[ColesLawnServiceMich]

Hey all, I have some mulch jobs coming up (4 yard, 5 yard, and 6 yard).

I haven't done mulch in years ( I just do lawn mowing for the most part). I am going to spread it by myself, how long does it take to spread it in the average bed with a landscape rake, shovel, and wheelbarrow? Thanks!

 

[Mark Stark]

If you have to do basic bed prep, and assume the beds have plants, and assume that you may need to move the mulch around the backyard, and factor in some fatigue, and cleanup afterwards......figure 1yd per hour and you'll be generally safe.

 

[Hurryupelectric]

I just did two yards in an hour with a tiny bit of prep needed, spreading around plants. I need to add that I use 2cf bagged mulch and eat the higher price in exchange for no forking to a barrow, then forking from the barrow, then cleaning up all the mess that fell around. I’ll do up to 5 yards using bagged and zip through it.

 

[ColesLawnServiceMich]

If you have to do basic bed prep, and assume the beds have plants, and assume that you may need to move the mulch around the backyard, and factor in some fatigue, and cleanup afterwards......figure 1yd per hour and you'll be generally safe.

Thanks!

 

[ColesLawnServiceMich]

I just did two yards in an hour with a tiny bit of prep needed, spreading around plants. I need to add that I use 2cf bagged mulch and eat the higher price in exchange for no forking to a barrow, then forking from the barrow, then cleaning up all the mess that fell around. I’ll do up to 5 yards using bagged and zip through it.

Thanks!

 

[Hurryupelectric]

Thanks!

Keep in mind I’m new-ish in the biz, 3rd year and I’ve been known to do things a lil different than the rest of the pack. I generally stand behind my quirks though.

 

[Rick1111]

Bagged mulch is usually crap. Just saying because it is. But dang 5 cubic yards with 2cift bags... Dang. I've found most box store now selling theirs in 1.5 cf bags and charging what they were or more last year.

 

[sjessen]

I have mixed feelings about bagged mulch. Although, most locally is of inferior quality I have seen some that was as good as the bulk products. My biggest concern, though, is that 13-14 bags are never the quivalent to a full yard scoop of bulk mulch. On the other hand, one can spread it thinner so coverage is similar. Plus, the dye is set and the product is dry, unlike what is being sold in this area at present. 1-2 yards per hour is about what I am able to do using bulk mulch.

 

[sjessen]

Bagged mulch is usually crap. Just saying because it is. But dang 5 cubic yards with 2cift bags... Dang. I've found most box store now selling theirs in 1.5 cf bags and charging what they were or more last year.

It appears that 5-2 cu bags for $10 are long gone.

 

[Rick1111]

Although we aren't really doing mulch anymore, we've got 3 customers I promised them we would do this season. One is about a half yard. Yes I will use bagged mulch on that job.

 

[Gus McGee]

Depends on the terrain, distance from the truck, if the beds are wide open or filled with tons of plants, etc. 1 cubic yard per hour is usually the number I base my bids on, unless we can park the truck right next to the beds or the terrain is unusually difficult.

 

[Hurryupelectric]

But dang 5 cubic yards with 2cift bags... Dang

It’s dang fast. Rip, pour exactly what you need exactly where you need it, crumble empty bag into another empty bag while walking to repeat. Even if it’s got to be wheeled around. Tossing a few bags on the barrow is fast and clean and the barrow holds a lot more in bags then loose.

 

[Rick1111]

When I buy bulk mulch even if it's a single yard I get a heaping scoop which is closer to a yard and a quarter maybe more. Can usually do a yard in about 45 min if it's not too far from the truck.

 

[Rick1111]

We are talking about the same 68 bags (2 cu ft each) of mulch to get 5 yards right? More power to you. The time to go buy, load up, then take somewhere then unload it wow. Bueno!

 

[Hurryupelectric]

So, since the op isn’t currently practiced in mulch install then I’ll ask this for myself and him. If you need .80 yards and the man dumps 1.25 in the trailer what is to be done with the extra? Part of the reason I like doing bags is the precision.

 

[sjessen]

So, since the op isn’t currently practiced in mulch install then I’ll ask this for myself and him. If you need .80 yards and the man dumps 1.25 in the trailer what is to be done with the extra? Part of the reason I like doing bags is the precision.

A lot of times that is how our yard gets mulch in the spring.

 

[Hurryupelectric]

We are talking about the same 68 bags (2 cu ft each) of mulch to get 5 yards right? More power to you. The time to go buy, load up, then take somewhere then unload it wow. Bueno!

Let’s keep in mind a 5 yard job is a bigger deal for a guy like me. It’s my day so the time here and there isn’t keeping me from the next job.

 

[Rick1111]

I like leftovers... Spray/fert as well LOL!

 

[Rick1111]

But it is "your" time right. If I had to go let's say to the homeless despot and buy 68 bags of mulch I could easily see that alone taking me 2 hours of my time just going to get it. Which now starts my labor billing at $140 plus the price of mulch before I even arrived at the yard to do the mulch... Selling yourself short if you're not charging your time to go get it. Because you could be doing other jobs during that period of time.

 

[Hurryupelectric]

I wonder how all the numbers work with not forking on and off a barrow and different things. If I’m getting 70 bags of mulch I’m getting paid for it. Maybe not your rate but I’m not grabbing 3,000lbs of bags for free. The dudes load it up anyway, all i have to do is make sure it’s not stacked “so” bad lol.