how to price install of trees

[s-lc]

some guys(myself included) figure an appropriate hourly rate and then add cost of materials.

example-my hourly rate is $25/hr

say the cost of a plant is $100 and i estimate it will take me 1 hour to do the job...the total bill would be $125...

[newtostone]

Originally Posted by s-lc

some guys(myself included) figure an appropriate hourly rate and then add cost of materials.

example-my hourly rate is $25/hr

say the cost of a plant is $100 and i estimate it will take me 1 hour to do the job...the total bill would be $125...

Do you get paid to pick up the trees? what about the cost to drive there? after fuel, drive time to get the tree payroll/payroll taxes you've got a net loss doing it like that.

[Jbh0724]

So if you are lucky you take home 2.50 per hour. You don't have anything in there for insurance, taxes, covering a warranty. That is a terrible rate to charge. Do more research and figure you cost to do business. Take some business classes. S-lc, you will not last long in this business unless you do so
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[Michael J. Donovan]

just wanted to post a quick reminder about our Tree Services community located at www.treeservicessite.com - may also want to post your questions, etc. there

thanks

[wildstarblazer]

Originally Posted by burnsyscapes

30 gallon 8-10 ft they are 195 a pop including tax. 585 installed with one year warrenty x 10, they are going to be spread out 25 feet apart. 5850 total to put in 10 of them.

if i did 10 ft hvy b&b 1102.5 per tree installed.

installed price includse mulch soil amdendments extra.

let me know what you all think, not asking for your prices, just seeing if that sounds right.

I hope your customer isn't old. He may have a heart attack if you give em that price. That's just too high. Does your nursery guy guarantee the trees? If so than you won't need to add much extra for that in your price.

[Coffeecraver]

The price the nursery gave is in the ball park.
2 1/2 times to 3 times the cost wholesale is average.
That covers picking out the trees, delivery of the trees, installation, and warranty.

Most new trees die from improper planting practices.To minimize the replacements you should review the information in the site below.

http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/tree_planting.aspx


Good Luck

[JNyz]

Three times material sounds fair to me.

[JNyz]

Originally Posted by s-lc

some guys(myself included) figure an appropriate hourly rate and then add cost of materials.

example-my hourly rate is $25/hr

say the cost of a plant is $100 and i estimate it will take me 1 hour to do the job...the total bill would be $125...

This guy must be joking or actually lives in a tent.

[TScapes]

Originally Posted by burnsyscapes

30 gallon 8-10 ft they are 195 a pop including tax. 585 installed with one year warrenty x 10, they are going to be spread out 25 feet apart. 5850 total to put in 10 of them.

if i did 10 ft hvy b&b 1102.5 per tree installed.

installed price includse mulch soil amdendments extra.

let me know what you all think, not asking for your prices, just seeing if that sounds right.

Is that your wholesale price for a 8-10'? Seems high to me, but you are in a different market than me. I think you are spot on with your price with a guarantee. Some guys I know take the retail price and double it plus 20% installed and that covers everything. I try to use the rule of 1/3 materials, 1/3 labor, but will manipulate each bid based on the jobsite. Conditions to consider... equipment? accessibility, soil conditions, travel, etc. If I have to carry 10 trees to the back of a property... that's gonna cost more in labor. If I can get the plants closer, then that will be reflected in the cost. We used to use a price sheet for each size of tree and shrub, but quit using that several years ago. Basically just job cost things so we are staying around the 30-40% cost in materials. That gives us plenty of room for play for our profit margin.

[RSK Property Maintenance]

Originally Posted by burnsyscapes

30 gallon 8-10 ft they are 195 a pop including tax. 585 installed with one year warrenty x 10, they are going to be spread out 25 feet apart. 5850 total to put in 10 of them.

if i did 10 ft hvy b&b 1102.5 per tree installed.

installed price includse mulch soil amdendments extra.

let me know what you all think, not asking for your prices, just seeing if that sounds right.

i usually do double the price then add sales tax to that price and present it to the customer.....but 2-3x the plant or tree price is normal. i've done over 5000 in plantings in a 6hr time period including going to get mulch 30 mins away.