This is not really TS related, except the fact that I will save enough coin doing this myself to afford a date with one. I've got some really big trees at my place, and every fall, there are a lot of leaves to rake up. In 2008 I got hurt and couldn't do this, so I called a local lawn mowing company and he gave me a bid of $180 to clean up the front and back. It was awesome, I came home from work, and it was like a giant vacuum from space and shown up. Called him up earlier this week, and the bid came in at almost $400 for the same thing. I called him on it, and he said that everything has gone up since 2008, gas, labor, etc. I can appreciate this, but twice as much? I was just trying to get him to knock a few bucks off of the bid, but he got pissed, and basically hung up the phone.

That's cool, no worries. But I remember two years ago, and as I recall, gas was a lot more expensive back then, and there were a lot more jobs available, and better paying ones, then lawn care. Oh well, I know what I will be doing this weekend, raking leaves. That's cool too because I'd rather spend that money on a date anyway.

I believe you may be in the middle of the country, maybe by some big mountains.  For me, everything is expensive in Los Angeles, except labor.  All you have to do here is drive over to the local Home Depot and make eye contact and about 75 laborers hanging outside waiting for work will storm your car.  The next step is the negotiation but its always reasonable.  I'm not so sure they know how to rake leaves though.....they don't fall off the trees in LA because we have one big season, summer.

Hey Lats,

On a different subject...You were very informative recently about a couple of TS providers in the Boston area.  I have checked around and haven't been able to find out anything about these two currently visiting.  Their names are Amber Scott and Aria Tyler.  Ever heard of them?  Just wondering if they are too good to be true.

Hey Lats,

On a different subject...You were very helpful about a couple of TS providers recently in the Boston area.  I was wondering if you have ever heard of Amber Scott and Aria Tyler.  I have looked around and haven't been able to find out anything about either of them.  Are they too good to be true?  Your thoughts....

I got a bid for a 50 ft section of fence:  Their bid $3500!!!!

I was floored, I spent 2 weeks after work doing it for about $900 and I am sure it looks better.

I almost always do my own work (if I know I can do it) rather than pay someone else to do it.

Post links, I found Amber and don't have any info.  Could not find Aria.

For me, I hate paying for stuff like this, but admit to breaking down once in awhile and doing it. I can't do a lot of stuff myself, car repairs, stuff like that, but damn, can I rake leaves. I guess my point was, if there was one, this guy was telling me something that didn't make sense. But, that's cool, my hard work has me up $400 bucks that I hope to use later this week on a much better cause.: )