Going rate for teen shoveling?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My nephews have a sliding scale for those who really need a helping hand (the elderly, disabled, single moms with young kids, etc.), but they are still charging based on the amount of snow removed rather than by the hour.

PP here. I suppose the sliding scale would work. You could say (when pressed): well, we would usually charge (whatever amount here), but whatever you are comfortable giving.

Neighborhood teens don't usually charge the elderly or informed, IME.

My nephews are going to have to pay for their own college and snow season is the rare chance for them to make thousands in a very short amount of time. No one has to use their services. Ironically, most of their clientele are households where their schoolmates live. They live in a neighborhood with lots of teen boys who sit inside playing XBox instead of shoveling. Maybe their parents can unplug the devices and boot them outside to shovel for free. My nephews are also competing with grown men who come through in vehicles and often do a half-assed job --maybe because they don't live in the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone!

We don't want to overcharge. Several are elderly or retired neighbors. But I don't want him to undercharge either. It is a lot of snow and will be a lot more work than a normal snowstorm.

What do you all think of $10.00 per 6" of snow? Our neighborhood has primarily single car driveways.

Don't charge the elderly. Yankee here. They might offer the teens something, it is up to the teens if they accept it, maybe after complete insistence. The teens should only shovel as many driveways as they can.

If the elderly ask and at the same time ask for the rate, it is fine to let them pay. I would give them a good deal, but this kind of snow is a lot of work. I am sure they are just happy knowing they will not get stuck inside for weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My nephews have a sliding scale for those who really need a helping hand (the elderly, disabled, single moms with young kids, etc.), but they are still charging based on the amount of snow removed rather than by the hour.

PP here. I suppose the sliding scale would work. You could say (when pressed): well, we would usually charge (whatever amount here), but whatever you are comfortable giving.

Neighborhood teens don't usually charge the elderly or informed, IME.

My nephews are going to have to pay for their own college and snow season is the rare chance for them to make thousands in a very short amount of time. No one has to use their services. Ironically, most of their clientele are households where their schoolmates live. They live in a neighborhood with lots of teen boys who sit inside playing XBox instead of shoveling. Maybe their parents can unplug the devices and boot them outside to shovel for free. My nephews are also competing with grown men who come through in vehicles and often do a half-assed job --maybe because they don't live in the neighborhood.

Be a good aunt and help them out financially. You don't charge elderly neighbors. And, many kids do play xbox and shovel, like mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone!

We don't want to overcharge. Several are elderly or retired neighbors. But I don't want him to undercharge either. It is a lot of snow and will be a lot more work than a normal snowstorm.

What do you all think of $10.00 per 6" of snow? Our neighborhood has primarily single car driveways.

Wow, money grab. I am glad I do not live in your neighborhood. We have one elderly woman on our block and everyone pitches in to shovel for her. No one would ever accept pay as we'd hope someone would do it for us.

I would ask my kids to do it for free, as I help our neighbors when they are in need, but understand if your kid doesn't want to (no judgment here). What would your $10 per 6" come to about?

Its not an option for my kid. I teach him the right thing to do and set the example. He's out with dad doing ours and hers right now. He knows he cannot accept money or mom will make him return it (just as I was raise). He has everything he needs and does not need the money.

OP here.

Not sure if you read my post but my kid DOES do the elderly lady's for free and did all last year (and the little snow we had this week). She insists upon paying him for this snow.

The other elderly couple's husband approached him with a "business proposition", man to man, to hire him.

The other folks would pay someone either way, whether it is my kid or a lawn service. They are not elderly, infirm, or in need.

I do not care how insistent they are. My kid knows to decline saying that mom would be very upset with me if I accepted money. I have grandparents who need help and hope someone helps them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My nephews have a sliding scale for those who really need a helping hand (the elderly, disabled, single moms with young kids, etc.), but they are still charging based on the amount of snow removed rather than by the hour.

PP here. I suppose the sliding scale would work. You could say (when pressed): well, we would usually charge (whatever amount here), but whatever you are comfortable giving.

Neighborhood teens don't usually charge the elderly or informed, IME.

My nephews are going to have to pay for their own college and snow season is the rare chance for them to make thousands in a very short amount of time. No one has to use their services. Ironically, most of their clientele are households where their schoolmates live. They live in a neighborhood with lots of teen boys who sit inside playing XBox instead of shoveling. Maybe their parents can unplug the devices and boot them outside to shovel for free. My nephews are also competing with grown men who come through in vehicles and often do a half-assed job --maybe because they don't live in the neighborhood.

