Going rate
 

We have a near neighbour who did work with his father, in Garden
Maintenance. He has thought of starting up again, but is at present working
in a factory. Another neighbour did 'use him' to trim a hedge. We would now
like him to do the same for us, which he said he would do and 'it doesn't
matter about paying me, I will do it for you'

I would like to give him at least the going rate, especially as he is going
to start on his own at some time or other. The job involves dropping the
height of a 12 ft high Hawthorn Hedge to about 7 ft over a length of about
20 - 25ft.

I would hate to embarrass him.

Your comments please

Mike
--
Royal Naval Reunion Eastbourne May 7th - 10th
H.M.S.Collingwood Association Reunion Bracklesham Bay May 21st - 24th
Nat.Service (RAF) Assoc. Cosford Parade / Social Weekend 25th - 28th June
British Pacific Fleet Reunion Birmingham September 17th - 20th

Going rate
 

Mike3/5/04 10:13
We have a near neighbour who did work with his father, in Garden
Maintenance. He has thought of starting up again, but is at present working
in a factory. Another neighbour did 'use him' to trim a hedge. We would now
like him to do the same for us, which he said he would do and 'it doesn't
matter about paying me, I will do it for you'

I would like to give him at least the going rate, especially as he is going
to start on his own at some time or other. The job involves dropping the
height of a 12 ft high Hawthorn Hedge to about 7 ft over a length of about
20 - 25ft.

I would hate to embarrass him.

What is the usual hourly rate for skilled or semi-skilled work in your area?
Perhaps you could ask the local labour exchange or whatever it's called now!
I think that's the only way you can assess it fairly. Here in Devon, it's
quite low for un-skilled at around £5.00 per hour. But our builder charges
about £14.00 per hour, I think.

--

Sacha
(remove the weeds to email me)

Going rate
 

I would hate to embarrass him.

What is the usual hourly rate for skilled or semi-skilled work in your
area?
Perhaps you could ask the local labour exchange or whatever it's called
now!
I think that's the only way you can assess it fairly. Here in Devon, it's
quite low for un-skilled at around £5.00 per hour. But our builder
charges
about £14.00 per hour, I think.


Thanks for that Sacha. The problem is 'a going rate', if I assess that on my
rate when I was working, £25.00 - £30.00 and hour, then 'I' wouldn't do it
for £5.00 an hour, but he might be embarrassed if I offered him £20.00 per
hour. We all get on ever so well around here, doing what we can when we can
for each other.

Mike

Going rate
 

"Mike" wrote in message
...


I would hate to embarrass him.

What is the usual hourly rate for skilled or semi-skilled work in your
area?
Perhaps you could ask the local labour exchange or whatever it's called
now!
I think that's the only way you can assess it fairly. Here in Devon,
it's
quite low for un-skilled at around £5.00 per hour. But our builder
charges
about £14.00 per hour, I think.


Thanks for that Sacha. The problem is 'a going rate', if I assess that on
my
rate when I was working, £25.00 - £30.00 and hour, then 'I' wouldn't do it
for £5.00 an hour, but he might be embarrassed if I offered him £20.00 per
hour. We all get on ever so well around here, doing what we can when we
can
for each other.

Mike


Dont underestimate the time and possibly expense involved in removing the
trimmings, unless you plan to have a pretty big bonfire.

--
Tumbleweed

Remove my socks for email address

Going rate
 

"Mike" wrote in message
...


I would hate to embarrass him.

What is the usual hourly rate for skilled or semi-skilled work in your
area?
Perhaps you could ask the local labour exchange or whatever it's called
now!
I think that's the only way you can assess it fairly. Here in Devon,
it's
quite low for un-skilled at around £5.00 per hour. But our builder
charges
about £14.00 per hour, I think.


Thanks for that Sacha. The problem is 'a going rate', if I assess that on
my
rate when I was working, £25.00 - £30.00 and hour, then 'I' wouldn't do it
for £5.00 an hour, but he might be embarrassed if I offered him £20.00 per
hour.

