Working r-o-w I can remember a company charging $12/hr for a 4wd crew cab fully equipped. Their "fully equipped" is far from what I consider fully equipped but did include basic climbing & rigging gear. This didn't include any labor rates this was solely for the pickup.
$12hr x an 8hr day = $96/day
$96 x 200 working days = $19,200/yr
This is more of what I'm looking for. I remember now that their rate didn't include the saws. They charged for those separately but I would probably just include those also.
I'd suggest that you don't subject yourself or equipment to anything ROW....unless you are on the row, naturally. If you must use it for a point of departure, consider doubling or tripling it. If I wanted to work, pay, or run my equipment and gear into the ground according to row rates...I'd be there. Been there....literally burned the T shirts. (private family and friends ceremony, the beer was good, the wind was right, and everyone got a turn.)
For example, lots of times folks want to forego a chipper, cause they think it's “cheaper.” They just want to pay for me and my gear and they'll clean up, or want it all taken to the burn pile. It's not cheaper. If I have to handle the brush at all, I might as well throw it in a chipper. The savings are minimal, if at all, and they have first dibs on fine chips if they go for a chipper. If I have to handle it more than once or transport it....it's more expensive. Of course, they’ll save some on final cleanup…that’s always a welcomed option, but nothing to do with a chipper either way.
I'm with dan...let me see the job, note the parameters, and go from there. There can be all kinds of relatively intangible factors I cannot readily explain to the average HO. I figure my time and expenses seasoned and factored with a difficulty quotient and other parameters and develop a bid on an above average predicted scenario.
If they want an itemized invoice...it's all going to cost more...way more...right down to the micro pulley and the time and effort to generate such a thing on paper. I’m not against accountability, just not real hot about disclosure of company information and processes that are beyond the client’s realm of understanding. It’s all honest business…just not all their business. No two jobs are the same, so I’m not going to have one client expect such and such based on the other client sharing information that doesn’t pertain. I’m real open about my process, just not open on my rates accordingly. In other words, I’ll tell you roughly how I figure it, without the actual figures, save the final figure. If they don’t like it, I refer them to a couple of local guys that I’m quite sure have it all figured out…according to the ROW. Good for them. They’ve managed to low ball me on every job and client I didn’t want. I owe them considerably beyond my ability to repay.
Whatever the case…the more someone presses me to save a dime…or micro manage the affair..beyond reason…the more expensive it gets. I feel I am reasonable and efficient, professional and safe, my rates are figured accordingly. Any compromise to that and it is going to cost more, not less, in general. Perhaps even prohibitively so.
If someone wanted to know what I was charging per hour for a pickup, I'd say: "I'm not....saves you a ton of money right there." They've covered my mileage sure, but why pay for something just sitting there? Chipper might be on site all day, but I’ve only got it figured for a couple hours and what it took to get it there and back. I’ll save a client money were I can, there are no hidden or unnecessary costs, but I’ve got to be profitable or I’m doing everyone and the industry a terrible disservice.
Take note, I'm not saying you are wrong, or doing anyone a disservice, just giving my opinion on the overall in general and trying to be helpful. It can be 6 one way, half a dozen another....just don't sell yourself short either way. Good Luck.
