Self employed rates

Victoria1988

New Member
I'm not sure if this is the right section to ask this but what would you expect to pay (or charge) for a self employed agri mechanic who has 15 years main dealer experience? Also, what is the going rate to pay a self employed experienced tractor driver?

Many thanks
 

Pennine Ploughing

Member
Mixed Farmer
self employed mechanic on labour only should be £14 to £17 per hour if any good,
however with own tools and a van should to be £22 to £30 per hour for a fair rate,
tractor driver rates and self employed £12 to £16,
rates will vary for areas around the country,

if this is for one man setting out on his own, get a good van as he will need some sort of transport to whatever he is going to do, fill with tools and do mechanic work as first line job, and tractor driving to fill in,
the trouble is both seem to be busy at the same time and also quite as same time, so offer an out of season discount for machine servicing,
either way keep paperwork up to date and send bills out prompt even if your not going to chase the money right away, as when its fresh in your mind and the customers mind with regards to any queries,
ie make bill out today but date it 1st of feb, with terms of 30 days
 

D14

Member
I'm not sure if this is the right section to ask this but what would you expect to pay (or charge) for a self employed agri mechanic who has 15 years main dealer experience? Also, what is the going rate to pay a self employed experienced tractor driver?

Many thanks

Our local guy who is extremely good charges £35/hour. He's got all the required software on a laptop for diagnosis of any brand of tractor as well.
 

Mur Huwcun

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North West Wales
self employed mechanic on labour only should be £14 to £17 per hour if any good,
however with own tools and a van should to be £22 to £30 per hour for a fair rate,
tractor driver rates and self employed £12 to £16,
rates will vary for areas around the country,

personally I wouldn’t bother putting my overalls on for that much! That was the rate for weekend foreigners jobs over 10yrs ago!!
 

Mur Huwcun

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North West Wales
for labour only ?

What do you class as labour only? All mechanics/technicians supply their own tool and equipment any how. No employer supplies the hand tools etc. So yes, labour only, turn up with the tools, do the job, go home.

Being properly self employed would mean you need sick pay, holiday pay, tax, NI, faffing about time, pension, clothing, ppe etc out of your hourly rate. Therefore if a main dealer techy is £10-12 the self employed needs double minimum and then needs a profit on top. Man in van around here are cheap at £30-35
 
I'm £14 an hour sat on a tractor/combine

Labour only on the spanners is £15ph.
In full swing with a van full of tools, MIG welder etc is £20 an hour.

Too cheap. But I've still ended up with a tax bill...

I do some labour only in a local hire shop rebuilding 2 stroke equipment stood at a fully equipped workbench.
 
Thing is, I'm a small engine mechanic by trade but am quite versatile, can do a bit of plumbing, shed building, mains electrics, 12v electrics, welding, fabrication, engine builds, driving etc etc.

But I know nowt about tractors.
I know nowt about owt really.
 

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