I am just starting out in landscaping/lawn care and am having trouble deciding on what is a fair price for myself and the people I am working for. I am working for a property management woman right now and she wants the job done as cheaply as possible. In the front yard which measures 20' x 40' I sprayed all weeds and grass, layed down fabric with border on two of four sides, and spread 5 cubic yards of lava rock. For this work I got paid $360 for the entire job. I live in the SF bay area where things cost alot. I did not buy any materials just so the $360 is for my labor. Is that a fair price for the work?
Fair price??
- Thread starter Jwb
- Start date
It took me about two full days. That was with a couple trips to pick up supplies and then some other smaller projects mixed in. She agreed to pay me $20 per hour up untill 16 hours and then I would be working for free. Atleast not making anything above that $320 that totals to. I did not think it was a bad price considering it is all pretty easy stuff to do. However everybody else said I was paid way to low.
slammed
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2012
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 309
That's not bad for the hour rate but they should have been something in there for the trips to pick up supplies "fuel and use of vehicle". So if you got the $360 as stated in the first post that's not bad but not good either. I once got over $1000.00 for laying sod in a yard that was about 500sq ft and payed the help with out taking away for the 1000. I picked up everything and done all the work to lay it and put it all down in one day. From preparing the soil and planting a tree to putting the mulch and sod down to the clean up after. I would just in the future not let them tell me what they will pay for my services. You can always give them a brake at bill time but don't start out with them telling you this is what I will give you to do this for me it is the other way around. Start out with what you fill is the right amount of time it will take you to do the job and add a few hours to it because everyone will add things as you go and add something in there for vehicle use. THATS MY:2cents:
Thanks, I am kind of going through the same thing in the backyard now. Backyard measures 80' x 60'
and has to large runs on either side of the house. I am laying down fabric over the entire thing having to cut around alot of poorly done brick work. I actually had to dig all the bricks out from under 6" of dirt. Nobody even knew they were there untill the landlord said she thought there used to be a patio in the back. I am putting in 80'+ of bender board with stakes that have to be screwed to the board. Once that is down I making a 3'x15' path with small gravel in it. Then I have to wheel barrow 5 cubic yards of gorilla hair back and 5 cubic yards of 3" rock to cover the entire back yard. I am also leveling one of the side areas that measure 9'x35' and then laying down 40 16"x16" step stones. I also have to drive about an hour to pick up these stones because she is getting them for free from a friend. All this should take no more than 40 hours at $20 per hour. I told her I will need atleast 50 hours for that much work. I am pretty new so I am not the quickest but I do try to do a very good job. So basically she agreed to pay me $1000 for the entire backyard project. I still feel that is low but would rather get the job than have her go to the local home depot and pick up a couple workers which she said she could do for less than she is paying me. Any thoughts on any of this?
and has to large runs on either side of the house. I am laying down fabric over the entire thing having to cut around alot of poorly done brick work. I actually had to dig all the bricks out from under 6" of dirt. Nobody even knew they were there untill the landlord said she thought there used to be a patio in the back. I am putting in 80'+ of bender board with stakes that have to be screwed to the board. Once that is down I making a 3'x15' path with small gravel in it. Then I have to wheel barrow 5 cubic yards of gorilla hair back and 5 cubic yards of 3" rock to cover the entire back yard. I am also leveling one of the side areas that measure 9'x35' and then laying down 40 16"x16" step stones. I also have to drive about an hour to pick up these stones because she is getting them for free from a friend. All this should take no more than 40 hours at $20 per hour. I told her I will need atleast 50 hours for that much work. I am pretty new so I am not the quickest but I do try to do a very good job. So basically she agreed to pay me $1000 for the entire backyard project. I still feel that is low but would rather get the job than have her go to the local home depot and pick up a couple workers which she said she could do for less than she is paying me. Any thoughts on any of this?
snapsstorer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2011
- Threads
- 10
- Messages
- 186
to improve your business, you should take picture's, starting with the beginning looks, some pic's as the work progress', and some finished shot's. have them in a notebook to show the customer's, that will help them feel better about your work. they are less apt to complain about your prices then.
slammed
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2012
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 309
Well for me that would be at least a $1500 job. It is going to take a week or so to do and they will ask you to do other things in the middle of you doing something else. But as snapsstorer said start taking pics of what you do this way when someone says that they want you to do this for this price you can show them the pic and say if you want this kind of product after I'm done you are going to pay more for me to do it.
lawn maintenance
Welcome to Peterson痴 Landscape, Dallas/Fort Worth痴 premier landscape company. For over 20 years, Peterson痴 Landscaping has been providing residential and commercial property owners in the DFW area with the finest in landscape services. From landscape design and installation to regularly scheduled lawn maintenance, our expert staff provides the knowledge and experience to help you select the best services for your landscape, design, lawn maintenance, and irrigation needs.
With over 150 years of landscape management
fortworth-landscaperfortworth-landscape experience, our company has the know-how and professionally trained staff to get the job done right. Our team thoroughly evaluates every property and works with you to find the best solution for you and your property.
Welcome to Peterson痴 Landscape, Dallas/Fort Worth痴 premier landscape company. For over 20 years, Peterson痴 Landscaping has been providing residential and commercial property owners in the DFW area with the finest in landscape services. From landscape design and installation to regularly scheduled lawn maintenance, our expert staff provides the knowledge and experience to help you select the best services for your landscape, design, lawn maintenance, and irrigation needs.
With over 150 years of landscape management
fortworth-landscaperfortworth-landscape experience, our company has the know-how and professionally trained staff to get the job done right. Our team thoroughly evaluates every property and works with you to find the best solution for you and your property.