I live in Massachusetts pretty close to Boston and we still have plenty of work for gravel pads and drive ways. I got a quote for a 10 by 20 gravel pad and it was $3500 so I decided to do it my self by hand. It came out good and made me realized how much I enjoyed that kind of work. So I just purchased a kubota b series tractor and one I’m done with some projects at home I want to start doing work for customers. I just found this channel a week ago and it has already give me so much info I didn’t know. Can wait to use it. Also somethings think people going into this trade show know is how to maintain there equipment. At least at a basic level. I might be a little biased because I work on construction equipment for a living. But just what I think. Keeps you from having to relying someone else as much.
I am a new subscriber and will probably have lots of questions and comments.🤣 I found your channel 2 weeks ago and went and bought a 6’ box blade for my 48 hp 4x4 Kubota. I’ve been practicing (after my job) on the in-laws’ property roads, a local cemetery road that was in horrible condition and yesterday I done repairs on my parent’s driveway and property. They live at the bottom of a clay hill and they had 2 wash-outs about 8’ wide and 40’ long and 2 1/2 - 3 feet deep (35 years of erosion). I had it mostly done working from 2:30 to 8:00 and stopped an hour to talk to an old friend who saw me and stopped by to visit. My Pop and I were both astounded that I was able to move that much clay/dirt and smooth it out in that amount of time. We thought he was going to have to hire someone with a bulldozer or either haul in several loads of clay to fix it. Thank you for starting this channel, I generally deal with anxiety but I am at peace when I’m using that box blade. I am 47 years old, work a full time job, just started a Junk Removal Service and I hope I can start doing driveway repair.
Rule #1 as a business owner (I’m sure that you will agree)..NOBODY will work as hard for your business as yourself. Around here it is hard to find workers. Keep up the great work!!!
Your growing fast because your content is high quality stuff we in the industry are interested in learning about and it’s entertaining. Your videos quickly made their way into my regular TH-cam lineup.
I find it easier and cheaper for the soil yard to deliver all the gravel for me then run my own truck. I add on my percentage for organising and risking the materials and then I put on my labour and machinery hire. I come in nearly half what the big boys are quoting and yet somehow I’m not anywhere near as busy as I should be. Iv tried paid Facebook adds, spent $50 for no returns. Only way I have gotten leads is by joint community groups on Facebook and saying I’m a local guy trying to drum up business. But that’s even hit and miss. What’s everyone doing to get work??
Todd, a great way to teach this is to talk about job specifics and time. Time to do something is universal taking into account your equipment. You started small. Assuming equipment experience, perhaps go over time for jobs as you progressed to bigger equipment. Great content brother! Burlington, NC
In Kentucky you can haul 26 ton on a tri-axle or up to 80,000 gross weight as long as you aren’t on the interstate. That job here would be about half of your quote. It’s kinda neat to see what other parts of the country charge for the same things we do here.
I’d be curious to hear about different size triaxle trucks. I’m under the impression that most carry 15 tons (legally) unless you have a super dump which carries 20 tons. A 15 ton truck carries just under 11 yards of gravel material. I call it 10 when selling to my customers. I sub my gravel out. I hear some customers say they have ‘a guy’ that can get them 12 yards per load. I assume their trucks are the same (15 tons) and ‘their guy’ is just embellishing how much his truck can actually haul. A super dump at 20 tons would be closer to 14 yards, so i don’t think they have a super dump. You seem to have some trucking knowledge and I would like your input on the subject. Do triaxle truck sizes vary that much or are they close to the same? Thanks in advance!
what is the best to put down on an established driveway that you want to also expand some for parking area ? road base then some type of gravel top coat or just road base type stuff and call it good ? live in northern colorado. driveway doesnt ever seem to really get muddy but off to the side where i want the parking will if it rains or snows good.
