Hourly rate for helpers

[soilman]

I figure I can hire someone at about $10 per hour, to use my tools, to mow, edge, string-trim, and blow, including do fall cleanup blowing and leaf-bagging. I have 2 mowers. I'm not sure what to pay someone if I hire them to also pick up me and my tools, and themselves, and bring us to the job site. I guess I should pay them $10 per hour, plus an additional per-mile fee for use of their truck. No?

I'm on Long Island, eastern Suffolk County (Brookhaven Town), New York. Lawn-Guy-Land as some people here say it.


Honda harmony mower, bag or mulcher, instant switch
Craftsman highwheel mower
Poulan Weed Eater PE550 2-cycle edger
Echo string trimmer
Echo PB260L backpack blower (on order).

[HOOLIE]

You don't have your own truck?

[soilman]

Correct. I have a big garden cart, one of those things with the 20-inch wheels, and have been putting my tools in that, and pulling it to jobs within a half a mile of my house. My neigbors seem willing to hire me to care for their lawns, so I am looking for jobs doing what people will allow me to do.

I have good good computer skills, good flyer-making skills, good bookkeeping skills, good classified ad writing skills, and good small-engine maintenance skills. I've put a help-wanted ad in a local weekly.

[soilman]

I put my tools in a cart like this. (http://www.woodlanddirect.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=CV-26)

Actually it is 26-inch (pneumatic) wheels.

[new2nash]

I've hired guys who had their own trucks before. I believe the latest IRS rate is 48 cents per mile (you better verify that, going from memory). That rate is supposed to cover the latest gas price increases, eventual vehicle replacement, repairs, in short, everything pertaining to owning and operating a vehicle. I would go with that as a base figure and throw it at the guy, if he accepts, you got a deal. He may bring up a few issues- a truck costs more to operate than a car, hauling stuff around decreases gas mileage, etc...be willing to bend upwards a bit if necessary.

[DLS1]

I put my tools in a cart like this. (http://www.woodlanddirect.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=CV-26)

Actually it is 26-inch (pneumatic) wheels.

Even Bobby couldn't make up a story like this. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. :D :D :D

[Lawn Masters]

Well, it works right? besides, if the customer is within a block or two, why get a truck totally loaded up when the little cart will do just fine?

[soilman]

Thanks new2nash.

I knew someone would know the IRS allowance! :)

In my cart I can fit my lawnmower; mower bag; gas can; string trimmer; edger; (http://www.weedeater.com/products/edgers/gas/prod_PE550.asp) hand grass snaps for those few spots where string trimmer won't reach; 2-foot wide broom; flat garden spade; a small cooler bag with ice, homemade soft drinks, water, and sandwhiches; and a bag with trimmer line already wrapped on extra trimmer spool, face protector, goggles, dust mask, lawn and leaf bags, gas funnel, hose nozzle and shutoff valve, notepad, calculator, blank invoices, flyers.

I have trouble fitting in a garbage can in addition, but I like to bring a "clean" one that is used only for leaves, brush, compost, etcetera. I use the customer's can for coathangers, electrical wire, and other trash that I pick up off the lawn before mowing.

[soilman]

I think I will be able to squeeze in my backpack blower, if I leave out the garbage can.

I forgot -- I also bring hearing protectors that fit in the cart

[bobcatnj]

what a joke

[Wolfie's L&L]

Thanks new2nash.

I knew someone would know the IRS allowance! :)

In my cart I can fit my lawnmower; mower bag; gas can; string trimmer; edger; (http://www.weedeater.com/products/edgers/gas/prod_PE550.asp) hand grass snaps for those few spots where string trimmer won't reach; 2-foot wide broom; flat garden spade; a small cooler bag with ice, homemade soft drinks, water, and sandwhiches; and a bag with trimmer line already wrapped on extra trimmer spool, face protector, goggles, dust mask, lawn and leaf bags, gas funnel, hose nozzle and shutoff valve, notepad, calculator, blank invoices, flyers.

I have trouble fitting in a garbage can in addition, but I like to bring a "clean" one that is used only for leaves, brush, compost, etcetera. I use the customer's can for coathangers, electrical wire, and other trash that I pick up off the lawn before mowing.

That must be one big cart!! (My link wouldn't work right...) What kind of mower(s) are you running??

Jason

[sheshovel]

You could buy a horse or a mule to draw the cart and carry you to your jobs,you wouldent have to pay workmanscomp
or anything like that for a horse...saving you $ in the long trot.

[soilman]

As you suggested, newtonash, I confirmed the IRS "standard mileage rate" for 2004 (in publication 463) and they say it is .375 per mile. But they say "this rate is adjusted periodically" without going into detail.

Wolfie's L&L, I'm using a Honda HRT 216 TDA, which is a 21 inch mower I think. Self-propelled, converts (in seconds) from mulching to bagging. 85 pounds.

I also have a similar sized Craftsman with high-wheels (on crappy brackets which are amazingly easy to bend -- go over a bump -- and the wheel gets a camber change).

The cart holds a max of 400 pounds.

[Wolfie's L&L]

Ok now the link works again :rolleyes: --but thats still alot of stuff to fit into that cart! You must be stuffing things left and right..you should also put your business name on the sides of it too!! Extra advertising.

Jason

[soilman]

Wolfie's "you should also put your business name on the sides of it too!! Extra advertising."

Good idea. Phone number.

[Reliable Lawn Care]

You could buy a horse or a mule to draw the cart and carry you to your jobs,you wouldent have to pay workmanscomp
or anything like that for a horse...saving you $ in the long trot.

I would use 2 goats to pull it, that way they are more versitile, in that they can help out on the trimming, instead of just waiting for you to get done. Everyone needs to PULL their weight!

[walker-talker]

As you suggested, newtonash, I confirmed the IRS "standard mileage rate" for 2004 (in publication 463) and they say it is .375 per mile. But they say "this rate is adjusted periodically" without going into detail.Yes...the rate just recently was increased to 48.5 cents a mile.

[daveintoledo]

are you licensed, insured..... you have to pay workers com on the employee, match his soc sec, unemployment.... and you cant afford a vehicle...

no employee worth having is going to work for you under the current circumstances..... he will think you are a low budget fly by night operation .

and that if you cant afford a vehicle his paychecks probably wont be any good either