Then logic would suggest £10.00/hr, no? I believe that's about what jobbing
gardeners charge round here. More if it's heavy duty stuff involving
machinery.

We all get on ever so well around here, doing what we can when we can
for each other.


And long may you do so.

Steve

Going rate
 

About £15.00 per hour assuming he provides all his own equipment etc and has
the appropriate tools for the job so it is done efficiently.

"Mike" wrote in message
...
We have a near neighbour who did work with his father, in Garden
Maintenance. He has thought of starting up again, but is at present
working
in a factory. Another neighbour did 'use him' to trim a hedge. We would
now
like him to do the same for us, which he said he would do and 'it doesn't
matter about paying me, I will do it for you'

I would like to give him at least the going rate, especially as he is
going
to start on his own at some time or other. The job involves dropping the
height of a 12 ft high Hawthorn Hedge to about 7 ft over a length of about
20 - 25ft.

I would hate to embarrass him.

Your comments please

Mike
--
Royal Naval Reunion Eastbourne May 7th - 10th
H.M.S.Collingwood Association Reunion Bracklesham Bay May 21st - 24th
Nat.Service (RAF) Assoc. Cosford Parade / Social Weekend 25th - 28th June
British Pacific Fleet Reunion Birmingham September 17th - 20th

Going rate
 

shazzbat3/5/04 11:48


"Mike" wrote in message
...


I would hate to embarrass him.

What is the usual hourly rate for skilled or semi-skilled work in your
area?
Perhaps you could ask the local labour exchange or whatever it's called
now!
I think that's the only way you can assess it fairly. Here in Devon,
it's
quite low for un-skilled at around £5.00 per hour. But our builder
charges
about £14.00 per hour, I think.


Thanks for that Sacha. The problem is 'a going rate', if I assess that on
my
rate when I was working, £25.00 - £30.00 and hour, then 'I' wouldn't do it
for £5.00 an hour, but he might be embarrassed if I offered him £20.00 per
hour.

Then logic would suggest £10.00/hr, no? I believe that's about what jobbing
gardeners charge round here. More if it's heavy duty stuff involving
machinery.

We all get on ever so well around here, doing what we can when we can
for each other.


And long may you do so.

I should have thought of this earlier. We have a chap in the village who
does odd job type gardening so I've just rung him. He charges £10.00 per
hour. If he has to use his own lawn mower or hedge cutter he charges for
petrol. In this part of Devon £10 for that sort of work is high-ish but if
the IoW is more prosperous, it's probably fair.
The chap who does our lawns (4 of differing sizes) is helped by his step
mother usually and it probably takes them a couple of hours. His last
invoice was £35.00. I doubt they split it down the middle because he
provides the machinery and does the heavier work. So working on these two
men and the fact that one has an assistant, I reckon that £10 or £12 is
probably fair.
However, literally as I was typing the above, David Poole wandered past the
window and I've asked his advice on this. He reckons for someone with
machinery and experience £10 is about right - for e.g. a student around
£5.50 to £6.
--

Sacha
(remove the weeds to email me)

Going rate
 

Dont underestimate the time and possibly expense involved in removing the
trimmings, unless you plan to have a pretty big bonfire.

No I have not underestimated that :-{{

We intend cutting them down smaller, into bags and up the dump :-((

Long prickly job :-((

Unable to have a bonfire, no room!!

Mike--
(I have to go to Eastbourne next weekend, good time for Steve to come over
and Joan can help him chop the bits smaller and into the bag :-)) Her
garden;-)

Royal Naval Reunion Eastbourne May 7th - 10th
H.M.S.Collingwood Association Reunion Bracklesham Bay May 21st - 24th
Nat.Service (RAF) Assoc. Cosford Parade / Social Weekend 25th - 28th June
British Pacific Fleet Reunion Birmingham September 17th - 20th

