[xxArbUtusxx]

This might be a little late, but I am about to do a pruning/teaching job. I actually charge slightly higher when teaching along with doing some the work. This is because you are teaching the client a skill that they can use from now on. I had to pay a good amount to get the education they are now seeking. To just come in and do the work is much easier than being patient and thoroughly teaching somebody. You might have to go over the same thing quite a few times before it "clicks".

I treat it as a consultation, and try not to do to much of the labor. The amount of hours spent on consulting and labor can be difficult to keep track of when you are spending 20 min. here and 35 min. there. Some home owners may not agree with your time spent on certain areas. Of course you will have to get your hands dirty but I feel it should only be when you are teaching/consulting the customer. My price for pruning is $55hr. and for teaching, $65hr. with a minimum charge of $200 either way.

Honestly, most clients that think they want to learn usually ask me to just go ahead and do the work. I think that they don't realize how much knowledge and work actually goes into a project and they get overwhelmed. Not to mention the equipment or tools they need to buy.

I hope your project is going or went well :-)

John

[sandim]

Congratulations!!! Been there, and it feels great! I won't go into details but this time last year I put a very large chunk of time into a design, didn't get paid for it and didn't get the job. That was the end of that!

GTX is indeed a GREAT forum. I have learned so much from it. I've become addicted. When I should be studying for my Pesticide license, I'm on the site! Can't get enough. Just goes to show there are a lot of really good people out there that are not only good in their field, but willing to share their knowledge and experience. Unbelievably helpful.

[Terre]

Charging for that first design, and failing to charge for the next one, (not getting that job either) has changed the way I do business. Kicking yourself in the ass hurts much worse than getting a swift kick from someone else, because not only can you not sit down comfortably, that much contortionism makes for achy muscles the next day.

I now advertise a design/consult fee. I have it carefully phrased implying that I'm doing it as a favor for Do it yourselfers, but it pulls in people who aren't, and lets them know I'm charging to drive up to the front door.

It also seems to have changed the way people view me. I'm treated as a professional instead of just another fly-by-night company running an ad. Which has drawbacks as well, since some expect me to know a lot more than I do.

But I can always say, "Hmmm, there are several different factors to be considered here, let me do some research on this" and then I come ask you guys!