Anybody from Texas doing tractor work?

[dswinnerjr]

Hello, I am starting a part time business this year doing fel, bb, and mowing work with my tractor. Already have an ad coming out, just curious as to the going rates for these services. I am thinking 30 -40 dollars an acre when mowing and 50 dollars for dirt work. Does this sound reasonable to ya'll? Thanks in advance, and I love this site - has been very helpful!

[twj721]

Here in the far North Eastern side of Texas we are charging a min of $50.00 for the 1st hr and then $30.00 per hr after the 1st hr A lot depends on where you are located at and how many other people have tractors and do custom tractor work here they almost drive them to the local Dairy queen for morning coffee

[dswinnerjr]

thanks twj721! I think I may charge around that except I will have to trailer my tractor to the jobsite and that cost money so I ll need to figure that in as well

[YellowDogSVC]

Here in the far North Eastern side of Texas we are charging a min of $50.00 for the 1st hr and then $30.00 per hr after the 1st hr A lot depends on where you are located at and how many other people have tractors and do custom tractor work here they almost drive them to the local Dairy queen for morning coffee

How do you guys stay in business at those rates? Do you carry insurance, collect sales tax, etc. Just curious.. You can get more and you wouldn't be driving the market down with such low rates. When I started out with a tractor 10 years ago we charged $35-45/hr and had more work than we could handle. Tractor guys here (nw of San Antonio) get up to $85 hour for moving brush and abut $75/hr for mowing, grading, etc. with a 40-50hp tractor w/loader.

[twj721]

How do you guys stay in business at those rates? Do you carry insurance, collect sales tax, etc. Just curious.. You can get more and you wouldn't be driving the market down with such low rates. When I started out with a tractor 10 years ago we charged $35-45/hr and had more work than we could handle. Tractor guys here (nw of San Antonio) get up to $85 hour for moving brush and abut $75/hr for mowing, grading, etc. with a 40-50hp tractor w/loader.

I know it needs to be more but too many steel mill employees and retirees supplementing their income with tractor work so the rates are not really what they need to be We went up on the rate 2 times thus far and we are higher than most of them,Most are still charging $25.00 Per hr with no min

[YellowDogSVC]

I just don't see how you will succeed given shop rates, parts, and fuel are at an all time high. Throw in insurance and the paperwork with collecting sales and use tax and 30 bucks an hour is too cheap for anything. Chainsaw crews get $20-$33 per man hour in this neck of the woods and illegal, cheap labor keeps a cap on that too.
You can't run off the cheap guys but they will fade. I just hate to see someone get labeled cheap and then your customers expect that and how do you grow?

[twj721]

All depends on area you live If you can get 50 to 80 dollars a hr in your area I am proud for you but here in this area you would get laughed at and then they would ask you if you were nucking futs for a price like that !!!! like I said before too many old farts with tractors and time to kill so if you charge more than Joe blow down the street then you will sit at home and not get any work or you can charge a bit more and make ends met beside we do not do that much tractor work just yard mowing and weedeating that is where the money is but now we are starting to get the influx of Mexicans now there is somebody that works for nothing I am lucky so far as I stay as busy as I want to and sometimes more than I want to

[txgrassguy]

I have aflat minimum price for trailering my tractor and implements to a job site.
It is the same cost as if the customer had to rent equvilant equipment.
The price break down is: $225.00 for the first three hours, travel time included.
Then $65.00 per hour for every hour past the initial charge.
Provided the job will take more than one day, I encourage people to request for a bid rather than the per hour charge.
The people that complain, I don't work for. The tractor stays busy so I'm not worried.

[YellowDogSVC]

I have aflat minimum price for trailering my tractor and implements to a job site.
It is the same cost as if the customer had to rent equvilant equipment.
The price break down is: $225.00 for the first three hours, travel time included.
Then $65.00 per hour for every hour past the initial charge.
Provided the job will take more than one day, I encourage people to request for a bid rather than the per hour charge.
The people that complain, I don't work for. The tractor stays busy so I'm not worried.


This is more in line with how we charge for Bobcat work, etc. We charge $75 minimum per hour for s300 for basic dirt or grapple work. Charge significantly more for brush mowing/grinding and a haul/set up charge of $65 for 1 hour or less haul trips. Of course, I do by the job quotes, but by the hour suits a lot of folks.

think I am going to do away with haul charge and add it in to the hourly charge. A number of people have questioned it as if hauling is free or something. My truck costs more than my best skidsteer!

[dswinnerjr]

I really appreaciate everyone's input. How do you advertise? I have been trying to get my name out and have recieved a few calls but nothing promising.

