Expert Maintenance

[toohey]

Does anyone offer a days work in repotting, restyling, etc?
How much foir a days work?
I need George from Ausbonsai for a day,. How much?
Regards,
Michael

[Isitangus]

I know bonsai south offer this service but I would assume the same for ray nesci. Pricing would be dependant on size and amount of work required.

[bonsaisensation]

Hi toohey
Expert maintenance, mmmmmmh, this is another can of worms that could end badly.
What are u willing to pay for an "expert" to work on your trees? And what should an "expert" charge for his/her services?
It's normal to pay a licensed tradesman $100 an hour for the service. I suppose I'd be happy to pay Kimura $100 per hour to work on my trees. I think he charges more than that anyway.

[kcpoole]

I would do so for $80 per hour. minimum 1/2 day call out

Ken

[Andrew F]

I'd drop Hugh Grant a pm, honestly, the work he provides is exquisite. Worth every cent.

[EdwardH]

A point to consider before paying for a days work by one of the more proficient bonsai practitioners around is do you have any trees worth the expense?
In my view, unless you have a stump with plenty of options for carving or extreme bending, or a tree which is at or near show quality which you want to take to the next level, then you waste their time, experience and your money.

Another point is each probably have high level of skills or experience in certain areas which the others may not have, or at least not to the same proficiency. For example if I was doing Melaleucas then I'd call Pup.

Another point to consider is artistic flair. Do you appreciate an artists style? Picasso is a world renowned painter but I loath his work. Give me Rembrandt any day.

In my view, $100 an hour is probably a fair rate for most demonstrators whilst those who have developed trees to say international level e.g. Pup and Hugh Grant, Ray Nesci etc. would have to be worth at least double or triple that figure.

[bonsaisensation]

I would do so for $80 per hour. minimum 1/2 day call out

Ken

hi Ken
if you don't mind me asking, how do you arrive at your price? it'd be useful for the general bonsai public to get a sense of how we value our work. and perhaps if anyone cares to comment, how they value our work.

A point to consider before paying for a days work by one of the more proficient bonsai practitioners around is do you have any trees worth the expense? <br abp="708">In my view, unless you have a stump with plenty of options for carving or extreme bending, or a tree which is at or near show quality which you want to take to the next level, then you waste their time, experience and your money. <br abp="709"><br abp="710">Another point is each probably have high level of skills or experience in certain areas which the others may not have, or at least not to the same proficiency. For example if I was doing Melaleucas then I'd call Pup.<br abp="711"><br abp="712">Another point to consider is artistic flair. Do you appreciate an artists style? Picasso is a world renowned painter but I loath his work. Give me Rembrandt any day. <br abp="713"><br abp="714">In my view, $100 an hour is probably a fair rate for most demonstrators whilst those who have developed trees to say international level e.g. Pup and Hugh Grant, Ray Nesci etc. would have to be worth at least double or triple that figure.

hi EdwardH
it's great to know that there are someone like you who are willing to pay $200-$300 an hour for Pup, Hugh or Ray's work. i'll personally get in contact with Ray to inform him of the good news.

[EdwardH]

It all comes down to what an individual is prepared to pay. A GP will cost $80 for a consultation but a specialist will cost $250 or more for 20min (been there done that).

If you are going to employ someone to drive to your house then pay the cash. If you're not prepared to, then go to the local club and chat to the members, pick their friendly helpful brains but do the work yourself! The results are based on your work, not theirs so if you get the instructions wrong don't blame the guy at the club. They didn't do the bending, wiring, watering, fertilizing or after care etc.

Last week I saw a US site where the bonsai artist (trained by Kimura) was charging $500 per hour. Are our guys of the same calibre? I believe that a handful are. I'm not promoting 'expensive" hourly rates here. I am however giving credit where credit is due. If you want a person of international standard to come to your house and work for you then pay a fair price for a master craftsman as these guys are not your local demonstrator. Ken's estimate of $80 per hour is probably a fair rate for most good demonstrators with a few years experience under their belt.

