New Member Stumped

[meanmom3560]

Hey all,
New to the forum and I wanted to say how much I appreciate all the information you guys have shared.
I need your help with a price. My customer called and she is buying an old house downtown. The front yard is only about 10ft x 30ft long. The Side yard is about 30 x 50 ft long and the back yard is about the same as the front yard. (maybe 20ftx50ft). I"m guessing on the size of the back yard because it is sooooo overgrown you need a chainsaw just to clear a path. Did I forget to mention that is has been abandoned for a long time and is a crack house? Oops... sorry. No lawn mower on the market could handle the weeds (about 6 ft. tall) so I figure 2 weedeaters and 2 chainsaws going full tilt. The customer would provide the bush hog and the roll off containers needed. I'm figuring 4 men 3 days or do you think it can be done in 2? HELP!! aNY FEEDBACK WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

[Scott]

really need some pics but I really can't see 4 men taking 3 days. Get two bush hogs and two guys and you'll be done an hour or two. What needs cut with the chainsaws?

[meanmom3560]

Scott,
As far as I could see there are at least 30 1-2 inch diameter small treesin the back yard. Some of the weeds I didn't know could grow that tall!

[jgc8fan]

I wouldn't do it... I had a friend who bought an old crack house at auction for cheap... The 1000s of used syringes they found had me worried to even walk around the property years after they got it cleaned up. Giving me the creepy crawlies just thinking about it again.

I also had an old gas station that I refused to do the back side of last year... Bums had been using the back as a shelter, and the weeds were about 4' high... First pass with the string trimmer, and my legs were peppered with broken glass. I told the owner I wasn't going back there again. I'll do the front, but he would have to get a PCO in there to spray the back if he wanted it cleared.

[duratree]

ive done a house like this before, and it wasnt pretty. took 2 days, and left with 3 flats on the mower. only made 500$. i dont think i'd do it over again.

[Scaper-S2k]

You need to go to the local rental lot and pick up a brush MOWER. It will push right through anything up to 2". And it can handle a bit over that if you learn how to use it.

My opinion is that the property is too small for 4 guys. I would use 2 guys and shoot for 2 days MAXIMUM.



If the "weeds" are 6'-8' tall and the sapplings are 2" and under, one of my better employees could have the whole lot mowed down with that machine in less than 4 hours. And that would likely be going over it 3 times to really shred it up.

Then go in with a chainsaw and cut down anything left over.


For the sized lot, 4 guys and 3 days seems like a LOT of time. 4 guys, 2 days seems a bit much as well. I really do think 2 guys for 2 days could clear just about any over grown area with the dimensions you listed. And to be 100% honest, if it was all under 2" in diameter, 2 guys and that machine would have it done in a day.

That machine will surprise you, assuming you get the correct one. Some have run-flat tires as well.

[GeeVee]

Wrong, they're all wrong......

What you need to consider is regrading the yard. An RC-30, rented and a 30 tard rol off container. Cut six inches out of the grade and get rid of everything it contains, including the glass, syringes, condoms.

Cheaper and safer for everyone, including the new tenants.

[btammo]

4 guys, 3 days? no...4 guys 2 days? nope. 4 Guys 1 day at the max. Like Skaper said if you rent one of those DR field and brush mowers or something like that. It is all knocked down in 3-4 hours and then it is pickup time. I can see two of my guys getting this done in a day no problem. Price it with the rental costs, disposal costs plus 550. That is what mine would be.

Good luck

[meanmom3560]

Thanks all for the great advice on this crack house. I agree... 2 guys, 1 day and some killer equipment. I guess my husband lost that bet. Hope to be talking with you all soon. Let you know if we get it.
Thanks, Kathy Tony's Lawn Care

[Ihateweeds]

All depends what they want to have there after you leave.. An ugly a** yard then 1 experienced person 1 day with the right equipment. Scumming out the yard to get a new one in there might be the solution. Tough to get anything looking nice when you have crowns that are 12 inches in diameter.

[ahlgrenlandscaping]

Talk with your client and discuss what could be potentially in that yard...syringes,condoms, drug paraphanalia, bodies... who knows I found a dead dog doing a job like that last year...not a crack house but an abandoned property. I would recommend going in there and removing the top 4-6" and putting it all in a 30yd dumpster and bring in all new topsoil, grade it, hydroseed it and be done with it.

[Hawk83]

if they just want it leveled, rent a skid loader and a dump truck! level the place with the mahcine, load up the crap and haul it off. and if they want a new yard put in, on the way back from the dump sight, pick up some new dirt in the truck, and then use the machine to spread and grade out some new soil on the property--seed the joint and exit! it'll save you time and energy using the machine, and with reduced labor, the rental of the equip might be less charge for the client so they might be inclined to go this route. its better than breakin your back and paying employees, and you will still make such easy money. its worth some consideration. god i love heavy equip!

[hardboiled]

Whatever you do, use extreme caution. You don't reverse hepatitus or HIV, if someone gets stuck. My garbage guy got stuck from a diabetics needle just collecting bags curbside. What a way to ruin your day.

[GeeVee]

I'll grade it out for 2k, minus the container fee. AND, I'll come to Augusta to do it.

[scaglines]

Skim it with a Bobcat and roll out the carpet. It's downtown!!! In and out in a day with a crew of 2.