Best Way To Quote A Gravel Driveway Job | DigginLife21
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ก.ค. 2024
- Best Way To Quote A Gravel Driveway Job. A step by step guide on how to figure a quote for gravel driveway repair
DigginLife21 Merchandise-teespring.com/stores/digginli...
OMG, I'm getting fleeced on my material cost. 😢 LOL! Seriously, this is EXCELLENT advice. I have told customers that "I know my price is a bit higher, but that means I'll make a profit which means I'll be able to stay in business. That gives you the peace of mind that if you have any problems or issues you know that I'm going to be around to honor it. Those low price guys might not be around." It does no one any good to be "the cheap guy" and go out of business. That hurts both us and the customers who we are no longer around to serve. Just my two cents and about all it's worth.
One of the few guys in the excavation field on youtube to put actual costs and numbers out there. Really appreciate it. We have all had to learn from under bidding and we have all had that uncomfortable feeling in our guts giving a client what seems to be high bids.
The one thing I try to convey with my quotes are that, the clients $5K is going to go twice as far as the other guys $4k
A good, reasonable costumer will always pay (within reason) for a reliable, prompt and quality service. I know I do.
Yes quality is hard to explain and justify to customers. They can't always wrap their heads around paying more for the same item. I have to explain it is not like shopping for the same Samsung 48" TV. These jobs are not like comparing apples to apples. There is SO much more. Quality equipment, professional work and appearance, reliability, service after the sale or job etc.. You really have to sell yourself as much as the job. The nickel and dime customers aren't the ones you want anyway. The higher price weeds out the riff raff. And ultimately this is a VERY expensive operation to run.
Out of all the earthmoving/landscaping TH-cam channels out there, yours is by far the best resource for those wanting to get into the industry. Thank you for all the straightforward information!
My pleasure and thanks for watching
One thing I would consider is subbing out the hauling. We have our own trucks as a convenience to us to get out of a bind and move equipment but we make our money working our machines. 4 loads on quads and it’s done 4-5 hours of spreading and you’re out of there you make good money and put the wear and tear on someone else’s truck. It may be painful to see your truck sit but you’ll always make more in the seat of a tractor or excavator than in the seat of a truck.
Agree, much better to knock out that job move on. Worried about getting snowed in, getter done....
Good advice 👍
I totally agree we move in have big trucks haul in larger loads that I can and keeps me in my machine and then move on out fast.
If I didn’t enjoy driving I would sub out more.
In my area of central Fla. I can't depend on getting someone to haul for me when I need them. So I haul my own material and charge for it. I pocket the hauling instead of paying a sub.
Video Request: Top equipment picks for entry level grade work.
Possibly go through and pick like three loadouts someone could start off with whether its a truck, dump trailer, skid steer. Or dump truck, tractor etc.
I appreciate what you do with this channel. Valuable information for sure!
Bare minimum to start and be profitable and efficient would be 550 or 5500 with dump bed, 16' equipment trailer and a Kubota L2501 or larger. Box blade, loader, backhoe would be the attachments I would get at a minimum. Skid steers are great but they are really expensive to purchase and maintain. They are also very heavy. The Kubota L2501 with backhoe and loader can be pulled behind a 1500 or 150 easily.
YOUR SOUTHERN ACCENT MAKES ME LAUGH. YOU SURE HAVE TAUGHT ME THINGS. THANK YOU.
Google earth to measure, and a gravel yardage calculator works 98% of the time. The other two percent, I drive out and get eyes on it if I’m unsure of something. Good luck to all the new guys on here.
Thanks Jeff
I love these videos! I don’t know how many times I price a job and tell myself man this looks way to high, but that’s what it has to be in order to make a living and keep the lights on. My stomach turns sometimes overthinking the quotes trying to put myself in the home owners shoes. 9 times out of 10 though I give the quotes and they don’t bat an eye at it and ask when can I start. I’ve given quotes that were higher then other competitors but the home owners have said that the way the quotes were presented to them with different options, actually talking with them and making them feel like you honestly care about their project are reasons they trust to spend the extra money. Also following up on projects to ensure the customer knows you care is huge for word of mouth!