Good Morning Sir!! Ive got a dump trailer with a 2 way gate need to learn how to tailgate material from my trailer, need to figure how figure how much chain to make opening so it doesn't clog and doesn't put out too much
I bid work on Saturdays an Sunday Mornings only during my peak seasons .... I can never seem to get away during the week EVER! LOL Im from rural WV west side near Ohio an Kentucky .... Medical field is the highest paid occupation here .... we live good ... people aint rich but we survive with all we need an most of what we want! .... good video ole buddy!
@@DigginLife21 have you ever thought about putting out a price sheet? Like just based off your knowledge. For example, you've said before that it's 1250.00-1500.00 per 100 feet of work on a gravel driveway. Kinda like a cheat sheet?
I’m just starting out with my business. I have been spending a TON of time on quotes. I second guess myself on what to charge. I know what my expenses are, but as I’m just getting back into this work after 20 years away from it, I’m struggling finding the balance of charging enough and thinking I’ll loose the bid at the amount I’m quoting. I think it’s more about how long I think it will take me verses a seasoned veteran. It’s especially tough with people I know. I want to make money, I want to give friends and family a good deal but still wonder how my bids compare to others. Maybe I’m overthinking it, that’s what is Engineers do I guess. On the non refundable deposits. Do some people refuse to give money to you 2 months before the work will start? I know I would be nervous doing that with someone I don’t know. I got burned badly with a paving company when I gave them $12,000 deposit to pave my road and driveway and they never came back. When I talked to my lawyer, he came back with, “ get in line, he owes other people money and it looks bad for you getting yours back.” What’s your experience with the response on these non refundable deposits.
Lots of good questions. Shoot an email to tkindy.slm@gmail.com and we can line up a consultation with you. Sounds like you’re on a great path, we would like to help.
I'm doing a driveway that is 1,000 sqft, im charging $5,200 to dig 6 inches of soil, haul it away, bring 25 tons of modified stone installed and fabric. My cost is only about $1,500 I'm i charging to low?? How much is everyone charging to do stone driveways per square feet?
Todd... would you charge differently for private roads? I'm doing a quote now for two private roads that are absolutely tore up (severe potholes and washout). Roughly 1200' long.
Missouri here northeast..have you thought about making a three point hicth roller or a pull behind one to use your tractor to pack in the road bond instead of renting a roller.
Hi Todd, I’m over in Haywood and have a John Deere 5065e 65hp 4wd with front end loader four way bucket and a 9’ traditional scrape blade. A fair amount of experience grading my 1/2 mile driveway, but I don’t have a dump truck. What are your thoughts about having to hire the gravel haul? Seems like every time I need gravel I have to wait sometimes a few days to get the deliveries. I have a F350 and a trailer to haul the tractor, thought about upgrading to a used F550 with a dump, but would have to switch my gooseneck trailer for a bumper pull or run two trucks. Not very efficient. Thanks!
Good Luck finding somone. I was think we should have a talk about being a self employee to an small business owner. the first employee you can not afford. U need 2 to cover the cost of the first. plan on spending 50 to 100 k on first guy. between damages , down time, fixxing mistakes and teaching them every aspect of their job.
I don’t think most people heard this, my business is from Lake Tapps,Wa. This is definitely an area with well paying jobs so our area would be in the higher end of quotes. Appreciate the video, great to see a different business owners perspective of bidding these types of jobs.
Todd pull a oil sample on that truck and it will tell you if their is any engine problems maybe coming. We pull them every time we change oil kenndell dose then for free.
Doing great at keeping more content interesting. If you use he double axle are doing to pass any savings along? Don’t know how I feel aba non-refundable deposit.
Hello there, I’m a new subscriber and I’ve really enjoyed your videos. I’m in NC as well but East near the beach. I’ve been through Asheville lots of times and it’s real beautiful country. So my father in law and I are interested in getting into this kind of business. Is the best way to get a feel for the going rate in your area is just bid on some jobs and see how they respond? Thank you
Welcome and thanks for watching!! There are a few ways you can go about it. I have some videos on here about how I bid my jobs and tips. If you need further assistance feel free to email tkindy.slm@gmail.com and we can line up a consultation.
