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Advice on strimming job

I've been asked to quote to strim a back garden that is very overgrown. I'm trying to get an idea of how long it will take and what to charge. I've included a few photos in the hope it might help.

It's about 7m x 20m, all on one level, mostly grass about 2' - 3' high but quite a lot is flattened. There are also a few areas of dense, high brambles - up to about 5' with some stems about an inch or so thick. There is a bit of stuff to clear out the way at one end - old bits of fence, metal etc. but that wouldn't take more than about half an hour.

I've been asked to strim/clear it down to ground level and leave everything lying, so no clearing up or waste away. It's only the grass and brambles - shrubs, hedges and trees stay untouched.

I'll only be using a strimmer, probably with line although I have the option of fitting a blade if necessary. I'll likely stick to the line as there could well be stone or metal hidden in the thicket. I also have a long handled bill hook which will easily deal with the thicker bramble stems if the strimmer struggles.

I was thinking of allowing a day as I have no idea what I might come across once I get into it, although I suspect that might be allowing a bit too long.

I'd appreciate any available advice on the best way to proceed and how long it should take. I'm thinking of going in off the ground to start with then going back to get it to ground level. I can use the rake and blower to raise it up after the first cut if necessary.

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Replies

  • PRO
    I'd take it to ground level first pass.
    Easier to clear up and no trying to lift it with rake and blower.
    Depends on machine power though!
  • use the blade for the main area and line around the sides and trees. ( if you use a line on it all it will wrap around the head most of the time) should be don and dusted in three hours if its left where it drops price for a day will cover any unexpected problems

  • PRO

    Flail mower hire costs plus 40 minutes at most to get all that down assuming access.

  • Big difference will be what strummer you are using, are we talking about b &q special or a stihl fs450?
    • PRO
      Agreed on the really big strimmers I've not managed to wrap stuff up round the head. The smaller ones are a pain
  • Thanks for the replies.

    I've never used a flail mower - should I be worried about unseen obstacles?

    My strimmer is Pellenc, battery - it has plenty of power and will run on full all day on a single charge. It can tend to wrap tough stems around the head now and then when using the line, but nothing too drastic.

    I think I might just price for a day's work and try taking it straight down on the first pass - I can always go over higher if necessary.

  • Just agreed the price and date to do the work next week. A minute later I got a call back to tell me that the person he'd agreed the job with previously (who hadn't shown up for two weeks after the agreed date) has just left him a message to say he'll do it this week or next. So he thinks he should wait for him and will let me know if it doesn't happen. Nothing to do with price, although his was £20 cheaper than mine.

    Ah well...

  • With something like this, there's no point in trying to win a Gold medal for speed. Why on earth would they want the rubbish left on site? I would try and price for a full job. A days work to strim, rake up and dispose of arisings. A final run over with an old recycle mower will leave a good finish, if there's not too many ant hills! So, your day rate + strimmer/fuel + green waste disposal + profit. 

    • I've no idea why the waste was to be left there. It makes no sense to me either, unless maybe there's machinery going in and the owner has been asked to get the stuff knocked down so they can see what they are dealing with. The house is in quite a state of disrepair so wouldn't be surprised if there is a major project about to get underway.

  • I reckon the other guy might have done you a favour here............the Pellenc has the equivalent power of the smaller Stihl strimmers and would really struggle to get through that lot. Even with a powerful strimmer, I find it very hard going when the grass has laid flat.... as mentioned, a flail is the ideal tool.

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