Going rate
 

I should have thought of this earlier. We have a chap in the village who
does odd job type gardening so I've just rung him. He charges £10.00 per
hour. If he has to use his own lawn mower or hedge cutter he charges for
petrol. In this part of Devon £10 for that sort of work is high-ish but
if
the IoW is more prosperous, it's probably fair.
The chap who does our lawns (4 of differing sizes) is helped by his step
mother usually and it probably takes them a couple of hours. His last
invoice was £35.00. I doubt they split it down the middle because he
provides the machinery and does the heavier work. So working on these two
men and the fact that one has an assistant, I reckon that £10 or £12 is
probably fair.
However, literally as I was typing the above, David Poole wandered past
the
window and I've asked his advice on this. He reckons for someone with
machinery and experience £10 is about right - for e.g. a student around
£5.50 to £6.
--

No he is not a student but I think that following all of the advice given,
we will make it £10.00 min plus a cup of tea, or two or three :-))

And Ribena or Orange juice for the children if they come over as well ;-))

This is the couple, who a few months after moving in, had their house
flooded to above skirting board level. The children were paddling around in
their socks!!

(Long long long story, but it was the 4th time the pair of houses had been
flooded in the 16 years we have been here :-((

many thanks all

Mike

--
Royal Naval Reunion Eastbourne May 7th - 10th
H.M.S.Collingwood Association Reunion Bracklesham Bay May 21st - 24th
Nat.Service (RAF) Assoc. Cosford Parade / Social Weekend 25th - 28th June
British Pacific Fleet Reunion Birmingham September 17th - 20th

Going rate
 

"Mike" wrote in message
...
We have a near neighbour who did work with his father, in Garden
Maintenance. He has thought of starting up again, but is at present
working
in a factory. Another neighbour did 'use him' to trim a hedge. We would
now
like him to do the same for us, which he said he would do and 'it doesn't
matter about paying me, I will do it for you'

I would like to give him at least the going rate, especially as he is
going
to start on his own at some time or other. The job involves dropping the
height of a 12 ft high Hawthorn Hedge to about 7 ft over a length of about
20 - 25ft.

I would hate to embarrass him.

Your comments please

Mike
Get the local paper and check the small ads., then get a quote or two for
the job over the telephone.
That'll get you the local rate. (Here it's a paltry £5.00 per hour for
labouring)

Going rate
 

"Tumbleweed" wrote in message
. ..

Dont underestimate the time and possibly expense involved in removing the
trimmings, unless you plan to have a pretty big bonfire.

--
Tumbleweed

A chance to play with a shredder for a day or two!

Going rate
 

(Here it's a paltry £5.00 per hour for
labouring)


Others have quoted this, but it has just crossed my mind, what is the
'minimum rate' these days?

Going rate
 

Mike3/5/04 4:28


(Here it's a paltry £5.00 per hour for
labouring)


Others have quoted this, but it has just crossed my mind, what is the
'minimum rate' these days?


"What is the National Minimum Wage?

* The National Minimum Wage has been £4.20 since 1 October 2002 (which
rose to £4.50 an hour in October 2003).
* The National Minimum Wage development rate (which applies to 18 to
21-year-olds, and to people who are 22 or over if they receive accredited
training for six months after they start work with an employer) is £3.60 an
hour (which rose to £3.80 an hour in October 2003). "
http://www.is4profit.com/busadvice/n...mwage/nmw2.htm

--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)

Going rate
 

"Tumbleweed" wrote in message ...
"Mike" wrote in message
...


I would hate to embarrass him.

What is the usual hourly rate for skilled or semi-skilled work in your
area?
Perhaps you could ask the local labour exchange or whatever it's called
now!
I think that's the only way you can assess it fairly. Here in Devon,
it's
quite low for un-skilled at around £5.00 per hour. But our builder
charges
about £14.00 per hour, I think.


Thanks for that Sacha. The problem is 'a going rate', if I assess that on
my
rate when I was working, £25.00 - £30.00 and hour, then 'I' wouldn't do it
for £5.00 an hour, but he might be embarrassed if I offered him £20.00 per
hour. We all get on ever so well around here, doing what we can when we
can
for each other.

Mike


Dont underestimate the time and possibly expense involved in removing the
trimmings, unless you plan to have a pretty big bonfire.

