet your wife's job is worth a lot more than $175.

The answer may well be in your second post "I started mowing at the plant where my wife works this spring. I took the job to help pay for the gator..." Doesn't this set your rate? He probably knows exactly what you are paid and expects to pay the same.

The only difference would be if you are supplying your own equipment working for him and using the company's tractor working for them.

You aren't going to pay for your tractor by doing work without getting a fee structure in advance, and getting one will save a lot of hard feelings later.