Hedge cutting pricing.

[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]

I always struggle to price large jobs and inevitably end up under estimating the amount of arising materials and hence the time taken to complete the job.

Can anyone give me an idea of how many man days it would take to cut and clear arising materials from a beech hedge totalling 200m in length 3 to 4m height? The hedge is in several sections throughout a garden and arisings would need to be cleared using wheelbarrows/tarps. The cutting would involve clipping with hedge trimmers only (i.e. no heavy lopping) and facing both sides. Arisings will be  left on site. What wold be a good ball park figure for such a job?

Edited August 31, 2018 by Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

[Steve Bullman]

The biggest key factor in pricing hedges, and where most mess up, is the width.  You didn't mention that.  This can be the difference between having to do the top from both sides, or worst case scenario both sides and climbing through the middle also.

[stihlmadasever]

We did a beech hedge a while back in a golf course,about 30 meters long.

Face up each side and a light cut on top.

Used hedge trimmers,extendable hedgetrimmers and a scag mower.

3 man team not even a full mornings work.

One guy on hedgetrimmers facing up,2nd man behind cutting top of hedge,3rd man raking cuttings off the top and into a pile.

When 1st guy is finished facing up he jumps on the scag mower and mulches the cuttings,2nd guy blows the cuttings under the hedge,3rd guy (me) 

is scratching his arse and about too chase payment.

May give you an idea or 2 for time etc but it depends on what equipment you use how many guys and is mulching the cuttings an option? Possibley not if the arisings are quite thick

[tree-fancier123]

4.5 woman days

[Alex O]

4.5 woman days

???

[Mick Dempsey]

8 hours ago, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi said:

I always struggle to price large jobs and inevitably end up under estimating the amount of arising materials and hence the time taken to complete the job.

Can anyone give me an idea of how many man days it would take to cut and clear arising materials from a beech hedge totalling 200m in length 3 to 4m height? The hedge is in several sections throughout a garden and arisings would need to be cleared using wheelbarrows/tarps. The cutting would involve clipping with hedge trimmers only (i.e. no heavy lopping) and facing both sides. Arisings will be  left on site. What wold be a good ball park figure for such a job?

Behave! How can anyone know without seeing detailed photos?

Edited August 31, 2018 by Mick Dempsey

[Mark Bolam]

If you’re pricing against other people on jobs like this it will go to the company who fucks up most.

I’d go high and make sure it’s not you.

[oldwoodcutter]

Just picture in your minds eye, with however many cutters and clearers you have, how long it will take.
As Steve said, it’s all about width.
Price it high enough to make good coin, if they say that’s expensive tell him to do it himself then.

[5 shires]

10 hours ago, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi said:

I always struggle to price large jobs and inevitably end up under estimating the amount of arising materials and hence the time taken to complete the job.

Can anyone give me an idea of how many man days it would take to cut and clear arising materials from a beech hedge totalling 200m in length 3 to 4m height? The hedge is in several sections throughout a garden and arisings would need to be cleared using wheelbarrows/tarps. The cutting would involve clipping with hedge trimmers only (i.e. no heavy lopping) and facing both sides. Arisings will be  left on site. What wold be a good ball park figure for such a job?

Have been doing a Beech hedge similar length but in 3 different sections for the last 15yrs and always in the second week of August.

one section is around a mixed boarder with perennial plants,by annuals,small shrubs etc which takes a fair amount of time to cut and clear,the rest is around lawn areas and some scrambling under and thorough fruit trees.

Like I said I have been doing same hedge for many years,all cuttings remain on site,I do it on my own working from the ground and from 4mtr tripod ladders.

i always leave a week to do it cause the location is amazing and Its one of those chill out jobs in a beautiful location and always worked on a price.

when I started I was charging £500 no matter how long it took because there was never any time scale.over the years the hedge has got slightly bigger I now charge £700.

never a problem with costing has the clients know that the hedge is done correctly.

so to Answer your question your should be looking at between £500 to £700 job and finish at your discretion.

[Mark Bolam]

1 hour ago, oldwoodcutter said:

Just picture in your minds eye, with however many cutters and clearers you have, how long it will take.
As Steve said, it’s all about width.
Price it high enough to make good coin, if they say that’s expensive tell him to do it himself then.

Width is a big factor on jobs like this, but clear up is possibly bigger.

200m is a looonnng hedge.

 

You need to break it down into sections you could comfortably do in a day, cut and cleared, then it’s just maths.

 

Pics always help, but I’d never price from pics alone.