How much should labour cost?

[BustedThumbs]

The missus asked me how much money we're saving on labour by doing all the landscaping (deck, gardens, driveway, fences) ourselves and, given my limited time at home, would it be worthwhile paying someone to do the work so i have more time to spend with her. I've always assumed that this sort of work pays $20-$40 an hour. I just read a post which advises budgeting for $350 per day for someone to lay pavers. Sound about right?

While i'm on the subject, does $360 and hour (that's right - per hour!!!) sound like a standard rate for labour when an engineer draws up a flood impact plan and solution? Just curious because we're looking at subdividing at there's some big bills to be paid.

[Burnsy]

Don't know about the engineer cost but the others sound fair, remember when tools are required you pay more.

Things like basic paving and decking (no substantial eartworks ie all prep work done) you are pretty safe doubling you material cost to get a rough estimate.

[BustedThumbs]

Great. That's pretty much what i've told her. Fences i figured would be a bit cheaper since they're easy (post and rail with dog wire).

Still, assuming i could be paid $40 an hour for work i do in my precious spare time, maybe i should quit the navy and get into landscaping. What sort of training is involved? Any apprenticeship time?

[Burnsy]

Still, assuming i could be paid $40 an hour for work i do in my precious spare time, maybe i should quit the navy and get into landscaping. What sort of training is involved? Any apprenticeship time?

In WA Landscaping is unregulated and that was one of the reasons I stopped doing it full time, there were way to many cowboys with a ute and a wheelbarrow doing dodgy work and undercutting everyone, especially just before the boom. It seems to be a bit better now from what I have seen, I think people are expecting more because they are paying so much. Also the Bluecard requirement has stopped alot of them, howver some of my current clients still tell me there are plenty of dodgy guys around.

I think Landscaping is a trade or at least requires a licence in the East, maybe someone from over your way can confirm this.

[Dirty Doogie]

HI BT - generally you would start by working for a landscaper so you get to know all that is involved with the profession - sometimes it gets complicated.

Landscapers are sort of like the builders of the garden world - thay have a lot of sub contractors working for them on a project. Most reputable Landscapers in QLD have a BSA authority number . To get this you either have to demostrate experience for X number of years or do a course.

[manoftalent]

If it seriously interests you, then I would look at your local tafe, and see if a course is available......

[wayfarer]

While i'm on the subject, does $360 and hour (that's right - per hour!!!) sound like a standard rate for labour when an engineer draws up a flood impact plan and solution? Just curious because we're looking at subdividing at there's some big bills to be paid.

Have a look at the insurance premiums for engineers. Professional indemnity can be around $100k pa. If he's only getting paid an hourly rate then he has to load it to cover the insurance.

[journeyman Mick]

BT,
in Qld deck building, domestic fencing and laying pavers are all defined as building work and require the appropriate QBSA license.

Mick

[bitingmidge]

While i'm on the subject, does $360 and hour (that's right - per hour!!!) sound like a standard rate for labour when an engineer draws up a flood impact plan and solution? Just curious because we're looking at subdividing at there's some big bills to be paid.

It's up there, but not out of the equation. When you say "draws up", there's a bit of expensive software needed, which needs an expensive computer to run and some expensive labour, as well as some expensive air conditioned space and an expensive receptionist to pay.

It's not quite the same as getting a bloke with a trowel over for an hour.

Is that the quoted hourly rate? Or did you get a fixed price, and make an assumption on the hours needed? I'd be inclined to try to get a fixed figure for the job, that way if there is any negotiating or whatever to be done, or a mistake made, you won't be paying while it's getting fixed.

Cheers,

P


Cheers,

P

[Dirty Doogie]

Bt - dont worry about the engineers piddly $350 an hour - the titles office charges the rough equivalent of $40,000 an hour to process your subdivision papers. I had some land subdivided a few years back and I asked the guy in the Lands office how long it takes in man hours to process the applications - he sort of guessed about 40 minutes for straight forward application. they charged me $30,000 in fees and duty stamps etc.

[BustedThumbs]

Our surveyor is managing the subdivision and has provided us with a breakdown in costings for everything involved. Just getting the submission into council will cost $13500. If it gets approved there'll be a further $14000 not including the potentially horrendous cost of bridging a creek.

FYI the engineer's labour cost was quoted at $360 and to allow up to $2750. It's a further $3300 for preparation of Q100 flood analysis and flood lines, and another $3850 for preparation of culvert designs and drawings.

Any ideas on how expensive 2m high box culverts can be? Bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question but i thought i'd throw it out there. While i'm at it, how about the cost of bitumen driveways?

[Dirty Doogie]

Struth! yes I have an idea how much culverts cost - lots of delays in the whole process occur and if you have borrowed money to do it - yikes!

[Outbackrr]

Concrete pipes are much more cost effective than RCBC (culverts). RCBC are usually only used where cover is limited. What size (height x width & length) has been designed? I imagine headwalls are also nominated?

Driveway: Asphalt or 2-coat seal (bitumen)? Unless there is a substantial amount, concrete is a better option.

[BustedThumbs]

Nothing has been designed yet. Permission for subdivision still needs to pass council approval before we pay for anything else. Looking at the size of the creek we may need a height/diameter of 2m at anywhere between 5 and 10 metres long and maybe 2 or 3 pipes across. Headwalls would be needed.

The driveway from the street to the bridge will be about 100m with a further 200m to get up to where we can build. Don't want just asphalt. I would like a smooth bitumen surface strong enough to carry the trucks that will be making deliveries for building and landscaping. I'd really like to steer clear of concrete, which i assume is more expensive anyway.

[Outbackrr]

Concrete pipes that size would be over $500 L/M, that's just the pipe itself, comparable RCBC 40 to 50% more.


By 'smooth bitumen' I think you mean asphalt (hotmix) - 25mm thick over compacted roadbase. Length of driveway rules out concrete (cost outweighs benefits). Ball park figure $35.00 to $40.00 sq.m, variables such as soil type, slope, access, etc. will affect actual price.