My friend and I have started a small business. We cleanup the garden. Between us, we have over 50 yrs. Experience. So we prune, treat, feed , move perennials, replant and winterize. Using our knowledge to do the correct job. Here's our problem: how do we charge for this--by the hour or by the job? Last time I underbid the job and we worked very hard and made very little money. We think this is a unique service because most landscapers will not call back for these kinds of jobs and we know so much about perennials and shrubs and trees that we feel we can offer something special to the average homeowner. Keeping in mind there are two of us and that homeowners don't want to see a huge figure, would $16/hr be too much to ask? We live in Roscoe, IL. Thanks.

Daisy Duo

Hi Daisy, I think by the hour would work for what you are doing but $l5 per hour is too little for the back breaking work you do. I know. I would say $20 is more like it.

Tick

Daisey:

Being in the services industry we normally charge by the project or "contract price". By the hour works but often clients have a cap and budget. They would rather give a job to a contractor or person that spells out the scope and final costs. That of course creates more upfront work and potential risk for you but if you are familier with the industry it normally works out well. If you are supplying the plantings that gives you the opportunity to mark those items up from the nursery which means an additional profit center. If you decide to have hourly rates then have a light duty work price by the hour and then a heavy duty price. Its no fun lugging tree trunks around and similar work for $16.00 per hour. Be careful!

Daisey:
. Its no fun lugging tree trunks around and similar work for $16.00 per hour. Be careful!

Yes, exactly, maybe not treetrunks but planting large trees with a root bundle without proper equipment is, in my books, almost impossible. Hour rate must be commensurate on man hours, how many men/women to manhandle that root ball should you get some clients who are landscaping a new home and want the moon.

Then you have to take into consideration liability insurance for you and your workers should anyone fall victim to a chiropractor because of back problems. This is what you have to think about when deciding an hourly rate.

Tick