Hedgerow Planting

Hello guys,

Iv been asked to price a hedge planting job. Its two 370 meter rows. With four different types of tree species plus tree guards, the problem is pricing, iv done abit of research and I came across this. The client is buying the whips and the guards all im doing is planting.

"The survey of farmers carried out in the hedge establishment study by Catherine Bickmore Associates (1999) found an average price to establish a hedge of £4.48/metre, including plant protection. Planting and labour averaged £2.55/metre, with fencing on both sides of the hedge at £4.20. Economies of scale were shown in the cost of all materials. The balance between the cost of providing fencing or tree guards was related to plant density, with relatively little difference between the two costs at seven plants per metre for lengths over 1,000 metres. Typical contractor costs for hedge planting were found to range from £2.44/metre at four plants per metre with no protection to around £19/metre for seven plants per metre using spiral guards and livestock fencing. The report commented that little information was available on the costs and times required to establish a hedge."

Source: http://www.hedgelink.org.uk/files/hedgerow%20management%20and%20wildlife.pdf

If I was to work from these prices the job would be a astonishing figure and would put the clients off.

I was thinking of just doing my day rate, which is less then if I used the pricing above.

Regards,
Ashley

Replies

Ian Bidders Bidwell January 25, 2013 at 6:23pm

i'd say if they are happy to pay your day rate and that works for you then go for it based on that, although i suppose it will depend on how many days you think it will take. make your best guesstimate and then add a day of so as things invariably always take longer than expected.
PRO

Brian www.mibservices.co.uk January 25, 2013 at 7:07pm

Commercial industry rates are £0.53 per plant for planting and guarding of whips if that helps. You should be able to plant 500-750 whips a day.
chris January 25, 2013 at 7:58pm

Brian that's interesting thanks for the correspondence the other day is there an industry standard for planting on design work ie 2 lts 3 lts 5 lts or larger specimens always difficult to price up the designers always want value this is high end by the way we try to keep are standards for every job but high end are very precise if anybody can help with this it would be helpfull
PRO

Brian www.mibservices.co.uk January 25, 2013 at 8:06pm

Hi Chris your welcome, glad to help you out, planting prices depends on numbers but pot plants up to 3ltr were priced at £0.30 per plant larger pots 5-7ltr were around £0.57 per plant. Whips only, no guards or stakes are £0.27
Ashley Meredith January 25, 2013 at 8:31pm

Ian Bidders Bidwell said:
i'd say if they are happy to pay your day rate and that works for you then go for it based on that, although i suppose it will depend on how many days you think it will take. make your best guesstimate and then add a day of so as things invariably always take longer than expected.

Brian www.mibservices.co.uk said:
Commercial industry rates are £0.53 per plant for planting and guarding of whips if that helps. You should be able to plant 500-750 whips a day.

Thanks guys for the help, I'll give them some options and see what happens, as long as im making money im happy.

Regards,
Ashley
PRO Supplier

Paul Errington January 28, 2013 at 12:24pm

Hi Ashley,

Just wanted to make you aware of the Turf Teq trencher which makes hedgerow planting very quick. It's a walk-behind machine that will dig trenches 2.5" wide to a maximum depth of 7", or 5" wide to a max of 5". Available to rent daily or weekly. Photo attached. Best of luck getting the job.
Ashley Meredith January 28, 2013 at 3:52pm

Paul.errington said:
Hi Ashley,

Just wanted to make you aware of the Turf Teq trencher which makes hedgerow planting very quick. It's a walk-behind machine that will dig trenches 2.5" wide to a maximum depth of 7", or 5" wide to a max of 5". Available to rent daily or weekly. Photo attached. Best of luck getting the job.

Thanks for letting me know, may have to hire one.

Regards,
Ashley
Lawncare-4u.co.uk January 29, 2013 at 1:33am

work out how many on average you can do a day at your rate and add that up with all your costs / petrol & travelling return journeys. 4 species is harder to plant than 1.

740m x £2.55 = £1,887.

4plants /m x 740 = 2,960 units .... can you not buy the mixed hedging bareroots? cheaper than them?
Ashley Meredith January 29, 2013 at 11:17am

I did ask if they wanted me to sort it all out but its for a National Trust property so they have there own suppliers that they use. But they dont have anyone capable of doing the job. So they only want to pay me for the labour.

Gardens4u.co.uk said:

work out how many on average you can do a day at your rate and add that up with all your costs / petrol & travelling return journeys. 4 species is harder to plant than 1.

740m x £2.55 = £1,887.

4plants /m x 740 = 2,960 units .... can you not buy the mixed hedging bareroots? cheaper than them?