Our yard is in need of a good raking/cleanup. I've been perusing craigslist and other local ads and I'm kind of shocked by the prices people are charging for raking and bagging leaves upwards of 15.00/hr.
Am I out of touch or is that a lot of money?? It's unskilled labor. I can see paying 15-20/hr for cleaning or even for professional lawn services or something that included hedge trimming and tools...but we provide the bags and the rake...
How much would you pay for someone to clean up your yard (leaves). We are looking at a 1/4 acre but only half has a leaf problem.
Update: I have raked and bagged the leaves many times and I appreciate it's not easy labor...but them what is? Its labor, right? it's also not skilled. I would do it myself or DH would but I'm 8 months pregnant and on bedrest and DH is completely overwhelmed at work and handling the other stuff here at home with 3yo DS. I guess I'm just really surprised, babysitters charge less! Hey...that's a thought, I'll hire a babysitter and DH can get out there without DS attacking the piles.
We have only paid by the job, not by the hour. For our very small front yard we paid $25. For a family member's yard (about 1/4 acre, I think) we paid $100.
I think if you got out there to do it after an hour you would decide that $15 an hour is not so much lol. I would look in the newspaper and find a yard person to come and do it. they would look at it and give you a flat rate.
Do you have to bag them also? Cause it is a job and a half! I'd say $15 is barely enough!
I wouldn't pay someone for leaves but if they did the rest of the yard too yeah . People around here pay upwards of 100 + for once a month yard stuff, mowing , edging , weed eating , treatments , clean up.
