While we were in Tucson between November and May, we rented out our Washington house. The man was very reliable and the experience was positive on both sides. However, he had told us before he signed the lease that he was not a "yard guy". So, when we got home, the garden areas of our property had gone to tall weeds.
We didn't get around to doing anything about it until a couple of weeks ago. I knew we couldn't do it ourselves, and I didn't know anyone who did that kind of work. We do have landscapers who come in once or twice a year to prune and keep our plants healthy, but it seemed to me that what we were looking for was something different. Plus, the landscapers charge $50 an hour, which was more than I wanted to pay.
So two weeks ago, I watched as two men worked on the yard across the street, mowing and weedwhacking. I went over and asked them to come look at the work I needed done, and to give me a price.
They did. One of the guys, Mario, said the job would take two people three days, and he quoted me $700. He said that was an excellent price, that other companies would charge over a thousand. That seemed like a good deal to me, so I agreed to have them do the work.
Mario arrived this morning with truck and tools. He worked by himself all day - from 8:00 a.m. to about 3:30 p.m. He did everything he'd said he would do, and more: mowed areas I hadn't asked him to do; cleaned up downed branches and a side yard that hadn't been part of his bid; blew clean our driveway, sidewalk and porch. He really did a good job in those seven hours.
When he finished, I asked how much I owed him. He said, "$700, no more, no less."
So I paid him about $100 an hour for the work. And I thought maybe I had been scammed, and I asked Art about it.
Art said, "Did he do the work you wanted done?"
"Yes, and more."
"Did he do the work for the price he quoted?"
"Yes."
"Then what's the problem?"
Well, if Mario quoted me $700 for two people for three days, that's a good deal. But the same work for $700 for one person for seven hours? That was $100 an hour. Twice what I pay the landscapers.
I guess I assumed he was bidding on the time it would take to do the job. And Mario was bidding on the job.
So, did I get scammed, or did I just misunderstand?
16 comments:
I agree with your husband. He must have worked very hard to get it all done in one day. If you were pleased with all he did, count yourself lucky that the job is completed and looks good.
I'm afraid I have to agree with the other party. He charged you what he said he would and I'm assuming did a good job. Could be his other employee wasnt available, could be he wanted the cash all to himself as the boss/owner. Either way, it sounds like the job is done and off your proverbial plate. When my son was doing landscaping it was something similar. 70 bucks and hour and if he felt he needed help he put out a call and settled for 35.
I think your husband's reasoning is right; the man did all the work you told him to do and at the price you agreed on.
So, if he paid two workers $25 per hour total of $50 per hour and add burden of 20& that is 60 per hour plus 10@ overhead and 10% profit that is $72 per hour. If you figure mobilization and travel time that is over $700 for eight hours on site. You liked the work, pay the price and say thank you
I appreciate the comments so far. I'm getting educated. That's always a good thing.
Eta: instead of hourly rate look at what the entire job would cost, in general. Rather than who makes how much in the end. Per hour or otherwise.
Did you ask for a price or an estimate? In any case, you got a job done (and sounds as though done well) that you were not willing to do yourself.
It does sound a little pricey, but I know so little about these things. I agree with your previous commenters. You didn't get scammed, and other than paying a bit more than you thought appropriate, you got just what you asked for. But I would certainly balk at paying out that kind of money, too. :-)
Remember the Parable about the Laborers in the Vineyard !
No, you did not get scammed. You got the work done in a way you wanted for the price quoted. Don't quibble.
I'm not so sure ... the guy lied to you, or at least misinformed you! He said it was a three-day job for two men but it was really only a one day job for one man. Plus, if you'd hired your regular landscaper it would have only cost $350. That being said, perhaps you should have figured something was "off" since $700 for two guys for three days is pretty cheap. And besides, $700 for the work you wanted doesn't seem all that bad. So either way I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
I agree with Tom. He said it well.
I don't think it's fair to calculate it as an hourly wage. You negotiated a fixed rate, and he did everything you wanted and more. Sounds like a good deal to me!
Everything you wanted = $700. Everything you wanted and more = $700. Sounds like you got a good deal to me.
I agree with your husband - I would be so delighted if someone did the work he bid on and actually ended up doing more and did a great job - I don't think you were scammed - I've paid nephews to help in the yard and I was scammed - they watched us work and ate us out of house - and home LOL I have a highly recommended college student coming to help us next month -$30.00 an hour - great reputation and I feel lucky to have found him - It's so hard to get people to do yard work - and contractors are extremely expensive and do none of the work themselves..Mary Ellen
I don't think you were scammed. The guys that dump rocks on our yard quote us a price for the work. Sometimes we get one guy, other times it's three. The work gets done and we pay the quoted price. They do good work, they're nice and I'm so very happy that I am not hauling gravel and rip-rap anymore.
Your trip to Europe with the grand-daughter sounded wonderful. What a cool thing for you to do.
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