Time Check

[regnort]

Alright guys I know it will be hard to answer this question without seeing the property, but here goes. I cut a school that has approx 8 acres of cutting ( this doesn't include the buildings and parking lot. There are alot of sidewalks and I trim, edge, and blow down the sidewalks every cut. I spend about 2 hrs trimming and edging, and that hasn't changed since I started maintaninng this property. Today I cut and finished in 4hrs 45 min. The first time I cut it took about 6hrs 30 min and has dropped every time. I know the guy who cut this property before and he says they had 14 to 16 man hours every cut (there were actually two of them). I know the quality is better, I have had nothing but compliments from the faculty and parents. I cut with a 60" Z-Two and try to pay special attention to the pattern on the 2 soccer fields during the season. My question is does 5 hours sound about right for this size property. I bid it at eight hours after talking with the guy I mentioned earlier I thought I had really screwed up, but I am doing better than expected now. sorry for the long post. :dizzy:

[Floridalandcare]

need more info , how much are you charging , from what I gather you are solo ,what is your cost per man hour?

[regnort]

I have to make $35 an hour for a decent profit. Yes I am a solo and cut 3 days a week. I bid it at $280 a cut for just maintanence and charge for extras. I did spray the fence lines on the back side of the property but that was for my benefit. The hard part is sitting on the mower for 3 or 4 hours at a time. I'm used to riding all day, just not that long straight.

[MacLawnCo]

Just a hunch, but i would say you could stand to raise your hourly rate a good $10 or more considering that you are using a 60" ZTR. Your price may be one reason why the school is so excited about your work. Great work at an incredible price usually gets some parents fired up.

[scott's turf]

Well you said you cut it in 4.75 hrs so that is about $59/hr. That sounds just about perfect. I like to make min $50/hr at the job site. $35/hr seems low but then again it is all relative to your location.