I’m from Mechanicsville Virginia and my question is what happens when you have a tree root that goes across the gravel driveway that you are working on?? I wished that you could fix my driveway
When/How did you decided to do this full time? I currently have every weekend booked for the remainder of the summer. But I don’t know when I should pull the trigger.
If you've got every wkend booked through the summer, then I would say it's way past time you quit whatever else you're doing and do this full time. All you'd need to do is get 2 more days a wk booked to "make it" in my opinion. That leaves 3 days a wk open to do bids and get more work. I figure you'd be so busy the first problem you're gonna have is finding the time to do bids.
@@TrailTrackers thanks you for the words of encouragement. I am only 25 and wanting to make sure I do it right the first time. So if that means save up before I leap, then that’s what I may have to do. Butttttt on the other hand I currently make enough to do it full time. But what a gamble.
How do you calculate how many tons of gravel? Bast I can figure Is length x width depth in feet then divid by 19? What I’m finding is 19 cubic feet is close to a ton.
I use a gravel calculator off the internet. Google "Gravel Calculator" and a few suggestions will pop up. Find one that works for you and stick with it. It has worked for me and I been doing it for 3 years.
Length x width x depth = cubic feet Divide by 27 = cubic yards. If need tons, take weight of cubic yard/tn and multiply.often 1.5-2.0 tons a cubic yard(ask quarry).
@@samvt yes 1 cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. But best I can find is 1 cubic yard is more then a ton. Finding and mathing is around 19 cubic feet is close to a ton. Just wondering if anyone has figured that. And yea I asked the rock quarries and they was like how many tons you need lol
@@DigginLife21 I appreciate it! You are the reason I am moving from only small lawn care and landscaping to full drainage solutions and excavation. Atlanta GA groot’s lawn care!
its good you can haul gravel this time of year...we have weight restrictions during spring when frost is coming out and can only haul half loads, a royal pain !!.....thumbs up my friend !!
New subscriber but love the in depth info as im learning as i go. Currently doing what i can with a small jd955 with backhoe and blade attachments. Do you recommend a mini ex or a larger tractor for mostly driveway and culvert work with some brush clearing and water line trenches
It's robbery not taking a deposit. If you have someone scheduled for that time frame and they cancel you just lost money. Especially if there is no one to drop in that spot to fit the time frame.
I live in Massachusetts pretty close to Boston and we still have plenty of work for gravel pads and drive ways. I got a quote for a 10 by 20 gravel pad and it was $3500 so I decided to do it my self by hand. It came out good and made me realized how much I enjoyed that kind of work. So I just purchased a kubota b series tractor and one I’m done with some projects at home I want to start doing work for customers. I just found this channel a week ago and it has already give me so much info I didn’t know. Can wait to use it. Also somethings think people going into this trade show know is how to maintain there equipment. At least at a basic level. I might be a little biased because I work on construction equipment for a living. But just what I think. Keeps you from having to relying someone else as much.
An once of prevention is worth thousands of dollars of repairs.
I am a new subscriber and will probably have lots of questions and comments.🤣
I found your channel 2 weeks ago and went and bought a 6’ box blade for my 48 hp 4x4 Kubota. I’ve been practicing (after my job) on the in-laws’ property roads, a local cemetery road that was in horrible condition and yesterday I done repairs on my parent’s driveway and property. They live at the bottom of a clay hill and they had 2 wash-outs about 8’ wide and 40’ long and 2 1/2 - 3 feet deep (35 years of erosion). I had it mostly done working from 2:30 to 8:00 and stopped an hour to talk to an old friend who saw me and stopped by to visit. My Pop and I were both astounded that I was able to move that much clay/dirt and smooth it out in that amount of time. We thought he was going to have to hire someone with a bulldozer or either haul in several loads of clay to fix it. Thank you for starting this channel, I generally deal with anxiety but I am at peace when I’m using that box blade. I am 47 years old, work a full time job, just started a Junk Removal Service and I hope I can start doing driveway repair.
