Mowing Rates for mowing

   / Rates for mowing #1  

dswinnerjr

New member
Joined
Sep 12, 2006
Messages
18
Location
texas
Tractor
John Deere 5105
Hello, I am new to this forum!

I have a JD 5105 w/ a MX6 shredder. I am considering starting up a business maintaining lots and small acreage tracts. Does anyone have any suggestions on how much I should charge? Currently I have a potential customer with two residential lots each about 1/2 an acre. I appreciate your replies.

Don
 
   / Rates for mowing #2  
The average tractor/driver gets approx. $65 - $75 around here.(Southern Maine) That is mostly while you are working for a landscaper. I think it drops considerably when doing bush hogging, rototilling and such. Probably closer to 25-40 an hour then. Most jobs I've done are bid.
You also have to remember insurance when doing jobs. Any time you are working you REALLY have to see what is around you. Remember about rocks and pieces of wood (along with other things) that will fly out of your impliment you are using. One ding to a car, boat etc. will cost you more than you are making that day.

Many insurance companies won't even talk to you about insuring people for tractor work. Others that do are a little on the pricey side.
Dig safe has to be called to check every job that the earth is "disturbed" on.
Many little aspects to the job. Once you get your trailer registered you have to get it inspected along with the towing truck. Your truck has to have a "Commercial" inpsection sticker on it which is a whole new rule book.
Basically, to do it right you will have to plan on staying somewhat busy or it isn't worth it.
 
   / Rates for mowing #3  
You'll need to stay very busy to make it worth your effort to haul that 4300# monster around.

Rates? Is the tractor paid for? Are you retired? All those types of questions come into play. If you stay busy you'll have higher equipment maintenance costs so you have to be paid enough to cover your expenses and put money in your pocket too.

As rico304 stated, the insurance aspect is often neglected by entrepreneurs just starting out. You need to check your local codes to determine if licensure is required (this stuff gets ridiculous), get good liability insurance (you can never have enough) and contact a lawyer. Any time you do work for other people, it's not a matter of if you'll be sued - it's when.

The ones I know around here, wouldn't get less than about $35 per hour for brush cutting. Finish mowing would be another story due to slower mowing speeds.

It will also depend on local competition and how much your customers are willing to pay you for something they can't or won't do for themselves. I'd start at $40 per hour, float the trial balloon and see where it leads. Your start-up expenses have to be pretty high for the 5105, MX6, a minimum 7500# trailer with brakes and a 3/4 ton diesel pickup plus your insurance. I can't imagine trying to start a commercial enterprise with anything less. Keep good records for the tax man!

All things considered, anyone with a much smaller tractor, trailer and truck will cut your throat. They could probably do the same work much cheaper. However, there's a trade off here for how quickly you can do the job with your tractor. You should definitely be able to cut 4+ acre tracts faster than someone with a 2320.

Disclaimer: I do not operate my tractor commercially, but I did stay at a........... Sorry, wrong disclaimer. Common sense business evaluations are needed before considering any type of work. My opinions are not worth much just intended to get some more info from you and provoke other thoughts.
 
   / Rates for mowing
  • Thread Starter
#4  
I would like to think ya'll for replying. I did manage to acquire one job so far but it is an overgrown lot with a bunch of trees on it. I quoted the guy $150 plus a trip fee of $50.00. He seemed to be ok with that and said that he had another lot to do next maybe.

Insurance I do not have and would need advice on where to get that.
 
   / Rates for mowing #5  
I had to call around to several agencies to find some that would cover tractor work. It is tougher to find if you are going to do any "disturbing" of the earth.
There is the tractor insurance to look at, which works like a car insurance. Some of those don't cover tractor while in transit. Your own car insurance may do that though. You also need liability insurance which covers lawsuits.
I was taken back when I realized all the things that go along with starting a tractor business. After buying all the implements I needed, I then had to buy a trailer to tow the weight of tractor and two or three implements, truck capable of towing, and I have found a dump body to be a blessing. If I didn't go into business with a partner, I don't think I would have made it beyond initial purchasing round! haha
You should also consider becoming an LLC. Speak to a Lawyer about pros/cons.

I now I'm leaving somethings out, but that is the general jist.

(Not as easy as you thought huh?? I know what you are thinking because I thought the same things!!!)
 

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