About 12 years ago, we built a new house in the country. Neighbours are close but not too close. And we get alot of snow in the winter. (See where this is going yet?) I had a jeep with a plow on it and enjoyed being neighbourly and would plow the neighbours whenever it snowed as a gesture of good will. Then I bought a tractor with blower and continued to be neighbourly. I never got a penny from one neighbour while the the other neighbour brought a couple micro jars of jam over with a small gift card for home depot.
Couple of years ago, the tractor started developing issues and was expensive to fix. Its still temperamental and I told the neighbours that I couldnt do their driveways for them anymore.
Well…every time it snows, my phone rings and they don’t take no for an answer. I feel guilty and end up doing it for them.
How do i say no? So that they understand?
(I wasn’t awake yet this morning and my phone was already ringing.)
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Tell them you're going to start charging, make a reasonable rate. Something where they could buy a used snowblower themselves by the end of the year, or you could do necessary maintenance on your tractor regularly by doing less then everyone's and have money in your pocket
@LunarOrbit oh, and call the local contractors who do do it and ask their rates. Under cut them a little bit, not a lot. So if your neighbors go to them they'll be appreciative of you but not obligated to you.
I'm trying to think how you'd be able to have it profitable but also not you being your neighbors necessity
@LunarOrbit if contractors are $80/hour. I have no idea what a skid steer is worth keep it within $5-10. But no callout fee will make a huge difference for your neighborhood
