What’s your labour rate?

[Newbeeneil]

In my first year of beekeeping, I worled out I would have to sell my honey for £48.50 a jar to break even!!

When I take on a new client I always prewarn them the their honey will be the most expensive they ever taste.
I delivered some to a client today that cost him £31/340g.

 

[Moobee]

Doesn't it depend on why one keeps bees? Subsistence/hobby BKs like myself may not regard the income as important: I bear all my own costs and give my honey and wax away - recipients usually return emptied jars and replacement lids are not expensive, a local churchwarden appreciates the wax for the huge, old oak west doors. We gave a 1lb jar to a dentist, who gives generously of her skills etc and doesn't always charge! Her genuine appreciation of our simple gift meant a lot to us.
A BK with more hives must work on a commercial basis: labour is only one cost and must depend on how "efficiently" work is done. Moobee's estimate suggests a consciousness of how expertise and speed evolve with experience!

Absolutely. It was a to let my OH know how much it cost to get started as so many people starting out don’t realise that you don't just get a hive and bees, it’s all the peripheral and ongoing kit that’s needed. I am lucky that my OH doesn't mind (too much) when big boxes of stuff appear a few times a year and it looks like I will make a reasonable profit this year for the first time! I am only a hobbyist with lerss than 10 hives (well I say less than 10, i’m not counting all the nucs….) but was hoping to at least be able to finance my hobby and earn a little extra on the side.