Excavating business questions again

Bob Rooks · Dec 2, 2011

Duffster said:
Like what?

Very inexpensive, say cheap, used by gyppo's, fly-by-night's, and unprofessionals. Even if you have all the energy and talent in the world, you still need an image.
You mean to say you didn't know all that? :laughing:

Bob Rooks · Dec 2, 2011

Cat_Driver said:
YA and A & R Moving, will be named R & A Moving this week and business as usual. Even if he pays the 4K in penalties he probably saved more that that by NOT following the rules and buying all the permits over the last 20 years.
So I can't see how this Company was penalized AT ALL.
If this Company was Illegal I'm sure they cam out ahead on this deal.

Obviously you know little about doing business. Nope. They will be shut down, trucks impounded and sold at auction, and if they don't pay the fine, they will do the time. And if they have broken any federal ICC laws then the US Marshall's Service gets involved, AND THEY CAN BILL YOU! Seen it happen before.
I'm not saying the OP shouldn't go into business, just that he shouldn't do it blindfolded.

Duffster · Dec 2, 2011

Bob Rooks said:
Simple. Look at the big picture. It's trucking. Doesn't matter if it's a lowboy, high cube van trailer, or dump & pup. Same basic rules apply to all. And as for these guys starting up a week later under a different name? Ain't gonna happen unless they aren't involved with the new company.

No, the same rules don't apply. It's much tougher on household movers.

Duffster · Dec 2, 2011

Bob Rooks said:
Very inexpensive, say cheap, used by gyppo's, fly-by-night's, and unprofessionals.

So that is true about the area largest CaT dealer? This speaks volumes about yourself.

DIRTROAD · Dec 2, 2011

The purpose of asking for people's opinions is so that you can get both sides of the story.

If you only listen to the advice that you want to hear, you have already failed!

kiotiken · Dec 2, 2011

I have no idea what hoops you need to jump through, but I'm sure there's lots of people (DMV, State officials, insurance brokers) who would be happy to help get you on the right track.

As for some of the comments telling you to forget it and keep your day job, DON'T TAKE ANY NOTICE OF THEM!!! You sound like a go getter and somebody who is driven and willing to work hard, and those are the people who succeed big time. Waiting for the right time to start a new venture is the reason most people (and I'd venture a guess that your detractors are included) never actually do it. You're young, you have the luxury of time on your side. If it doesn't work out, you have lots of time to move on and be successful doing something else, but even then, doing something like this would open doors and bring opportunities you'll never have if you keep working for somebody else. Staring something like this is always scary, but the older you get, the more life piles on and the harder it is to take that step.

I've been self employed in IT for 11 years and haven't regretted it for a second, and I started out at the height of the dot com bust of 2000. I never make the same amount from one year to the next, but I always make at least 30% more than working for somebody else, and some time a whole lot more than that. I have no job security, so I live with in my means and I'm prepared for the drought that may come one day. Be smart, work hard and you'll be wildly successful. You're detractors won't be calling you crazy, they'll be calling you boss.

Bob Rooks · Dec 2, 2011

Duffster said:
No, the same rules don't apply. It's much tougher on household movers.

What are those "tougher" rules please?
Actually, there are more rules and endorsements required for tankers hauling flammables and nuclear waste, but I digress.

Bob Rooks · Dec 2, 2011

Duffster said:
So that is true about the area largest CaT dealer? This speaks volumes about yourself.

And about you. :thumbsup: Have a nice day.

Bob Rooks · Dec 3, 2011

Ryan, check it out.

The U.S. Small Business Administration | SBA.gov

Builder · Dec 4, 2011

Verticaltrx said:
I own a small construction company and do a bit of excavating/grading work from time to time. I've found the best money to be made with equipment isn't from doing hourly work, but using the equipment complement some other part of the business. For me that is building agricultural buildings and fencing, the grading is secondary to that.

For me this does two things, it allows me to do a small amount of custom work and keeps me from having to hire out as many services. As an added bonus, I can get insurance for a reduced rate as a general contractor vs an excavating contractor, even though I'm sometimes doing the same work.

As for what you need to start the business, you'll have to do some research and figure that out for your state, county, etc. Here in VA all you technically need is a contractors license and sometimes a business license, depending on the county. Insurance isn't required, but I'd highly recommended it. I keep all my trucks/trailers fairly low key and under CDL requirements which makes things easy. In your situation since you would also be hauling for hire (dump truck service) you'd need to deal with all the DOT stuff as well.

Lastly, don't always listen to the naysayers, if you have enough desire and drive to do something you can make it happen. I started my business in '07-08 right as the economy was headed south, which by most would be exactly the wrong time to start a construction business of any sort. My business has increased steadily every year since then and now have projects lined up until the middle of next year.

Good luck with your endeavor :thumbsup:

We have similar businesses. I do construction as a primary, but field mowing, land clearing, hay, snowplowing, etc. as a supplementary business, too.
I like Ryan L's and VerticalX's attitudes. I was same way when I was Ryan's age and still aspiring to grow & prosper. Times are really difficult right now. If you're able to get by on a reduced paycheck, when this mess is finally over, I bet we come out as the few left standing for the recovery.
What has gotten me more business is good old fashioned "shoe leather" (talking to people, making more business aquaintances through face to face meetings, etc.)