Daddy, some people charge by the job, others by the hour, which way you want to do it is up to you, but I think the most important thing is cover your tail. Get a contract that clearly states that you will try to minimize damage to the building and that you are NOT responsible for repairs and get it signed by the owner. Explain to them what you are going to do before you start cutting too. So far most people I have dealt with have been very good about it. Some have been a little cautious, but once I sat them down, showed the pictures from past cut outs and explained to them what is going on inside their wall, they were a lot more at ease with the process and understand why we charge what we do. One person thought I was only going to be there for 1/2 an hour and be done. If only that were the case. Also, be prepared to be misinformed. People might tell you they have not been there long, when they have been there for years and then the job becomes bigger than originally thought and it may not be that they are lying to ya, they just may not know how long the bees have been there. But sometimes, they do and don't tell ya that. I came across a cut recently that the people told me the bees were only there for a couple of months. The 7 combs, 7 feet long and black as could be told me a different story. Once I opened the wall and showed them it, they were like "well there have been bees there for the past few years, but we sprayed them and they left, but they keep coming back year after year." No, they did not leave, they never left, just rebuilt their numbers and continued. Sometimes people will tell you they have not sprayed the bees, when infact they have. Basically, just expect the unexpected. Go to each job with an open mind, and be ready to take some adventure stories, some bees and some $ home with ya. If your not enjoying the experience, it's just another J.O.B.
C2