Tilling gardens for money?

   / Tilling gardens for money? #1  

Haywire

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Anyone plow/till gardens with their BX in the spring? I was wondering if it pays enough to warrant thinking about. If so, how much do you charge?

Ian
 
   / Tilling gardens for money? #2  
Anyone plow/till gardens with their BX in the spring? I was wondering if it pays enough to warrant thinking about. If so, how much do you charge?

Ian

Was thinking that myself. I assume charging x-ammount/square foot would be the thing to do with a certain minimum. If somebody wants me to bust sod for them, I may charge extra because I'll have to rip the sod with my box blade before I till it. I guess I should look around and see what other folks charge. I'm thinking of maybe a $40 min charge.
 
   / Tilling gardens for money? #3  
Don't forget about licenses and insurance (tractor and liability of course)...:D
 
   / Tilling gardens for money? #4  
Don't forget about licenses and insurance (tractor and liability of course)...:D

Yeah. That probably makes the whole thing infeasible. Hadn't really considered that aspect (hadn't gotten that far ahead in my thinking)

I've tilled many a garden in my youth with an old Montgomery Ward front tine tiller. It beat the heck out of me, but I was young and fit and could take it. I probably got $5-10/garden, $20 at the very best (and that was busting sod!!!:eek:) That's been a few moons ago though.

I wouldn't mind making a buck or two with my new set-up, but I'm not gonna lose money by buying a bunch of insurance and stuff. I'd have to do it for a living to ever recoup the loss.
 
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   / Tilling gardens for money?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
This would be cash under the table. I wouldn't be buying any licenses or insurance. Kinda like that bit of firewood I sold a few years ago. Not jumping thru legal hoops for beer money. :)

Ian
 
   / Tilling gardens for money? #6  
This would be cash under the table. I wouldn't be buying any licenses or insurance. Kinda like that bit of firewood I sold a few years ago. Not jumping thru legal hoops for beer money. :)

Ian

You better limit yourself to customers you can trust then (family & friends) 'cause in this sue-happy world, who knows what somebody could hold you liable for. I can't imagine any appreciable property damage that could be caused by merely tilling a garden, but Murphy's Law seems to be able to find it's way into any situation.
 
   / Tilling gardens for money?
  • Thread Starter
#7  
I suppose it is a risk. Would have to come up with a release form that states that you aren't responsible for diddly squat no matter what happens and have them sign it.
 
   / Tilling gardens for money? #8  
We have a local paper here for buying and selling and it is very popular. I have had a lot of luck selling vehicles and boats etc. in it. Last year I put an ad in it and the local newspaper for tilling gardens and never got a single call from either of them. I paid $40 for the ad in the paper. I put it in for my son, thinking he could make some extra money.
 
   / Tilling gardens for money? #9  
Ive tilled gardens before and got $50 a garden. I spend my time and get the soil just right for the customer. $50 seems high now so maybe about $40 or so depending on size, location, terrain, etc. Be sure to keep your hand on the 3 point lift lever though, you never know what you will find in people's garndens. I have found all sorts of stuff, even old bricks. :confused2:
 
   / Tilling gardens for money? #10  
I suppose it is a risk. Would have to come up with a release form that states that you aren't responsible for diddly squat no matter what happens and have them sign it.

I'm far from a lawyer, but my sister is a stenographer and works with them daily. This liability waiver conversation came up one day a while back and she asked a lawyer for an opinion. He said it was better than a hand-shake, but would be very flimsy in a court of law. IOW, about the same as no agreement at all and still able to be held liable. YMMV.
 

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