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  Dan Frazer Gardening November 18, 2009 at 4:42pm

  Why not go for x hours per week for x weeks... might give you some steady work while everything else quietens down. You'll probably have hire of a roughcutter to pay for, a lot of waste to deal with, and petrol costs. If it was me I'd say a week full time to do a basic job to begin with, but would defo try to go along the lines of working per hour until the job is complete. Consider 3 skip runs per day, which for me would cost the client £75 a day.
  
  I look after 2 acres for one client but wouldn't like to face that kind of job! I do a day per week which allows me to do the basic maintenance plus spend a couple of hours a time on additional clearance work, which I think will take me right through winter.
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  Lawncare-4u.co.uk November 18, 2009 at 7:52pm

  we did an orchard similar : they guy said a £1000 to me before i could think.
  
  i accepted as i had no work on last winter.
  
  i think i got another £300? as i took m-digger in again to scrape re-growth weeds off.
  
  spraying didnt do much. i think we did the hedges and high holly all round. it was private.
  
  so it ended up £1300+ we did it in stages / it was cold........srub-cutter / hedges / inside scrub ./tall hedges one side then trres @ back inside. 2 fires to burn waste - i dont think we took any waste away but you will need 2 LARGE skips. it worked out ok but no way in one go. but it was no more than 5 days total but 1 day 3/4people other 4 days maybe me and bro. i also got a tree next door to cut from neighbour for £550? inc away. and another big tidy up at the orchard owners 'factory' last week for £250........
  
  £1500 about right if you need work and can get help/labour reasonable.
  
  Pro Gard said:

  No client is likely to agree to an open end hourly rate scenario especialy on a comercial job.
  
  Stick a fixed price in and stick to it and make sure you ad a good margin.
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  Daniel Kaye November 18, 2009 at 10:28pm

  Steven,
  
  We are just doing a similar job at present. It is an old hall and the grounds have been left for many years and were badly overgrown with brambles, thistles, nettles etc. Luckily i already carried out maintenance on the lawned areas that are kept nice so the lady of the house trusted us to carry out the works on a daily basis + materials rather than pricing the job.
  
  I think the prices quoted by Proguard and Robin are in the right ball park. We used a ride on tractor with a flail mower which i hired from the golf course that i used to work at. He charged me £100 for the day but said that to hire it from a hire shop you would be looking in the region of £220-240 but i'm not sure about this.
  
  I cut the whole area pictured in 6 hours but have just left the mulch on the ground and this would take a few days to clear. I think you either pay for the right kit and do it quickly or do it with strimmers and plod along. But atleat that way it is in your/your employees pockets for wages rather than the hire shops! Photos of the kit and area below.
  
  Dan
  www.nimrodlandscapes.co.uk
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  Steven Whitaker November 19, 2009 at 1:53pm

  It's a one off clear up and then maintenance including car parks, drains etc. I passed my Level 2 in amenity horticulture last year but don't have NPTC or PA1 or 6.
  
  Dave C Cut n Edge Lawncare said:

  Hi Steve is this a one off or do you have to quote for the whole year. Also do you have a NPTC OR PA1 and 6. I would go for an hourly rate as collecting and tidying can take longer than you think.
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  Steven Whitaker November 19, 2009 at 1:54pm

  Thanks guys for all your advice - has anyone used a power scythe as apposed to a flail mower - HSS do one which looks like it would go through everything a lot quicker than a brush cutter?
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  Kieran Ray November 19, 2009 at 3:47pm

  Power scythes are ok but I wouldn't use one if your not sure what's in the brambels. If you hit a bit of rebar or something similer you will realy damage the blades at least with flail the hammers will move.where abouts are you in country? I might know someone better than hss to hire a flail from!
• PRO

  Stephen @ SJS November 19, 2009 at 6:42pm

  Used a power scythe from HSS in the past didn't think it was any use felt it was actually slower than using the brushcutter, would probably go with the brushcutter would clear the area better .But suggest it would be best that you walk the area & clear debris before you start.
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  Lawncare-4u.co.uk November 19, 2009 at 8:16pm

  SCRUB-CUTTER AS I SAID BEFORE - stihl combi system its ideal- with pole /srub cutter on end like a hedge cutter but sturdier/shorter............
  
  Stephen @ SJS said:

  Used a power scythe from HSS in the past didn't think it was any use felt it was actually slower than using the brushcutter, would probably go with the brushcutter would clear the area better .But suggest it would be best that you walk the area & clear debris before you start.