This past Saturday, a guy asked me at work if I'd be willing to do some weed-whacking around his barn and fences. It sounded like a good way to make some money, so I said I'd give it a go. At the time he asked me, he said he'd pay me $5 and hour, which seemed fair because I figured that I could get it done in an efficient manor and I woulnd't be losing that much money for labor. Considering that miminum wage is $5.15, then with taxes, I'd be making about the same.

I drove to his house today and he handed me a huge Royobi Weed-Whacker with a circular-saw-type blade for cutting brush, and a little Weed-Eater weed-whacker for trimming close to the barns and fence.

I followed him over the hill and was amazed to see 4 foot-tall grass and light brush about 3-7 yards from the shed, about 4 yards deep around the barn, and about 1 yard deep along the fence. I was about ready to quit right then and there, but he said he only wanted me to get a yard or so away from the barn and shed because he wanted to paint the barn and the shed.

I finished the barn in about 2 hours. I just about had enough. I was only getting paid $5 and hour, and I'm smart enough to know when I'm losing labor money. The labor was worth a lot more than $5 and hour. I went to him and told him that the fumes from the weed-whacker were making me sick. He told me to come by on thursday to get some more done.

I need to quit. I don't have enough time to continue working for him. He's not paying me enough for my services.

I'm going back for 1 1/2 to 2 hours on Thursday morning. Should I pull up his driveway, politely tell him I can't continue, or work for for the time then tell him that I can't work for him anymore?

Also, what about should I say? I like the guy, he's older and really nice, but I need more money because I'm losing labor-money like crazy working for him.

Don't get me wrong, I love working hard outside, but when the labor-cost is too low, it's not worth it, even for a farmer's tan and more muscle.

Thank your for the advice.

ON EDIT: The guy was a customer, not somebody I work with.

 

Ask for a raise, what's the worse that could happen? either you get more money or you politely tell him you can't continue to work for what he's paying you.

 

I'd like to do that, however I don't want the guy to think I can't handle the work, or that I'm screwing him by working for more money. I don't really want to work there anyway because he has a massive wasp problem, and I hate bees.

 

i don't see how you're losing money.

if the guy said he'd pay you 5$/hour to cut some brush with HIS weed whacker how are you losing money? you're not making a lot but still making 5$/hour.

next time ask for more money of if you want to be business wise about it give him a quote to do the whole job. around here landscaping employees get at least 10$ for cutting lawns. nobody should be breathing fumes standing out in the sun all day for anything less.

my old boss told me he billed us out at 40$/hour but for that money we come with trucks and tools etc. so if we were two guys cutting brush all day he'd probably quote something like 750$-1000$ for two guys doing an all day job. but for that we come with trucks and tools and haul away all the crap

if you're worried about the fumes then you should consider college cuz it doesn't really get any better.

 

Hmmmm....minimum wage for unskilled, manual labor. Sounds about right. Plenty of people work their butts off everyday for MW. Maybe you can negotiate a set price for the total job...but that may not neccessarily work out in your favor. I dunno pard...the way I was raised if you agreed to take on a job, you stuck with it. Who knows, if you do a good job for him it could lead to better work at better pay...versus a reputation as a quitter. Don't mean to sound harsh, just trying to be real.

RWT

 

He actually didn't mention anything about brush. However, the point is that I don't have enough time to work for that cheap. I mow grass on the side with my own equipment and I work at the feed/farm store in town. I have enough other work to keep me occupied than to have to cut brush while dodging wasps and yellow-jackets for $5 an hour.

The fumes weren't bothering me, I was just tired of weed-whacking for 2 strait hours knowing that I had a lot more productive things to do. Actually, the oil was leaking onto the manifold, and that's not a pleasant smell.

Too bad my mom won't let me buy a sickle. I'd get done with the top-growth pretty dang fast.

 

i agree.. fiinish the job on the agreed terms. but next time ask for more money. unskilled labor's one thing. working in the hot sun is another. like my first boss used to say " i have to teach you new guys how to work ". it may not take a rocket scientist to shovel rock but i'd like to see one try and do it for a week. they're calling for 35C tomorrow. into the 40's with the humidity. that's like 100F or whatever. landscaping is hard work and should fetch a premium over what you'd get working in a nice air conditioned building.

 

Okay, I admit I dug myself into that hole. Let me set myself strait. I don't mind working for cheap, because that's how I gain experience and a reputation. That's how it worked with me for doing labor for my neighbors and family. My problem is that it's not in my best interest to continue that job because I have enough other grass to do where the money I'd make with him wouldn't matter at all.

 

That's what I planned on, however, he wants me as a permenant addition to his farm. He wants me to weed-whack, then paint his barn, and other odd jobs. I was gonna weed-whack, then say "see-ya, nice to know ya", however, the work is never-ending.


I don't mean to soud like a sissy and that I can't take it. I can take it, in fact, I wasn't even tired when I left today. The guy told me that it took him about 2 hours to do what I knocked off in 45 minutes to an hour. It's just that I can make more money somewhere else doing yard work instead of wasting my time with him.

 

I agree with the others.

If you agreed to do the work for a set amount of money, live up to your end of the agreement.
(BTW. . . how long did you agree to work for this person??? This MIGHT be your only way out, IF that's what you really want to do.)

You didn't say your age, but, "Your Word" means a lot. Especially to someone that is 'older'.

Personally, I'd finish the job at $5/hour. Then it is your choice as to whether you agree to continue to work for this person in the future, when you can negotiate a better salary.

An agreement is an agreement.


EDIT: Here is another thought. This person might just be lonely and needs someone around to relate to. ?????????????
IF you believe that you are 'wasting your time,' tell this person that you have other jobs to do, and be on your merry way.

 

Hey, sorry if I sound like a jerk when I respond to you guys. It's not my intention at all. I'm just trying to set my story straight.

So if I sound like a jerk when I respond to you, I apologize.

 

my boss used to say " you have to charge or they won't respect what you do " and i think he was right.

when people call a pro to come and do a job for them they expect to pay. you wouldn't take your car to a garage and expect not to pay at least a couple hundred bucks. if a guy offered to fix my car for 5$/hour i'd assume that he didn't know what he was doing.

if you're afraid to charge what the work is worth the customer will think you're deserate and human nature being what it is, will take advantage of you.

 

Thanks, Webthes, that's just what I needed to hear.

 

That's very true, don't sell yourself too cheaply.

I pay the 13 year old neighbour kid $10.00 to clean my 35' x 4' sidewalk and a 3ft path on 30 ft of driveway after a a light to mid heavy snowfall.

If it is a heavy snow,I pay him $20.00.

If the snow is continually falling he gets $5.00 each time up to 3 times for touch-ups.

 

Just trying to help ya, but if you agreed to the weed wacking, leave it there if you don't have the time. Besides, you wouldn't have agreed to it if you didn't need the money. But remember that this guy has two friends, and his friends have two friends. You never know what might become of this. So at least finish the job you agreed to. Sounds like he'll work around you too. I know you feel your losing money, but you never know what he might have up his sleeve (good or bad).


Finish the job and chalk it off as a learning experience.