The Going Rate!

[cormierlawn]

Hey guys just checking in with you and keeping up with whats going on else were. Whats the going hourly rate you guys are charging for basic lawn care in your areas? I havent seen to much on that here in a while and just thought I would checkin and say Whats Up!!

[stslawncare]

not sure how u expect us to answer that or what ur gonna get, each company has it differently, or determines it differently anyway, that is determined by expenses, how much u want to make, how much u need to make, expenses, difficulty of job etc etc etc. also not everyone goes by the hour. also what exactly is basic lawncare? is that just mowing? mowing and trimming? aerating? dethatching?

[cormierlawn]

Ok let me rephrase that; Residental by the hour if that is the way you charge, Consisting of Mowing, Trimming, Edging and Blowing.

[larrv45390]

Why is it that every time some one asks a question about how much every one is charging per hr some one always post something about how you can’t charge by the hr or gives a big long speech about how every body has to have a different price structure based on their overhead?

The fact is you should always no how much you need to make per man hr to stay afloat and make a profit. What you’re doing or how you do it is not a facture. The only thing that matters is are you making what you need to make.

The fact that this business has no pricing structure is why there are so many people out their charging to little for their service and just as many charging more than they should. If everyone had some idle of the average price per hr for lawn care in their area and priced their work based on that than we wouldn’t have a bunch of low balers betting us out of work and customers would not as easily be abele to price shop and would be more likely to pick the LCO that provides the best work.


In short I try for $35.00 pre man hr on all work I do plus materials. I am in OHIO

[Raven]

I bid my residential mowing at $50 an hour. I strive for daily goals. I like to make $350 a day on my mowing days (I'm solo) and pull out of my drive at 8:00 A.M. and be home and unloaded no later than 5:00 P.M.

I have mostly $50-$60 yards. I've learned not to follow your competitions pricing. On a scale of 1 to 5 in my area, 5 being the highest price, I'm a 4. There are customers in EVERY neighborhood willing to pay extra for quality workmanship. I took on two new accounts Monday at $50 and $55. The new accounts are neighbors of existing accounts. Each of these new accounts had paid $38 with their previous LCO.

[TGCummings]

The national average is right around $36/hour, from what I understand. I've seen rates anywhere from $25-$60/hour stated on this forum.

Coincidentally enough, that's what i make. $25-$60/hour. ;)

[darryl gesner]

My labor rates range from $25 to $40 per hour depending on what I'm doing. I then tack on an equipment hourly rate to get the rate I'll bill the client. If it's just hand tools and light labor close to home, I'll go as low as $25/hr total rate. If I'm running a chain saw, blower, mower or trimmer, I add $10 to $15 hr ($35 to $55 to client). Tractor work I add more like $25 to $35/hr depending on implements to be used ($50 to $75/hr total).

[Esby]

I bid each new account "by the job" but I figure that price by taking into consideration of how long it will take, with my equipment. It all averages out to about $40 an hour.....some I get more than that, some less. All depends on my initial bid.

[Russo]

Raven, I like your style. I've been dumping $ 25/ hr mow jobs and replacing them with $ 45-50 / hr jobs. People who used to pay $30 are gladly paying $ 45 just because I show up when I say I will and the quality is top notch.

Well, anyway.....I now shoot for $ 50 as a general rule for mowing.

[65hoss]

Your equipment and mine will be different. You may be using a push mower and I will be on a Lazer. You can't compare the rates per hour. What takes me 20 minutes will take you 2 hours. Can you charge $160 to cut that yard? No. This is an example before anyone gets fired up.

I don't charge by the hour for mowing. No need. I know within minutes how long it will take. Best thing is to know your expenses and what you need. Then find out what the going rate is in your area and try to be competitive without lowballing or hurting yourself. My opinion anyway.

[Lawns & More]

Im a solo operator, I charge between $35-$45 an hour. One of the big guys here in my town, he charges $60 an hour per man working. He pays his workers $11 an hour.

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

If at a single account, I strive for $50/hr. But what about clusters of yards that have a $30/min?? I unload my walk-behind, knock out 5 accounts in 1 1/2 hours . Now I'm making $100/hr.:D

LAWNS AND MOWER

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by LAWNS AND MOWER
If at a single account, I strive for $50/hr. But what about clusters of yards that have a $30/min?? I unload my walk-behind, knock out 5 accounts in 1 1/2 hours . Now I'm making $100/hr.:D

LAWNS AND MOWER

It's not your fault you don't have to load and unload for each job. I do the same thing. That's just good business. Also, if you lowball a lawn in a group, you'll find someone on the next block gets wind of it, and expects you to mow their lawn at the cheaper rate. Group accounts is just one of the "perks" of doing a good job.;) ;)

[tailoredlook]

The last time I answered a question like that for an up and commer he undercut me and stole ten of my customers so you're on your own pally.

[wojo23323]

I have been averaging $35 per hour but since I will be retiring next year and doing this full time, I am now charging approx. $50 per hour for all jobs. I am raising my current customers prices by $5 per mowing and haven't lost one yet.

[Ground Master]

heck, charge by the minute (actual time "on the job")

1 guy- 80 cents a minute
2 guys- 1.50 a minute
3 guys- 2.10 a minute

[Suarez]

What is the going rate in North Carolina for residential lawn care per hour or per 1/4 acre lot?

[XLS]

the going rate is what ever you set it at and then you will need to get off the computer and go sell the jobs at your rate , its real simple . my going rate is varing depending on how its presented . we can get $28.00 per 30 mins with a push mower $80 to $100 per hour with a 30'' ztr $ 55.oo to $210 per hour with a 48'' walker $65.00 to $300 per hour with a 60'' or $100.oo-$500.oo per hour witha 72'' unit our trimmer,blower averages 40.oo per hr . its up to each of us to be responsible enough to know what we need and then its up to us to make improvements on it.

[JayD]

I just charge by the job. Most only take 20 -30 min with me and a helper. No Z's just W/B's. I really want to raise prices this year not only because of gas but because some have had same price for 3-4 years. I know the gas is going to keep going up this year so I'm just going to go ahead and raise them now. I was kind of thinking of not doing it because of the economy but cant let that change my mind.

[Richard Martin]

$40 an hour including drive time.

[JB1]

we just find out what the others charge then charge five dollars less.

[Golfpro21]

we strive to be no less than $80/hour....we are a two person crew......sometimes we can get upto $120/hour all depends on the job

[StanWilhite]

we just find out what the others charge then charge five dollars less.

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