Ride on charges

We would need a good description of the job in question along with the type of mower you have.

The basic starting point should be £1 per minute [£60ph] with an out-front mower like a Stiga Park or similar. Hedge cutting is £35ph. Both time calculations are in your own head and are not quoted to the client. This is merely the tool you use to calculate the price once you have applied all the other variables listed here.

So you need to charge for how long it will take you to mow. I’ve never heard of charging per square metre before, total area yes of course, but not per small fragments of that total area. Two jobs of exactly the same size can be almost incomparable. One might take three times longer to mow than the other due to obvious differences. A one acre churchyard will obviously cost far more to mow, and take considerably longer, than a one acre playing field.

There are just so many variables. What sort of ride on mower do you have? Is it a Ransomes 3300 or a garden tractor? Is there much strimming? Is the area smooth and flat or hilly and rough? Are there many obstacles, buildings, trees, fences, railings etc.? How often are you required to mow?

One that many fail to take account of is – what sort of grass is it? Is it the type that grows slowly and cuts neatly with one pass [usually paler], or is it the wiry kind that always needs at least two passes [usually darker]? This alone can easily wrong foot you.

If you are already using your ride one mower on other work then it’s just a case of compare and contrast.

I have worked for local Councils for many years now. I have one very large Council contract comprising of several playing fields, one of which is nearly five acres, as well as the Council run cemetery. I use a sub-contractor for the large playing fields, he uses gang mowers on those areas. I look after the cemetery and one other area myself. For my time on site it works out close to £100p/h [about three hours on site]. I have been mowing on commercial and Council contracts since 1985. So I talk about these things with a good deal of knowledge long experience.

You also have to take into consideration the type of machinery you are using. This is why I mentioned this in my above post. A Ransomes 3300 with a seven foot cut and Magna cylinders will cover the ground much faster than small ride on. A set of Ramsomes 5/7 gang mowers with a sixteen foot cut will be even faster. It’s as much about having the right machine for the job, therefore bringing greater efficiency. Therefore with the appropriate machinery the mowing is completed much, much faster. So then the fee can be smaller, a lower price for the job, yet you are still making your £60p/h, because you are faster over the ground. All of these variables need to be considered and calculated. A price per square metre is not the way to do this.

Replies

Vic 575 August 12, 2021 at 9:20pm

We would need a good description of the job in question along with the type of mower you have.

The basic starting point should be £1 per minute [£60ph] with an out-front mower like a Stiga Park or similar. Hedge cutting is £35ph. Both time calculations are in your own head and are not quoted to the client. This is merely the tool you use to calculate the price once you have applied all the other variables listed here.

So you need to charge for how long it will take you to mow. I’ve never heard of charging per square metre before, total area yes of course, but not per small fragments of that total area. Two jobs of exactly the same size can be almost incomparable. One might take three times longer to mow than the other due to obvious differences. A one acre churchyard will obviously cost far more to mow, and take considerably longer, than a one acre playing field.

There are just so many variables. What sort of ride on mower do you have? Is it a Ransomes 3300 or a garden tractor? Is there much strimming? Is the area smooth and flat or hilly and rough? Are there many obstacles, buildings, trees, fences, railings etc.? How often are you required to mow?

One that many fail to take account of is – what sort of grass is it? Is it the type that grows slowly and cuts neatly with one pass [usually paler], or is it the wiry kind that always needs at least two passes [usually darker]? This alone can easily wrong foot you.

If you are already using your ride one mower on other work then it’s just a case of compare and contrast.
PRO

Adam Pilgrim August 14, 2021 at 8:06am

Would suggest those rates sound on the high side for amenity/verge cutting, especially as a council subcontractor. Would suggest getting hold of a copy of SPONS and learning how to use it - its a industry pricing basis used by many councils and I think the 'amenity and verge cutting' rates may surprise you with their low rates.
- Vic 575 > Adam Pilgrim August 14, 2021 at 11:02am
  
  I have worked for local Councils for many years now. I have one very large Council contract comprising of several playing fields, one of which is nearly five acres, as well as the Council run cemetery. I use a sub-contractor for the large playing fields, he uses gang mowers on those areas. I look after the cemetery and one other area myself. For my time on site it works out close to £100p/h [about three hours on site]. I have been mowing on commercial and Council contracts since 1985. So I talk about these things with a good deal of knowledge long experience.
  
  You also have to take into consideration the type of machinery you are using. This is why I mentioned this in my above post. A Ransomes 3300 with a seven foot cut and Magna cylinders will cover the ground much faster than small ride on. A set of Ramsomes 5/7 gang mowers with a sixteen foot cut will be even faster. It’s as much about having the right machine for the job, therefore bringing greater efficiency. Therefore with the appropriate machinery the mowing is completed much, much faster. So then the fee can be smaller, a lower price for the job, yet you are still making your £60p/h, because you are faster over the ground. All of these variables need to be considered and calculated. A price per square metre is not the way to do this.