How much to charge?

smokey

smokey

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Been asked to do 5 horses for a friend of a friend. 20 mile round trip per day. Will be feeding, turning out and mucking out, hay nets and waters ready for night time. I reckon I'll use approx £5 in petrol a day, but not sure what to charge for the actual work? Any ideas?
 
How long do you think it will take you to do? Are there any extra 'difficulties' e.g. fields a long walk from the stables, difficult horses that you can't turn out with any others? Are the beds small and easy to muck out/on deep litter or will you have to do a full muck out every day inc. digging into the banks etc. All things that need consideration. I think about £100 a week though, at least.
 
Are you going twice a day? How many days is it? Daily or is she going away on holiday kind of thing?

Im sure my friend done this , I had 3 horses and a shetland to do over a friday evening, twice day sat,sun & monday morning, and she gave me £200 I think. However her yard is about 10mins away from mine so I was still effectively going to see my horse at the same time as I'd be seeing hers .
 
I'd work out how long it will take you, and then charge £8/£10 an hour plus the diesel.

Full muck out of straw and rug changes it could easily be 20/30 mins a horse so 2-2.5 hours a day which could be £25 a day.
 
I would usually say £10 per day per horse but with 5 to do I don't think you will be able to charge £50 a day... To do 5 beds, rugs, turn out prepare hays, water and feeds ready for bring in would take me 2.5 hours. Then to bring in rug change, hoof pick and feed would take me about 50 minutes. With driving you are probably looking at at least four hours work a day. £35-£40 quid per day? If I had five horses I wouldn't be trying to pay someone any less than that!
 
As a comparison my OH has just looked after 25 sheep 3 dogs in kennels and a cat - 2 visits a day for £20. I wouldn't think five horses could be cheaper by any stretch.
 
Billie1007 said:
I would usually say £10 per day per horse but with 5 to do I don't think you will be able to charge £50 a day... To do 5 beds, rugs, turn out prepare hays, water and feeds ready for bring in would take me 2.5 hours. Then to bring in rug change, hoof pick and feed would take me about 50 minutes. With driving you are probably looking at at least four hours work a day. £35-£40 quid per day? If I had five horses I wouldn't be trying to pay someone any less than that!
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See, this is where I was a bit unsure, I do 3 ponies, 5 days a week, muck out, turn out hay and feed. One visit a day, and I charge £6 per pony. However, it's 10 mins from home, takes an hour tops and there are no additional problems. This job is different, and I don't want to appear cheeky. I was looking at £30 per day plus £5 for fuel. I will only be doing one trip a day, someone else will pull in.
It's 8 days work while she's on holiday, hopefully may lead to more regular work if it goes well.
 
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smokey said:
See, this is where I was a bit unsure, I do 3 ponies, 5 days a week, muck out, turn out hay and feed. One visit a day, and I charge £6 per pony. However, it's 10 mins from home, takes an hour tops and there are no additional problems. This job is different, and I don't want to appear cheeky. I was looking at £30 per day plus £5 for fuel. I will only be doing one trip a day, someone else will pull in.
It's 8 days work while she's on holiday, hopefully may lead to more regular work if it goes well.
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I think that sounds about right - remember she wouldn't want to be taking the mickey and not paying you enough so I wouldn't worry about appearing cheeky. It is winter and you are in Scotland so I'd imagine it would take longer than in the summer as well.
 
Well, she texted me today to say a neighbour has offered to do them, so she won't be needing me! Didn't get as far as talking money. Not to worry, at least now I know for next time. Thanks for the input guys!
 
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