Fair backhoe rates

[Duke]

Now that I've probably got my case 580M coming this week, I am going to start actively trying to make money with it on the side. I'm primarily using it to dig my own foundations, septic, r/w retention systems, driveways, etc.

BUT, my plumber and others are asking me how much $$ for smaller foundations, trenches, digging up stumps, etc. Heck, I have a friend who has a giant piece of property he needs all kinds of work done (land clearing, stump removal, etc.) that could keep me busy for a while alone.

I'm not a professional excavator, but what's a fair rate for my machine and a decent operator per hour or per day just digging with my machine?

$100/hr? guess?

[Backhoe89]

I would say depending on your area $65-$75 per hour

[Ford LT-9000]

Rubber tired hoe rate is 80 dollars per hour around these parts thats 80 dollars CND so 74 dollars US.

[murray83]

I'm getting $50/hr Canadian most on average get $50-65/hr.

$90+ an hour is more excavator rates

[Cat420]

We figure about $95/hr for ours. Most people just want a bottom line number, but you still need to figure what the hourly rate will be. Estimating the time it will take you is the main thing that takes some figuring.

Also part of your rate will be affected by your costs. For example, using the owning and operating cost calculator from www.constructionequipment.com I know that our 420D costs us $38 for every hour that clicks over on the meter. Your own costs will be affected by how much work the machine gets and other factors. Keeping your rate in line with the local area is important, but not if you can't cover costs.

[Duke]

man, that seems cheap. Nobody around here lives in less than a $600,000 house. (except me haha) Most homes are in the $1,000,000 range, many higher.

[donlang]

Please take no offense to this, but please listen. Side work is ok.........but you GOTTA get insurance if you do anything for anyone other than yourself. Not only does being insured protect you and your customer, it makes what you do fair to the guy that does it for a living.

I hate unfair compitetion. (It's very difficult to compete with the part-timer that doesn't have the cost of insurance) :Banghead

[Ford LT-9000]

I'am pretty sure Duke is still in the house construction business so he must have insurance etc.

The backhoe service in this area has pretty well died off most jobs are done with mini excavators 12,000-18,000 machines. Out of the all the contractors in this area alone 20 of them only 1 does backhoe work. Jobsites now are getting to the point is if the machine doesn't have tracks its not going to get around. All the good easy building lots are gone.

To make a rubber tired hoe really earn its money is have a good operator on it. A good operator can make a backhoe do wonders.

[cat320]

Well one good way to figure a machine rate is to see what they rent that machine out in your area at the rental yard then see what local operators are getting an hour. I price mine out at $85 and it should probably be more.I guess you can have a higher price and have less jobs or be really inexpensive and do alot of jobs. I would rather do the first.Then you have to do plug in your hourly rate and do it my the job or just do the hourly rate but don't forget to add travel time and min work times like if you go to pull one stump well it will only take you a min but getting there and back could amount ot half day lost depending where you are in conjunction to your jobs.

One other thing if you do charge high and are slow at the controls your customers might get upset with that hourly charge if your slow(not saying you are) but just another thought i had when doing hourly.

[Duke]

Please take no offense to this, but please listen. Side work is ok.........but you GOTTA get insurance if you do anything for anyone other than yourself. Not only does being insured protect you and your customer, it makes what you do fair to the guy that does it for a living.

I hate unfair compitetion. (It's very difficult to compete with the part-timer that doesn't have the cost of insurance) :Banghead

Perhaps you don't know me, and that's understandable, but I'm not some fly by night kid. All my equipment is fully insured and I've been running a successful, insured, construction business for over 20 years. I've owned backhoes, tandem trucks, trailers, dumps, etc. for many years.

The only reason I want to do a little side work is to offset the monthly payment on this pig. Just $500-$1,000 per month would be fine. Otherwise it might be too expensive to keep for my work only.

[digger242j]

It's just a question of semantics. I think the term "on the side" conjures up images of somebody that hasn't made the commitment to being a "business" that you obviously have.

I used to do lots of work on weekends for a few friends that had other employers. To them, those were "side jobs", but I still had the same overhead that I did the other five days of the week. When you're in business, they're all just "jobs".

Now, if you'd said something about "optimizing asset utilization in order to realize maximum return on capital investment", we'd all have known what you meant. ;)

[Duke]

It's just a question of semantics. I think the term "on the side" conjures up images of somebody that hasn't made the commitment to being a "business" that you obviously have.

I used to do lots of work on weekends for a few friends that had other employers. To them, those were "side jobs", but I still had the same overhead that I did the other five days of the week. When you're in business, they're all just "jobs".

Now, if you'd said something about "optimizing asset utilization in order to realize maximum return on capital investment", we'd all have known what you meant. ;)


That's what I meant to say. I took no offense form the guy. I knew what he meant.

When I said "on the side" what I mean is, I'm not an excavator by trade. I should have been more clear about that.

[rino1494]

Where in PA are you located ?? A average new home here cost around $300,000. The going rate here is around $70/hr.

[Mike J]

Where in PA do you live? I live near Quakertown and there was a new add in the Penny Power (small classifieds newspaper) for a new excavating business and they listed their rate in the paper for a tlb as $60/hr. To me, I think that is kinda low considering there are a lot of expensive homes because it is within commuting range to NY city.

