paying for yard work

[ewpmsw]

What is a fair rate to pay for help with yard work (raking/blowing leaves)? I'm going to ask some high school students from church for help this fall - Is $10 about right? They've both said they'll take whatever I feel is a fair amount. I provide all the equipment, gloves, drinks and sometimes lunch.

The person I paid hourly last year ($10/hr) spent a lot of time playing on a cell phone:25:, so I am now wondering if I should pay by the job rather than hourly, like $30/job. I want to be fair and don't intend to pay anyone to play like that again. There is going to be a lot of work. TIA for any thoughts on this.

[wellyes]

It depends on the size of your yard, how many trees, etc. If I could get someone to do my (not big but very tree-y) yard for $30 I would be beyond thrilled.

[vonfirmath]

$10 sounds cheap.

We got quoted $50 to do our yard.

[Andi98989]

I pay $10/hour for fall clean-up work

[geochick]

I'd tell them you'll pay $10-$12/hour, depending on the work ethic. We recently had an adult clean up our yard (weeds, leaves, etc.). I asked him for a time estimate. I told him I'd pay him $13/hr, but I needed the job to be done in the time he estimated.

[Jo..]

In Wv we had 12-13 acres. A couple of acres yard, most woods. We paid $50 every 2 weeks to have it mowed.

Here in OK we have right around 1 acre. We got a quote when my DH was going through some medical problems, and they said $50 per week, or $70 every two weeks. For a job that takes DH or I 1-1.5 hours. NO THANK YOU. They were already in the neighborhood too, doing our neighbors yards.

I would totally pay $10-$18 per hour, but $35 per hour for unskilled labor is where I draw the line.