Custom work charges

Does anyone do any custom work with their small tractors and equipment. I have 2 good D 10's Ser 1 and 3 with a variety of good attachments. "Neighbors and friends" are always asking me to do work for them, mostly tilling and making garden rows, which gives me a good chance to play on the toys, but with the price of fuel, etc. it is getting to the point of asking for some thing, some offer to pay others just say thanks! Due to traffic in my area I am also hauling them on a 18 foot trailer behind a 1/2 ton P/U. I am thinking maybe 50/ Hour.  

I have only been charging $30 per hr., been thinking it's a little too cheap might try $40.In the past I did plow two gardens for a flat rate, people seem to like that then they know up front what it will cost.

There was an article about custom farming rates in the latest Wallaces Farmer magazine. Found at www.farmprogress.com.

I know Iowa Extension has an annual bulletin on the same.

Gerald J.

i've started to charge $150.00/hr for family and $100.00/hr for others on my equipment! but it's bigger equipment too!

I figure a job as what it costs me to do it plus what I want to make. I would not suggest trying to be cheap. Seeing how cheap you can work is seeing how little money you can take home to your family. Just saying.

Around here 'trades' ( auto shops,plumbers,house framers,etc) charge  $75-$100 per hour,so WHY should we charge less for our 'trade'? We've got the expensive equipment  'they' don't have, we've got the skill to run that equipment otherwise 'they'd' do it themselves.

It all depends on the size of the tractor and equipment. I average over $100 an hour with my 175D and Howard rotovator, but I can cover a lot of ground.  I charge $75 an hour with another 175D and 8' Bush Hog rotary mower....D17D and 3btm plow or Model 40 8' tandem disc $60 an hour.. 170D and heavy back blade/box blade $60 an hour. Skidloader $60 an hour, dump trailer $60 an hour, 190XT and 8' Northwest rotovator $150 an hour. Very competitive in my area....a lot of customers give a tip!

jaybmiller wrote: Around here 'trades' ( auto shops,plumbers,house framers,etc) charge  $75-$100 per hour,so WHY should we charge less for our 'trade'? We've got the expensive equipment  'they' don't have, we've got the skill to run that equipment otherwise 'they'd' do it themselves. I try to get $50/hr which more than covers my gas/oil/minor repairs,sure I give deals to some(usually get eggs,homemade strudel,perogies,etc.) as 'barter'.I'm not out to make a killing ,just be paid fairly and have some fun in the sun !

Thats interesting Jay. I was in the office today while the service manager was talking to an aftermarket service contract company. They only wanted to pay $50 an hour. The boss politely said no way, Ford and GM pay more per hour than that for warranty time. I'm with Shameless on family rates. After the last deal with an in law, it's Gas, Grass, or, well something else. Well, no grass either. $500 per hour cash up front...