labor rates

[tnttreeman]

Hi all. I have a small tree service in western PA. I usually employ 2, sometimes 3, guys plus myself. This year I'm considering raising my rates a little to compensate for the insurance and fuel cost hikes, but don't want to get out of line. I was wondering what the going rate is in other areas per man hour or per day. For several years, we were way too cheap ( so I unfortunately found out ) and I raised my rates a little, only to find that I wasn't nearly as booked. We normally stay 4-6 weeks out in the summer, but it went to 2-3 after the increase. Price related? I'm not 100% certain. We do alot better job than most of the companies I've seen, particularly with cleanup. So, when we have referrals, I can name my price within reason.
Any input is appreciated.
Relating to cleanup, does anyone get complaints that there winter cleanup isn't nearly as good as the summer ?

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

hi tntreeman welcome to our online little community ...sorry i cant help much with your question ,it's got something to do with geography..im sure some of the guys will reply to your question soon

 

[tnttreeman]

thanks rollacosta. i'm sure they will too.

 

[P_woozel]

In the Puget Sound area the average is around 63.00/hr, thats a little low for average tree work in my mind with increase in expenses etc. But the kicker is how t5hat is the same rate charged for high exposure tree work. I feel a rate for the norm around 75.00 per hour is very reasonable, particularly with the outfit I work at now, when we roll on a job we have a minimum of 45 yrs tree care experience, at least 2 cert. arborists, insurance and all the normal complement of heavy equipment. :umpkin:

 

[tshanefreeman]

Is your $63-75 dollar per hour rate per person on site or per you entire crew........ Just curious?

 

[tnttreeman]

i wondered the same. if it's for the crew, isn't that low for the amount of experience?

 

[P_woozel]

63.00 per man hour is about average here, so a 4 man unit with truck chipper is running at 252.00/hr. I feel that an average should be at 300.00/crew hour for that structure.

 

[OutOnaLimb]

Our winter clean up is usually not as good as the summer clean up. Working in the snow sucks and every little twing stands out against the white stuff on the ground

Kenn

 

[tnttreeman]

when we leave a job in the summer, you're hard pressed to even find sawdust. that's why i get aggravated with the winter cleanup. i love my backpack blower!

also, thanks for the rate advice p woozel. seems like around $60-$65 per man per hour is the average from what i'm hearing.

 

[tinman44]

my partner and i run a small climbing company. we charge 75 an hour each so thats 150 an hour for our crew, then we have stump grinder and cleanup guys we can adjust bid to include their work but luckily most ppl want the wood or like the price just to get it on the ground

 

[tnttreeman]

thanks. 95% or better of our jobs are complete cleanups- we take everything. great for us because we charge more and then resell the wood as firewood in the winter. occasionally we have a job where we put the stuff on the ground and walk away, but not often.

 

[Koa Man]

The best thing I found for stump grinder cleanups is a power broom. It will clean the grass far better and way faster than a blower. It is also great for wet leaves. I usually aim for at least $1200 for a 3 man crew, 8 hr. day.

 

[SteveBullman]

I usually aim for at least $1200 for a 3 man crew, 8 hr. day.

yeah but then you have to pay like $10 for a big mac meal over there right

 

[Koa Man]

I usually don't go to McD, but I think a Big Mac meal deal is around $5.50 here.
$1200 a day for 3 man crew is only $50 hour per man.

 

[SteveBullman]

perhaps its just $10 at waikiki, sure we paid something extorionate

 

[tnttreeman]

koa, do you use that power broom on a skid steer? or do you have some other set up?

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

i think he's on about a stihl power broom

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

50-65 around here, some of the bigger companies try for up to 85, I'm told.

 

[begleytree]

Gee, 50 per man hour? 1200 a day? Not long ago this came up and I answered I charge 125/hour, for 3 men, truck and chipper, 1000/day per 8 hours and dam if the 5hit didn't hit the fan! I was called all sorts of unbecomming names. including overcharger, customer screwer, and far worse in the PMs, My how the rates have risen in the last couple of months. BTW, my rates haven't risen, still the same, might need to double them to keep up with some of you. Don't get me wrong, charge as much as you can get and stay relatively busy, why work 5 days a week when you can make good money working 3?
Notice no-one has jumped anyone yet.
-Ralph

 

[Stumper]

Ralphie, I have no gripe about your rates. Since Koa is in an expensive place to live he probably isn't charging enough. I'm working on getting my prices up. I was busy this year but when you weigh the expenses and hours worked I still need to come up. My target had been $60 per hour for myself and equip. $100 per hour with a second person on the job. It isn't enough. It sounds good to the uniniated but when you take out all the expenses and add in all the hours spent bidding and servicing equipment- .