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Charge For Repair Time?

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stan

08-02-2003 01:07:19

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I do a lot of mowing for different people. Today I broke a blade on my mower from a rock. I lost about 45 min changing the blade. Should I charge for the time spent changing the blade? Would it be out of line to charge for the blade set? Stan

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Bill in Florida

08-02-2003 23:18:24

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Re: Charge For Repair Time? in reply to stan, 08-02-2003 01:07:19

Usually if my mower brakes on a job, its my problem. However, I also adjust the price to the risk of the mowing conditions. Clean pasture vs brush clearing. Swallow the cost and next time, walk the pasture with the owner to get a better understanding of what you are getting into.

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bob

08-02-2003 19:36:29

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Re: Charge For Repair Time? in reply to stan, 08-02-2003 01:07:19

Hey, it was their rock, right? If my machine breaks down, thats my responsibility. If something of theirs breaks me down, its their job to make me right again. You can't see every tire, mattress springs, and rock that falls. Let them take care of their field in wintertime so you dont mow in a minefield. My buddy mowed into a log floods washed into my field. I paid $208 for new pieces & he didnt charge me for repairs, travel time, gasoline he was out. We both bit the bullet on that one but nobody swallowed all the costs, at least. Fair is fair.

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howster mighty fine

08-02-2003 18:33:24

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Re: Charge For Repair Time? in reply to stan, 08-02-2003 01:07:19

i do custom work as well as mechanic work for others. I charge enough per acre, per hour, etc to cover my costs and then try to be real fair about not charging for down time, travel time etc. It makes friends and repeat customers even if I loose money sometimes. If you tell a guy you are going to charge him X amount per hour and it sounds high to him. Then he knows you worked 3 hours and 45 minutes and you only charge him for 3 hours he is happy as h*ll. on the other hand if you quoted him a lower rate and then charged him 4 hours he would be mad as h*ll.

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rustyfarmall

08-02-2003 15:44:11

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Re: Charge For Repair Time? in reply to stan, 08-02-2003 01:07:19

Here's another thought, add on an extra hour or two to the bill, and make no mention of the repairs.

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kyhayman

08-02-2003 07:28:06

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Re: Charge For Repair Time? in reply to stan, 08-02-2003 01:07:19

You bring up a really good point. Lots of folks say they just charge enough to cover fuel and make a little for their time. Then, bang, a breakdown and they wind up losing everything they made all year. You have to charge enough per hour or per acre to cover repairs.

The only thing I charge for beyond my hourly rate is if I get stuck in a hole or wet spot they the owner does not note before I start. Then they have to pay the tow bill.

Rates: 15' batwing $85.00 per hour (if mowed annually) $100 per hour if not.

8' straight deck $60.00 per hour

Everything on a four hour minimum which includes 1 way travel time (if less than 8 hours on the job)

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stan

08-02-2003 08:01:28

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Re: Re: Charge For Repair Time? in reply to kyhayman, 08-02-2003 07:28:06

I have been doing this for 10 years, and always wondered what other people do on break downs. So I guess I will not consider the extra charge. I charge 75.00 hr, so I guess that will cover problems. Even at 75.00 by the time you figure insurance , taxes, and breakdowns it is not a big money maker, but I enjoy it, and it keeps me out of trouble.

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paul

08-02-2003 10:55:44

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Re: Re: Re: Charge For Repair Time? in reply to stan, 08-02-2003 08:01:28

Yea, it's amazing how fast those 'little' charges eat up any profit there is - and folks think you are making money hand over fist, because you should have the mower paid for in 10 hours (well, I saw a mower at TSC for $800 just the other day!) and the rest of the year is all profit to you!!!!!

Ah well.

--->Paul

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Tom

08-02-2003 06:36:13

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Re: Charge For Repair Time? in reply to stan, 08-02-2003 01:07:19

If you were mowing for me and tried to charge me for a new blade set, I will make sure you never work for me again - - AND anyone else that I know in the area.

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rustyfarmall

08-02-2003 15:40:27

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Re: Re: Charge For Repair Time? in reply to Tom, 08-02-2003 06:36:13

If you failed to mention that there was a big rock out there, and that he should watch out for it, then it is your fault.
As far as you not hiring him again, I doubt very much if he would want to work for you again anyhow.
It works both ways!

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?????

08-02-2003 12:29:01

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Re: Re: Charge For Repair Time? in reply to Tom, 08-02-2003 06:36:13

You are correct about the blade charge, but why the bad attitude, the man just asked for opinions on the subject, not to be black balled from working

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paul

08-02-2003 05:38:03

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Re: Charge For Repair Time? in reply to stan, 08-02-2003 01:07:19

Maintenence & repairs are generally up to the person owning the equipment. Your costs should already be built into your hourly charge. I'd be real surprised to find such extra charges on my bill!

Now, if you talked this over with the property owner be4 hand & had an agreement, or were assured there were no hazards at all, then perhaps you could bill him. Or if this was some type of intentional trap.

Normally, as machinery operator, it's up to you to watch for normal hazards (like rocks), and take care of your machinery repairs on your nickel.

In my experience.

--->Paul

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Travis

08-02-2003 04:50:24

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Re: Charge For Repair Time? in reply to stan, 08-02-2003 01:07:19

Stan,
Look at it this way, if you were wrenching on a tractor for a guy and broke your 1/2" wrench and had to search through your extra set of tools for 45 minutes to find your other 1/2" wrench, would you really feel comfortable charging him for the extra time? It's just part of the job, BUT if you had to spend an extra 45 minutes repairing stripped threads because the tractor came in with loose bolts, then I think you would be justifed charging for that. If you wrench for a living, then you just live with it(to a point) and realize that your next job on a tractor that you quoted 6 hrs on you may finish in 3 hrs and then you made some good money there. Just my thoughts.

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george

08-02-2003 04:06:05

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Re: Charge For Repair Time? in reply to stan, 08-02-2003 01:07:19

First question, no. Second question, yes.

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steveormary

08-04-2003 09:05:42

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Re: Re: Charge For Repair Time? in reply to george, 08-02-2003 04:06:05

Neighbor does some custum swathing. Informed one customer who wanted a field cut he had been using as a salvage yard that if he damaged his swather on any old car parts the customer would be resposnible for repairs. I think that sounds right.

steveormary

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