Tractoring $ rate

[HRS]

Hello everyone. I've been working hard on my garden for this year. Pictures coming soon. It's turning out really good.

On to topic. I recently received a job offer. Some guys want me to use my gardening tools to help them put in their spring wildlife food plots. I'm "somewhat" interested. I don't mind helping out others. Acutally think it would be a fun opportunity to build some new relationships, but here is the rub. They are interested in bartering a membership to their club for my help. So I'm thinking that this could get messy in a hurry. I'd have to keep very accurate records on any money I've spent on materials and time to hopefully prevent any feeling from getting hurt due to misunderstandings. So here is the big question. How much $ an hour should I calculate for my operating my TC30 tractor in seed bed preperation. That would include tilling, spreading, fertilizing.

Their wildlife food plots are small but numerous. If I get into this, I need to let them know up front that this does not mean that they have unlimited access to my services. That's why I'd keep records, etc.

Has anyone tried this before and had success, or is it ingredients for disaster.

Thanks for your input.

 

[davemhughes]

Around $30-35 hr for a tractor that size but as always.....could actually be more or less depending on a lot of variables.

 

[WhyNot]

Call the local rental yard and see how much it would cost you per hour to rent the equivalent equipment that you have. Then add what you feel is a reasonable rate for your time. Don't be shy make it worth your while. Then when the job is done hand them the bill and if after that you choose to join their club pay them their dues. That way you wont get shorted and neither will they.

 

[MossRoad]

Remember, when you do anything for anyone for money.... have insurance.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

How well do you know the rest of the "members"? Any references that have actually dealt with them prior? Does the membership actually have any value? (i.e. is there any wildlife on the place, or are they hoping that the food plots draw what isn't there now?)

There's a group of guys I know that quail hunt on property they lease just up the road from me. They would rather pay up front and keep their place to themselves. I'd be leary of folks who don't have anything to offer in return, but expect you to give that to them in return for their "friendship". Friends are earned, not bought. May be legit, but sounds a little "fishy". Before I'd go into an agreement like this, I'd expect BOTH PARTIES to clear up what it is they expect and what they offer in return. Get ALL the cards on the table. If these guys are for real, they won't have a problem with that. If they're feeding you a line, they might balk at setting a "worth" to everything.

Should all seem good to go, it might be a chance to have some fun, meet a few new friends, and have a great place to hunt or just hang out. I'd ask for a "sit-down" and talk over yours and their expectations. Then make up your mind.

 

[TwinWillows]

Around here something like $35 minimum/hour for the machine plus pickup & delivery & plus operator. Generally there's a minimum charge out amount. As someone else said, be careful doing work for $ w/o insurance. Protects both them & you..

Certainly your call as to how you wish to get paid for your time / fuel / equpment depreciation / transportation costs etc ie $ or bartered membership in a club.

 

[ToadHill]

In my area the price is $40 per hour for tractor work, $55 per hour for small dozer, and $75 for large dozer.

 

[Oleozz]

There is a fair amount of work to planting food plots, as I'm sure you know. Last year I planted 8 good sized plots by myself and it took some time. If they plan to help you with the labor, supply all the fertilizer and seeds, and then give you a membership to a great hunting club with lots of deer, turkey, and quail, then it might be worth your time and the wear and tear on your equipment.

 

[plowking]

I belonged to a professional barter exchange years ago. I had problems with goods and services I received for the barter my services earned. If you do it on a large scale, you have to figure out the taxes, because there is still a profit even though money wasn't exchanged. The rate for small backhoe here is 50.00-75.00 an hour, but there are landscapers who will rent you a small machine for 300.00 a day[ might include operator]. plowking

 

[2nstonge]

They are interested in bartering a membership to their club for my help.

In my experience this bartering doesn't end at the club's gates. Before you know it you're being asked to do work at other members houses with a wink and a nod that there's no charge since this is a "member-to-member" deal.

You might look at offering a discounted rate for work "on the club property" in exchange for a discounted membership. If you're giving something away be sure that everyone involved knows what your 'real time' is worth and that there's hard and fast parameters where the discount ends and full price begins.

The new relationships might be a nice side benefit for you but the cost of owning & maintaining a tractor has value too. Would they have asked you to join if you didn't have a tractor?

-Norm