Charging by the hour

37chief · Jun 22, 2017

Most of my jobs are by a flat rate. I did a job today by the hour. I want to be fair to the owner. I had to replace blades on my flail mower from large rocks in the weeds. Total time doing the repair was half hour. should I just forget about the repair time? Your thoughts

Mike Groom · Jun 22, 2017

If you have a hourly rate,charge him for 1/2 hour,if you don't it might come back to haunt you later when he or someone else that he sends or hears about you charging nothing expects it for nothing also,word always seems to get around. Just my 2 cents worth.

Leroy · Jun 22, 2017

The repair time was part of the job because of what should not have been in there to start with so it is part of the job time. It was not normal maintainance that you would do on your own. Then what were the cost of the replacement parts that you had to put on? If he would have had those rocks marked so you would not hit them and then still did it would be different than not having marked as I understand your post.

Ted in NE-OH · Jun 22, 2017

If it was because of hazards in his field that he did not tell you about by all means charge him.

Janicholson · Jun 22, 2017

Charge start to end. Every tool that gets dull must be sharpened. The rocks were also responsible for ruining the flails that were damaged. Who pays for the rock's damage to your parts. Ask your self if you would have bid higher if you knew the rocks were there!! Jim

Bob Harvey · Jun 22, 2017

I am retired, however, I still have some long term clients that keep bugging me. My rate has gone down because I have slowed down ($50 per hr - $35) - BUT- the clock starts when I leave the claim and stops when I leave the job - period. Always get paid and in some cases a tip.

fixerupper · Jun 22, 2017

Looks to me like the land owner needs to pick up a few rocks to save himself some mowing money.

David G · Jun 22, 2017

I would charge a flat rate, plus an additional charge if you hit things, the sawmills do that if you bring in a log.

David G · Jun 22, 2017

I also do not think there is an 1/2 hour charge, 4 hour minimum if you need to change blades.

Stephen Newell · Jun 22, 2017

Most of the work I do is by the hour. I don't charge for repairs on my own equipment.

MarkB_MI · Jun 23, 2017

I'd be inclined to charge him for the knives you had to replace and eat the time spent changing them out. That way he's only paying for the work that was performed, yet you're letting him know that your equipment was damaged because he didn't warn you about rocks in the field.

Traditional Farmer · Jun 23, 2017

Around my area rocks in fields are normal and would never charge extra for hitting one just part of the job.You want to tear up something hit a stationary rock that's up out the ground some.

RobCons · Jun 23, 2017

I charge for time on site. But I do look at the repairs and may adjust that time. If my equipment broke, fan belt breaks or something like that, I deduct that time. If I hit something like a rock or stump hole causing damage I will usually stay on the clock for the field repair but not charge for the materials. If I have to bring it back to the shop that's on me and just part of it.

37chief · Jun 23, 2017

I have done that with my Woods rotary mower. I hit a big rock a few years ago, and broke the gear box. That was a bad day. The field I mowed yesterday should have been clean. these were cement chunks someone tossed in the field. Stan

MSS3020 · Jun 23, 2017

interesting question...Ive been asked to mow and put up hay fields that I have never been in before..I shutter at the thought when asked but have done a couple and in both cases have ran into things..

One was while raking with a v-rake ran and wrapped up electric fence wire.. How it got in the middle of a field AFTER i mowed still a puzzle.. didnt brake anything but wrapped er up real good.. cut and pull... cut and pull.. Asked the owner.. He had no idea how that got there... hum....

Usually find things after I rake or bale and wonder how the heck I didnt run that through the swather.. Old rake teeth from the past seem to be popular..

Charging by the hour

37chief

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Mike Groom

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Leroy

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Ted in NE-OH

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Janicholson

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Bob Harvey

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fixerupper

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David G

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David G

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Stephen Newell

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MarkB_MI

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Traditional Farmer

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RobCons

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37chief

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MSS3020

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