Lava rock removal/mulch install price

[Joel B.]

The customer wants lava rock removed and hardwood mulch placed where the rock was. The total area is approx. 330 square feet and various mulch calculators come up with around 3.1 yards. Should I get 3.5 yards to be safe? There are about 6-8 small shrubs planted in the area.

I am bringing the rocks up to the cabin so I don't have any disposal fees and I'm using my pick-up to haul the new mulch. The area is right next to the driveway and the maximum distance to wheelbarrow the mulch is about 30'. A yard of mulch is $22.

How long does it take one person to move a yard of mulch? I know there are many factors that determine this but any advice would be appreciated. Also, how much mulch will fit in a 2500HD short box with 6" side boards?

How much do you raise the price of the mulch, 20%, 40%, more...less?

I have seen mulch prices of $40-$85/yard but if it takes me an hour to move the mulch ($50/hour) and mulch is $22/yard and I charge $75/yard I make nothing on the mulch. But if I charge $80/yard (about $30 for mulch and $50 for labor) I seem to be on the high side.

So would you remove 330 sq ft of lava rock and replace it with mulch for $800? Customer doesn't want landscape fabric or edging.

Thank you, I appreciate any advice,

Joel B.

[highlander316]

on average, one person should take about an hour to do one yard of mulch. Around here, we get around $55/yard. Mulch costs $20/yard for the dyed. I would go w/ 4 yards just to be safe. The bigger the beds, the faster you can spread. Me and 3 other guys did 64 yards of mulch in a little less than 16 hours last week

[Mike J]

What do you plan on using to remove the lava rock? What size of rock is it?

Sounds like a booger of a job....wheelbarrowing the lava rock back to the truck=sore back. How about a skid steer or dingo?

I would think about adding a disposal fee in there. Later on down the road if you have to haul off tree limbs or old landscapes and have a fee they might question it.

[Joel B.]

No fancy tools here, just rake, shovel and wheelbarrow. The rock is about golf ball size. Removing rock is just about the most miserable job I can think of so I want to be sure I make it worth my while.

I was thinkng $500 to remove the rock and $300 to haul/install the mulch. Too much...too little or just about right?


To Highlander: Is the $20 what you pay or what the customer pays? Do you raise the price of the mulch?


Thanks,

Joel B.

[highlander316]

i pay $20/yard. I charge roughly $55/yard which includes the cost of the mulch and labor. That is for dyed mulches, the other varieties are different costs so obviously the rate I charge the customer changes then.

[Joel B.]

Do you raise the cost of the mulch or is the extra $35 all labor?

[highlander316]

basically its all just labor, cuz either way I'm still making $35 per yard. I charge retail list price for everything, then add my labor charge on top of it. Then I make money off the discount I get on materials.