Well said my friend
Dude you probably have the most underrated small Buisness video production I watch. So much good information 👍
I have learned a lot about this sort of work through your videos. I lost my business during the covid situation and now I'm starting over. I'm doing lawn care and landscaping but I want to add to what I am doing. A couple of customers asked me if I can do a driveway for them. Naturally I said yes. But also let them know that this is a new venture for me as well. So they're trusting me to get the right information and get the right materials and do the job. So I'm putting in the work and doing a lot of praying.
You can do it!
One important thing you want to ask your loyal customers is…….do you want me to install driveway fabric before installing the gravel. This will keep your customers driveway looking better year longer than just plopping down gravel. Take care
I enjoyed this video. It's nice to see a tradesman pass some hard earned knowledge to the new ones coming up. As a business owner, I look back at the jobs I did, and what I charged, the first few years I was in business and shake my head. Hopefully the new guys will take your advice.
Always give a price with confidence. The higher the price, the more confidence you should show. Confidence will outsell a good reputation to a residential customer every time. A bad reputation will just prevent you from getting new customers, not selling a new job. If you hesitate when giving a price, if you seem even a tiny bit unsure, the customer will feel your not telling the truth and find another bid. Always add and fluff the bid for unforeseen events, and never spend the excess on yourself. Always spend it on the company getting better, ... better equipment, better maintenance, better advertising.
That’s some great input Charley 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. Thanks for sharing
Ive never heard someone explain their estimates soo clear, glad to have watch this
Thus channel is so underrated
Great video.. been grading for 20yrs, absolutely love it... I don't do the estimate, but know for sure. If u get every job your bidding, your working way to cheap an will be outta business soon 💸. Don't sell your self short. Every job is its own job !
Thanks! Great information from someone who didn’t read it out of a book but actually learned the trade by doing.
This is a great service you are providing , really appreciate your honesty.
You have a fantastic channel. Most of the time when I'm trying to learn how to do something from TH-cam, there are just so many steps left out. You reveal it all. Many thanks and I hope to use your information to start a business in the new year.
Great Video. I operate a similar business and I have been doing it for over 30 years. I appreciate your in depth approach to quoting a job. I do a lot of commercial work and I have many steady clients that don't ask me for a quote. This Video reminds me to add up my preparation time more carefully, especially for a complicated job that require a lot of preparation work.
Example, sourcing materials, picking up materials and loading it at our yard etc. etc.
This video is really helping me right now, to complete a large invoice ( over 200k ) and explain it to my customer if need be.
Thank you Todd for taking time to help people. You are a good man. I hope you have a great day Brother.
Great job! Didn't know you were in Black Mountain. Worked there for several years in the 80's. Great place to be!
New guy starting out. Already shot myself in the foot a few times (summer 2020) Thanks for the answers I was looking for.
These videos are awesome. I'm in the process of getting my GC license and need something to continue some income while building work is slow. Been strongly considering buying a skid loader and starting to do some dirt work. I have the ability to operate the machine and the trailer/truck combo to haul it with. Your videos definitely are helping me in mu decision making process
Excellent video. I’m just starting out working on other peoples land and your insight is very helpful. Thanks!
It was painful watching you roll that little tiny measuring wheel. I will buy you are larger one for 🎅 Christmas. Thank you for all of the golden nuggets in your video.
This was an excellent discussion for contractors. Thanks
Awesome video man. Thanks for all the info, I’ll be sticking around!
Man this is awesome! I’m learning more and researching as much as I can so I can try to pick up my first drive way job. You break it down awesome.
We appreciate your candid approach to helping others.
Thank you sir I am not on the grading business I am actually in renovation of houses but absolutely the same out come I have done my estimates and thought it was to much dropped my price and eventually get in a whole. We definitely got to value our time to get a project done and take the time to get the numbers right great video
Great information...You explain things very clearly. Thanks!
I’m in nc. And my brother and I are starting a company we have a combined 30 years of experience in heavy equipment and utilities. So definitely glad I found ur channel
Thank you so much!!! I've started doing mulch work and under bid myself ALOT!!!
Good at explaining every step of the process. Gotta account for your travel time. Especially that far from your base.
