I (35M) moved to a retiree town with my wife (24F) to care for her elderly grandfather (85M). With our main focus on making sure the old man is taken care of, we determined our financial needs could be covered by one working income. With me being more handy around the home and being more of a self-starter, my wife wanted to go out and get a full-time job and leave me home to play the “housband” and pick up some part-time work.
I came to this town (pop. 6k or so) with years of experience in Fire/EMS and restaurants in a large city (pop. 5M+). In such a small town, the fire department is volunteer. EMS is EMS; I won't do the job for the pay they offer – no negotiating: been there, done that, got the PTSD – no thanks. The one restaurant in town that I found to be financially viable as a part-time solution didn't work out. So, I decided that I would start my own business.
I started by talking to various people about what was needed in town. I spoke to the old man's landscaper one day when he was at the house. He told me me he's turning multiple jobs down every week because his schedule is full; and if I get a phone and pick it up reliably, I could have a reliable income mowing lawns.
So, I started a business where I go out and provide services for about 4 hours a day, and that gives me plenty of time to make sure the old man is up and good for the day, settled in front of his TV, and watching his westerns before I head out, and it also gives me enough time to take care of errands and chores around the house after work. It's going fairly well, I'd say.
I know what the old man's landscaper charges ($50/hr) and know he's booked solid, so I knew I could get more than that. I wanted to charge more right now because of the skyrocketing inflation. I don't want to change my prices until at least 2024. I settled on a dynamic pay rate based on the hours I'm on site. I range from $40 for a 30-minute job ($80/hr) to $450 for an 8-hour job ($56.25/hr).
I get lots of hate for my prices. Oh well. According to the old man, when he moved here 20+ years ago, younger retirees practiced their trades on a part-time basis to make ends meet, and usually charged around $15/hour. These were people that retired, moved here, bought homes, and had everything they needed to practice their trade. They had very little for needs because they had a great economy to build a retirement on, and they were living off the fruits of that great economy. I told him that I could do that if I owned a home outright, had lawn equipment because I personally needed it previously, a guaranteed check in the mail every month, and just needed to buy groceries until I die. I explained to him that there is an economic disconnect between the generations. The retiring generation had a great economy to work in and save in. We've had nothing but recession after recession and crisis after crisis, and I have to make a life for myself, so my pricing is what it is.
I was speaking to a recent retiree (late 50s) that I work with at the fire department. He's a little more in touch. He was telling me that the older people in this town do not want to pay, so they'll hire someone desperate enough to do the work for $20. The problem with that setup is they expect this person to be reliable. People that mow grass for $20/hour will be looking for a new hustle ASAP. Many of these underpaying retirees experience theft as well. It's common that I hear things like that from customers, as well.
It's funny because when people call me, I'm usually there for an estimate within 24 hours. It's common to hear “Oh, my God. Thank you for showing up! It's so hard to get anyone to come out and do anything for you!” and “Well, we had a couple of guys out here a few months ago that started the job, but we haven't seen them since. We just want to get it done!” I'll then discuss their needs, wants, etc.
Then we'll get to my fee. I get to watch friendly old people go from grateful to downright ugly. “How DARE you charge people on a fixed income that kind of money?!” “You're gouging retirees without options!” “You should be ashamed of yourself!” BLAH BLAH BLAH
Affordable housing is a major issue here, so I have no moral issue with not servicing a retiree that cannot afford the work. They can downsize, sell their oversized homes and properties to younger families that can afford to care for them for all I care. You know, what's that phrase they like? “You need to live within your means!”
It's pretty clear. They're not desperate for people to come and work for them. They're desperate for desperate people to come and work for them. Oh well, I have enough people in my schedule that enjoy the fact that they no longer have to pick up the phone and find a new landscaper every month. I'm not looking to stay booked 40 hours a week. So far, I'm working about 15-20 hours a week, and making a full-time income.