The Side Jobs Thread

[Hay Dude]

I've been using my tractors to help others for over 40 years and never charged for the work. It promotes good will and better neighbors. Over the years, the favors have been returned 3 fold. Tough to put a price on that.

That is true, but you are not promoting yourself as a contractor to make extra $.
Like you, I help my neighbors and church anytime I am asked and refuse compensation.

Those are 2 different things. That’s why I specified “for hire”. That means a contractor expecting compensation.

 

[RjCorazza]

I've done a bunch of neighbor gratis work since my last post, mostly small and quick tractor work. Taking downed trees, branches, and brush to my large burn pile, light grading, moving and placing a used basketball pole (concrete base and all), etc.

Where I draw the line is large or otherwise dangerous tree felling, stump grinding, and practically ANY repetitive work. For stump grinding, mowing, or snow plowing I charge a reasonable amount and have plenty of work to keep me busy in retirement.

 

[Hay Dude]

I was warned by my insurance company not to do tree work, particularly on any tree near a structure that the tree could be felled on.
I told him I only drop trees in open areas and he seemed to think that was a gray area, but should be ok.

 

[jk96]

I was warned by my insurance company not to do tree work, particularly on any tree near a structure that the tree could be felled on.
I told him I only drop trees in open areas and he seemed to think that was a gray area, but should be ok.

I could see where tree work would be a much higher liability and probably task specific insurance.

 

[paulsharvey]

I could see where tree work would be a much higher liability and probably task specific insurance.

I dont know if Hay keeps workers comp on himself or not. Ive had owners tell me before its the cheapest insurance you can buy, (depending on the job class), and covers about everything will at work. But, with that, if you claim your profession is an equipment operator maybe 12% of the hourly rate; tree guys AI says 25-40%; ive heard roofers is nearly 100%. So, yeah, 100% if you carry worker company, as an operator, and you do tree work, you are absolutely working outside of your workers comp coverage.

Liability... that too; But I know first hand a directional drill contractor who knew he had an audit visit coming, so, hard hats, gloves, hi vis, everything. Insurance man sees they are removing sidewalk and digging down to spot utilities; canceled. Like they didnt know directional drilling involved digging?

 

[Hay Dude]

I dont know if Hay keeps workers comp on himself or not. Ive had owners tell me before its the cheapest insurance you can buy, (depending on the job class), and covers about everything will at work. But, with that, if you claim your profession is an equipment operator maybe 12% of the hourly rate; tree guys AI says 25-40%; ive heard roofers is nearly 100%. So, yeah, 100% if you carry worker company, as an operator, and you do tree work, you are absolutely working outside of your workers comp coverage.

Liability... that too; But I know first hand a directional drill contractor who knew he had an audit visit coming, so, hard hats, gloves, hi vis, everything. Insurance man sees they are removing sidewalk and digging down to spot utilities; canceled. Like they didnt know directional drilling involved digging?

“Officers” of a Corp in PA are not typically required to carry workmans comp.
I never have since I am “ El Presidente” .
My wife provides my health care. My insurance company provides my liability and equipment insurance. I have AG insurance for my AG LLC.

 

[Yander]

Couple things to keep in mind.

1. Before you accept payment for “side work” and you are a “for hire” service provider, you should get a contractors insurance policy. Accidents DO happen. Had a few very minor ones over the years, but saw first hand how much worse they could have been. In many states, it’s actually illegal to accept money for contracting work without a contractor’s license and insurance. This is the law in PA.

2. Don’t charge too much less than a professional. Can you charge as much? Probably not. But don’t get caught in the trap of risking your safety and your equipment’s wear & tear for a lot less money just because you aren’t full time. You’ll just beat up your equipment and find you’ve made very little “profit”.

I have been on my own doing full time contracting work and farming for 30+ years. I have seen just about everything.

I see people tilling gardens for $50, and they are all giving their time away and losing money. There are a lot of guys working that think they are making money, and they are actually losing money because they do not figure the cost of wear and tear on their $30k tractor, implements, and their $60k Truck and trailer.

 

[paulsharvey]

“Officers” of a Corp in PA are not typically required to carry workmans comp.
I never have since I am “ El Presidente” .
My wife provides my health care. My insurance company provides my liability and equipment insurance. I have AG insurance for my AG LLC.

Down here you dont have too either, but ive had "low risk" owners mention you Should. But, this also goes to the point ive made a dozen or more times; owners should be paying themselves an hourly wage, in addition to profile

 

[Hay Dude]

I see people tilling gardens for $50, and they are all giving their time away and losing money. There are a lot of guys working that think they are making money, and they are actually losing money because they do not figure the cost of wear and tear on their $30k tractor, implements, and their $60k Truck and trailer.

The worst thing you can do is work by the hour.
For a contractor, it’s the road to hell.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, for the guys that do take on for hire, half to couple day projects, do you visit and physically walk each and every job, prior to bidding? I always did, when I did it, but I know Many who bid of Google Earth and or field measure