Advise on priceing a job

[leeslawncare]

OK here is what i have::6 dwarf alberta spruce trees 6 hollys both 3 gallon.70 ft of metal edgeing an 1 yard of mulch.i have 425.00 in materials .what would some of you guys charge for labor?look forward to you advise.:blob3: :blob2:

[kris]

is this in a exsiting shrub bed?

[CSRA Landscaping]

.... it's not an existing shrub bed, I would just double my price for materials, that usually works out well for me.
If it IS an existing shrub bed and you have to rip some stuff out, just charge your hourly rate for the cleanup and then your price for the install.
My 2¢

[bobbygedd]

same system here. about $40 each for the shrubbery=$480. add the price of the edging, then add labor rate to install($40 an hour) then 1 yd of mulch@ $65. then it depends on how much prep for the beds. and....always remember to check the soil to see if u can get a shovel into it. i got really killed on a job once cus it took four days to dig, rather than the 8 hrs i figured, couldnt get a shovel into the ground, had to use picks( and actually broke 2 of them)

[KindGardener]

What you're planting in is a lesson I learned agoin this past week. took my 2 guys 3 hours to dig up 80sqft (SOLID surface roots). You could almost hear the tree laughing as the pick bounced off the roots.
Damn, was I sore that nite.

[leeslawncare]

it is a new bed with soft soil no roots

[kris]

Try to figure how long it will take you and charge your hourly rate plus materials ..Before you say "heck I can plant 6 shrubs,edging,mulch, in a couple of hours" remember your load up time,travel and cleanup time. We never used to do small jobs( had a $3,000 min) until we started the maintenance division 2 years ago..now that crew does small jobs...last Saturday we had one 2in caliper tree to plant 15 minutes from the shop..I went out and did it myself with a helper , so I would know there was not any fooling around,,, I wanted accurate time on planting one tree to use for future referance...here is how it went..730 AM started to load the truck..bobcat to put on a 1/4 bucket soil and load the tree on the trailer..gathered up the tree cart...2 tree stakes,wire etc..got to the job site...unloaded the tree and wheeled it about 70 ft to where the tree was going, dug the tree hole(by hand,hard clay)wheelbarrowed out the old clay onto the trailer..planted the tree...quick cup of coffee with the customer..staked ,waterered .cleaned up etc...back to the shop...cleaned the mess off the trailer...It was 10AM ...took 2 men 2.5hours to plant that tree..TOTAL 5 MAN HOURS.This confirmed what I already knew...It takes alot longer than someone might think..Keep good records for the future...good luck and let us know how you made out.

[leeslawncare]

well guys i'am gonna charge them 900.00.just wanted to hear some of you guys prices.Thanks

[curlawngreen]

Good advice Kris.

[kris]

leeslawncare...sounds right in line... nice little job

[Finecut]

Hope those Dwarf Alberta Spruce are from a local nursery...they are a very finicky specimen. If they die in the next year have you built their replacement cost in the job?

[leeslawncare]

while we are on that subject: Is there anything special i need to do as far as planting these ?adding anything to the soil or such?

[kris]

I always add a little bone meal, sometimes peatmoss and manure..always water them in... someone mentioned the dwarf alberta spruce being finicky.. correct...they need winter protection.

[CSRA Landscaping]

I've just been using top/planting soil from a local hort. yard. It seems to do alright, I would imagine that it's got enought fert. in it, by itself. I haven't been watering though, as the soil is always moist. I think I may begin, though.

[Finecut]

The Dwarf Alberta Spruce is very susceptible to wind burn. They should be surrounded by a burlap enclosure in the winter months. If road salt is used in your area for ice or snow storms they must be far removed from the salt spray. Drought will also raise havoc with this specimen, they take a tremendous amount of attention...but, they sure are beautiful!