[spiderlily]

So, those of you who keep track of such things, or have those books that tell you how long tasks should take:

How many human hours should it take to spread 187 yards of wood mulch in prepared beds? It took us 106 and I am wondering how this might compare.

[Turtle]

we use 3 cu ft bags mostly mini pine nuggets takes 2.5 human hrs per 5yds

If that 106 is to load a wheelbarrow and then dump and spread 187 yards it seems quick
I know you said human hrs but just curious how many humans were doing this?

[stoneridge]

I use .5 hr per yard, per man. .5 x 187= 93.5 hrs.
106 is not bad.

[HardDaysKnight]

Spider, Was it bagged or forked? And how many hands?

[AZTLANLC]

I normally price 1 man hour per yard with easy acces.
for that much I would have price it to 40 min per yard.

Not trying to brag but it would have taken us 48 man hours and 8 mini bobcat hours.

Before the fastes I could get was 35 min per yard for the first 3 hours, after that 45 then up to an hour.

So if you did all that by hand that time seems fast.

[TrickyDick]

We price it at roughly 1 hr/ yd and it takes about 45 min /yd with really easy access. For larger jobs we have started subbing to a mulch blower company who does the whole thing for about 30% over our cost for the mulch. I was hesitant because I thought they'd do a crappy job but I've been really pleasantly surprised. We make more money now on our mulching and it takes a fraction of the time. And it's not even our time.

[cutntrim]

I also figure labour prices at 1mh/yd and find it's usually :45/yd actual for "average" site conditions using the wheelbarrow method. At under :35/yd, I'd say you made really good time if you did it all by hand.

[jwholden]

I would buy them lunch next week for a job well done!

[spiderlily]

It was forked and wheelbarrowed from 11 piles. We did it in 3 seven hour days, 4 to 5 hands on. Most of the time, 3 guys were running wheelbarrows, and I was spreading it.

That is only about 1/3 of the job. I hope to finish it next week. Last week I had my regualr help, but next week I'll be doing it with trainees and temps, so I am trying to get a fair by the yard price for the rest of the job.

Thanks for your input, everybody. I appreciate it.

[HardDaysKnight]

That's very efficient, Spider. I think jw is right. They should get a nice lunch for the effort. I'm assuming the piles are fairly close to
the beds. Was that the case? I insist on spreading by hand but
larger volumes you just can't. Good luck with the rest of the
project. Johnny

[gardengirl1105]

A couple of years ago, we (4 person crew) spread 40 yards in a 3 hours (12 man hours). If my calculations are correct, we could then spread your 187 yards in just over 56 hours. Man, are we that fast??? The jobsite varies greatly on how fast the mulch goes down...how many plants there are to work around, how far you have to walk, etc..

[NCSULandscaper]

For an amount that large, i wouldnt even waste my guys time with dealing with it, id just sub it out to a blower company and make a nice profit while tackling another job