Georgia Boy, I own a fence company, just started a Junk Removal and Demolition Company and I'm looking at trying excavating as well. Good luck to you.
@@craigharris6394 Good luck to you in your business too. Oddly, I find the junk removal to be satisfying most of the time also.
Rule #1 as a business owner (I’m sure that you will agree)..NOBODY will work as hard for your business as yourself. Around here it is hard to find workers. Keep up the great work!!!
Your growing fast because your content is high quality stuff we in the industry are interested in learning about and it’s entertaining. Your videos quickly made their way into my regular TH-cam lineup.
I find it easier and cheaper for the soil yard to deliver all the gravel for me then run my own truck. I add on my percentage for organising and risking the materials and then I put on my labour and machinery hire. I come in nearly half what the big boys are quoting and yet somehow I’m not anywhere near as busy as I should be. Iv tried paid Facebook adds, spent $50 for no returns. Only way I have gotten leads is by joint community groups on Facebook and saying I’m a local guy trying to drum up business. But that’s even hit and miss. What’s everyone doing to get work??
Todd, a great way to teach this is to talk about job specifics and time. Time to do something is universal taking into account your equipment. You started small. Assuming equipment experience, perhaps go over time for jobs as you progressed to bigger equipment.
Great content brother!
Burlington, NC
I’m in Georgia...I mostly do asphalt clippings driveways.....$500 in a 15mile radius...the load and spread with skid steer
In Kentucky you can haul 26 ton on a tri-axle or up to 80,000 gross weight as long as you aren’t on the interstate. That job here would be about half of your quote. It’s kinda neat to see what other parts of the country charge for the same things we do here.
I’d be curious to hear about different size triaxle trucks. I’m under the impression that most carry 15 tons (legally) unless you have a super dump which carries 20 tons. A 15 ton truck carries just under 11 yards of gravel material. I call it 10 when selling to my customers. I sub my gravel out. I hear some customers say they have ‘a guy’ that can get them 12 yards per load. I assume their trucks are the same (15 tons) and ‘their guy’ is just embellishing how much his truck can actually haul. A super dump at 20 tons would be closer to 14 yards, so i don’t think they have a super dump. You seem to have some trucking knowledge and I would like your input on the subject. Do triaxle truck sizes vary that much or are they close to the same? Thanks in advance!
what is the best to put down on an established driveway that you want to also expand some for parking area ? road base then some type of gravel top coat or just road base type stuff and call it good ? live in northern colorado. driveway doesnt ever seem to really get muddy but off to the side where i want the parking will if it rains or snows good.
Rewatched! Thanks sharing! Great info and process! Liked, Viewed, Shared Subscribed!
Much appreciated
You do educations videos and im from Sweden värmland
Tack för att du tittade på Eric🙏🏻
I just watch your videos because I enjoy watching the equipment, I’m legally blind so I cant drive anything anyway
Good Morning Sir!! Ive got a dump trailer with a 2 way gate need to learn how to tailgate material from my trailer, need to figure how figure how much chain to make opening so it doesn't clog and doesn't put out too much
I bid work on Saturdays an Sunday Mornings only during my peak seasons .... I can never seem to get away during the week EVER! LOL Im from rural WV west side near Ohio an Kentucky .... Medical field is the highest paid occupation here .... we live good ... people aint rich but we survive with all we need an most of what we want! .... good video ole buddy!
Thanks my friend!!! It's great that you stay busy
@@DigginLife21 You seem to stay quite busy yourself my friend always glad to see people work and provide that’s what build America
@@DigginLife21 have you ever thought about putting out a price sheet? Like just based off your knowledge. For example, you've said before that it's 1250.00-1500.00 per 100 feet of work on a gravel driveway. Kinda like a cheat sheet?
I’m in eastern NC and I was at $2500 on a quote without a roller. Pretty similar to your bid, and your demographics. Rural, poor area.
👍
What is road bond?