A gardener's as skilled as a good builder, so why not go for that
rate? (Though I know this particular job isn't particularly skilled,
and it's presumably cash, so I doubt if he'd be insulted by a tenner
an hour.) The builder won't mind telling you how much he charges at
present. My last plumber (a good one) in West Wales charged UKP17.50
per hour with no call-out fee; I get about UKP20 per hour for proper
gardening (more, incidentally, than I get for editing or, probably,
translation).

Mike.

Going rate
 

"What is the National Minimum Wage?

* The National Minimum Wage has been £4.20 since 1 October 2002 (which
rose to £4.50 an hour in October 2003).
* The National Minimum Wage development rate (which applies to 18 to
21-year-olds, and to people who are 22 or over if they receive accredited
training for six months after they start work with an employer) is £3.60
an
hour (which rose to £3.80 an hour in October 2003). "
http://www.is4profit.com/busadvice/n...mwage/nmw2.htm


Just before I started to draw my pensions at 65, I was helping a friend, an
accountant, with his Pay Roll duties. I did know what the rate was then, but
wondered what the pittance is now.

Many thanks.

When I had my factories, I paid minimum rate + Bonus. Everyone was happy at
that. In 'theory' they could have sat and done nothing all day for basic,
but the incentive to get the work out was the bonus.

Mike

Going rate
 

Mike wrote:

We have a near neighbour who did work with his father, in Garden
Maintenance. He has thought of starting up again, but is at present working
in a factory. Another neighbour did 'use him' to trim a hedge. We would now
like him to do the same for us, which he said he would do and 'it doesn't
matter about paying me, I will do it for you'

I would like to give him at least the going rate, especially as he is going
to start on his own at some time or other. The job involves dropping the
height of a 12 ft high Hawthorn Hedge to about 7 ft over a length of about
20 - 25ft.

I would hate to embarrass him.

Your comments please


You seem to have two choices to do this "fairly":

a) give him how much you would expect to receive for doing the work

or

b) ask a couple of firms to quote for doing the work and give the average

if he gets embarassed by giving money tell him you'd rather give it to
him than some company and if he still refuses try to negotiate with him.

ff

Going rate
 

When I had my factories, I paid minimum rate + Bonus. Everyone was happy at
that. In 'theory' they could have sat and done nothing all day for basic,
but the incentive to get the work out was the bonus.


and how much did you earn off the backs of these happy workere? I bet
they hated you

Going rate
 

"tekno anarchist" wrote in message
...


When I had my factories, I paid minimum rate + Bonus. Everyone was happy
at
that. In 'theory' they could have sat and done nothing all day for
basic,
but the incentive to get the work out was the bonus.


and how much did you earn off the backs of these happy workere? I bet
they hated you


Not at all, we were all one 'Happy Family'. If you read my post again, you
will see that "Everyone was happy at that."

Do you have a problem with the thought of a boss looking after his/her work
force? How many people do you employ? None? Talking from the theory book
then aren't you?

Please remember, I rose from the Shop Floor to the Boardroom, I know both
sides of the picture.

Mike

Going rate
 

Mike wrote:

Do you have a problem with the thought of a boss looking after his/her work
force?
a. I have a problem with the thought of a boss - full stop


Please remember, I rose from the Shop Floor to the Boardroom, I know both
sides of the picture.

b. so what? all that means is that you turned your back on your
comrades to suck up to bosses who cream off the profits from the workers.

people paying a minimum wage and then expecting the workers to be happy!
Did you get them to doth their caps and call you sir? You are living in
a bubble if you really believe the rubbish you are talking. But you
were happy to pay them a bonus - how generous. How much more money were
you paid?

Going rate
 

On Tue, 04 May 2004 16:01:18 +0100, tekno anarchist
wrote:

Mike wrote:

Do you have a problem with the thought of a boss looking after his/her work
force?
a. I have a problem with the thought of a boss - full stop


Please remember, I rose from the Shop Floor to the Boardroom, I know both
sides of the picture.

b. so what? all that means is that you turned your back on your
comrades to suck up to bosses who cream off the profits from the workers.

not if Mike has a one man business.

