B
Brendan
Well-known member
Had some rates last year from an agency and they were charging between £18-23 per hour plus vat probably a few quid more now
Hydremaduck
Active member
Agency will be charging anything between £2 & £5 hr on top. At the end of day they are a business
Routy56
Well-known member
Just to add my input to the bunfight 
I am a sole trader, being very old, semi retired and so go out to play on my machines a few days a week.....
For local stuff where I drag my kit to site with my old land Rover, I aim to charge at least £20 per hour.
That makes my day rate (0800-1600hrs on site) only £160
If I go further afield (with 100km radius) then I charge a bit more
Some jobs are a few hours crammed into a day - so It will be job and finish.
For example, this week I am booked to do a front lawn scrap off.
I know I will be finished by lunchtime
In the main my work is with 'business partners' - small builders, landscapers and groundworkers.
Occasionally, do work direct for private/DIY people who need a skilled operator
Now, and here is the crunch, I know that I am undercharging in todays climate.
Have only ever in 8 years been asked for my CPCS Card once by a large contractor......
.....then I had to wait forever for payment.
You know what the answer will be next time they need me urgently for test holes
Having read all the stuff on this thread about rates for small and big machines, what should I be charging?
I operate a very nice 1.5 tonne Neuson 1503 RD and a Terex 1 tonne 4WD skip loader.
Have all the usual kit - lasers, string lines and big hammers!
I am a sole trader, being very old, semi retired and so go out to play on my machines a few days a week.....
For local stuff where I drag my kit to site with my old land Rover, I aim to charge at least £20 per hour.
That makes my day rate (0800-1600hrs on site) only £160
If I go further afield (with 100km radius
) then I charge a bit moreSome jobs are a few hours crammed into a day - so It will be job and finish.
For example, this week I am booked to do a front lawn scrap off.
I know I will be finished by lunchtime
In the main my work is with 'business partners' - small builders, landscapers and groundworkers.
Occasionally, do work direct for private/DIY people who need a skilled operator
Now, and here is the crunch, I know that I am undercharging in todays climate.
Have only ever in 8 years been asked for my CPCS Card once by a large contractor......
.....then I had to wait forever for payment.
You know what the answer will be next time they need me urgently for test holes
Having read all the stuff on this thread about rates for small and big machines, what should I be charging?
I operate a very nice 1.5 tonne Neuson 1503 RD and a Terex 1 tonne 4WD skip loader.
Have all the usual kit - lasers, string lines and big hammers!
TiltyShaun
Well-known member
It is up to you what you charge. You generally can't charge more than what your client base will pay or you end up with no work or need to find a new client base!!
B
Brendan
Well-known member
I'd say your far too cheap but if your semi retired and have no worries of running your kit for next to nothing it's upto you. Same as the eBay warriors out running kit for similar rates all it does it drag rates down many won't be about after a few years as all it takes is a busted track and few other issues then your in the s**t.
Another way to look at it is, if they were to have to hire a 1.5t machine for a day it's something like £90 for the day and probably plus transport so at £160 your pretty much working for them at £70.
Better off bumping your rates up ok you might lose a couple (doubtful as they know they been getting too good a deal) but your better off working slightly less for more than flat out for less
Another way to look at it is, if they were to have to hire a 1.5t machine for a day it's something like £90 for the day and probably plus transport so at £160 your pretty much working for them at £70.
Better off bumping your rates up ok you might lose a couple (doubtful as they know they been getting too good a deal) but your better off working slightly less for more than flat out for less
B
Brendan
Well-known member
Plus at £160 supplying machine you may aswell sign up to an agency not have any of the hassle and get near enough the same
Routy56
Well-known member
Think you are absolutely right and a pricing review is now overdue
The whole point of me posting what I do is to be honest with you guys and go from there...
Recently found couldn’t get labourer/banksman - all busy
My Groundworker mate is flat out. He has put his rates up in line with all the other trades.
So I’m thinking along the lines of £180 - £220 per day depending on location and level of responsibilities
Routy56
Well-known member
Nah - love bring self employed and saying yes or no to jobs
Nice to have been asked by some the big boys to go and operate theirs big machines
SWMBO would have had words if I worked everyday of the week
B
Brendan
Well-known member
Didn't mean to sound harsh to be fair if aim at least £220.
Think you are absolutely right and a pricing review is now overdue
The whole point of me posting what I do is to be honest with you guys and go from there...
Recently found couldn’t get labourer/banksman - all busy
My Groundworker mate is flat out. He has put his rates up in line with all the other trades.
So I’m thinking along the lines of £180 - £220 per day depending on location and level of responsibilities
Out of interest what does your groundworkers charge as you should be a higher wage then plus £50-70 extra for machine and again for dumper
J
Jimoz
Well-known member
Think about it like this. If your one man band and you double your rates but lose half your work your still better off! 6months off for the same money.
JD450A
Feral as Fk 🐾
bang on there.
Furniss
Well-known member
We have had a few come and go round here at silly money usually make a fcuk up of a few jobs and then not last very long, the op might be different being semi retired and doing it on a hobby type basis but usually cheap rates can go hand in hand with someone whos not very good - someone who has been through what it takes to run your own setup for a decent amount of time and keep putting in the effort to do good work puts a decent value on themselves - a mate used to say "anyone can work for nowt and take their own sanis"
doobin
Well-known member
I've always been a fan of the phrase 'I can stay at home and make no money'. It's very true. I can make no money from the comfort of my bed even
M
mart1602
Well-known member
use that saying quite often myself,another one i wouldnt even get out of bed for that
V8Druid
do it as well as you can,but learn to do it better
crane game used to be the same ....... if I couldn't get the rate it stayed in the yard .... let the other fools wear theirs out for **** all.
If they weren't out for stupid rates they weren't gonna give grief either ... or break down .... or get a puncture ... or blow a hose. .... you get the idea .....
at one time you could get an 80 tonner turn up ....... for a 25t rate .... bloody joke !!
....... if I couldn't get the rate it stayed in the yard .... let the other fools wear theirs out for **** all. If they weren't out for stupid rates they weren't gonna give grief either ... or break down .... or get a puncture ... or blow a hose. .... you get the idea .....
at one time you could get an 80 tonner turn up ....... for a 25t rate .... bloody joke !!
Footer block 1