Removing treated post from concrete slab

[pblawncare]

Got fence around a dumpster that the post broke off at the ground, post was set 2 ft. deep with roughly 24" deep of concrete around it. I used a Makitia Electric Hammer to break it loose, took roughly 4 hours to get the old concrete out, and get the broken post loose. The best way I can figure is charge the customer by the hour.... I had to do a lot of other stuff to this fence as well because of its poor construction. is there a better way to do it, it was by far a job and not some walk in the park. New hinges, re-hung some pannels, new post, etc.

[Hedgemaster]

Lawn care business tips

Not sure what to tell you, but sometimes when a job takes me a long time, I consider that if I had the right tool for the job, or had done things differently it would not have taken so long and I factor that into my figure. I can't "punish" the client for my own lack of efficiency. Also, don't tell them I'm charging you "X/hr, so the total is XXX.XX". Just give them a total.

[pblawncare]

I used the best tool for the job, and moved as quick and safely as possible (95 degrees out,no messing around). a concrete saw would have been over kill and a sledge hammer would never have done it. I figured on just totaling up my time and material and billing it. this is a commercial account and an issue thats been long over due.

[Hedgemaster]

Cool. I wasn't implying that you used the wrong tools. Just that when you mentioned it taking so long, I thought of some jobs when I started out that could have been done much more quickly with different tools.

[pblawncare]

oh no I understand where you're coming from. its just 24" inches of concrete ain't no walk in the park. it actually was the quicker of the stages, repairing some of the panels was a bit tricky on occasion, its tough to judge this stuff sometimes.

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

The fastest way to do it would be a Jumping Jack. Now most landscapers wouldnt exactly have this tool laying around.

[Steve]

is there a better way to do it, it was by far a job and not some walk in the park.

When the customer asked you to fix this, did you tell them you would bill them by the hour or did you just give them a price based on how long you thought it would take?

If you don't perform this kind of service normally, I would think by the hour would be the way to go.

Also, would it have helped you if you rented a jackhammer? Do you have a picture of the area you were working on so we can get a better visualization?