I love when I give a customer a quote and they give you the 🦌 in headlights look. Most people have no idea how much things cost and I have to educate them with some business economics 101( in a nice way) “running a business for dummies” And after it sets in and they understand a little bit about the process they will appreciate how and what you do and most importantly why it cost so much
Your videos on quoting are so helpful to people like me that are getting started. But I think they should be mandatory viewing for anyone wanting work done. If they only knew the costs involved.....
From one excavation business owner to another, I wish this kind of invaluable information was available when I first started. Communication & sales tactics are very important. Big props bub, keep on keepin' on
That's a golden nugget at the end of your video. The multiple options has always sold bids for me. Pictures are also a great tool to communicate your vision is to the customer.
Your comment on the “blowout” hit a nerve with me. Last summer, I got a small job bid hauling a dump trailer full of top soil for a customer. $200 flat rate. On the way, I hit a piece of steel on the gravel road and blew out the sidewall. Cost of new tire and rim was $350. Great… I just lost $150 bucks on a small job. Just started the business last year so I’m thankful for you taking the time to pass on your knowledge. Last year was my "learning experience". This year, my rates are doubling to $120/hr and I've taught myself to say NO to some jobs.
You are the only one I have found that gives step by step on how to do this work...I thank you ...Do you have a video on the use of a laser for grading?
Just to give my nickel's worth as well... I don't have the words to tell you how much I agree with Todd on this one. Hell, I remember back in the late 2000s (about 2006ish-2009ish) when the price of diesel went through the roof, I would have to add a "fuel surcharge" to every quote I wrote. There were a lot of customers who just couldn't understand this fee. People would ask me, "Why should I have to pay that? It's a cost of running YOUR business." Hell, I would even show them a ticket for the mud that I had delivered to their site that showed I was being charged that by the ready-mix company too. Most people "got it" after that. But I swear there were a few who still just bitched about having to pay that fuel surcharge fee. LOL... I told them that I bitched about it too because I didn't like the price of diesel either. But in the end, it HAD to be passed along to the customer, because without them wanting to get the work done, I wouldn't have to pay that fee myself. So naturally it was a cost that ended up being paid by a customer.
Gotta say , I’m the go to box blade operator on our crew 😂. Started at 17 now 21.... learning a lot in the trade, injoy all equipment!!!I LOVE YOUR SET UP and hope one day to be doing somthing similar for myself !!!
Probably your best video to date, very comprehensive. Great explanation to the 4.5K sticker shock for doing the job correctly with a side order of half ass it and I'll see you again next year. Lots of people think for 45 hondo they should be getting 6" of concrete w/curb, LOL . Show them the payment book for your new Ford, that should make them pass out! Good luck with the bid and thanks for the content. Now don't get me wrong, I still like watching you play in the dirt.
just caught your video and subscribed. im just getting into all of this and trying to figure stuff out. i only really have done is just overlay the gravel, i am starting to get into doing everything. been trying to bid on stuff like this and have found it kind of difficult to figure out and still make a paycheck at it. im doing OK.... but not enough to get that extra ahead. im pretty much breaking even. so anything really helps
I really feel like you have the best teaching channel out there. Your transparency and the way you break everything down really helps the new guys be successful
That's right, every business costs money every month whether or not it's doing anything. When operating a business that weather plays a part of, you have to figure those steady costs in.
I've always tried to give the GOOD/BETTER/BEST options. 90 percent of the time the customer will go with the middle option. There are some that will always choose the cheapest route and others that "only the best will do." The important thing is that each level give the customer the best value for the money they are investing with you.
I’ve gone through a ton of videos on how to quote this type of work, a bunch of other channels, & you make it very simple to learn & grasp, as well as extremely entertaining. Grateful to have come across you & your channel Todd, you’re a huge help & a genuine individual. Wish you all the success in the world & looking forward to many more of your videos!
We always give a “good, better, best” quote option. Budgets vary vs. expectations of what the customers desired outcome of the project to be, therefore we accommodate for that in our quotes.
I know a owner who pays himself twice, 1) as the guy doing the job 2) as the owner, and after talking to him a good while, it makes perfect sense. Something for you to consider my friend....and thanks for the videos! Very informative in verse and actions.
Thats funny Todd I have told people the cost of a big truck tire and they are always shocked at how much this equipment cost . Ps.Only if they are nasty complainers though !
Todd, a lot of dump truck drivers that are owner operators like getting paid by the ton because they can choose runs that are shorter to make more per hour. Sometimes a lot more per hour. Even at $3 per ton, it only takes 2 18 ton loads an hour to make more than the average $85/hr most dump truck drivers will get. That math only works for a tandem or bigger truck though, a single axle probably wouldn’t be profitable by the ton.
