ᐅ Hourly rate for installing a terrace / patio

Created on: 26 Mar 2021 20:34
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HilfeHilfe
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HilfeHilfe
26 Mar 2021 20:34
Hello, I have a question regarding the hourly rate for terrace installation. Removing the old terrace and installing a new one, possibly with a new substructure. An independent contractor came by. He made a good impression, is currently available, and wants €28 per hour (about $30 per hour), saying he needs a maximum of 3 days for 35 square meters (about 377 square feet). Isn’t €28 per hour (about $30 per hour) quite low?
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pagoni2020
26 Mar 2021 20:37
Let him do it, and if it’s done properly, give him, for example, €200 extra. That way, both are more than satisfied.
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nordanney
26 Mar 2021 21:19
HilfeHilfe schrieb:

A sole contractor came by. Made a good impression, currently available, wants €28 per hour and says he needs a maximum of 3 days for 35 sqm (376 sq ft). Isn’t €28 a bit low?
€28 is probably net. Otherwise, it’s his problem how he calculates.
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knalltüte
26 Mar 2021 21:41
Sorry, 28€ cannot work. At least not for the contractor. Of course, it might be that he just roughly assembles the thing (terrace), then 28€ might even be a lot (for you). But without accusing the provider of poor workmanship, I rather believe it’s a miscalculation (or possibly undeclared work).

Many tradespeople without a business background tend to make their estimates too optimistic. How is he supposed to finance the necessary tools from that, build reserves, factor in risks (something can always go wrong that he has to pay for himself), cover payment defaults, contribute to retirement, pay office costs, etc.? The time he spends in the office also has to be calculated (no one does paperwork for free, and that reduces the quoted price by at least 15-20%).

For all these reasons mentioned above, I don’t think that’s a good idea (for the contractor). Currently, around 45-50€ per square meter (square yard) will probably be necessary.

No idea why, somehow I’m becoming more left-wing and radical.
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HilfeHilfe
27 Mar 2021 07:03
nordanney schrieb:

28€ is definitely net. Otherwise, it's his problem how he calculates.

Yes, sorry, exactly net. Although he is also not against "black is beautiful." But I don’t want that. The value-added tax is not substantial.
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Katdreas
27 Mar 2021 16:27
That is quite inexpensive already; our landscaping contractor charges 48€/h net.
He can certainly do excellent work, but I would wonder why he is so cheap...
Two neighbors also hired rather affordable companies, and at both sites, the construction work is repeatedly halted for days on end and has been unfinished for ages.