I’m just starting out with my business. I have been spending a TON of time on quotes. I second guess myself on what to charge. I know what my expenses are, but as I’m just getting back into this work after 20 years away from it, I’m struggling finding the balance of charging enough and thinking I’ll loose the bid at the amount I’m quoting. I think it’s more about how long I think it will take me verses a seasoned veteran. It’s especially tough with people I know. I want to make money, I want to give friends and family a good deal but still wonder how my bids compare to others.
Maybe I’m overthinking it, that’s what is Engineers do I guess.
On the non refundable deposits. Do some people refuse to give money to you 2 months before the work will start? I know I would be nervous doing that with someone I don’t know. I got burned badly with a paving company when I gave them $12,000 deposit to pave my road and driveway and they never came back. When I talked to my lawyer, he came back with, “ get in line, he owes other people money and it looks bad for you getting yours back.” What’s your experience with the response on these non refundable deposits.
Lots of good questions. Shoot an email to tkindy.slm@gmail.com and we can line up a consultation with you. Sounds like you’re on a great path, we would like to help.
I'm doing a driveway that is 1,000 sqft, im charging $5,200 to dig 6 inches of soil, haul it away, bring 25 tons of modified stone installed and fabric. My cost is only about $1,500
I'm i charging to low??
How much is everyone charging to do stone driveways per square feet?
How many trucks Load by Yards ???
Thanks for sharing this information. I am in South Central N. C. about 30 miles east of Charlotte. Thanks again for this valuable info!!
What size gravel you recommend for a driveway? Something that will pack down pretty hard.
Haha from eastern tn just outside Knoxville
Todd... would you charge differently for private roads? I'm doing a quote now for two private roads that are absolutely tore up (severe potholes and washout). Roughly 1200' long.
Missouri here northeast..have you thought about making a three point hicth roller or a pull behind one to use your tractor to pack in the road bond instead of renting a roller.
Hi Todd, I’m over in Haywood and have a John Deere 5065e 65hp 4wd with front end loader four way bucket and a 9’ traditional scrape blade. A fair amount of experience grading my 1/2 mile driveway, but I don’t have a dump truck. What are your thoughts about having to hire the gravel haul? Seems like every time I need gravel I have to wait sometimes a few days to get the deliveries. I have a F350 and a trailer to haul the tractor, thought about upgrading to a used F550 with a dump, but would have to switch my gooseneck trailer for a bumper pull or run two trucks. Not very efficient. Thanks!
Good Luck finding somone. I was think we should have a talk about being a self employee to an small business owner. the first employee you can not afford. U need 2 to cover the cost of the first. plan on spending 50 to 100 k on first guy. between damages , down time, fixxing mistakes and teaching them every aspect of their job.
What you call road bond we call surepak or stay pak I have the quarry do all my Hauling up in vt
Thanks for all the advice you give sir!!
I don’t think most people heard this, my business is from Lake Tapps,Wa. This is definitely an area with well paying jobs so our area would be in the higher end of quotes. Appreciate the video, great to see a different business owners perspective of bidding these types of jobs.
Todd pull a oil sample on that truck and it will tell you if their is any engine problems maybe coming. We pull them every time we change oil kenndell dose then for free.
Doing great at keeping more content interesting. If you use he double axle are doing to pass any savings along? Don’t know how I feel aba non-refundable deposit.
do you ever pad your bids with what i call ow crap money
Do you get dating or a cash discount from your local gravel yards?
I don't do jobs for others.
I learn how to figure out what the cost of the job would be for my own property.
Keep up the great videos.
Love the videos, keep up the good content 👌
is there a certain amount that's to much to ask for as a none refundable down payment? 15% sounds good to me but I worry it may shy a few people away?
It varies. I’ve heard as much as 50%
Hello there, I’m a new subscriber and I’ve really enjoyed your videos. I’m in NC as well but East near the beach. I’ve been through Asheville lots of times and it’s real beautiful country. So my father in law and I are interested in getting into this kind of business. Is the best way to get a feel for the going rate in your area is just bid on some jobs and see how they respond? Thank you
Welcome and thanks for watching!! There are a few ways you can go about it. I have some videos on here about how I bid my jobs and tips. If you need further assistance feel free to email tkindy.slm@gmail.com and we can line up a consultation.
