I'm looking for a local gardener for general maintenance and tidying up my already pretty tidy garden. A few of the gardeners I've spoken to want to price their services by the job instead of by the hour, which feels a bit off to me. I was expecting an hourly rate to be the standard. Is charging by the job common practice, and should I worry about this method?
3 Answers
Honestly, if they agree to a price for the specific jobs you asked for, it shouldn’t matter how they calculate it. Paying hourly can sometimes lead to them dragging things out. I once had a gardener who took forever on an hourly rate, while professionals offering flat rates got the job done quickly. It really depends on finding someone reliable!
I actually prefer knowing the cost upfront for the whole job. Paying by the hour might incentivize them to take their time, while a flat rate means they want to finish quickly. If growth is slow in the early season, it might feel like overpaying, but it balances out later. Just find a good balance that works for both of you!
Exactly! And make sure they check in during low-growth times, so you don’t waste money.
I don't see what the issue is here. It's just different pricing models. When a gardener gives you a flat rate for a job, they might be estimating based on how long they think it will take. My gardener quotes me a flat fee for mowing, and it seems fair. Just make sure their quote matches the effort needed!
That's a great point! I've had similar experiences where hourly rates turned into long days for simple tasks. Just find someone with solid reviews!