landscaping

[Randy G]

I have been doing mowing for folks for several years, and have a friend that wants his new house landscaped and wants me to give it a try. Anyone a landscaper here? I have no idea what to charge. Its just planting some grass and laying out borders for some flower beds.
I realize I cant charge what you pros could but dont want to work for nothing either. thanks for any help, randy

[toypusher]

I am not a pro landscaper, but I would suggest that you charge an hourly rate plus the cost of materials. What's your time worth??

[Elumia]

Any sales person will tell you that you can only charge what the customer is willing to pay....

know your customer well enough to know what they can afford
see if he has a budget, if not help him make one
find out what the "professionals" charge
don't undervalue your service (as noted, What's your time worth to you!)
specify expections in writing if possible - unexpected things happen
make sure you have all financial considerations arranged before hand so neither you or the customer is suprised
underpromise, over deliver usually results in a happy customer

Mark

[Ken A Hood]

I do the same thing; Cutting grass, weeding flower beds, tree/hedge trimming etc basic yard work and maintenance, and house sitting; and in the winter I plow and shovel steps/sidewalks

For grass cutting I give them a rate based on the yard size (and if there's lots of hills....) for [most] everything else I give them an hourly rate; since in the past I screwed myself thing it would only take a couple hours to trim a hedge.........it took me 4+ hours; the initial trimming, final trimming and then raking/cleanup and hauling away of the branches.


But I work (generally) for people I know, or friends/family of people I already do work for, most are elderly (in their own homes) and just need a few hours work done over the summer) I don't charge what I could (I've seen people basically ripping off the elderly, overcharging/padding hours etc)...but I going off topic

[caseydog]

There is design, and then there is labor.

If you are designing the landscaping, and picking the plants and such, that is worth something in itself. Now, if you don't have a design or horticulture education or experience, that may not be worth a lot. You need to decide that. If you have creative talent, charge for it.

Otherwise, labor is labor. Charge for your time.

CD

[bledsoe3]

I say about $2.00 an hour. And when your finished you can come over to my place.

[S. Heisley]

In California, if you don't have a contractors license, your fee/payment should be less than $500. If it is going to cost more than $500, it's usually broken down into different projects and contracted separately.

Check what Oregon does. You can usually find out from a non-licensed handyman. He'll tell ya.

What I've found is that a set-up of sprinklers and lawn (no perennials, shrubs or trees) is usually around $2500, more or less depending on the contractor and what kind of deal you can make. Under-the-table work is usually $1,000 less but those guys tend to leave you with a mess or just take off with your money.

Please remember that I'm talking California prices. Oregon may be different. Your friend or you can call around to a couple contractors and find out how much it would cost. They will usually give you a ball-park figure if you tell them you aren't sure how much money to save up for the job. (And you may decide to do that!)

If it rains enough where you are that you don't need sprinklers, you'll probably still need to add some amendments and prepare the soil and you'll need to buy the grass (seed or sod?). Have your friend buy all the products you need so your bill will be straight labor.

To be certain you should do this with your friend, there are three things you can and should do. First, think how much is it worth to you to do all this work. Next, ask your friend how much he is willing to pay; how much is he thinking of. If those two prices are in the same range, the last question is the big one: If things go wrong, what will it do to your friendship?

Hope that helps!

PS. My nickname is 'Mama' Sharon because I get carried away.

[kartvines]

Okay I have been in the industry for over 30 years, and my opinion is that you should double your material cost, and then decide what you are comfortable with labor cost and take it from there, Normally when I bid a job with my currant crew I bill anywhere from $12 to $18 per man hours, I charge $35. for my irrigation tech. If I have to bill for my time depending what kind of customer they are I bill anywhere form $85. to $105. per work hour. Make sure you get everything in writing, no matter how great of friend they are if you want to keep their friendships, and make sure your have a meeting of the minds, that will keep you out of small claims court hopefully. Also make sure they sign on the dotted line otherwise the paper is not worth the ink it is written with.

[Creamcracker]

Okay I have been in the industry for over 30 years, and my opinion is that you should double your material cost, and then decide what you are comfortable with labor cost and take it from there, Normally when I bid a job with my currant crew I bill anywhere from $12 to $18 per man hours, I charge $35. for my irrigation tech. If I have to bill for my time depending what kind of customer they are I bill anywhere form $85. to $105. per work hour. Make sure you get everything in writing, no matter how great of friend they are if you want to keep their friendships, and make sure your have a meeting of the minds, that will keep you out of small claims court hopefully. Also make sure they sign on the dotted line otherwise the paper is not worth the ink it is written with.

Why does "yard work" seemingly expect such a high hourly rate...It makes no sense to me..most people have to work an 8 hour shift to earn $85 - $105
Philip

[Randy G]

Thank you for the feedback, some good thoughts here. Jim, be right over but will need $200 for fuel to get my truck to your place
I will have my friend buy the materials and charge for time. I have a figure in mind based on what I charge to mow.
Thanks again guys, your great, randy

[kartvines]

Not all landscaper are gardener, that has alway been a problem in the industry. The higher rate is what I charge only for my time. I am a licensed contractor with many other California state certificates and licenses. I am a Branch Manager, and the rate we charge is considered low in the industry. When I am required to go out to a job it is out a special request and they are paying for my expertise, and the services I provide that is over and above the currant contract. Most of the time I do not charge for my services at all it is only under special situations, my services are normally included under contract.

My company does not do yard work, we provide service to large commercial project as well as Cities and Counties and the State of California

[caseydog]

Not all landscaper are gardener, that has alway been a problem in the industry. The higher rate is what I charge only for my time. I am a licensed contractor with many other California state certificates and licenses. I am a Branch Manager, and the rate we charge is considered low in the industry. When I am required to go out to a job it is out a special request and they are paying for my expertise, and the services I provide that is over and above the currant contract. Most of the time I do not charge for my services at all it is only under special situations, my services are normally included under contract.

My company does not do yard work, we provide service to large commercial project as well as Cities and Counties and the State of California

Expertise, and design skills, mean a lot, IMO. I see a lot of "professional" landcape jobs around here that are done badly, and look like crap when the plants mature.

I see shrubs that will be six feet around when mature, planted two feet apart, and less than two feet from a house. I see I see Azaleas planted in my neighborhood all the time, where the soil is all wrong for them.

I used to see Maple trees planted all over town by "professional" landscapers, until the city wrote a law to ban them. No real arborist would plant a Maple tree in North Texas. They planted them because they grow fast -- and then die.

Being a landscaper can be rewarding in a lot of ways, including money, but if you are going to do it, take the time to learn how to do it right.

[bledsoe3]

. Jim, be right over but will need $200 for fuel to get my truck to your place

Since I have about 60 hours of work at $2.00 hr plus $200 fuel charge that's still a bargin.