Be a good aunt and help them out financially. You don't charge elderly neighbors. And, many kids do play xbox andl shovel, like mine.

Shoveling snow, lawn mowing, babysitting and pet/plant sitting are wonderful ways for teens to learn the value of good work, how to work hard and to give a fair days work for a fair days wages. They teach kids financial management, the value of a dollar and how to build sweat equity. When I am older I hope I can help pass those lessons to kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My nephews have a sliding scale for those who really need a helping hand (the elderly, disabled, single moms with young kids, etc.), but they are still charging based on the amount of snow removed rather than by the hour.

PP here. I suppose the sliding scale would work. You could say (when pressed): well, we would usually charge (whatever amount here), but whatever you are comfortable giving.

Neighborhood teens don't usually charge the elderly or informed, IME.

My nephews are going to have to pay for their own college and snow season is the rare chance for them to make thousands in a very short amount of time. No one has to use their services. Ironically, most of their clientele are households where their schoolmates live. They live in a neighborhood with lots of teen boys who sit inside playing XBox instead of shoveling. Maybe their parents can unplug the devices and boot them outside to shovel for free. My nephews are also competing with grown men who come through in vehicles and often do a half-assed job --maybe because they don't live in the neighborhood.

Be a good aunt and help them out financially. You don't charge elderly neighbors. And, many kids do play xbox andl shovel, like mine.

Shoveling snow, lawn mowing, babysitting and pet/plant sitting are wonderful ways for teens to learn the value of good work, how to work hard and to give a fair days work for a fair days wages. They teach kids financial management, the value of a dollar and how to build sweat equity. When I am older I hope I can help pass those lessons to kids.

Not to elderly. Babysitting, pet/plant sitting, and lawn yes, but for elderly you do the right thing and do it for free. You can teach your kids to manage money well in many ways including setting a good example. One good example is treating elderly and disabled properly and help them out as one day you may need the help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends on the size, but I think it will take hours even for just a regular driveway. So, I'd suggest doing it by the hour - maybe $5 an hour. Also, your kids might want to do the driveways periodically throughout the snow instead of all at once.

Are you kidding? That's some serious hard labor for $5 an hour!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My nephews have a sliding scale for those who really need a helping hand (the elderly, disabled, single moms with young kids, etc.), but they are still charging based on the amount of snow removed rather than by the hour.

PP here. I suppose the sliding scale would work. You could say (when pressed): well, we would usually charge (whatever amount here), but whatever you are comfortable giving.

Neighborhood teens don't usually charge the elderly or informed, IME.

My nephews are going to have to pay for their own college and snow season is the rare chance for them to make thousands in a very short amount of time. No one has to use their services. Ironically, most of their clientele are households where their schoolmates live. They live in a neighborhood with lots of teen boys who sit inside playing XBox instead of shoveling. Maybe their parents can unplug the devices and boot them outside to shovel for free. My nephews are also competing with grown men who come through in vehicles and often do a half-assed job --maybe because they don't live in the neighborhood.

Be a good aunt and help them out financially. You don't charge elderly neighbors. And, many kids do play xbox andl shovel, like mine.

Shoveling snow, lawn mowing, babysitting and pet/plant sitting are wonderful ways for teens to learn the value of good work, how to work hard and to give a fair days work for a fair days wages. They teach kids financial management, the value of a dollar and how to build sweat equity. When I am older I hope I can help pass those lessons to kids.

Not to elderly. Babysitting, pet/plant sitting, and lawn yes, but for elderly you do the right thing and do it for free. You can teach your kids to manage money well in many ways including setting a good example. One good example is treating elderly and disabled properly and help them out as one day you may need the help.

Maybe start your own thread instead of hijacking this one to argue how much better you are at parenting?

