Pricing and Rates

[TK LC&L]

I am just curious to see what people are getting these days in this economy. I was told that in mowing, if a yard takes an hour then charged $30. And for mulching, $100/yard which includes mulch, delivery, edging, spreading, and any minor weeding. Also for employees, $10/hour for a person with little to no experience and about $15/hour for someone experienced in the field. Any thoughts or opinions? I am in Pennsylvania by the way, I know that different areas get different rates.

[DEPENDABLE LANDSCAPING]

I think your really going to have a tough time with this one.
You will be better off changing your post to targeting people in your area.
We are in the northeast and have very different rates to what you posted.
Good luck.

[exmark user]

A $30.00 yard here should take no longer than 25 minutes . We try to get a dollar a minute on mowing as for me.

[tonygreek]

Based on this, you would potentially pay an employee $15/hour to do a $30/hour mowing?

You really need to understand all of the costs involved, both direct operating costs, and those imposed by your state and federal government, and you'll quickly see why that is in no way viable, regardless of where you operate.

[zechstoker]

As far as mowing prices go, a better way to compare those prices would be based on square footage rather than a duration of time. The whole bit of "company A charges X per hour while company B charges Y per hour" doesn't work since not everyone is going to be able to service the same size property in the same amount of time. Then there's the (previously mentioned) factor of operating costs that will vary across the board.
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[32vld]

Originally Posted by tonygreek

Based on this, you would potentially pay an employee $15/hour to do a $30/hour mowing?

You really need to understand all of the costs involved, both direct operating costs, and those imposed by your state and federal government, and you'll quickly see why that is in no way viable, regardless of where you operate.

Who told you $30 hour? As tonygreek said if $15 labor is more because their is Workman's comp and unemployment insurance that you have to pay the gov on top of that $15 to employee. That $15 hr man is now a $20 man. Then gas, vehicle insurance, business liability ins, bus license, maintenance and repairs of equipment, advertising, set aside money to expand/buy new equipment. Can cost more then the $10 that was left over after paying your employee.

Soon as you mowed your first lawn your business has just lost money. The best part is you have not even paid yourself.

Originally Posted by zechstoker

As far as mowing prices go, a better way to compare those prices would be based on square footage rather than a duration of time. The whole bit of "company A charges X per hour while company B charges Y per hour" doesn't work since not everyone is going to be able to service the same size property in the same amount of time. Then there's the (previously mentioned) factor of operating costs that will vary across the board.
Posted via Mobile Device

I price out my properties by the SF so I know that I'm more consistent in my pricing.

[TK LC&L]

Ok I guess I should have stated that a little better. It is per man hour. So if a yard takes one hour to mow with me and another employee that would be $60. And the employee that I have with me when I mow is just a young unexperienced guy that I give $10/hour. So what I am saying is that I make $20 off of him. And I understand what the overhead is. Also I am a smaller company and am looking to grow the number of accounts I have so I am trying to be on the lower side to beat competition until I have the amount I need. Thank you to everyone who has contributed their thoughts to the thread so far.

[fastlane]

Originally Posted by TK LC&L

Ok I guess I should have stated that a little better. It is per man hour. So if a yard takes one hour to mow with me and another employee that would be $60. And the employee that I have with me when I mow is just a young unexperienced guy that I give $10/hour. So what I am saying is that I make $20 off of him. And I understand what the overhead is. Also I am a smaller company and am looking to grow the number of accounts I have so I am trying to be on the lower side to beat competition until I have the amount I need. Thank you to everyone who has contributed their thoughts to the thread so far.

$30 per man hour. A WB or ZT could cost $7-$11 an hr. Labor $13 an hr. Truck, insurance,overhead, IMO you lost money.

[jrs.landscaping]

Could you guys ship some of that $10 per hour help up here. Whether they have experience or not they all want 12 or more per hour. One guy we interviewed wanted $20 and the only experience he had was weeding gardens at a resort!!!

[TK LC&L]

I like the square foot idea of pricing, but what do you do if it is hilly compared to flat or if there are a million obstacles compared to an open yard?