Help Pricing A Job

[JustCallMeJImmy]

With only taking on jobs for neighbors and friends, also being new to all of this I have always just said pay me what you think is fair. Also before this the jobs have usually been straight forward ie. fall cleanup, retaining walls, gutters, and mostly 1 job at a time. This was my first Job with multiple tasks, that use different skill sets. Also my neighbor (the customer) asked to hire me, right before she was going away. So I diagrammed out the job on paper, and she approved. I did not consider until the second day, that if i charge my usual this was gonna cost allot. (not making this mistake again) I am positive she knows it was allot of work, but i was still apprehensive when figuring out how much to charge. That is when I found you website, and was like wow. So i thought couldn't hurt to ask. I will find out tomorrow ,how it will turn out. I decided to just break down all the jobs, show hours worked on each and just multiply that by 20$ hour. 31.5 hours rounded down to $600. Then if she was not expecting that much, explain and reduce price if needed. I will not be doing it this way again, I was just hoping you guys could let me know if i was to low, to high or in the ballpark of what normally would be charged. I do appreciate the responses, and really appreciate this website! I have allot of reading to do

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Last edited by JustCallMeJImmy; 04-26-2012 at 09:33 PM.

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Lawn care business tips

as a friend $600 is fair, as a business $1200 is. I'm going off your hours worked and not how long it would take me. I mightve been able to do it in 15, so $600 would work for that. At the sametime I take your word for it. If you say it took that long it was a hell of a job to undertake.

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[Apex Lawn & Landscape]

I agree with SECT. Thats why I mentioned getting a set price before work is started.....only because " Is he gonna do the work as a friend?" "Is he charging me full price? " friends and family are always the ones lookin for free handouts and deals, youlle never get ahead until you distinguish what you are....friend helping friends....or this is a business? Best of luck

[Steve]

I mightve been able to do it in 15

What do you feel might have been a more realistic hour number for you?

[JustCallMeJImmy]

With the right tools ie. Chainsaw, or a digger, the tree and shrub I could have done in considerably less time. Also I could of had her get the gas lines marked, there may have been no worry at all about cutting or bending a line. I cannot see anyway the mulch and dirt could have been quicker. They were delivered in bags (https://bigyellowbag.com/), and placed at front of her driveway. Distance to backyard beds was roughly 135 feet, with a pool to navigate all around. There was also no way to just dump them into 4 of the 5 beds, as there were retaining walls and flowers all along the front. Using a blower was out of the question for the beds as dirt and old mulch would have ended up all over her lawn and pool cover. I will try to take pictures tomorrow morning.
I talked to here today, and she was really impressed by the job, and was not phased by how long it took ( she said she new it would take along time)
Hopefully she feels same way about price, when I go over this morning

[JustCallMeJImmy]

Success! The customer loved the job I did, and had no problem with the charge. I also got a case of Canadian, so I am all smiles.

TY very much all! and to you Steve for this website. I am gonna really enjoy reading all the posts and leaning from everyone on your forum!

[JLM]

Buddy It has taken you an awfull long time to do that job, To long to be profitable. I would have bid that same job here in Fl for around 450.00 and been done in a day. My advice to you is take on smaller jobs till you learn the ropes. Just charge your customer 100.00 per day and I think you will be fine, Also get a buddy to help you on jobs of that size and pay him fair... its funny how a helping hand makes you more money. TIME IS MONEY!!
Most of us learn as we go....Keep your head up

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by Steve

What do you feel might have been a more realistic hour number for you?

Cant really say without seeing the job but first I wouldve brought a helper. Once fatigue sets in, efficiency drops. When your more experienced you can do things faster. The right tools always helps too.

With removing shrubs, you can dig a little around the base then put a comealong on it and rip it out of the ground. You could also use a tow chain and back it out with a truck. I did this with tree stumps. Another option is a sawzall on the roots.

They delivered bag mulch? That explains the cost. Never buy bag mulch/soil unless you only need 2-3 bags. The mulch being bagged shouldve increased productivity since you dont have to shovel.