Retiring soon. I'm buying a tractor for myself due to all the work our new property will require and for driveway maintenance and snow removal after that. I'll practice on my own property, hone my skills and if it turns into a part-time business after that, great. At the start, if I do work for others, it will be local. If the available work warrants it and I actually want to do it, I'll look into a trailer and a truck. Thanks for the video. Lots of good information.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the video. Always feel free to ask questions if you have any. I’ll do my best to answer them quickly. Thanks for commenting. I’ve got a few videos on the different implements I’ve had.
I have been looking into just doing gravel resurfacing. I have been looking at the TR3 rake. Been thinking about how I want to charge. Bad part is that if I buy it there will be bit of a learning curve until I get it fine tuned
Thanks for the comment. I have loaned it to friends and family before with a few pointers they all catch on pretty. You should check out my other video about starting a tractor business. I talk about it a little more than from a business aspect.
@@randomlikes I saw that one. Very informative. For the driveway stuff have you noticed a need in your area or are people willing to pay for something like that.
I had a woodworking business and to me it felt like people want the stuff but aren’t willing to pay what it’s actually worth. Some of my work would cost a lot. I figured depending on the driveway size people would feel more comfortable paying 100 to 300 versus 1000
Honestly I was charging about $100/hour for driveway work. Usually the work was 2-4 hours. Typically people were quoted $2K - $4K for a complete driveway revamp and gravel brought in. I may have got 1 in 20 people who would even question the amount. I live in a more rural area where pretty much everyone has a gravel driveway. If you don’t have anything close to where you live like that, it might be more difficult to find clients.
@@randomlikes I live in Northwestern Iowa. There are a lot of gravel driveways and I have looked on the internet and no one that I see has this service already.
Did you require any money upfront? It’s sad to say, but people are not as honest as they use to be. It cost more to take them to court, than what you may have been shorted on a job. How do you handle situations like this?
I never did but there are a few times I wish I would have. The times I wish I would have are when I had large upfront cost. For instance I once paid for $2400 worth of gravel on my account with the assumption the person was going to pay me within 2 weeks of completion (the 1st of the month). He said I misunderstood him and he meant the 1st of the following month. Fortunately, I had enough in my account to cover it and he did pay me. If you have to pay upfront costs is when I would ask for money in advance. Also, always put everything in writing (get a contract). If someone doesn’t have the ability to pay upfront, you must be willing to walk away and leave it to a bigger company who can absorb those costs. Saying no, is sometimes your best option. Graciously decline the work. If there were jobs that only required my time and fuel I typically wouldn’t have them put any money down. Then at least you are only out of time and some fuel. Unfortunately, running a business has risks associated with it. This is one of those risks you do run into from time to time. Thank you for watching. I hope my response was helpful.
Retiring soon. I'm buying a tractor for myself due to all the work our new property will require and for driveway maintenance and snow removal after that. I'll practice on my own property, hone my skills and if it turns into a part-time business after that, great. At the start, if I do work for others, it will be local. If the available work warrants it and I actually want to do it, I'll look into a trailer and a truck. Thanks for the video. Lots of good information.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the video. Always feel free to ask questions if you have any. I’ll do my best to answer them quickly. Thanks for commenting. I’ve got a few videos on the different implements I’ve had.
@@randomlikes New to your channel. I'll be sure to watch your other videos. Cheers
Thank you brother
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Have wanting to talk to someone about this however not many people own these things.
You’re Welcome. I’m glad the video was helpful. Thanks for watching and the comment.
I have been looking into just doing gravel resurfacing. I have been looking at the TR3 rake. Been thinking about how I want to charge. Bad part is that if I buy it there will be bit of a learning curve until I get it fine tuned
Thanks for the comment. I have loaned it to friends and family before with a few pointers they all catch on pretty. You should check out my other video about starting a tractor business. I talk about it a little more than from a business aspect.
@@randomlikes I saw that one. Very informative. For the driveway stuff have you noticed a need in your area or are people willing to pay for something like that.
I had a woodworking business and to me it felt like people want the stuff but aren’t willing to pay what it’s actually worth. Some of my work would cost a lot. I figured depending on the driveway size people would feel more comfortable paying 100 to 300 versus 1000
Honestly I was charging about $100/hour for driveway work. Usually the work was 2-4 hours. Typically people were quoted $2K - $4K for a complete driveway revamp and gravel brought in. I may have got 1 in 20 people who would even question the amount. I live in a more rural area where pretty much everyone has a gravel driveway. If you don’t have anything close to where you live like that, it might be more difficult to find clients.
@@randomlikes I live in Northwestern Iowa. There are a lot of gravel driveways and I have looked on the internet and no one that I see has this service already.
Did you require any money upfront? It’s sad to say, but people are not as honest as they use to be. It cost more to take them to court, than what you may have been shorted on a job. How do you handle situations like this?
I never did but there are a few times I wish I would have. The times I wish I would have are when I had large upfront cost. For instance I once paid for $2400 worth of gravel on my account with the assumption the person was going to pay me within 2 weeks of completion (the 1st of the month). He said I misunderstood him and he meant the 1st of the following month. Fortunately, I had enough in my account to cover it and he did pay me. If you have to pay upfront costs is when I would ask for money in advance. Also, always put everything in writing (get a contract). If someone doesn’t have the ability to pay upfront, you must be willing to walk away and leave it to a bigger company who can absorb those costs. Saying no, is sometimes your best option. Graciously decline the work. If there were jobs that only required my time and fuel I typically wouldn’t have them put any money down. Then at least you are only out of time and some fuel. Unfortunately, running a business has risks associated with it. This is one of those risks you do run into from time to time. Thank you for watching. I hope my response was helpful.