If you’re using a rented machine how would you show that on the invoice? If the machine cost 450 to rent but you need to charge 1500 how would you show that on the invoice on a days work?
Where I am it’s $425 per tri axle which would give you 50 tons and the do one load with your truck. Way more efficient and profitable to have someone haul for you and you can still charge what you were going to and not have 9 hours of hauling
Um 50 tons on a triaxle? What kinda tri axle are you running? Most around here haul 13/14tons on a tri axle 15/16 on a quad 19to22 on a quint and so on
The real question that matters is whether there are enough customers in a given area who are willing to pay for the work. Do you have days where it appears that there just aren’t enough customers who are willing to pay what a job costs? What if you have too much competition willing to undercut a profitable bid?
interested in this as well. Its easy to say my price is X because my overhead and I have a minimum, but if there are plenty of quality companies offering the same service then you just price yourself out of the market. Its not a matter of the other guy undercutting everyone else, its a matter of fact that your high overhead is the problem. I want an unfair advantage if i can create one.
So if you get the bigger dump truck and are able to haul more tons per load how will that affect your pricing? Assuming your economies of scale increase and you become more efficient in operations, is that a savings you pass on to the customer or a profit that you pocket.
Should make me ma own gravel calculator app and make those big $$$$$$$ Good video tho, I go thru the same thing when design and developing websites for clients. Problem with my case is, I don't have the overhead like you'd have and most of my cost is hour based so I always am having difficulty with clients on making them understand the hours needed to do a job.
@@DigginLife21 thanks, I will find out, office person used to go to my church, I think we are still friends on Facebook, not been there in several years since I bought my Roush truck, but all gravel in last 25 years was hauled by pickup & hand shoveled. well over 100 tons, & driveway is worse than its ever been, but 2 relatively local to primary home, unsure for my second place, so good learning experience.
No, i believe cst should not or need to know about you renting any equipment. Also by the time you rent any equipment theres very little room for profit depending on the equipment you rent.
When are you going to talk about business losses that you can deduct from taxes that you will make you more profit even then. Seems to me you nickel and dime too much...just saying....
You always mention gravel not sure if you know the difference between stone and gravel never see you haul River gravel I see you hauling what looks like limestone
I got a quote for a 20 ton load of 57 stone delivered $600. But the quarry around here charge $32 a ton. How do these people who deliver material for a living get a cheaper price for me delivered?
Good friends at the quarry and being a consistent customer of theirs helps. Probably no truck payment to worry about either with no mandatory astronomical full coverage. I want an unfair advantage if i can create one, and its not go give the customer a super low price thats cheaper delivered than materials cost itself.
![[Full Episode] The Restaurant War Thailand ศึกพ่อค้าซ่าแม่ค้าแซ่บ Episode 2 | 29 ก.ย. 67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/r3lfLNH6Ke4/mqdefault.jpg)
![ผัวเถื่อน - ยูริ โตเกียวมิวสิค [ OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/P08ORRVDGl8/mqdefault.jpg)
Yep. Forgive them for they know not what they think they know.
I love when I give a customer a quote and they give you the 🦌 in headlights look. Most people have no idea how much things cost and I have to educate them with some business economics 101( in a nice way) “running a business for dummies” And after it sets in and they understand a little bit about the process they will appreciate how and what you do and most importantly why it cost so much
Your videos on quoting are so helpful to people like me that are getting started. But I think they should be mandatory viewing for anyone wanting work done. If they only knew the costs involved.....
From one excavation business owner to another, I wish this kind of invaluable information was available when I first started. Communication & sales tactics are very important. Big props bub, keep on keepin' on
That's a golden nugget at the end of your video. The multiple options has always sold bids for me. Pictures are also a great tool to communicate your vision is to the customer.
Your comment on the “blowout” hit a nerve with me. Last summer, I got a small job bid hauling a dump trailer full of top soil for a customer. $200 flat rate. On the way, I hit a piece of steel on the gravel road and blew out the sidewall. Cost of new tire and rim was $350. Great… I just lost $150 bucks on a small job. Just started the business last year so I’m thankful for you taking the time to pass on your knowledge. Last year was my "learning experience". This year, my rates are doubling to $120/hr and I've taught myself to say NO to some jobs.
The look on my customers' face when I tell them that my skid steer and mulcher book out to $165,000 brand new is priceless.
You are the only one I have found that gives step by step on how to do this work...I thank you ...Do you have a video on the use of a laser for grading?