[Inspired]

the fun is in the doing

[Guy]

when working on my own plants ,my time is priceless

[kcpoole]

I would do so for $80 per hour. minimum 1/2 day call out

Ken

hi Ken
if you don't mind me asking, how do you arrive at your price? it'd be useful for the general bonsai public to get a sense of how we value our work. and perhaps if anyone cares to comment, how they value our work.

I know unskilled labour is about $60 per hour and labour in the IT field, it ranges from $80 up to $150 for Self employed people, and Contract workers get from $55 up to ininity .

I figure that 10 years of skill and experience in maintaining trees would be at the low end of the self employed pay scale.
Highly skilled artisans and creative people would certainly be worth more.
As I think I am not very creative or artisitic, but a good maintainer and teacher of basic skills then for me that price will be OK.
For Someone as Pup, Grant Bowie, Clinton Nesci, etc thay would be 2-3 times my payscale but you get 20 yrs + and artistic skill above me.

Ken

[Raymond]

I would do so for $80 per hour. minimum 1/2 day call out

Ken

hi Ken
if you don't mind me asking, how do you arrive at your price? it'd be useful for the general bonsai public to get a sense of how we value our work. and perhaps if anyone cares to comment, how they value our work.

I know unskilled labour is about $60 per hour and labour in the IT field, it ranges from $80 up to $150 for Self employed people, and Contract workers get from $55 up to ininity .

I figure that 10 years of skill and experience in maintaining trees would be at the low end of the self employed pay scale.
Highly skilled artisans and creative people would certainly be worth more.
As I think I am not very creative or artisitic, but a good maintainer and teacher of basic skills then for me that price will be OK.
For Someone as Pup, Grant Bowie, Clinton Nesci, etc thay would be 2-3 times my payscale but you get 20 yrs + and artistic skill above me.

Ken

As per usual, explained in a gentlemanly fashion Ken. From viewing your posts, I do believe you are a modest man also... Underselling yourself!

[kcpoole]

I would do so for $80 per hour. minimum 1/2 day call out

Ken

hi Ken
if you don't mind me asking, how do you arrive at your price? it'd be useful for the general bonsai public to get a sense of how we value our work. and perhaps if anyone cares to comment, how they value our work.

I know unskilled labour is about $60 per hour and labour in the IT field, it ranges from $80 up to $150 for Self employed people, and Contract workers get from $55 up to ininity .

I figure that 10 years of skill and experience in maintaining trees would be at the low end of the self employed pay scale.
Highly skilled artisans and creative people would certainly be worth more.
As I think I am not very creative or artisitic, but a good maintainer and teacher of basic skills then for me that price will be OK.
For Someone as Pup, Grant Bowie, Clinton Nesci, etc thay would be 2-3 times my payscale but you get 20 yrs + and artistic skill above me.

Ken

As per usual, explained in a gentlemanly fashion Ken. From viewing your posts, I do believe you are a modest man also... Underselling yourself!

Many thanks for those kind words

Ken

[bonsaisensation]

Hi ken
Thank you for elaborating on this matter.
I am interested to know how often do you get called out to work at your set price, if u don't mind.
Perhaps Sydney people have deeper pockets, or Melbourne people are tight a#%*s, but the going rate from what I am aware of is in the $40 per hour range. This rate applies to some of the best bonsai professionals in Victoria.
That's why I am very intrigued and god smacked to hear what people are paying for bonsai services.
In the nursery awards, the highest pay is about $40 per hour. So I guess we are been valued as nurseryman.


Regards

Tien

[Gerard]

I think Tien is being realistic,
There is little to consider in the way of overheads-
Cost of tools
Cost of education
Warrantee?
Are we talking about a "commissioned work of art" or a "prune and wire".
Very few people in this country have a right to call themselves a professional and the professionals however competent are not necessarily the best artists.