Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the things people ask most. If your question isn't here, just give Shaun a call.
What are Shaun's rates?
$80 per hour for standard work. Hire gear for bigger jobs is charged at cost plus 15% on the hire invoice, plus transport. You only pay for what the job actually needs. No hidden overheads, no corporate structure to fund.
What areas does Shaun cover?
Based in Pareora, Shaun works across South Canterbury including Timaru, Temuka, Geraldine, Pleasant Point, Cave, St Andrews, and surrounding rural areas. If you're not sure whether he'll travel to you, give him a call.
Does Shaun have his own equipment?
Shaun keeps only a small amount of general equipment because the work varies widely. Where your farm equipment is suitable, he can operate it to help keep the job cost down. When specialised or larger machinery is needed, he arranges hire equipment and charges the hire invoice plus 15%, along with transport. This avoids carrying fleet overheads that would otherwise need to be recovered from customers.
Can Shaun operate our machinery?
Yes. Shaun is licensed to drive just about anything, from tractors to trucks to diggers and dozers. If you've got machinery on site that needs an operator, he can jump in and get it done.
Is Shaun a one-man band or does he have a team?
Shaun runs solo by choice, which keeps overheads down and rates fair. For bigger contracts, he works alongside other local contractors he knows and trusts to get the job done on time. So you get the flexibility of a solo operator with the capacity to scale up when needed.
Can Shaun help with dairy shed work?
Yes. Shaun spent years working in and around dairy sheds before contracting. He can do yard repairs, gate and rail fixes, shed water system work, and even relief milking at short notice if your regular milker is out.
Will Shaun tell me if the ground's too soft for a digger?
Yes, and he'd rather lose a day's work than charge you for wrecking your paddock. If the ground's too wet, he'll tell you straight to wait a few days. The only exception is genuine urgency like a burst water line.
Can Shaun help with water system problems?
Absolutely. Water systems are a big part of what Shaun does. Bore and well issues, salty water, low pressure, restrictor sizing, tank installation, pump systems, leak finding, tank cleaning, and reticulation repairs. He's been doing it for decades.
How do I get in touch with Shaun?
Shaun takes initial enquiries by email so incoming calls do not interrupt work on site. Use the contact form and include your phone number, or email contact@shaunruralcontracting.co.nz. He can then call you at a suitable time.
There's a wet patch in my paddock that won't dry out. Should I be worried?
Probably, yes. If it hasn't rained and you've got a green or wet patch, that's almost always a leak in your water line or reticulation. You could be wasting hundreds or thousands of dollars in water. Call Shaun to come and trace it before it gets worse.