This may be a tender, private subject. And if you don't want to share, I understand. My question is how do you guys price? Hourly? Mileage? Per animal? By species? I know this is a broad spectrum, but I am just looking for a starting point for basic nuisance trapping.

How much to go set a cage trap for coon? Is it the same for skunk?

A bat exclusion in the attic and cleanup of guano?

To remove a snake from a basement?

These are the types of scenerios I am looking for.

Like I said, I understand if you dont want to share. If you would rather PM me feel free. I appreciate the help. I know pricing depends on alot of factors, but like I said, im just looking for a ballpark starting point.

Thanks, John

Think about the factors of pricing. Hours, overhead, materials, warranties, risk, business growth.

"I know pricing depends on alot of factors, but like I said, im just looking for a ballpark starting point."

Thanks

Thanks for jumping in John! As Dave mentioned and as you already know there are many factors that determine pricing. Overhead, demographics and competition all play a role in trying to come up with a price that is fair, competetive and PROFITABLE. Also, you need to decide whether it will be on a flat rate basis vs setup and per capture fee. I charge an initial service call/setup fee that is due at the inception of the agreement. This covers trip costs and bait/lure for the duration as well as the the labor of setting up. Then I charge a per capture fee for each targeted animal. So my "paycheck" becomes performance based. No captures - no pay. The setup fees will vary depending on how labor intensive it is (level of difficulty + time). For example setting up drift fences for armadillos requires more labor and time than setting skunk traps. Likewise, ladder work or attic work will require a bit more. The capture fees have to include the handling and disposition of the animal which include translocation or euthanasia/disposal as needed or required by your state. Now... what works for me may not work for you and others will offer their input as well. Best to 'ya!

BTW John, here's another thread that may help you:

http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3320465/1

Start at $75 setup and $50 per animal for squirrels, skunks and racoons or $350 for five days of trapping. $100 per animal for coyotes and beaver.

I have no idea for bats or snakes.

At least this will give you a starting point and you'll find out pretty quick if you need to make adjustments.

Travel time and distance will be a big factor. Demographics will too.

Not Hijacking your thread but if anyone would care to share any mole pricing info it would be greatly appreciated. Talprid and Traps. P.M. me if you don't want to discuss it openly.

Same applies to moles. Feel free to visit my website for my pricing but it may not work in your area. Poison free all the way - trapping only.

I also prefer poison free, some customers request it so the neighbors don't see the traps.

No mole traps....you can not see....

John,

The first thing you need to keep in mind is that this is a business, just like anything else. This is just as much a customer service as plumbing repair or electrical work and should be priced accordingly.

Call around in your area. Check with your local plumbers, electricians and heating and air guys. Find out what their average service call cost. Price your service calls accordingly.

For instance; I also do plumbing repair and light construction. When I'm doing that my service call is 85 dollars for the first hour and 40 bucks an hour for every hour after the first. That means that I need 45 dollars to cover my cost of travel and maintenance of my vehicle from each call and my time is worth 40 dollars an hour. 45 for travel and 40 for an hour and you have the service call. Now, if my time is worth 40 dollars an hour for checking water heaters and auguring drains, then it's worth 40 dollars an hour to set squirrel cages or tack up bat exclusions.

Once you set a price on your time then everything else can be figured from that. Example; If I'm hired to set a coyote line then there are two different ways I can price that.
1)I figure how long it will take to set the line then how long it will take to check traps each day. Add in the cost of baits or lures plus how many days and I have my figure.
2)Charge a set up fee and a per animal fee with each catch. Let the customer choose which way you are to charge him and he'll be more receptive if the bill runs high.

My coyote charge is 575 dollars for a 10 day line, OR 165 dollars for the set up and 75 dollars for each coyote that I catch.
575 was based on the thought that for one farm I can set a line in 3 hours; 85 for the service call and 40 for each of the next two hours, 165 bucks for set up PLUS an hour each day for the next 8 days, 320 dollars. 320 plus the first 165 is 485 PLUS another two hours for taking up trap and, say, 10 bucks worth of lures or baits for a grand total of 575 dollars.

The 165 plus 75 per critter is just a gamble. The customer likes that because it puts all the pressure on me. If I only catch 2 or 3 then I've lost money but the customer is satisfied that I've done my job. HOWEVER... If I were to catch 6 or more, I got him! It will cost him more than the original 575 and he's happy to pay it because it was on HIS terms.

Pricing varies from place to place depending on local economies. What is expensive here will be a bargain in New York. What's cheap here may be too expensive for Greenbow Alabama.

It's a lot to take in, I know, but you'll get the hang of it. It wasn't all that long ago that I was asking about pricing.

Good luck!

The problem with giving people prices....is that we fail to innovate. Also, they vary by area and business design.

Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it. Thanks for the welcome as well.

On moles I do a setup fee and a per animal fee. The setup fee is good for the year, or if I get a new client in the fall I give them the spring mole season with the setup. Prices are going to be different from state to state. Other people do a monthly program, but many of my customers have tried that rout and like my setup better. I could not justify in my mind chargeing another monthly fee to catch one mole but it does work for others.

I have found using a navagater helps me keep track of time and miles traveled. You can loose track of time real fast. My mole trapping is done with a set up fee,per mole and milage.