Going rate
 

You have a very serious complex don't you.

'One out all out'??

Have you ever done a day's work in your life?

Gimmee, gimmee, gimmee.

Going rate
 

On 3 May 2004 09:33:54 -0700, (Mike Lyle)
wrote:

"Tumbleweed" wrote in message ...


A gardener's as skilled as a good builder, so why not go for that
rate? (Though I know this particular job isn't particularly skilled,
and it's presumably cash, so I doubt if he'd be insulted by a tenner
an hour.) The builder won't mind telling you how much he charges at
present. My last plumber (a good one) in West Wales charged UKP17.50
per hour with no call-out fee; I get about UKP20 per hour for proper
gardening (more, incidentally, than I get for editing or, probably,
translation).

Mike.

If the guy is using his own electric/ petrol hedgetrimmer £10 ph is
cheap ! I charge £12 ph for hedge/ grasscutting in Bedfordshire
but only work very locally to keep travelling costs down.
This is also my rate for general garden maintenance etc. & using all
my own tools + machinery . Extra charge for taking away rubbish.
I think that is pretty good value as the advice + knowledge comes
free ! There are *gardeners* & Gardeners. Someebody wanted a veg.
patch dug over - I told them to get a fit youngster at £5 ph ( if they
could find one ! )
BTW Plumbers around here won't look at anything for less than £60
Four years ago I needed a new lock on my garage door in a hurry as I
didn't have a key ........... standard Henderson type. He wanted £80
for a five minute job and then ddn't bother to turn up ! Finished up
doing it myself for £20...

Going rate
 

"Olly" wrote in message
...
On 3 May 2004 09:33:54 -0700, (Mike Lyle)
wrote:

"Tumbleweed" wrote in message
...


If the guy is using his own electric/ petrol hedgetrimmer £10 ph is
cheap ! I charge £12 ph for hedge/ grasscutting in Bedfordshire
but only work very locally to keep travelling costs down.
This is also my rate for general garden maintenance etc. & using all
my own tools + machinery . Extra charge for taking away rubbish.
I think that is pretty good value as the advice + knowledge comes
free !

I think so too

There are *gardeners* & Gardeners.

Oh. soooo true (-;

Someebody wanted a veg.
patch dug over - I told them to get a fit youngster at £5 ph ( if they
could find one ! )
BTW Plumbers around here won't look at anything for less than £60
Four years ago I needed a new lock on my garage door in a hurry as I
didn't have a key ........... standard Henderson type. He wanted £80
for a five minute job and then ddn't bother to turn up ! Finished up
doing it myself for £20...

Given that there are many who might be reading this thread out of genuine
interest in case of future projects, then might I point out one or two
things to try to avoid.

I have a customer who previously took on some landscape contractors. They
provided a price , to do some tree work, but the it went more like, say, '
Gardeners; 'That'll cost £30 quid to mow the lawn'
'Ok' says the customer and they get on with it.
Afterwards they present him with a bill of £55.
'But you said £30!!', says the customer
'yeah!' says the gardeners, it's £30 plus another £25 cos we had to hire the
mower.... how else did you think we were going to do it?'

In another instance, a customer was in effect conned into accepting a
maintenance contract.
& it was the same aherm, wonderful contractors
They provided a seasons guarantee for work done (life of plants mainly)
However, in order to administer this arrangement they (off course) needed
permission to pop in regularly and do what ever needed to be done to ensure
this work was successful.
So, they turned up and did what amounted to general maintenance. Even cut
the grass, which the customer thought was jolly nice of them...but boy oh
boy... that customer (husband+wife) had no idea that somewhere in the small
print they had accepted liability to pay for this maintenance form of
assurance.

That said, I may as well point out that £12 per hour for labour which is
every bit as skilled as knowing how to fill out a form, is more than dirt
cheap when said form-filler can get , oooh £180 per hour (-;

Patrick