One potential customer has a lot about 75x250 that she wanted mowed, told her 150 for 1st 2hrs then 50/hr. Don't think she liked that.

Thanks everyone.

[YellowDogSVC]

Word of mouth helps. Tell your vendors to mention your name. Small signs on the jobs you do get help but I admit that I am lazy about that.
Try and ad in your local paper and do things. On a lot that you know the exact size, either give them a flat price. On a lot that small, unless it is really, really overgrown and swampy, you should be able to do it in 1-2 hours if it is just grass.

[dswinnerjr]

Yellowdogsvc, thanks so much. Do you think I could talk to you about getting into this business. I really think I would enjoy this as I like working on a tractor and working outside.

Don

[muddstopper]

Well, I aint from Texas, but I will share this story. I pulled into the gas station a couple of years ago to fill up my small Steiner Tractor. there was a guy putting Diesel in his New 35hp Massey Tractor. I dont remember the exact model. He had never seen a tractor like mine and was looking it over, he couldnt resist making a few snide remarks and said he could get $35 a hour for his tractor, what could I charge for "that little thing". He almost choked when I told Him I wouldnt unload for less than $50 perhr. I'm still in business, he isnt. My TN75 gets $85 per hour, $200 min. or it stays parked. And yes, there are still people charging $35 perhr for tractor work in my area.

[YellowDogSVC]

Yellowdogsvc, thanks so much. Do you think I could talk to you about getting into this business. I really think I would enjoy this as I like working on a tractor and working outside.

Don


send me an email through website.. It's a good business when equipment and weather cooperates.

[DiyDave]

You'll do yourself a favor by pricing by the area (square feet), because it's easier to remember how many square feet/hour you can do with your equipment, and you don't have to commit to how much time you will be on the job. Also $x/s.f. sounds like less than $10x/hour, for example. It means that you have to measure each job, but you should do that anyway to order fert, etc.

[YellowDogSVC]

Dave,
That sounds good, But... not every property is the same. Terrain, types of brush, grass type, time of year, etc., should be a factor or you may find yourself working for free.

[Kubotaman]

What size tractor and mower are you using ?

We Have 90 hp tractors with 15 ft batwing mowers. I have a 250.00 min or we dont unload. We can average 4 acres per hour so on small lots like
you are looking at it would be better to price by job not per hour.

If we have more than 5 acres we will price job per acre 30.00 to 50.00 per acre.

on loader work we charge $75.00 per hr.

dont under sale your service's

[dswinnerjr]

Thanks Kubotaman.

I have a 50 hp jd with a 6' shredder, so nothing as big as yours.

I am currently having a hard time getting jobs, advertising in the greensheet and on craigslist.

I would certainly like to start mowing bigger areas like you are doing but sure dont want to unload all that money on a big setup like you have and not have any jobs lined up.

How would you suggest to get a foot in the door on this business.

Thanks again.

[YellowDogSVC]

Thanks Kubotaman.

I have a 50 hp jd with a 6' shredder, so nothing as big as yours.

I am currently having a hard time getting jobs, advertising in the greensheet and on craigslist.

I would certainly like to start mowing bigger areas like you are doing but sure dont want to unload all that money on a big setup like you have and not have any jobs lined up.

How would you suggest to get a foot in the door on this business.

Thanks again.


I would contact other contractors in your area and tell them that you are available to help or that you would appreciate them throwing the smaller jobs to you. It is good way to network and though I don't do it myself, I get calls all the time. I usually ask to see their work if I am going to recommend them to my customer but if it's a cold call and it's something the contractor said they would do, I just give out their number. Return the favor a few times and you can build a good network. Watch out though, a lot of guys in this line of work can't be trusted and that's why contractors in general have a bad rap!

[Kubotaman]

1. Try your local paper.
2. Look for lots or places that need work and then go online and look up
who owns the property on the tax apprasial and contact them.
3. find home builders and tell them what you do.

[txgrassguy]

I get calls all of the time, usually four to five a month minimum for everything from shredding, light loader work or typically power box raking.
My trucks, trailers and tractor carry company logos and it is very common to be approached when refueling or next to someone at a light.
I advertise my company in the local yellow pages, belong to my local Chamber of commerce and chapter of the Builder's Industry Association.

[YellowDogSVC]

I get calls all of the time, usually four to five a month minimum for everything from shredding, light loader work or typically power box raking.
My trucks, trailers and tractor carry company logos and it is very common to be approached when refueling or next to someone at a light.
I advertise my company in the local yellow pages, belong to my local Chamber of commerce and chapter of the Builder's Industry Association.

how far south are you?