How much should I be paying?

[Grif]

Hello. New to beekeeping, but keenly interested in getting going soon. I have been offered an old hive complete with a colony of bees. 1 brood box. 2 supers. How much should I be paying?

 

[Galaxy55]

Hi
My advice would be to take somebody with you who has kept bees for a while to view the hive. There experience will be invaluable - lots to look for, as for price, not an expert,

Mark

 

[pargyle]

Hello. New to beekeeping, but keenly interested in getting going soon. I have been offered an old hive complete with a colony of bees. 1 brood box. 2 supers. How much should I be paying?

As little as you can get away with if you are going to be like most beekeepers !

Seiously, if they are in good condition and with a laying queen (good pattern, brood, larvae and eggs) then they are going to be worth more than a colony in not such good order. The Nucs at the bee auctions so far this year have been going for between £60 and £120 depending upon whether they are overwintered or a new colony.

Second hand hives (Cedar not pine) go on ebay for between £80 and £150 depending upon condition and what comes with the hive (frames etc.).

So ... you can probably work out what they are worth yourself but the big question is always what the seller thinks they are worth and what you are prepared to pay for them.

Look at the cost of new equipment in the Beekeeping supplies catalogue and the cost of bees bought from commercial suppliers and you will see that a full functioning 'NEW' hive and bees will set you back around £300 or thereabouts ... more if you look for quality and not the 'basic' packages.

Not a cheap hobby I'm afraid.

But ... if you are going to buy an existing colony and hive you really need to have someone who knows what they are looking for along with you when you view them ...

Good luck.

 

[Hawklord]

Price depends on the quality of the equipment and state of the colony. How much honey in the supers will also have a effect.

 

[ichbinpaul]

Hello. New to beekeeping, but keenly interested in getting going soon. I have been offered an old hive complete with a colony of bees. 1 brood box. 2 supers. How much should I be paying?

Anything new from a supplier has the evil of overheads and need for a profit so whatever the brand of item as new minus 50 or more percent for newish and minus another 10 percent for each year of age! anything under this could work for both parties, home built non standard for much less regardless of taking std frames, poorly maitained rotten in places Free to good home!

And as for bees what are they? have they got any records of pedegree treatments and produtivity etc!? or are they of an unknown swarm, or a cutout of muts with original Q from a loft?
ie:
swarm from a friend £0 -£5
cutout Muts £10-35
pedegree royalty £50-100
megga lge royal ped
from Finman £1,000or 9p each

 

[BKF Admin]

In the past I have sold full colonies in Cedar hives for £200-225

Ball park figure but it will give you an idea.

 

[ichbinpaul]

In the past I have sold full colonies in Cedar hives for £200-225

Ball park figure but it will give you an idea.

That probably sounds expensive to many I expect but beeking is! and not so many can profit monetarily, but this is still a saving of £300 ish, if you can make the equipment its cheeper but the time isnt! ask my wife that is if she's speaking right now I have just placed a Th##nes order friday!!!

 

[ratcatcher]

apart from the price, where are they presently located??
as you'll be aware of the 3ft or 3 mile rule

 

[Moggett]

Hello. New to beekeeping, but keenly interested in getting going soon. I have been offered an old hive complete with a colony of bees. 1 brood box. 2 supers. How much should I be paying?

That will be your first instalment. Expect to be buying more equipment sooner than you think!

If you can make hive parts from free wood apart from more complicated brood/supers it will keep the costs down.

Sometimes best to be patient and gain some hands-on knowledge via a local beekeeping group before getting bees. This year has tested even the most experienced with all the swarming and veil pinging going on!