How many Hours do you work your guys?

[NewWave]

I am just seeing what everyones scedule looks like. Currently we are working Mon-Sat weather permitting from about 7:30-7 or 7:30. That is when they leave and all equipment and trash are cleaned up at the shop and ready to go the next day. Just curious to how eveyone else does it. My partner is suggesting the sun up to sun down method but I have objections with that.

[lifetree]

I am just seeing what everyones scedule looks like. Currently we are working Mon-Sat weather permitting from about 7:30-7 or 7:30. That is when they leave and all equipment and trash are cleaned up at the shop and ready to go the next day. Just curious to how eveyone else does it. My partner is suggesting the sun up to sun down method but I have objections with that.

If were a larger LCO operation, I would have trouble requiring that of my employees ... besides, don't you have to pay them overtime for all those hours per week.

[ooo]

I just have one fulltime (few part) worker. We quit at 4:30, 5:30,6:30 , or whenever job is done or we are at a good stopping point. We usually start at 730 also. Saturday is my estimate day...I'm swamped every night til 9 and all weekend with estimates.

[MudslinginFX4]

we worked almost 70 hours last week with my crew leaders making almost $1000. This will end very shortly, and we will go down to 55 hours. I am trying to give them a little motovation and get some extra work done that we are behind on. This being said... I averaged $89.16/hr per employee during that 70 hr week so I was still making money.

[rodfather]

we worked almost 70 hours last week with my crew leaders making almost $1000.

Mine would have made almost $1600...I pay very well so 40 or so is all they need and want.

[salandscape]

I run 10-12 hours in spring 96 dyas a week) but end up wearing the guys out! I am going to try to keep it around 60 hrs per week to keep them happy (money) and productive (me happy). We run about 50 the rest of the year with a few weeks in the late summer around 40.

[TJLANDS]

This Time of the year 55-65 hours Minimum.. 730-630
They love the overtime. If I only gave them 40, they would look elsewhere.
I have a crew out today so three of them will have 70+ this week.
My overtime rate for crew leader is what Rod pays regular $15 hour Regular =22.50 OT

[paponte]

Wow, how can you guys run your crews 70hrs a week!?!? A tired crew is a non productive one IMO. We will do 50hrs a week max unless we are seriously behind, and that rarely happens. 30hrs a week in overtime is just rediculous IMO. If I was paying that much in overtime per week, I would surely see it as a sign of being understaffed. ;)

[AL Inc]

I agree with paponte, I don't see the need to do 70 hours a week. That is a definite sign of being understaffed. I have five full time employees, and n average week for us is between 50-60 hours, that is 7-5 Monday through Friday, and 7-1 or 2 on Saturday. I haven't worked a Sunday in about five years, forget that.

[TJLANDS]

From March 1st thru April we work seven days and some nights. Spring Cleanups and mulching. My guys look forward to the hours in the spring.
We will do 20 trailer loads of mulch this spring easy(1400 yards). Not counting
residential. They need to get done before we start to mow.
When we start mowing crews only get 50 hours.

[Duekster]

That's cruel and stupid to run a crew that hard.

We work 10 hour days 4 days a week. That gives me a couple of days for catch up because of weather. I will work the guys OT some but rarely more than 10 hours per week.

[paponte]

Ever hear of the quote "work smarter... not harder"? If you are doing 1400+ yards of mulch you should invest in a blower IMO. I would never work my guys like that. If you do the math it just doesn't pan out. Your paing more (time and half) and getting less (exhausted employees). I just don't see the point. ;)

[TJLANDS]

Lets not get into a p*ssing match.
I do what has worked for me for almost 20 years , you do what works for you. Leave it at that.
The guy just asked a question about hours.

[paponte]

Nobody pisssing here, just discussing in an open forum. :)

[Duekster]

Nobody pisssing here, just discussing in an open forum. :)

I would love to have one of those mulch blowers. Kind of pricey if you ask me. I am not sure where the point of return would be on labor and the amount of mulch installed.

[paponte]

I would love to have one of those mulch blowers. Kind of pricey if you ask me. I am not sure where the point of return would be on labor and the amount of mulch installed.

I have a small towable that works perfect for us. Doesn't eliminate labor since you have to get the material into the hopper, but it saves a heck of alot of time. Here's the machine that we pull with a hooklift truck. I like the hooklift because we can slide the body back right ontop of the hopper. :)

[Duekster]

I have a small towable that works perfect for us. Doesn't eliminate labor since you have to get the material into the hopper, but it saves a heck of alot of time. Here's the machine that we pull with a hooklift truck. I like the hooklift because we can slide the body back right ontop of the hopper. :)

That sounds like a more ecconomical solution than one of those 450K trucks.

[supercuts]

paponte, how much did that trailer cost. that looks like a nice settup. so you just fork it from the truck into the hopper and a 2nd guy works the hose?? i want one

[Metro Lawn]

I am looking at this issue with this in mind: gonna use $10 per hour because it is easy to figure

3 man crew at $10 per man per hour
70 hours each 40+30 OT $850 x 3 = $2550 per week for 210 man hours

now
(2) 3 man crews at 40 hours each = total 240 man hours
cost $2400

so for $150 less, you can get 30 more man hours and not kill the employees
I'm sure they want to have a life too.

I don't pay by the hour. I use a production based pay scale. No overtime but if they produce well they can make up to $32 an hour.

[lifetree]

I agree with paponte, I don't see the need to do 70 hours a week. That is a definite sign of being understaffed.

I have to agree with this as well.

[Patatoe1]

I averaged $89.16/hr per employee during that 70 hr week so I was still making money.
Is that how much you made per employee after all taxes, insurance, and whatnot?

[paponte]

paponte, how much did that trailer cost. that looks like a nice settup. so you just fork it from the truck into the hopper and a 2nd guy works the hose?? i want one

That is an old model I happened to find at auction. The new ones that replaced it are to the tune of $30K new.

[AL Inc]

Great post Metro Lawn, that definitely puts things in perspective.

[aric43085]

the definition of chaos, is to continue doing things the same way and expecting a different result.