Does anyone have “service areas” where they charge by the job (based on the target critter)?
$350-600 for small, local beaver jobs has worked well as a typical price range if a total price is needed. It goes up from there when it’s a bigger or farther job, such as boat access, walk in, etc. More important than easy money is to be thorough. I’d rather say I’m expensive but thorough than cheap and quick to leave. End of story. That comes out to $120 per trip, and it includes complete removal and dam cutting for drainage.
The $120 per trip figure for me comes from $40 an hour to, from, and onsite. Sometimes they’re closer, sometimes they’re further, and sometimes they take a little more time on site. Sometimes I charge less, especially if there are multiple locations. Farther sites need mileage payments of some sort. By sticking with a per trip price, they know what they’re spending, and you know what you’re getting. In my experience and opinion, effective beaver removal work takes absolutely no fewer than 3 trips. I generally figure for 5 trips. I’ll charge less when it’s obviously complete at an early point, such as catching a pair in an isolated, small water body the first night, but I try to always drop in at a later date to ensure completion. In my opinion, and in my area, dropping in at a later date ensures a straggler or dispersal beaver hasn’t attempted to claim the spot. This is what standing by my work means. When I say it’s finished—it’s finished, because I can’t truly know how many were there until I’m done. I rarely have to resume trapping on a courtesy check, but it has and does happen. As a matter of fact, I went to a location today with a rake and a pickax to cut the dams, because I thought it was a complete job. It is really small water, and sign suggested it was only a single. Upon arrival today, I noticed a freshly chewed stick that wasn’t there when I left the dam several days ago and partial repairs. Rather than cutting down the dam, I left it as-is, and I set snares. This is all part of nuisance beaver work, and should be included in your pricing.
I’m willing to discount trips at my discretion, and I’m certainly willing to negotiate prices with customers, although as far as I can tell, customers have been satisfied.