Rockbadchild
Elite Member
I am not disputing that ... I would rather drive the tractor as well ...Roofing is young mans work, I'd rather drive the tractor
The Side Jobs Thread
- Thread starter jk96
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shooterdon
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- 2019 LS XR4140 HST Cab; 2020 Kawasaki Mule SX; 2021 Bad Boy 54" ZT Elite
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bigtiller
Super Member
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We would like to see a video of that working.
Just wrapped this one up today. I was at this house last spring and leveled an area for the homeowner for an above ground pool he was putting in. There were two very large pine trees, roughly 30" and 36" in diameter, very close to the pad. I asked if he wanted them removed due to the pine needles. He declined and wanted them for some shade on part of the deck around the pool. Well it only took one summer before he decided they had to go. He had a matt of pine needles on the deck. It would have been much easier before the pool went in. He got a quote from a tree company and they wanted $3,500 to piece them out due to the proximity to the house and pool.
Initially this job was a quoted as a 1 trip job. I quoted $500, that's my minimum to move my CTL, and includes 3 hours of machine time. He wanted both trees dropped and said he would take it from there. I had both trees on the ground in about 30 minutes. With nothing else he needed done he asked if I come back a week later and finish the remaining 2.5 hours moving the trees for him to a burn pile after he cut them up. You have to factor in 2 x load, travel, unload each trip, cleaning machine, etc which most homeowners don't think about. Some of these side jobs end up with job creep where extras start getting asked and you just have to remember to hold your ground or re-quote for the added work or return trips. We ended up agreeing on $400 for a return trip since I could do it with my tractor to move all of the cuts to his burn area once he was done and fill the holes from the root ball. The 2nd trip took me just over 2 hours of tractor time to move everything and get the yard graded out. I was happy to put $900 in my pocket on a fairly easy job and he ended up very happy saving $2,600 although he did have some work cutting them up. He also didn't have to pay someone else to grind two huge stumps as they are completely removed now.
I wish I had taken some before pics. The larger of the two pines was taller than this one in this pic and almost 3 feet in diameter.
The biggest of the two is on the ground in this pic. The one right at the rear of my CTL was the other smaller one that I took down for him.
Moved everything to his burn area today the Kubota L6060
Holes filled in and graded out so he can seed.
Initially this job was a quoted as a 1 trip job. I quoted $500, that's my minimum to move my CTL, and includes 3 hours of machine time. He wanted both trees dropped and said he would take it from there. I had both trees on the ground in about 30 minutes. With nothing else he needed done he asked if I come back a week later and finish the remaining 2.5 hours moving the trees for him to a burn pile after he cut them up. You have to factor in 2 x load, travel, unload each trip, cleaning machine, etc which most homeowners don't think about. Some of these side jobs end up with job creep where extras start getting asked and you just have to remember to hold your ground or re-quote for the added work or return trips. We ended up agreeing on $400 for a return trip since I could do it with my tractor to move all of the cuts to his burn area once he was done and fill the holes from the root ball. The 2nd trip took me just over 2 hours of tractor time to move everything and get the yard graded out. I was happy to put $900 in my pocket on a fairly easy job and he ended up very happy saving $2,600 although he did have some work cutting them up. He also didn't have to pay someone else to grind two huge stumps as they are completely removed now.
I wish I had taken some before pics. The larger of the two pines was taller than this one in this pic and almost 3 feet in diameter.
The biggest of the two is on the ground in this pic. The one right at the rear of my CTL was the other smaller one that I took down for him.
Moved everything to his burn area today the Kubota L6060
Holes filled in and graded out so he can seed.
LittleBill21
Elite Member
you literally just pushed them over? no concerns about it coming backwards onto the deck?
Yes and no. Had this one been leaning toward the house or pool then I would have have declined. The lean and branch structure wouldn't have allowed it to come back. I've also done more big trees then I can count and I've never been able to drop a large tree simply by trenching out the roots. The remaining root ball in the hole keeps it anchored even those with a lean. They always need a pretty good push to get them over. I'm insured as well for commercial work and damage but would never take a job if I had even a small concern I would need to use it.
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part-time-Farmer-NC
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Been thinking I may take on some side type work when I go into retirement. Ever since I was in elementary I have always had a side hustle. The farm is my side hustle from my real job now, breaks the monotony.
dodge man
Super Star Member
I offered a couple who has had a pile of gravel sitting for their driveway to spread it for them. I guess my price of free was too high. They live about a mile and a half from me and I drive by it all the time. The wife was going to have me do it and get us a pizza gift certificate but the husband said he’d get his tractor going someday. It’s been sitting there for about three years.
I’d did fix the plugged muffler on my sister in laws leaf blower yesterday, another freebie.
I’d did fix the plugged muffler on my sister in laws leaf blower yesterday, another freebie.
Gem99ultra
Veteran Member
hmmm - I seem to have too many offers to do free work. Those that have compensation attached however, seem to be scarce.