The longer how to videos are great! Keep it up man. 👍
You got it!!! Thanks for watching Jaret👍
It helped tremendously! Thank you
Thanks man I love your videos like this. You have the only channel I’ve found willing to share this info.
Glad you like them!
WOW... glad I watched your video I have been jipping myself some stuff I didn't even include in the job I'm new to this as well thanks for the info...
Great video! Good explanation on everything.
Nice informative video! Hope ya get this job be a fun what to watch!
Great video and great information. Thanks buddy.
Such good info for a small fry like myself just getting started. Thanks soooo much. 👍👍
You’re the man awesome video!
Ay brother (feel weird “fanboyin” a random guy on TH-cam haha) but Preciate the advice my man lost my job after 9years w the railroad and 4years army prior and always wanted to get back to “operator/site work”; grew up doin it on the farm. now I’m 34 from sc startin over but grateful for tips and advice like this tryna get started on the side myself while bein a FT operator now ..much appreciated cuz and take care .
Another great video...so much in depth info...
In my beginning days of contracting and the family was young, I often was afraid I would loose the job if I thought the bid was too high. That was a mistake. Most people, I found out, weren't as broke as I was. So my thinking was in error. Bid the job so you can make a profit, other wise you are going to loose and you can't afford to loose or why even do it. Todd, you are a good estimator.
Thanks Condee🙏🏻
I enjoyed watching this. Thanks for sharing on of this information
Dude you’re awesome! Awesome content. Thank you
Many thanks. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my other Channel "digginlife deeper" to see bonus footage and project shorts!!!
Thank you for the informative video.
Good stuff
Great information, thank you!
Nice video. thanks for posting.
Love the way you teach brother.. will keep watching. Looking to start grading out in Raleigh NC. I already run equipment and grading. Like to do it for myself
I am THE WORST with second guessing my numbers thinking oh man no way its that high!! But you are absolutely right.
Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my other Channel "digginlife deeper" to see bonus footage and project shorts!!!
Another good video, thanks for the insight.
Thanks, very good video and great explanation of your quoting process. Thanks for sharing.
HEY I CAUGHT THAT CRUSHER RUN OR ABC , THUMBS UP , THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD INFO, TRUE AND HONEST
GREAT VIDEO
This is all very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos.
My pleasure!
Man, that's informative. I'm about to have a loooong driveway rerocked, so this is just what I was looking for. As a potential customer, it helps me understand what is going into the quote and why. Thanks.
Glad I could help
Excellent point about being principled in pricing.
Great information thanks !!
Great Video! Best information any of us could ask for. I wouldn't mind you talking about the Insurance side, the LLC, what happens if you hit an internet cable and so on.
Thank you
Great video, thanks for sharing
Thanks for the video! New business just started and this will be a good tool to use.
Congrats on the new business!!!! I will be live at 8pm. Hope to see ya there
Thanks for the information I found it very helpful , " don't second guess yourself" or be worried that you are not worth the price you are asking for. I am a Plumbing contractor but I love working with compact equipment I have a small excavator and a skid steer. Thanks for the business lesson.
Another nice video buddy! 👍🏻 great explanation
Thanks my brother!!! It was great to see ya back on camera.... time to for you to get out of the COVID and back in the dirt
Great video I really enjoyed the content.
Great explanation of the job at hand
This guy here knows his stuff I made some money on my vary first job on my own but could have made a lot more but did not know what I was doing figuring out a quote then she added more and I walked away with $350 profit but should have made closer to $900 I wanted to quit after that I had no one to show me what or how to do it but she was happy and wanted me to do a drive way so thank goodness I found this video
Excellent advice!
Great info!
Awesome videos. Hard to b more informative!!! Thank you
I finally get it. Thank you.
Thanks for the info!
Good explanation and good point about not 2nd guessing your quote. Ill do that sometimes i think because in my head im saying this job is easy. But your shorting yourself all those extra costs you dont add up.
glad i watched this video great advice around cape cod that price is a little low great way to bid a job fuel and maintinace cost are not figured in by alot of new guys getting in to business it can eat you up if your not careful great video stay safe
Needed to hear this today!
I’m here for ya brother!!!