[Duke]

I live in SE PA between Philly & Wilmington, DE

I think the add for a $60/hr TLB is most likely for a little Kubota or Deere 110, etc.. I see a lot of those ads.....kids & retirees buy a small machine and they're "in business". I could have charged $60/hr with the Kubota I used to have.

[donlang]

Thanks for not taking offense. When I hear "on the side", I think of the guy who makes his living working for some utility company that buys a backhoe to get those BIG BUCKS that those of us that make our living at it can't seem to find. :usa

[itsgottobegreen]

Well a skid loader is about $80 an hour here. Backhoe is about $100-125 a hour around here depending on size and extendhoe option.

[Duke]

I just charged $95/hr on an 7 hour job and another $350 for hauling 1 small load of old RR ties and a tree stump away to a landfill in my dumptruck.

[GaryKelley]

I hate to burst a bubble, but not all 110's (and their size) are for kids and retirees. I run one full time, and conduct my business with one. Often times, a smaller backhoe just comes in handy, and mini excavators are limited when it comes to hauling material. Skidsteers and such are good too, but, they also have their place.
I can show up at the job, with a backhoe in place, and have the box scraper loaded on the front of the trailer, and do the same work as TWO pieces of equipment. Of course there are limitations, and when I need something bigger I get it, after all, that's what rental yards are for.
As for prices, I charge $70 - $85 per hour, depending on whether they are repeat business, contractor, or homeowner...

[Steele]

I charge $85 hour + travel time. $175 hour if I hammer.

[JS580SL]

Average around here is 85-95 an hour.

[SKP 428]

I live in northen colorado and the backhoe rates are around $ 85 to $ 95 an hour

[DigDug]

I do most work by bid . But if someone ask for a hourly price its $100hr. with a 580. I'm in southern Maine.

[humboldt deere]

Way up north california prices are $80-$100 for a 580 size machine.

[tuney443]

For my 410G--$105 per hour for now,maybe more soon with diesel climbing.

[Dwan Hall]

If it has a motor and a seat and costs less then $100,000 then $125/hr
If it has a motor and I hold it in my hand then $125/hr
If it does not have a motor and I hold it in my hand then $125/hr
That said anyone out there need any work done?




I thought so maybe I will just sit back and watch some TV.

[Lashlander]

If it has a motor and a seat and costs less then $100,000 then $125/hr
If it has a motor and I hold it in my hand then $125/hr
If it does not have a motor and I hold it in my hand then $125/hr
That said anyone out there need any work done?




I thought so maybe I will just sit back and watch some TV.


I like your attitude Dwan.:thumbsup I do however, have a hard time to believe your sitting around watching TV. Its about time to get paid to sweep up all that sand that you got paid to put down last winter isn't it?:cool2

[Dwan Hall]

I like your attitude Dwan.:thumbsup I do however, have a hard time to believe your sitting around watching TV. Its about time to get paid to sweep up all that sand that you got paid to put down last winter isn't it?:cool2

Sure is but the rain has slowed things down a bit. so far I have put in a little under 200 hours sweeping and figure I am about 1/2 way through with spring cleanup. Then comes replacing the stripes we sanded off during the winter.
I just bought a inferred heater to repair potholes and man is that taking off. (it works great). Just what I needed was another job LOL. But it keeps me out of the house, and with out electricity going from $.11/KWH to a little over $.55/KWH this month I need to find something to occupy my spare time.
Snow level dropped back down to 1500 ft yesterday and we had a little on the windshield.
I have about 300 tons of parking lot sweepings for sale. Any takers? The last 15 tons came from around the Alaska Brewing co. and smells like hops.

[Lashlander]

Yup, I was right. I heard you had a little problem with your powerline. We had snow here yesterday. Didn't stay to long. I've still got a couple feet in my yard though. Its time to knock it off.

[dilligas]

Day1- $500 for 1/2 day $1000 for a full day.
Day2 or more - $400/ $800

Day1 pays for time to haul and fuel etc...

Oh, and I rather use my mini than a 580 any time. Been there done that. Faster, easyier to haul gets into tight spaces, does not tear up the surrounding area w/ out riggers, grades with the floating dozer blade..

[kthompson]

Now, if you'd said something about "optimizing asset utilization in order to realize maximum return on capital investment", we'd all have known what you meant. ;)

OK, is your side line attorney or investment broker? This is funny and true.

[d4c24a]

here in the uk the co that i work for are paying owner operators £18.50 hr
or around $31 hr ,with fuel supplied ,if the hammer is used its £50 per day
this is for backhoes ,anyone fancy those rates :eek:

[AtlasRob]

this is for backhoes ,anyone fancy those rates :eek:

Put my name down Graham, I'll trade the duck in tomorrow....NOT! :Banghead

And guys are probably greatful for the work. We are our own worse enemies in this business but it takes a big man to say no I aint working for that and park the machine. You and I both know somebody else will fall over themselves to put a machine in your place.

[digger242j]

OK, is your side line attorney or investment broker? This is funny and true.

Nope. Too honest. But I can sure sling it, can't I? :D