RobA,
I am in the midst of a pond project, also. I, too, am paying the man to do the job correctly. My first post on this forum last fall was directly related to polling the experts to compare construction costs.
My dirt-guy is charging $100/hr per pc of equip. He is using a late model D-6 hi track and Cat backhoe and older model Cat E-mover (he says that he sends all pc to the Cat approved dealer ea Spring for a full factory recommended maint overhaul...he takes care of his stuff and it shows). I get the same detailed hourly rundown.
May I ask what your hourly charges are? Equipment type?
