Figuring out costs

[xclusive]

Originally Posted by fastlane

This is a good example of why everyone needs to figure their own cost per hour. - Eclusive - Is the cost of $25 per 17 minutes for 1 person or a crew of 2 or 3 ?

That isn't my real cost just an example, but that is for a 3 man crew. My cost is actually lower than that.

[xclusive]

Originally Posted by cpllawncare

WOW! I keep seeing these crazy man hr numbers on here, $75/mnhr? REALLY? your really quoting your labor rate at $75/mnhr? how much are you paying your guys 40-50/hr?

Yes I totally agree with this statement. Maybe 5 years ago that would have been okay but nowadays with every moe, Larry and curly being a landscaper that definitely isn't happening. If you can get that per hour for a 3 or 4 man crew more power to you, but I don't see that happening in this economy.

[JContracting]

I'm definitely not paying anyone that works for me 40-50/hr. I don't charge by the hour if that's what you are getting at. That's basically the number I aim for and bust a$$ as hard as possible to get that, primarily with clean ups. Around 60-65/man hr for mowing is what I aim for. The numbers vary for installs depending on what the task at hand is.

[cpllawncare]

Originally Posted by JContracting

I'm definitely not paying anyone that works for me 40-50/hr. I don't charge by the hour if that's what you are getting at. That's basically the number I aim for and bust a$$ as hard as possible to get that, primarily with clean ups. Around 60-65/man hr for mowing is what I aim for. The numbers vary for installs depending on what the task at hand is.

Help me out here, I'm not figuring something right, if you have a two man mowing crew and your getting 60/mnhr your charging $60 for a lawn that takes 30mins to service?

[jrs.landscaping]

Originally Posted by cpllawncare

Help me out here, I'm not figuring something right, if you have a two man mowing crew and your getting 60/mnhr your charging $60 for a lawn that takes 30mins to service?

He's solo, a lot of solo guys try to get $60 + PMH. I try to be around $50 PMH to be competetive yet cover my costs.

[cpllawncare]

Just asking here, man/hr = man/hr weather your solo or two or three?

[djagusch]

Originally Posted by cpllawncare

Just asking here, man/hr = man/hr weather your solo or two or three?

His $60 to $75 is obtainable in our market especially in his suburb area. Most of my flat rate monthly contracts have $60 to $75 per hr for work outside the specs of the contract. Nobody flinches when they see the rate. Around here giving $50/hr rate happens but is more the mid to low rate.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jrs.landscaping]

Originally Posted by djagusch

His $60 to $75 is obtainable in our market especially in his suburb area. Most of my flat rate monthly contracts have $60 to $75 per hr for work outside the specs of the contract. Nobody flinches when they see the rate. Around here giving $50/hr rate happens but is more the mid to low rate.
Posted via Mobile Device

People around me don't flinch when they see $75 PMH, they

Some guys down south are talking $30 PMH

Geography has A LOT to do with pricing.

[cpllawncare]

WOW! Now I know why everybody is moving here! Just don't move here and think your going to get 60-70/mnhr ain't happening. you can get 60/mnhr for mowing but for straight labor more like 30-40/mnhr I was at 45 last year and struggled like crazy on straight labor bids.

[JContracting]

Originally Posted by cpllawncare

Help me out here, I'm not figuring something right, if you have a two man mowing crew and your getting 60/mnhr your charging $60 for a lawn that takes 30mins to service?

Yes that is what I'm getting at.

Even if I had employees with me on maintenance properties the numbers per man hour don't change. However, on larger properties I'd be willing to reduce the amt per man/hr a little bit as less truck fuel burnt and wear & tear on trucks & trailers. I have a buddy whose company only does townhouses & commercials for maintenance and they average $50/man hr.