Not Your Typical Pricing Question...

realpurty2

My teenager is going to be doing the mowing for one of our clients this year. It's his first yard for hire. The mowing pricing isn't a problem, he's got that figured out. Where he needs help from you guys is on clearing out some overgrowth and cleaning out a fence row. (pics of what he has to do)

We don't offer landscaping in the company as a seperate service so I have no idea how to help my son price it out. I know markets all make a difference but if anyone could just shoot out a number that would be reasonable, atleast we'll know if the ballpark we have in mind is close.

I REALLY appreciate any suggestions you have for him. He's trying hard to earn some pocket money for the summer.

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realpurty2

Last of the pics of what the client wants done.

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ProWallGuy

That should be at least a couple hundred bucks. Looks like it would take him all day if not more. Don't forget the fee to haul it away/dump it.

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robertc65

On these forums I would not be surprised if you are told that he should not even take it on, because he's not a licensed professional. Some guys will also assume that you are full of BS and just trying to probe for pricing so you can make sure you don't get ripped off. I for one think it's BS and think that this is your yard that you need to have cleaned up.

Ken@K&R

That's it how did you find out? I can clear the land, build the house, wire the house, install the plumbing, and hold the licensing/insurance to do it all but I need someone to price cleaning my own yard for me. That is so much easier to believe then my wife would just like to help our 14 year old son earn some extra cash mowing a lawn this summer.

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ron schenker

# of hours+ insurance+ workman's comp+ gas+depreciaton+ marketing+medical= $153.22

Hope this helps

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mdshunk

Is there some reason why he must give a price? Why not just T&M? Without historical data from having done such work in the past, any him being inexperienced at such work, any estimate is a guess. My best guess.... 5 gallons of deisel is about 13 bucks.

bill r

Looks like a great learning oppty to me! The very first lesson to be learned is that he has to calculate his own price... and then live with it. And he has to make sure the customer winds up happy. Can he get a burning permit? What is his target hourly rate? How much is Dad gonna charge for hauling? What about payment terms? Good learning, no matter what career he winds up in. I'm betting that clean-up service might be more in demand than a lot of ours

Teetorbilt

Bill is on it. What's your local market? At the NC house I could get that done for a few bottles of White Rocket, $45 for a 'Good Christian' looking for work or a few hundred $ for a couple of pro's with a wood chipper.

The kids price is somewhere in between unless he's dependent on White Rocket.

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realpurty2

With an attitude like that, it's no wonder his trade is FORMER electrician.

"Little man" did quite nicely on pricing it out. He did everything exactly as any of us would and figured his hours and materials, made his bid and the little squirt even managed to up the sale from a $200 cut/haul brush to a $1600 landscape project with flower bed additions, some white stone borders around the perimeter, and complete lawncare package. Not bad, even if I am biased. As soon as he's old enough to shave, he's got a corner office waiting on him.

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Always Greener

"complete lawn care package" ??? He better be licensed to put down fert?? or he and you will be paying fines..How old is your son? sounds like he is a go getter and that is good.. He can work for me anytime..

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rino1494

Good for him

Honestly, being 14 and making some extra money on the side, I would suggest charging $10-15/hr for his services.

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4theroc

well if i was doing i would charge about $950-$1250 to do it. not including dumping fees

tgeb

Looks to me that all that debris would fit easily in a 30 yard dumpster.

I would figger one can disposal and probably three days for a youngun' with simple tools to do the clean up by hand.

Put the dumpster as close to the stuff as possible, and tell him to start the clean up from the furthest away from the can. That way he can "finish" his way out.

Good luck, you have a fine man in the makin's.

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farrellpainting

.................................................. ....., It sounds like you have a smart little buggar on your hands!Whatever you do make his azz go to school!

POOLMANinCT

purty is tried & true, she is a great source of info. I often read her posts & have asked her ?s. if we all had a contractor mind like purty in the office, our stress loads would drop. mr purty is a lucky fellow..

anyway point is...

I have sought input and advice on my plumbing system gutters & electrical. advice asking what a job is worth or how to go about doing it myself...

DIY help is a courtesy we extend to each other. I have never told anybody with pool questions to go to the DIY board...
when I have asked for help with my house, everybody has gone out of their way to help..
ray

Ed the Roofer

In todays world, with the youth so involved in the myspace time wasting abyss, (CT does not apply), you should be very proud to see your youngster showing enthusiasm and maturity beyond his young age count.

Ken and Robin,

You should both obviously be very proud. Not only for your sons go gettum attitude, but also for how well it speaks of both of you as parental role models.

Congrats,

Ed

bjg5240

Tell him to stay home for that kind of money!

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bjg5240

Way to go little man. You should be proud of his accomplishments!

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