what to charge for MD service

[langsy]

theirs a construction company thats building new piers on the beach , they made big piles of sand with pieces of rebar in those piles , they want to hire me to scan each bulldozer scoop of sand for rebar ( and jewlery) as they spread out the sand , just want an idea what to charge per hour for this job, and rewards possible

 

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[jamiefind]

So the three main market forces at play here would be: 1) presence of any other service providers (MDrs) in the area, 2) if any, the prices they charge, 3) the value of your time taking into consideration your potential to profit directly from kept targets.

I would think #1 would be the wild card. #2 would probably be $0 since others might be willing to do the job on contingency. #3 depends on your circumstances.

For me, I would charge a little less than I would otherwise make at my real job since it would be a little more fun than my real job. But I might charge $0 and agree to make a contingency if I get to keep everything.

 

[kingskid1611]

I would probably give a total amount for the time spent. And make an agreement that anything other than rebar you get to keep as a bonus for helping them out.

 

[cudamark]

I'd do it for free assuming it's not going to be a 9-5 type job and I could keep anything I find. I like making friends in the construction business for future hunting sites.

 

[G.I.B.]

Dunno what state you are in, but in some, you would be considered a business if you are charging for your services.

That opens up a can of worms. What if you miss one and there is subsequent damage or personal injury to something or someone. Will you be liable? There are a zillion lawyers with nothing to do but file lawsuits...

If you do it for free, and don't have a contract- that may limit liability and let you have a great hunt.

 

[etex]

Whatever a archeologist would charge plus $1

 

[jamiefind]

Dunno what state you are in, but in some, you would be considered a business if you are charging for your services.

That opens up a can of worms. What if you miss one and there is subsequent damage or personal injury to something or someone. Will you be liable? There are a zillion lawyers with nothing to do but file lawsuits...

If you do it for free, and don't have a contract- that may limit liability and let you have a great hunt.

You're obviously a business if you charge for services rendered. Taxed as sole proprietorship. Etc. Personally I would absolutely have a written "understanding" that in exchange for the mutual benefits of the arrangement, neither of you is responsible if the other one gets hurt or property is damaged or any other damages at all. Of course I'm a lawyer with a zillion other things to do BESIDES file lawsuits, but whatever.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

If the sand is at an old recreational boardwalk type frontage, I'd do it for free. And keep all the non-rebar objects. If it's sterile sand and you're doing an industrial job, then I'd do as etex says

Seems they'd be just-as-well off with a giant industrial trommel, if they're only objective is to remove large objects. ,

 

[Mackaydon]

Make a deal:
You get to keep what you want to keep and you'll do if for free--until it becomes 'work'; then you'll make another deal with them, or not.
Don...

 

[Fletch88]

$30/hour and time and a half after 8. Plus all the beer you can drink!

 

[GA_Boy]

Free, if you keep the finds except rebar.

 

[bigfoot1]

two problems...you will have to work at their pace,and their pace will likely be very fast.You may have no time to dig anything but rebar.you wont take a break till they take a break.UNLESS you are allowed all the time you need to look for rebar,have no liability and no expectations of x sq.footage per hour.then just do it for free if you think it will be a fun hunt.

 

[BigWaveDave]

Hell...I'd do it for the rebar.

 

[flgliderpilot]

To me this doesn't sound possible... detecting a scoop load of dirt at a time, unless they spread it 6" deep is going to be difficult. They can drop each scoop faster than you can sweep it.

 

[GA_Boy]

To me this doesn't sound possible... detecting a scoop load of dirt at a time, unless they spread it 6" deep is going to be difficult. They can drop each scoop faster than you can sweep it.

Maybe get a friend or two to help-------------------split the loot.

 

[wainzoid]

On friday, I got a call from a new home builder. He asked if I could find the 4 corner pins on the lot where they were about to start a house. He said that the guy who usually does his surveying wanted $3-500-. I jokingly told him I would do it for $2-400-. I grabbed my detector and ran in to do it. Twenty minutes later I was done. He happens to be a good friend, so i did it for free.

I am sure you will figure something out that suits you both.

 

[RustyGold]

Charge a fair price. I'm sure the contractor charges about $70/140 per hour per man when bidding his work. Work at a safe pace and charge the going rate of a highly skilled individual in construction. $20hr. is too cheap and $40/hr. is too much. I know as a licensed contractor I would be comfortable paying something like $24/Hr. Especially knowing, that by hiring you by the hour, you are not only covered under my various insurances but that I will have to cover that cost as well.
So my estimate is $24/Hr. give them the rebar and share the rewards but don't say that at first. Leave the rewards part off the table until the end of the job and if it's still worth it then offer to share anything that isn't rebar.
The Contractor isn't just hiring a man, they're hiring the skills and equipment that goes with it.
Best of Luck!

 

[Keppy]

On friday, I got a call from a new home builder. He asked if I could find the 4 corner pins on the lot where they were about to start a house. He said that the guy who usually does his surveying wanted $3-500-. I jokingly told him I would do it for $2-400-. I grabbed my detector and ran in to do it. Twenty minutes later I was done. He happens to be a good friend, so i did it for free.

I am sure you will figure something out that suits you both.

$3500.00 to find 4 pins that sounds really high to me..

 

[wainzoid]

$3500.00 to find 4 pins that sounds really high to me..

300 to 500$
And that sounds really high to me

 

[digger460]

Are they hiring you to get just the rebar? Then I'd say $0, with contingency you keep everything else. If they hire to get rebar, and whatever else might be there, then I would think they want a cut or all. Then you charge as much as you can.