[Anonymous]

So wait... we can't charge the elderly for anything now? I get that they may be on fixed incomes, etc but if someone does a physically demanding job, they should be paid. PP who is saying that the elderly shouldn't pay because you want someone to help your grandparents, really? They should pay as well. Now, if I shovel walks and I charge $50 per, I would probably give elderly neighbors a *discount* and only charge like $20, but free? How is a kid (or adult) in a neighborhood of elderly people supposed to make a buck?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So wait... we can't charge the elderly for anything now? I get that they may be on fixed incomes, etc but if someone does a physically demanding job, they should be paid. PP who is saying that the elderly shouldn't pay because you want someone to help your grandparents, really? They should pay as well. Now, if I shovel walks and I charge $50 per, I would probably give elderly neighbors a *discount* and only charge like $20, but free? How is a kid (or adult) in a neighborhood of elderly people supposed to make a buck?

+1000 Elderly people often want to pay for neighborly help. They'd much rather pay a neighbor's kid than have to hire a company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For illegals it's $60-$80. Lawn companies are charging $80/hr with 2 hour minimum. He should charge at least $40, if not more.

What kind of stupid comment is this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My nephews have a sliding scale for those who really need a helping hand (the elderly, disabled, single moms with young kids, etc.), but they are still charging based on the amount of snow removed rather than by the hour.

PP here. I suppose the sliding scale would work. You could say (when pressed): well, we would usually charge (whatever amount here), but whatever you are comfortable giving.

Neighborhood teens don't usually charge the elderly or informed, IME.

My nephews are going to have to pay for their own college and snow season is the rare chance for them to make thousands in a very short amount of time. No one has to use their services. Ironically, most of their clientele are households where their schoolmates live. They live in a neighborhood with lots of teen boys who sit inside playing XBox instead of shoveling. Maybe their parents can unplug the devices and boot them outside to shovel for free. My nephews are also competing with grown men who come through in vehicles and often do a half-assed job --maybe because they don't live in the neighborhood.

Be a good aunt and help them out financially. You don't charge elderly neighbors. And, many kids do play xbox andl shovel, like mine.

Shoveling snow, lawn mowing, babysitting and pet/plant sitting are wonderful ways for teens to learn the value of good work, how to work hard and to give a fair days work for a fair days wages. They teach kids financial management, the value of a dollar and how to build sweat equity. When I am older I hope I can help pass those lessons to kids.

Not to elderly. Babysitting, pet/plant sitting, and lawn yes, but for elderly you do the right thing and do it for free. You can teach your kids to manage money well in many ways including setting a good example. One good example is treating elderly and disabled properly and help them out as one day you may need the help.

But, what if the elderly are illegal?

Or, heavens forbid, planning to vote Trump?

[Anonymous]

Geez, I dug out my elderly neighbor's car and her walk for free back in 2010. She's handicapped; it is just the right thing to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So wait... we can't charge the elderly for anything now? I get that they may be on fixed incomes, etc but if someone does a physically demanding job, they should be paid. PP who is saying that the elderly shouldn't pay because you want someone to help your grandparents, really? They should pay as well. Now, if I shovel walks and I charge $50 per, I would probably give elderly neighbors a *discount* and only charge like $20, but free? How is a kid (or adult) in a neighborhood of elderly people supposed to make a buck?

My MIL has less than $1000 a month (plus food stamps). I would be pissed if someone charged her when every dollar counts. We aren't interested in making a buck if it means taking away from someone else who needs it more. Karma - you do for them and hopefully someone will do for you. We always shovel out one neighbor. She'll leave cookies or something else but there is no way we'd take money or allow her to give our child money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So wait... we can't charge the elderly for anything now? I get that they may be on fixed incomes, etc but if someone does a physically demanding job, they should be paid. PP who is saying that the elderly shouldn't pay because you want someone to help your grandparents, really? They should pay as well. Now, if I shovel walks and I charge $50 per, I would probably give elderly neighbors a *discount* and only charge like $20, but free? How is a kid (or adult) in a neighborhood of elderly people supposed to make a buck?

My MIL has less than $1000 a month (plus food stamps). I would be pissed if someone charged her when every dollar counts. We aren't interested in making a buck if it means taking away from someone else who needs it more. Karma - you do for them and hopefully someone will do for you. We always shovel out one neighbor. She'll leave cookies or something else but there is no way we'd take money or allow her to give our child money.

No one is required to have someone else shovel them out at a set price. Your MIL is welcome to wait around for someone to do it for free.

If you are a senior and can't afford to shovel yourself out and no one is offering, call 311. There are organizations that help out LOW INCOME seniors and disabled. Well-off seniors and disabled (and yes, our area has both those) should be willing to pay the market rate and be grateful if they are offered a discount, but not expect one.