Tiller Rototilling rates, how much to charge?

[georgia jeff]

I hope to be able to get into doing seed bed prep for people living in subdivisons. Apparently it was common practice around here for contractors to lay sod in the front yard and just let the weeds go in the back yard.
There isn't much money in gardens but then again I'm not trying to get rich just help offset the cost of the tiller and give me more seat time.

 

[grsthegreat]

I hope to be able to get into doing seed bed prep for people living in subdivisons. Apparently it was common practice around here for contractors to lay sod in the front yard and just let the weeds go in the back yard.
There isn't much money in gardens but then again I'm not trying to get rich just help offset the cost of the tiller and give me more seat time.

its a hard thing to exactly figure what to charge:

insurance difference - commercial vs homeowners = ?/hr of use

fuel while operating = ?/hr of use

Future maintenance (your adding hours to machine ) = ?/hr

implement depreciation = ?/hour (the more you use it the more yo need to work on it)

tractor depreciation = ?/hr (your adding hours to the tractor, decreasing its resale value

Your hourly rate - what yo can make doing something else

travel time to and from job


see, it does get complicated. just saying $35/hr doesn't cut it. You have to sit down and find the hard figures involved. Just making a few extra bucks towards implement doesn't necessarily mean you will actually see any of this money.

I'm in the process of figuring out how much to charge my homeowners association if i plow all roads this winter. if the final figures don't show me making any profit...forget it. they can hire someone else to use their equipment. I don't just want seat time (been operating tractors for 20+ years). I have to make a profit and be able to set aside a reserve fund for equipment repair.....plus my time.

 

[jonyyuma]

All very good to know about rates for tilling. Around here the phone or cable can be plowed in at 8 inches deep...sometimes they lay sod over that depth, other times not.

 

[jpowers]

do i need a business license for citys or towens

 

[spruce Deere]

OLD THREAD
I know in Idaho, you straight need a business license to conduct sales, services and such were moneys change hands. Our little farmers market in town stipulates this even..... As stated earlier in the thread , "Crap, its always something".

Bartering O.K..... if the two parties are CLEAR on everything.

It's not cheap to make money with a tractor.... I have been turned down more than I have got the jobs. I have not went broke yet, but have not really gained mountains of wealth ether.

grsthegreat nails it for me... I have operated for 20+ years also and still do. Seat time is just that, seat time. Seat time needs to pay its way plus the operator making it possible, self employed or not.

 

[2458n]

Heck do you think that Tower is setting there for free.

 

[6011Artist]

Not in it as a business but my tractors are for my own use. If asked how much I'd charge to do tractor work, I'm quick to tell them 30.00 an hr. That's not making money by any means but it does put something in the pocket. And most times I never hear back from them. Without having a figure ready, I could get lots of seat time doing favors. Favors don't replace cut tires or busted equipment. Under the barn, none of those breakdowns seem to happen.

 

[donpeak]

Check rates on local tiller rental (walk behind tillers) It's fifty bucks here for a day. Take that figure and triple it for a typical 20'x40' garden or whatever....$150 for job is cheap because they don't have to sweat, no rental machine and you can do a better job. Check first for rocks or small stumps (they may need to have stumps ground first and ROOTs) good luck.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I expect true cost is $50 or more per hours. I do not charge due to my insurance is not For Hire coverage. Agent states I can work free all I want and have coverage. I can get paid for fuel he said.