Has anyone just straight up charge hourly? I'm lost at what or how much to charge for different jobs or what others charge that are like me. (NOT full time, just doing it on the side)

Too many variables for me to have a consistent hourly rate. Complexity of the location, equipment required, etc.

Depends on the job. I used to do some beaver jobs for so much a beaver. In some cases, I would do it for nothing if I were allowed exclusive access to the place for trapping other critters for that year and coming years. I was a water trapper and didn't get involved in much land trapping. I referred those jobs to another trapper.

I basically charge per check or by the day. This is beaver work. And I base it off distance to site from my residence. But, you must be able to produce results to charge like this. If you cant/dont catch em....you wont be in the nuisance business long. So, if your skills/abilities are not at a pro level....then to be fair, you should charge by the beaver. $75 to $100 per beaver is fair price.


Predator work is a different deal. And on a large scale/property is based on a 10, 12, or 14 day job. Again, your skill and equipment level will determine what you should charge.

Unless you're doing exclusion work, its too hard to effectively run with hourly rates. Literally some jobs I have had are less that 15 minutes even figuring driving to and from. I prefer flat fixed rates and hope I'm as good as I think I am lol. Havent been burned too many times this way. Especially when I prefer to get paid upfront.

The closest I come to an hourly rate is what I know I need to be making when I tally up a bid or quote.

The job that broke me of hourly was way back when working for the old company was a bee removal. Those were always quoted as XXX for up to two hours then 100 per additional hour because you never know until you get the sheetrock off. Well this one went five and when presented with the final bill the homeowner went absolutely ape crap and I thought for a moment there that it would devolve into a laying on of hands come to Jesus moment.

My system now ain't perfect but I'm paid up front on what I estimated the time to complete will be. Sometimes I eat the over but mostly I come in under and pocket the extra.

Just remembered the one exception that I still do an hourly, snake wrangling on film sets. Filming is always open ended and can run into 12plus hour days with variable start times. Basically the week of filming is shot for any other jobs and I'm committed to be on call on set for the duration and no idea how long the duration is.

So, I negotiate an XXX per day fee BUT I define my day to mean up to 12 hours depending with a hefty per hour, fifteen minimum, surcharge past that point.

X2

Also depends on the customer. If it looks like Grandma will go hungry paying to get 'possum out of her basement, we'll bargain. Collected two large Redwing crocks over the years doing that.

There are also the fun barters . . Culver's restaurant had a 'coon in the dumpster that didn't want to come out. Got an ice cream cake for my efforts. Barters for fishing gear, antique stuff, etc.

If it looks like the customer can afford a hundred bucks a beaver, that's what I'll charge. Unless I get bowhunting rights on good looking property or exclusive trapping rights. Then it's free depending on the situation.

The price goes to $200 a beaver if 1) the customer is an Ahole, or 2) decides after initial discussion and looking over the property they can do it themselves or find someone else. In which case I tell them don't bother calling me back. Mail me a money order for $500 as a down payment and then I'll get started.

Worst customers: farmers who tell you you've got sole trapping and/or bowhunting rights and you come back to a neighborhood. That and rich landowners who play games. Game players get told don't bother me again. And stick to it. That word gets around.

Always . . . get something before you get started.

My initial quote is based on a number of site checks I believe it will take. Plus I add a little extra for unforseen circumstances.
My residential is different then my commercial. Some days I make $600 -800 in 5 -8 hours. Some sites require 20 mins and others an hour once on site. Intial set ups require more time. Trap checks less time. Charge accordingly for both. My travel time is figured in with the quote. Beaver trapping should not be cheap and I let the customer know this up front.
I charge a minimum of $1,000 for residential type work. I currently have 14 sites going. So my prices don't seem to scare too many folks away.

Sarge

Bartering also works at times. Just make it work for you. Don't worry about what others are charging or doing. My repeats will tell ya. I'm not always the cheapest. But my passion for the job is clearly visible.

Sarge

Pricing is a tough game in this business. I have some long term contracts that make good money , a few that are a longer distance and I don’t make as much but still make some. I have a setup fee and a trip fee, if there is a lot of animals I might charge by the head. Right now I have a job going with nutria, they wanted a head price, I’m at 16 so far plus the setup fee. I might cut them some slack if they understand this should be a yearly job, the problem cannot be totally removed. Just controlled.

wws

I charge 100.00 set up fee

Then 100.00 per beaver

And .65 cent per mile

Not my real job ..just a side Hustle

I had one case that involved an elderly couple living on a small pension and SS where beaver were living across the channel from them. The beaver had come into their yard and were chewing on a couple of their birch trees. I didn't feel they had much to live on, so I removed the beaver with no charge because they offered me the use of their paddleboat to trap the beaver and allowed me exclusive access to some of the best crappie fishing I'd ever seen.

We got to be friends and every spring I used their paddleboat with my 7 year old grandson to fish the biggest crappies I'd ever caught for many years. I should mention the year I caught the beaver, I did manage to catch two nice otter in my beaver sets. That was back when otter were still bringing big numbers. I felt I was well paid for the fur and a nice friendship that was worth even more. For me, it's not always about the money.

Sarge is right. I have bartered for maple syrup, firewood, beef and pork, fruit,vegtables, you name it.

Eggs are at the top of the list. Lol I carry a flyer of items I buy. I hand them out to old and new customers. Sometimes get around to bartering.
I also do clean outs of homes, garages sheds, workshops , etc when the trapping drops off. Gotta keep busy and make that money. But at the same time enjoy what you do. Hopefully God will allow me to to what I do for.a long time. Sitting on a porch all the time just isn't my style.

Sarge