Just to give my nickel's worth as well... I don't have the words to tell you how much I agree with Todd on this one. Hell, I remember back in the late 2000s (about 2006ish-2009ish) when the price of diesel went through the roof, I would have to add a "fuel surcharge" to every quote I wrote. There were a lot of customers who just couldn't understand this fee. People would ask me, "Why should I have to pay that? It's a cost of running YOUR business." Hell, I would even show them a ticket for the mud that I had delivered to their site that showed I was being charged that by the ready-mix company too. Most people "got it" after that. But I swear there were a few who still just bitched about having to pay that fuel surcharge fee. LOL... I told them that I bitched about it too because I didn't like the price of diesel either. But in the end, it HAD to be passed along to the customer, because without them wanting to get the work done, I wouldn't have to pay that fee myself. So naturally it was a cost that ended up being paid by a customer.
You are very generous sharing this. Thanks!
Gotta say , I’m the go to box blade operator on our crew 😂. Started at 17 now 21.... learning a lot in the trade, injoy all equipment!!!I LOVE YOUR SET UP and hope one day to be doing somthing similar for myself !!!
Probably your best video to date, very comprehensive. Great explanation to the 4.5K sticker shock for doing the job correctly with a side order of half ass it and I'll see you again next year. Lots of people think for 45 hondo they should be getting 6" of concrete w/curb, LOL . Show them the payment book for your new Ford, that should make them pass out! Good luck with the bid and thanks for the content. Now don't get me wrong, I still like watching you play in the dirt.
Excellent as always!!
just caught your video and subscribed. im just getting into all of this and trying to figure stuff out. i only really have done is just overlay the gravel, i am starting to get into doing everything. been trying to bid on stuff like this and have found it kind of difficult to figure out and still make a paycheck at it. im doing OK.... but not enough to get that extra ahead. im pretty much breaking even. so anything really helps
I really feel like you have the best teaching channel out there. Your transparency and the way you break everything down really helps the new guys be successful
Thank you! I’ve always wanted to work with equipment and I dig the channel and info!
Excellent job Todd! Thank you!
That's right, every business costs money every month whether or not it's doing anything. When operating a business that weather plays a part of, you have to figure those steady costs in.
This will be my first year doing this full time for myself and your videos are more than helpful brother.. tyvm
Thanks for taking time to explain how you arrive at your estimates Todd. Have a great day. Can't wait till the next one.
Awesome video! Thanks for explaining the different ways to quote a driveway job
I've always tried to give the GOOD/BETTER/BEST options. 90 percent of the time the customer will go with the middle option. There are some that will always choose the cheapest route and others that "only the best will do." The important thing is that each level give the customer the best value for the money they are investing with you.
I’ve gone through a ton of videos on how to quote this type of work, a bunch of other channels, & you make it very simple to learn & grasp, as well as extremely entertaining. Grateful to have come across you & your channel Todd, you’re a huge help & a genuine individual. Wish you all the success in the world & looking forward to many more of your videos!
I have a feeling cost of fuel this year will go up very significantly.
We always give a “good, better, best” quote option. Budgets vary vs. expectations of what the customers desired outcome of the project to be, therefore we accommodate for that in our quotes.
That $45 may not seem worth messing with, until you don't do it, then decide to skip it next year too and suddenly you're out almost $100/day.
Trucks that haul independently get a much cheaper price per ton than the general public
I know a owner who pays himself twice, 1) as the guy doing the job 2) as the owner, and after talking to him a good while, it makes perfect sense. Something for you to consider my friend....and thanks for the videos! Very informative in verse and actions.
$45 adds up quick - first 10 jobs you can be out on $450 in costs. great vid
I have been pondering about starting a business, great video man thank you
excavation/landscaping is not cheap, simple as that....there, i said it......thumbs up !
Thank you for such a great video. Very helpful...
Thats funny Todd I have told people the cost of a big truck tire and they are always shocked at how much this equipment cost . Ps.Only if they are nasty complainers though !
More good stuff 👊
Todd, a lot of dump truck drivers that are owner operators like getting paid by the ton because they can choose runs that are shorter to make more per hour. Sometimes a lot more per hour. Even at $3 per ton, it only takes 2 18 ton loads an hour to make more than the average $85/hr most dump truck drivers will get. That math only works for a tandem or bigger truck though, a single axle probably wouldn’t be profitable by the ton.
If you’re using a rented machine how would you show that on the invoice? If the machine cost 450 to rent but you need to charge 1500 how would you show that on the invoice on a days work?