👍🏻
You need a roller check out richie brothers
I live in the sticks of Pennsylvania
What are some other terms for what you are calling “road bond”
Crusher Run
Braw video laddie 👍🇬🇧
I’m from Mechanicsville Virginia and my question is what happens when you have a tree root that goes across the gravel driveway that you are working on?? I wished that you could fix my driveway
I'm in Chesterfield and just bought a mini excavator. Looking for a dump truck now to pull it. Maybe I could help soon.
@@DjKaiser84 thanks for the offer but I already have someone in mind
When/How did you decided to do this full time? I currently have every weekend booked for the remainder of the summer. But I don’t know when I should pull the trigger.
If you've got every wkend booked through the summer, then I would say it's way past time you quit whatever else you're doing and do this full time. All you'd need to do is get 2 more days a wk booked to "make it" in my opinion. That leaves 3 days a wk open to do bids and get more work. I figure you'd be so busy the first problem you're gonna have is finding the time to do bids.
@@TrailTrackers thanks you for the words of encouragement. I am only 25 and wanting to make sure I do it right the first time. So if that means save up before I leap, then that’s what I may have to do. Butttttt on the other hand I currently make enough to do it full time. But what a gamble.
Great video you never disappoint
I am not a contractor but like watching your videos. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for watching Stevy
How do you calculate how many tons of gravel? Bast I can figure Is length x width depth in feet then divid by 19? What I’m finding is 19 cubic feet is close to a ton.
I use the calculator on my quarries website
I use a gravel calculator off the internet. Google "Gravel Calculator" and a few suggestions will pop up. Find one that works for you and stick with it. It has worked for me and I been doing it for 3 years.
Length x width x depth = cubic feet
Divide by 27 = cubic yards.
If need tons, take weight of cubic yard/tn and multiply.often 1.5-2.0 tons a cubic yard(ask quarry).
@@samvt yes 1 cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. But best I can find is 1 cubic yard is more then a ton. Finding and mathing is around 19 cubic feet is close to a ton. Just wondering if anyone has figured that. And yea I asked the rock quarries and they was like how many tons you need lol
How do you take payment for your job? Are you only cash or check? Or do you take credit card and Venmo?
All that you mentioned we accept
@@DigginLife21 thats awesome! Very good way to run a business!
Great video Todd!
I really enjoy hearing how you quote jobs. Lots of things we, as customers, don’t know. Makes a lot of sense. Take care.
Love your videos and was wandering what kind of camera you use?
It's a gopro here 8
@@DigginLife21 I appreciate it! You are the reason I am moving from only small lawn care and landscaping to full drainage solutions and excavation. Atlanta GA groot’s lawn care!
Keep up the good work
THANKS WARREN
Great information
Glad it was helpful!
its good you can haul gravel this time of year...we have weight restrictions during spring when frost is coming out and can only haul half loads, a royal pain !!.....thumbs up my friend !!
New subscriber but love the in depth info as im learning as i go. Currently doing what i can with a small jd955 with backhoe and blade attachments. Do you recommend a mini ex or a larger tractor for mostly driveway and culvert work with some brush clearing and water line trenches
I think with for short driveways and the rest of the list you said definitely an excavator with blade. I prefer a tractor on longer driverways
Another great video. I especially like that you discuss cost of jobs and equipment. Best wishes to you and your family.
It’s robbery....in requiring a deposit for work that you can’t schedule for four to eight weeks.
No one is asked to pay a deposit without knowing their job start date.
It's robbery not taking a deposit. If you have someone scheduled for that time frame and they cancel you just lost money. Especially if there is no one to drop in that spot to fit the time frame.
We want to thank you, too, Todd! Keep up the good work!
Hope you are having a great day.