labor rates

[Koa Man]

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

I have a Shindaiwa power broom. It is like a brush cutter with a broom head. I also have the weed wacker and hedge trimmer attachments for it. Echo also makes the same thing with quick change attachments.

Since my 2 workers labor costs me $400 a day, $50 per man hour leaves me with $800 left over for my salary and overhead costs. All my equipment is paid for, I don't have office or a yard rental, so my overhead costs is pretty low. I could actually operate at $1000 a day, 3 man crew very very profitably.

 

[tshanefreeman]

Stihl also weighs in with their newly introduced MM55 Yard Boss. This adaptation on a wiper-sniper motor, allows the user to mix and match countless attachments, such as power broom, power sweeper, pick tines tiller, bolo tine tiller, edger, dethatcher, and more. I have found that this one offers more versatility than that of the various competitors.

With regards to the labor rates per hour, I am still an advocate that the labour rate that an individual can charge or get away with is totally dependent on location. The location will dictate through competition and consumer acceptance what you the owner/operator can get away with. Yes, reputation can and will offset this set-back slightly, but in the end, everything comes back to location! (I say this full knowning that there are many of you that think I'm crazy and have fallen off of my rocker........but this does seem to be the way that the majority of markets work!).

 

[Koa Man]

I don't think you are off your rocker, I think you are right. I do know that by and large, the NE United States can charge more than the South and Hawaii.

 

[tnttreeman]

guess i'm glad that i live in the NE states then . appreciate the advice all you fellas have to give.

i am familiar with the small power brooms, too, though i've never used one. i thought you originally were talking about something bigger. guess i'll check into one this year.

 

[begleytree]

Justin, know what you mean. Couple years ago I lived well on the 125/hr, now seems I'm working for wages anymore. Have to look at the rates this year, or cut back on men, and work a bigger backlog, risking loosing some though, due to time. Timewise I'm talking about removals and such, folks trying to get their summer projects going, prune jobs usually aren't a rush problem here. Anyhow, the one griping me out was some other Guy, not you
-Ralph

 

[Can-Do-It]

Differant area's with-in the same city - differant price

Stihl also weighs in with their newly introduced MM55 Yard Boss. This adaptation on a wiper-sniper motor, allows the user to mix and match countless attachments, such as power broom, power sweeper, pick tines tiller, bolo tine tiller, edger, dethatcher, and more. I have found that this one offers more versatility than that of the various competitors.

With regards to the labor rates per hour, I am still an advocate that the labour rate that an individual can charge or get away with is totally dependent on location. The location will dictate through competition and consumer acceptance what you the owner/operator can get away with. Yes, reputation can and will offset this set-back slightly, but in the end, everything comes back to location! (I say this full knowning that there are many of you that think I'm crazy and have fallen off of my rocker........but this does seem to be the way that the majority of markets work!).

Treeman, your right that different locations can and do get different pricing for the same work, within the same city.

It has to do with the customer location meen(sp) income level.

Meen income for customer A location, 150k, verse's customer B at meen income of 65k.

That's why mass mailing company's sells address list by zip code or meen income or age. You target the right customer group for you company.

You'al have a Blessed Day :angel:

 

[Turfguytx]

Thanks for the useful information.

 

[P_woozel]

Treeman, your right that different locations can and do get different pricing for the same work, within the same city.

It has to do with the customer location meen(sp) income level.

Meen income for customer A location, 150k, verse's customer B at meen income of 65k.

That's why mass mailing company's sells address list by zip code or meen income or age. You target the right customer group for you company.

You'al have a Blessed Day :angel:

The avgerage income on the East sid of Lake Washington is right around 210,000.00. Seems to make 65.00/mh a little low.

 

[Tree Machine]

$60 to $90 an hour, depending on technicality. Sometimes more. Often less.