Sod install bid question

[rustyt22]

Another bid that I need help on.....

Customer had chinch bugs eat up his st. aug grass. He needs me to till his lawn (2000 sq ft approx.) and rake out the old grass, and lay new sod (4 pallettes). He also wants me to spread starter fertilizer on it after it is laid. I've already told him I can get him 4 pallettes for $600 (at his cost). My cost on those is around $125 a piece. How many man hours should this approximatley take? I would like to make $35/hour on this job......

[chriscampbell]

First I would use a sod cutter if possible. Then you do not waste time regrading(as much as you would for if rototilled) With a 3 man team you should be able to get in done in two days. 1.25 day to prepare and .75 day to lay the sod. Figure your time to prepare then charge $2-4 per piece (thats in this area, installed)

[rustyt22]

how does this sound...If I want to make $35 an hour, 3 men for two days of labor would be $1680. The sod price would be $600. His total with finished product would be $2280 for prep, install, and fertilization of 4 pallets. That sounds high, but I'm not sure.....What are y'all's (yes, Im southern!) thoughts on those prices?

[chriscampbell]

I charged $2100 for a job half that size last week....I would even try to knock it up some more in case something happens. ie it takes an extra half day or you cut a cable etc.

[ahlgrenlandscaping]

Sounds low to me as well 35$ an hour is a little on the low side as well try shoot for more like 50$ an hour especially in your market, you didn't include the cost of renting a sod cutter or the cost of the fertilizer.

[rustyt22]

I actually wasn't planning on using a sodcutter. Just a tiller. Do you thing the sodcutter would save time? Because Ive never used one. Ive always just tilled and then raked the grass out for it...... I did forget the fertilizer though...>Thanks!

[ahlgrenlandscaping]

If you use a sod cutter alls you do is cut the sod and roll it up then roll out the new sod. Sod cutters are the same thing that turf farms use just on a smaller scale. My neighbor just had it done and it came out great. Remember don't charge less because it takes less time and effort tho. You are working smarter not harder and should not make less money for it.

[bobbo]

We did a small sod job today . We used 4 palets or 2400 sq. ft. I charged $1.00 a sq. ft. to prepare and install sod

[bgtymrz23]

I just bid on a house yesterday, small job not too big only front yard only 50 yards of sod which will cost me around 80, i bid $335 I was surprised he agreed right away. My total cost will come out to almost 120 with one guy helping me, im guessing it will take me a total of 3-4 hour with my helper, that comes out to $215 for me so thats a little over 70 an hour.