Just show charging the invoice because that’s what you are directly charging the customer for
Just found your channel. I love it, thank you!
Good solid information to work off of. Appreciate the details and taking your time to share!
You sure are a great guy I really appreciate you and I love your videos thanks
Thank you Todd. Enjoyed the video and I enjoy the channel.
Best quote video yet Todd!! I'm picking up a bunch of tips for quotes from you. Love it! Keep it going!
Sound very good. Great video.
My I suggest a fuzzy wind screen for your mic. Thanks for the videos.
Good information
I appreciate you sharing this, very helpful for me understanding how others conduct business
You did a excellent job on this video brother 💪
Great video...great explanation
Where I am it’s $425 per tri axle which would give you 50 tons and the do one load with your truck.
Way more efficient and profitable to have someone haul for you and you can still charge what you were going to and not have 9 hours of hauling
Um 50 tons on a triaxle? What kinda tri axle are you running? Most around here haul 13/14tons on a tri axle 15/16 on a quad 19to22 on a quint and so on
Im starting up very very helpful👍✌ (qc canada )
Another great “how to quote” video thanks
Excellent info
Glad you liked it
Great video!
👍🏻
The real question that matters is whether there are enough customers in a given area who are willing to pay for the work. Do you have days where it appears that there just aren’t enough customers who are willing to pay what a job costs? What if you have too much competition willing to undercut a profitable bid?
You should download gravel calculator it’s an app very useful
I use the one from our local quarries and it’s great! Very helpful indeed.
Have you ever known a market to be “to saturated” to start a business? Could be a good topic to cover unless I missed a video (which is possible)
interested in this as well. Its easy to say my price is X because my overhead and I have a minimum, but if there are plenty of quality companies offering the same service then you just price yourself out of the market. Its not a matter of the other guy undercutting everyone else, its a matter of fact that your high overhead is the problem. I want an unfair advantage if i can create one.
Oh u r left handed so sorry!!🤣
So if you get the bigger dump truck and are able to haul more tons per load how will that affect your pricing? Assuming your economies of scale increase and you become more efficient in operations, is that a savings you pass on to the customer or a profit that you pocket.
a bigger truck is 60-100 grand, you cant pass the savings to the coustomer or you cant afford the truck
What materials estimated do you use on your phone ? Thank for all your insight.
Should make me ma own gravel calculator app and make those big $$$$$$$
Good video tho, I go thru the same thing when design and developing websites for clients. Problem with my case is, I don't have the overhead like you'd have and most of my cost is hour based so I always am having difficulty with clients on making them understand the hours needed to do a job.
Seems customers rarely do enough research to understand what goes into any job. It's up to us to help them understand to some degree
lol $1500 to grade a driveway
Man I wish I could buy 60 tons of rock for 1200$. I paid 1200 for 25 tons 🤷♂️
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!
what are the formulas to figure out gravel coverage?
The quarries usually have a calculator on their website for each type of stone. They formulas are different depending on the stone.
@@DigginLife21 thanks, I will find out, office person used to go to my church, I think we are still friends on Facebook, not been there in several years since I bought my Roush truck, but all gravel in last 25 years was hauled by pickup & hand shoveled. well over 100 tons, & driveway is worse than its ever been, but 2 relatively local to primary home, unsure for my second place, so good learning experience.
So whenever a piece of equipment is rented for a job, does the cost of the rental get passed on to the customer?
No, i believe cst should not or need to know about you renting any equipment. Also by the time you rent any equipment theres very little room for profit depending on the equipment you rent.
If it’s in the original plan, it’s worked into the quote for the customer.
do you do your quotes with hand wright or do you go home and print it off then go back and give them the quote ?
Usually work quotes in evenings and send electronically
When are you going to talk about business losses that you can deduct from taxes that you will make you more profit even then. Seems to me you nickel and dime too much...just saying....
That would make a great video. I'll put it on my list
Do you bring your quotes right to the owner or do you mail or email them the quote?
if thay dont like the $ then tell em to haul it themselves. lol not easy to do by hand
You always mention gravel not sure if you know the difference between stone and gravel never see you haul River gravel I see you hauling what looks like limestone
I got a quote for a 20 ton load of 57 stone delivered $600. But the quarry around here charge $32 a ton. How do these people who deliver material for a living get a cheaper price for me delivered?
Good friends at the quarry and being a consistent customer of theirs helps. Probably no truck payment to worry about either with no mandatory astronomical full coverage. I want an unfair advantage if i can create one, and its not go give the customer a super low price thats cheaper delivered than materials cost itself.
Old farts with plenty of free time & no truck payment keeps cost low lol