Bidding a job

JohnSr · Jan 16, 2005

( By the way, something that worked real well for me was using some black electrical tape to mark the stick, so I would have a "measuring stick." I moved the bucket so the teeth were sticking straight out, put the teeth on the ground, then measured up 42" and wrapped a piece of black tape around the stick. Then when I was digging, all I had to do was put the bucket in the same position, touch the teeth to the ditch bottom, and look at the tape's relationship to the ground at the trench edge. I easily could tell if I needed to go a little deeper without getting off the backhoe or losing any time at all... This could be old hat or something you might try and see if it helps. )

Now thats something that will save me a lot of time, especially over the long haul. Thanks for the great tip Henro!

JohnSr · Jan 16, 2005

( To go homeowner direct it's Maryland State Home Improvement Commision License or bust. That's more involved and totally unrelated to your ability to do the work. It's all about sales regulations and your business knowledge. )

Thanks for the great replies Chris... I have received different answers on this subject, even from employees at the Commission! I have been told that I dont need an MHIC to do "Residential Dirt Work" because it could be considered landscaping. So this has been a source of frustration for me because I am the type that CANT stop until I have a definite answer! It's probably a moot point anyway since I plan on getting the MHIC in the future anyway for other services I plan to market when I get my ducks in a row.

JohnSr · Jan 16, 2005

( Job could also get interesting if you hit muck or sand that won't hold vertical sides on the trench - then you are going to be removing a lot more dirt, and how to put the rock back in over the top of the pipe will get tricky, or you will need a lot more rock.

I'd go with an hourly rate bid along with a good-faith estimate of the number of hours with assumptions listed and conditions that could make it take longer.

For the grading, I'd bid a fixed number of hours. Since there is no real good way to define when its "perfect", I'd spend that much time moving and smoothing the dirt and call it done.

- Rick
)
That was my thinking exactly...

rdln · Jan 16, 2005

When it rains the dripline gets pounded. 

Might want to suggest gutters if possible, after you get paid.

 Judging by the mud marks on the cows legs their feet are plunging over a foot down. 

so will your stabilizers, I suggest securing a junk wheel and tire to your pads to spread load onto the muck.

good luck

EddieWalker · Jan 16, 2005

Since I have no experience in your soil type or weather conditions, I wouldn't guess as to the amount you should charge for this job.

I'm wondering about the job itself.

In my part of Texas, it's all red clay. When it's wet, nothing is gonna get done. It sticks to tires, buckets and to itself. Tracks just create a bigger mess, four wheel drive digs deeper holes and two wheel drive is just useless.

I think you need to cut the drainage first and get your gradeing done before you attempt to dig the trench. If you can get the water to flow, then it's just a matter of time until the ground dries up.

I'd break the job down into two seperate stages and price accordingly.

I'd also take into consideration the amount of wear and tear on your tractor working it under adverse conditions.

I agree on bidding the job to make money, and not to just have something to do.

There might be a reason the contractor doesn't just rent a tractor for the day and just do it himself. What's so special about your compact tractor that he can't do with a real backhoe that he rents for the day?

CajunRider · Jan 17, 2005

When I talked to my dirt man, he said that he figures all his job based on volume of dirt moved and his price is $3 per cubic yard plus $60 for inititial tractor set up. I am told the price is around $3.50/yd3 for Florida and $4/yd3 for California.

I need to clarify that the dirt movement should be for nearby location. If it involves a dump truck to move to another location then transportation cost would be extra.

BTW I am not in the business, just happened that I am getting some dirt quotes on my land and got some info that I thought you could use.

ByronBob · Jan 17, 2005

I had a guy come with a loader to do some work for me. He charged $75 / hour to do it.

Also had some drainage pipe put in at my home and with materials (storm pipe) it was $7 per foot for everything.

Your quote sounds good where it is. I would think either you up the hour cost or lower the time but it should still come out the same.

Kub0ta · Jan 17, 2005

8 hours a day? haha!

try from sun up to sun down. I wouldnt suggest doing this. Lack of expeirience.

rdln · Jan 19, 2005

try from sun up to sun down. 

Right now that is 8 hours.

I wouldnt suggest doing this. Lack of expeirience. 

You need to relax, let the guy have fun. If all you doomsayers are correct the guy learns a lesson just like all the "experienced" people did.

JohnSr · Jan 20, 2005

( I wouldnt suggest doing this. Lack of expeirience. )

I am sure that many people on this forum have heard this kind of remark at some time or another and I get the feeling that the great majority are not deterred from an obstacle due to "lack of experience". I certainly am not. To me there are three ways to approach a task like this.

1.) Be afraid of it and let someone "more experienced" tackle the job and spend your life on the sidelines.

2.) Be ignorant and rush into it with no knowledge and break stuff up

3.) Seek the advice from those who have faced similiar challenges, process their input, develop a plan and get it done.

Thanks to all of those who posted and shared their knowledge. I'll be gettin-er done now! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif