I recently got charged about $5,200 for 17 hours of labor by my landscaper, which comes out to $300 an hour. The work included tree planting, dirt moving, excavating, and prepping for irrigation and pavers. I'm wondering if this rate is reasonable for the work done or if I got ripped off. Any thoughts?
3 Answers
That rate seems pretty high, but it really depends on the specifics of the job. If it involved heavy machinery like an excavator, the rate might be more justifiable. Also, consider if you were charged for just labor or if the costs included equipment fees too. A fixed price quote can seem high, but it's to cover unknowns during the job. It'd be good to check your invoice for details!
If that's everything included, it might actually be a solid deal for a big project. Remember, you're not just paying for time but also for the value added to your property! However, if you're feeling uncertain, looking into more quotes from different landscapers might give you a clearer picture of the going rates.
You have to factor in the cost of equipment and the skill level of the workers. Excavator work does cost more, and the rate can vary based on location and demand. Still, $5k for that level of work over two days doesn’t sound unreasonable if you're considering the overall project complexity. If you're not sure, getting a few more quotes could be helpful for comparison.