Hey everyone! I'm a university student doing landscaping work on the side. I usually offer services like gardening, weeding, and lawn mowing at lower rates to attract customers since I have some extra time. I've recently taken on a unique job – I need to dig three holes for some trees. Each hole is about 2 to 3 feet in diameter and about three feet deep. I'm not sure how much I should charge per hole or how long it will take since I'm renting an auger. The rental costs are $90 for the whole day or $65 for 4 hours, and I'd prefer the 4-hour option if it's feasible. Any advice?
3 Answers
From what I've seen, charging around $50 to $60 per hole sounds about right if you're renting the auger for 4 hours. That way, you get a fair rate for your labor, and it should cover the costs of using the auger. Just remember that digging can take longer than expected, especially if the ground is tough.
You might want to consider having the client pay for the auger rental. Since you're just digging the holes and not planting the trees, charging them an hourly rate for your time plus any delivery for the rental makes sense. I'd suggest figuring at least an hour per hole plus some extra time for logistics. You could aim for around $50 an hour, but make sure you assess how hard the ground is as that could slow you down.
Just a heads up, you're doing some serious work here! Digging deep holes can be tough, so don’t shortchange yourself. Charging based on how much the trees cost seems odd since you're just digging. Take into account the effort required and maybe consider what others charge for similar work. Also, try to avoid undercutting for your mowing jobs; it might hurt your business in the long run.
Thanks for the tips! I’ll definitely keep that in mind.