[Jake Wolf]

I've been charging $50 an hour and giving a pretty accurate time range for the work. It seems I'm charging too little as I never lose a bid. I do great work whether it's with a hedge pruner, pole pruner or just my felco #2.

How high do you think I can go? I'm in a really affluent area. Most jobs take 2-8 hours to complete working alone.

[Greensmith]

I am central NJ, and charge a little more then you. I have to say I also undercharge because I almost never lose the contract. I have seen the high end of $75 an hour and then lower range of $40 an hour. Have you ever asked your honest customers what other landscapers charged?


Most people charge Foremen(you) and labor together for the $75 an hour though.

[Jake Wolf]

I've only seen one quote from a customer so far. Was charging 30/35 an hour per man. No clue how he's making money unless it's on huge volume and is paying his guys off the books.

I'm thinking of getting a summer helper to go behind me and clean up. I think if I charge $30 for his time plus the 70/75 for me everyone would be happy. I have some ads going out online right now and will report back once I get some new bids out.

[Mac]

We are at $35 per man hour for all TLC tasks like pruning, bed maintenance, mulching, etc. Since we internally budget TLC as an add on to the maintenance crew, the numbers work out quite well. Even if we were to break it out to its own crew, it would still be profitable at these rates.

[GLAN]

I never thought of time or per hour when estimating pruning.

I do so much better by not doing per hour.

There are a couple homes we do.....In the past and sure I can do it again......I get through them doing $150 an hour. That is by myself

One of my men I have had him doing most of the pruning by himself a couple days during the week......pruning and cleanup. He does for me any where from $50 - $100 per hour for the day....there is no rhyme or reason for those figures.....Sometimes I can't figure him out.........His work is exceptional, slower than I like, customers are happy...he makes me money....I'm happy.

That and he does the best rock walls I have ever seen.........he don't like doing them.........takes his sweat butt time. When I am there he is motivated

Very good at what he does......not much self motivated.

When I give him another guy trimming, both trim......they average $100 - $125 per hour.

Like I said....I don't estimate shrubs at per hour......I price at what is involved and knowing what the outcome will be. I should charge more

[Mac]

why not quote the client a man hour rate and at the same time provide a time estimate... usually stated as "taking between 8-10 hours" or similar. That way, you both are sure not to loose. At least thats the way I explain it.

[GLAN]

Mac

If your question is to me?

People where I am don't want to hear that the "lawn boy" charges more per hour than what they make.

After reading my post again........the more I did realize that I do estimate time when giving a price for shrub trimming. I would never discuss time and or per hour rate with a customer.

[Mac]

Glan, question was not specifically to you... however, I would hope that the client doesnt see my company as the lawn boy and realizes that the company billable rate is certainly not what the employees are earning.