Very helpful info. Thx
Very honest and it is refreshing to see, but he is absolutely right! If a client wants a good quality job then they have to pay the money. I've been installing driveways for nearly 20 years and he is cheap!
Enjoying the info. Looking to get into some of this just as a side job only. Maybe more one day. My thoughts have been going nuts about how do I know what to charge. Hopefully I can start learning this. I want a backup plan.
enjoyed the video...thumbs up !!
Great, Great Info, Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
NC Flatlander here. Some of the most influential lessons I got in life and business (sales) were from Mountain folks. A bit north of you...in Boone, but common sense is common sense. When quoting a job, the price is the price. Your time is your time, the cost of materials is the cost of materials. When you are selling something to another person, if figured right, if is not a matter of whether you yourself would pay what you are charging. Don't be shy. Be honest. Be polite. But it is the customer's pocketbook that the money is coming from, not yours.
Great video.
2022 here today lol helped me learn a bunch here thanks
I'd love to see and hear a follow up if you do or don't get this job. (from which ever scenario happens)..... Great info. thank you
Great explanation
Great video that help me personally on my bidding thank you todd
I’ve got a whole playlist concerning bidding
Very informative sir.
Good Business practices. 👍
Well done sir
I’m in central NC. A 23 ton truck delivery is up to 200-300 from the quarry. Doesn’t make sense to get a small dump truck or trailer to run back and forth hauling. My price is cheaper against people who are doing this…I just get the customer to pay for the gravel on delivery without markups and only charge for my work (hauling equipment, spreading, crowning, ditching etc). There is an argument that I’m spending time arranging the delivery and should be getting paid for that, though in my mind , as long as I get my daily or minimum rate, doesn’t matter what I’m doing…I’m making money even if the jobs take longer than expected (often do). You can’t nickel and dime everything plus be constantly worried about it. Main concern for me is to get the job done in the expected number of days so I can move on to the next scheduled job. I leave a small buffer just in case I need an extra day…able to do this because I’m not doing this full time or expecting to. If I don’t need that day, I just work on my own projects. I’m able to get a decent amount of work because my price is lower…bidding against people who need 125+ per hour and do lots of figuring like in this video to ensure they get that. Last project to grade a 26x24 spot for carport people wanted up to 2700 to do it…took me half a day to grade and a few hours to spread and compact $500 delivered truck of crusher run. Hard to imagine someone felt they needed 2200 to do that.
Great info thanks
if you get this job please make a video
New guys in Business. Y’all need to understand that customers will always wanted the cheapest price with a good job. If they do not want to pay what you are asking for just move on you’ll get other jobs where the customer isn’t as cheap. It’s not always you remember that . I know people they charge cheap but they do ugly work and need to work Twice as hard while I’ll estimate right and work less .
Valuable information and I enjoyed your conversation. I wish to start a business with land clearing once I learn more about it. I think your price is reasonable because there is a lot of work involved. New here and I’m from SC.
It's wise to learn from research but getting out there and playing is the best teacher
I’ve learned overtime that customers are less likely to complain about an outrageous price than a cheap price I can work for free at the house
Last video very funny got a laugh.
This is a good video to show people to start thinking of all the different items that will end up costing the contractor money . In New York we just look at the car in the driveway BMW = 10,000 range rover 20,000 Bentley 30,000 But don’t worry they are going to complain That you blocked the driveway so you better get it done 1 day The more expensive it is the better they feel , they will even tell the neighbor that you’re a great guy if you get done 1 day
very helpful
Excellent video, thank you for sharing this valuable information.
Lol,working for yourself is like gambling you just have to win more than you lose
My pleasure 🙏🏻
I do construction work self employment. And I am guilty of cutting myself short because I hate feeling I'm charging too much on some jobs and illcut some off due to thinking I'm charging too much and in my area I feel that it's high for the areas average income. Especially when it comes to my older customers. I usually do pretty good income wise and occasionally once or twice a year find out I undercut myself too much. But I've learned that if I'm great on time to income ratio I'll do some extra work and that way I don't feel as if I was too exspensive. It also garners goodwill from the customers and they always feel they got their money's worth.
Great video. Do you roll or tamp the gravel or use machine back and forth?