Life of handhelds

[GrayM]

I'm working on my business plan right now, and am trying to workout what I should figure for the depreciation of my hand helds (backpack blower, trimmers, edgers etc.). How many seasons can I expect them to last if I buy quality, and take care of them? Thanks for your time.

[castlerockmo]

Depends, most commercial handhelds are rated for about 300 hours of use. I have a husqvarna 326ls trimmer that has well over 3000 hours on it. I have other stuff that has well over the 300 hours on them and no sign of wear. If you take care of them, use the correct oil and gas they will last a while.
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[Richard Martin]

Originally Posted by GrayM

I'm working on my business plan right now, and am trying to workout what I should figure for the depreciation of my hand helds (backpack blower, trimmers, edgers etc.). How many seasons can I expect them to last if I buy quality, and take care of them? Thanks for your time.

Purchases under $250,000 can be expensed. Take it all at once in the year you purchase it. That law changes soon to only $20k but you'll still be good with handhelds.

How long they last has an awful, awful lot to do with how much work you do, brand and class of equipment (homeowner or professional etc), fuel, oil, the enviroment they're used in. There's just too many variables. A wild guess would be anywhere from 2 seasons to 10. I've seen literally thousands of posts about lifespan of handheld equipment and it varies wildly.

[meets1]

I have had cheap ones that didn't last and expensive one that didn't last. The last go around for me I bought 12 new red max trimmers 3 yrs ago. Cementaries, miles of parking lots, residentials etc. They have held up great. Not the cheapest trimmer in the mix but I have done nothing to these trimmers besides bumpd, heads, and line of course.

[GrayM]

Thanks for the replies y'all

Richard, I guess I shouldn't have used an accounting term. I was planning on expensing them. I'm just trying to figure out what I should set aside, so I have cash earmarked to replace them when they're wore out. And I see you're right near me. Swift Creek is in Johnston County right? You don't happen to know of any good bookkeepers or accountants in the Raleigh area do you? you can pm me if you'd like, so we don't get too off topic

[Jpocket]

trimmers i would expect to get 3 seasons out of, anything more is a gift. Blowers on the other hand i would expect ALOT more from. I have a few blowers that I bought in 2001 and they start on the second pull. hedge trimmers as well b/c they typically arent used on a daily basis.

[Richard Martin]

Originally Posted by GrayM

Thanks for the replies y'all

Richard, I guess I shouldn't have used an accounting term. I was planning on expensing them. I'm just trying to figure out what I should set aside, so I have cash earmarked to replace them when they're wore out. And I see you're right near me. Swift Creek is in Johnston County right? You don't happen to know of any good bookkeepers or accountants in the Raleigh area do you? you can pm me if you'd like, so we don't get too off topic

I would use a 3 year schedule for anticipated replacement costs. You can fine tune the time period as you get more experience with how long equipment lasts you.

I'm in Pitt County but my son lives in Cary.

[eastendpeak]

Yes, it's about 3 yrs average.
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[Alan0354]

It also depends on how much you are willing to pay to fix it also. You buy an expensive hand held, if it breaks, you pay over $100 a pop to fix it. You keep fixing it, it will last a long long time.

When people buy cheap brands like Ryobi, anything happened, they just dump it and get a new one, then they turn around and say Ryobi don't last!!!

[Puddle of Oil]

my hand held has lasted me about 4 years and its taken a beating over the years!
my trimmer Ive only had for 2 years but it still runs great!