Observation?

[NCUrk]

Business owners and land cleares,

Would you take offense if someone that is interested in your business called you up and asked questions about the business? Maybe came to a jobsite and learned a thing or two?

I ask for these reasons:

1. I am interested in possibly starting my own business in the near future, more a part time, small job thing. I have a good job now as a FF/Medic, but want something to do on my days off. (I work 2 days on, three days off).

2. I haven't operated any equipment (Rented a box blade, but dont really count that) seriously in over 20 years.

3. Not looking to ruin anyones business, just trying to find info and see this as something I can do as a side job and then possibly do after retiring.

My thoughts right now are, Skid steer with a mulcher attachment for 1 acre clearouts. I will admit, I have NO idea what I am doing and just beginning my research into this.

Thanks for any info.

Urk

P.S.

I am located in Eastern NC, in case you work this area. Dont want to appear sneaky

 

[Martian]

If it were me I would not go to some random strangers business and ask if I could shadow it. Maybe if I knew the guy or he'd done work for me. But even then it would be rather awkward to ask your future competitor to shadow you - maybe if I were moving to another area or was going to have a different target market (i.e. They are construction you are landscaping, but you still get the gist of the work). If that doesn't fit you I would find some work that you wanted to accomplish and go out and rent something to similar to what you would want to purchase. I would do the project, see how fast/good you can get it done and see how you like it. I would even rent before you shadow, that way you can get an idea that you want to do it before then figure out the ins and outs of the industry.

 

[LD1]

IF you plan on buying a skidsteer and mulcher JUST for a little side income, I assure you that it wont be profitable.

For starters, as you admit, you dont have any idea about the business.

And even shadowing someone wont give you an idea as to the actual cost of doing business.

Things like insurance premiums, advertising, fuel consumption, repairs of equipment, lawyer bills from those unsatisfied customers, etc.

I hate to say it, but you certainly arent going to make it doing it part time.

NOW, before you take that the wrong way, IF you are planning on buying the equipment for PERSONAL uses anyway, there is nothing wrong with trying to help pay the bills with a little side income. But there is no way I would want to spend $40k on equipment if my only intentions on the use of that equipment is a job here and a job there.

And as to your main question, unless you personally know someone in the business, I dont think you are going to find anyone that will let you shadow them knowing your intentions.

All that said, if you do decide to go ahead and get equipment, about the onlything I would do would be to approach some of your "larger" competitors that you are wanting to shadow, and maybe give them a card with your number. Because a lot of times these big guys have to turn away customers who only need a small job done. Maybe they can kick some of that work your way. Either by them refering you, or you working as a sub-contractor under them.

I have picked up a few jobs this way, by both methods. Some by referal of the larger company, other times the larger company bid the job, called me, I gave them my bid, and they had me do it (sub0contracting). Either way, the extra business is worth it for only a few hours contacting them.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I have been more than happy to talk to people about starting their business as long as they aren't in my competitive area. I have had a couple of jerks misrepresent themselves. They asked so many questions, I finally figured out they were competitors.. not cool and karma's a **** of a thing.

With that said, the advice you get is worth what you pay for it. What works for one company may not work for someone else. For example, I own a mulcher and skid steer and have been mulching since 2002. I do not generally mulch standing trees but rather found a niche doing clean up, trimmings, stumps, etc. I use a tree shear and big chipper for the big trees and my job stand out from the other guys.. but I cost more. I know there are plenty of people who want it to look good and I try and prequalify them on the phone before doing a site visit. If they are unwilling to talk or tell me what they are looking for, I make a judgment call. So, shadowing a guy like me might not be the best business model but it would give you some diversification. On the other hand, shadowing someone who is just in it to make money might leave you with some bad habits. I took a lot of calls about "making a killin'" back when business was booming. Pretty much had 2 -3 calls a week and a handful of emails from guys who actually said they saw my ads and wanted to "make a killing.." That's not a good reason to go into business and from what I have seen and know about business.. that's a good way to fail. Obviously you are a smart guy and a professional if you are a FF/Medic and just like taking care of your patients, you have to have a deep rooted desire to serve your customers. Many people do not and that's why quality varies from one company to the next and contractors as a whole have a problem with their image.

With that said, I'd try and find someone that isn't in your market area. Be cordial, ask them to lunch or to watch and develop a friendship and then don't compete against them if you do go into business. Talk to the dealer reps for the equipment you are interested and get them to take YOU out to lunch and listen. More than likely, they will put you in touch with someone like me who would be willing to email back and forth or let you visit a site.

Quality is everything if you want to last. I see so many jobs that are just "blow and go" and it makes the entire service sector look bad. Find someone who you would like to hire to do your own property and start asking questions. There are plenty of us who would pay it forward. I didn't have a mentor, friend, or know anyone doing this because I got into it early in my area. I learned a lot the hard way but I also had a ranch to practice on, neighbors with needs to practice on and so forth before I ever entered the market with that service. I didn't want to have my learning curve on a customer's property but a lot of guys do. For example, I see guys that mulch who have a mower with a trap door. They don't have it hooked up or it doesn't work so they only provide a rough cut. While some people may like that look, I get calls asking if I can fix it.. Little things like that, in my opinion, separate out someone who cares versus who just wants to "make a killin". Look for the guy who takes pride and ask.. the worst thing they can say is no..


Good luck

 

[NCUrk]

Thank you for all the responces. As I said, I am new and know nothing. I am in the research phase right now. Looking to try and learn as much as I can online. We all know the equipment costs a pretty penny, and the market place is not the best at the moment, but it is something I am interested in... Lots of research to do.

 

[Martian]

Know you mentioned a skid steer with a mulcher but what else are you really planning to do with it? Do you want to do more construction or landscaping? I would assume landscaping. Just mulching will not be very profitable at all. Actually like loosing all the money you put into it. I think you would be more profitable with a compact tractor and some attachments for it. Lot less money and still a capable machine with a lot of attachments. But if your more for fun and not profit i guess it really doesn't matter.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

Know you mentioned a skid steer with a mulcher but what else are you really planning to do with it? Do you want to do more construction or landscaping? I would assume landscaping. Just mulching will not be very profitable at all. Actually like loosing all the money you put into it. I think you would be more profitable with a compact tractor and some attachments for it. Lot less money and still a capable machine with a lot of attachments. But if your more for fun and not profit i guess it really doesn't matter.

I know plenty of people making a good living with a mulcher. Generally, if you mulch, you have a bucket and grapple too since they complement a mulcher and most skid steers or CTLs come with a bucket as standard equipment. You can make a living if you provide good service and have reliable equipment and have a solid business plan.
On the other hand, it is expensive to start out right. Used or older machines can mulch but may not have the cooling capacity or enough flow to be efficient. A good setup is just south of 100k new and up. I've seen some deals on used equipment but it's hard to know if the machine was abused. Expect to pay between 50-60k for a good used setup that is reliable enough to get you into the game. Then you need to look for tools, compressors, trucks and trailers, etc.
It's not exciting spending so much money at once.. I recommend starting off small. That way, if things don't go as planned (and they seldom do), you can change gears or close up a lot easier.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Welcome to the site. I would recommend everything Yellow said. He's in the biggest mulching market and has everyone and ever type of machine up his butt constantly, so I would seriously consider his advise. I would add one major step though. Work part time for an established mulcher, even mechanic for one to begin. It is not glorious but neccesary. Mulching is the most maint. needy industry there is. Then be a hired operator. This will educate you the quickest in mulching and the cost associated with it. Plus you learn and get paid. I have been the contractor, and equipment rep and still learn daily. Good luck!