How much to charge?

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T

thavoice

Senior Member

14,376 posts
Jun 2, 2014 1:09 PM
After staining my deck a few weekends ago someone wants me to also do their deck as well. They asked what I would charge and I have no idea. What would be an hourly rate that you would charge for some amatuer work done?

I imagine it will take 12-20 hours to complete.
Jun 2, 2014 1:09pm
M

MontyBrunswick

Jun 2, 2014 1:09 PM
$25
Jun 2, 2014 1:09pm
V

vball10set

paying it forward

24,795 posts
Jun 2, 2014 1:29 PM
dlazz;1621882 wrote:$25
This, plus beer.
Jun 2, 2014 1:29pm
sleeper's avatar

sleeper

Legend

27,879 posts
Jun 2, 2014 1:44 PM
*Market rate
Jun 2, 2014 1:44pm
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Iliketurtles

Senior Member

8,191 posts
Jun 2, 2014 1:54 PM
tree fiddy.
Jun 2, 2014 1:54pm
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cruiser_96

Senior Member

7,536 posts
Jun 2, 2014 2:09 PM
Whatever you do, don't charge $12. It'll piss some people off!
Jun 2, 2014 2:09pm
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Ironman92

Administrator

49,363 posts
Jun 2, 2014 2:13 PM
thavoice;1621881 wrote:After staining my deck a few weekends ago someone wants me to also do their deck as well. They asked what I would charge and I have no idea. What would be an hourly rate that you would charge for some amatuer work done?

I imagine it will take 12-20 hours to complete.
Friend? Random neighbor?

They buy the stain and then between $15-$25 an hour. If you really don't have time or don't know them I'd make it $25
Jun 2, 2014 2:13pm
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Jun 2, 2014 2:15 PM
They buy the stain, brushes and rollers supplies
12 to 20 hour that a big spread.. Lots of trim and spindles.... 35.00 I is good. Better to make it worth your effort..
little trim and roll, smooth and go...25.00
Jun 2, 2014 2:15pm
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HitsRus

Senior Member

9,206 posts
Jun 2, 2014 2:16 PM
^^^^What he said.
Jun 2, 2014 2:16pm
M

Manhattan Buckeye

Senior Member

7,566 posts
Jun 2, 2014 3:13 PM
For stuff for friends $20/hour plus free beer/soda/water for the work.
Jun 2, 2014 3:13pm
Heretic's avatar

Heretic

Son of the Sun

18,820 posts
Jun 2, 2014 3:20 PM
If said friend has an attractive wife/daughter, bang them and when your friend offers to pay you, simply smile, give them a friendly pat on the back and say, "You already have, buddy, you already have."

And then quickly leave before two and two get put together.
Jun 2, 2014 3:20pm
Devils Advocate's avatar

Devils Advocate

Brudda o da bomber

4,539 posts
Jun 2, 2014 3:36 PM
If they are a friend. No charge plus drinks/food. If not, about tree fiddy.
Jun 2, 2014 3:36pm
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GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jun 2, 2014 3:41 PM
Devils Advocate;1621926 wrote:If they are a friend. No charge plus drinks/food.
This
Jun 2, 2014 3:41pm
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Jun 2, 2014 3:54 PM
Free .... nothing is free
This friend is free the next friend is free and so on so on... NO
Skills, labor and knowledge should never be free....there a price to be charged
Opinions and advice ... to a friend is free..
Jun 2, 2014 3:54pm
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McFly1955

Senior Member

1,441 posts
Jun 2, 2014 3:57 PM
It would take at least 25/hr for me to give up my time for something like this...maybe a little more.

I'd figure out what you think it will take time-wise and just give them a total dollar amount, not an hourly rate...Then you won't have to feel like you are being watched/critiqued for how hard you are working in those hours...Tell them it will be $400 bucks and should take x amount of days, and be done with it...
Jun 2, 2014 3:57pm
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ZWICK 4 PREZ

Senior Member

7,733 posts
Jun 2, 2014 4:35 PM
I wouldn't even get out of bed for $25 an hour. But since you're hillbilly, $8 an hour sounds about right.
Jun 2, 2014 4:35pm
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bases_loaded

Senior Member

6,912 posts
Jun 2, 2014 4:37 PM
ZWICK 4 PREZ;1621950 wrote:I wouldn't even get out of bed for $25 an hour. But since you're hillbilly, $8 an hour sounds about right.
Union member, right?
Jun 2, 2014 4:37pm
G

Gblock

Jun 2, 2014 5:10 PM
12 hours for a deck? 3-4 hours tops
Jun 2, 2014 5:10pm
Ytowngirlinfla's avatar

Ytowngirlinfla

I wear real chevrons!

2,295 posts
Jun 2, 2014 5:18 PM
You could give them your wife. Would be a good trade for you.
Jun 2, 2014 5:18pm
Heretic's avatar

Heretic

Son of the Sun

18,820 posts
Jun 2, 2014 5:56 PM
Devils Advocate;1621926 wrote:If they are a friend. No charge plus drinks/food. If not, about tree fiddy.
With many things, I would agree. But if we're talking a 12-20 hour job, that's a different story. No way I'd be wasting that much of my time to do that for anyone without some sort of compensation more than dinner and beers for the days I'm working there.
Jun 2, 2014 5:56pm
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GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jun 2, 2014 6:08 PM
Belly35;1621937 wrote:Free .... nothing is free
This friend is free the next friend is free and so on so on... NO
Skills, labor and knowledge should never be free....there a price to be charged
Opinions and advice ... to a friend is free..
Then you're a shitty friend. You help him, he helps you next time you need help with something. In my experience, thats what friends do.
Jun 2, 2014 6:08pm
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salto

Senior Member

2,611 posts
Jun 2, 2014 8:45 PM
Is your friend married?
Jun 2, 2014 8:45pm
ZWICK 4 PREZ's avatar

ZWICK 4 PREZ

Senior Member

7,733 posts
Jun 2, 2014 9:34 PM
bases_loaded;1621951 wrote:Union member, right?
I wish. I'd have 360 hours of OT pay already this year if I were.
Jun 2, 2014 9:34pm
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Pick6

A USA American

14,946 posts
Jun 2, 2014 9:36 PM
I'd do it for $15 for a temp job assuming you buy the supplies. Easy and skill-less work and some time outside.
Jun 2, 2014 9:36pm
R

rydawg5

Senior Member

2,639 posts
Jun 2, 2014 9:38 PM
I'd pay by the job. A stained deck sounds like $250-300 to me.
Jun 2, 2014 9:38pm