How did you get started in mulching or landclearing

[T_S_S]

Just interested in how yall got your start in this business, what was your first job, machine, what would you do differently if you were to do it again, and how have you diversified or what have you done to get through the last year or two with this reccession, what do you feel the future holds in this business.

 

[ralanb]

I got my business started as a spin off from my landscape company. as something to keep the machine occupied. A family member was already in the business and i took it over from there. The first 2 were asv pt100, I now run a cat 268b. The ott steel tracks by loegering tend to push and flex with the ground better than the rubber and dont have to worry bout damaging the rubber or the expensive cost to replace idlers. If you get started, please invest in a winch and a preasurized cab. Also, stay away from a john deere, they dont have much hydraulic capacity. That leads to overheating quick. Spend a lot of time on your property and get a feel of the machine first. Dont charge for education. Beat the bushes hard to find work. It dont pay to sit at home and wait for a phone call. I dont know what you other guys think, but once i got the feel of the machine, i found a popular corner store where all the land owners ride by and hang out and offered to under brush it for free only to leave my sign out front. It worked for me.

There will always be a use for this work, just call around and see who is the closest around you and dont work too cheap. Its bad on you as well as us.

 

[MrBushhog]

i am kinda in the same boat here. i was looking to make some play money so i just started using my dads tractor. took a stab at it, and it calls started coming in. have been bushhoging for a few years when i was not surveying for pipelines. i keep getting calls to bushhog but when i show up its way to much for my tractor. so i just give them a number to a local guy with the right equipment. i need to expand, but do not need a huge loan over my head.

 

[DIRTROAD]

i keep getting calls to bushhog but when i show up its way to much for my tractor. so i just give them a number to a local guy with the right equipment. i need to expand, but do not need a huge loan over my head.

In my opinion you are going about it the wrong way. In this example you should act as the contractor and hire the guy with the right equipment yourself. He then becomes the sub-contractor working directly under you the contractor. This enables you to increase your exposure, increase your gross revenue and make at least 10% per job without the added risk of a high debt load. In time this will allow you to expand your business and possibly purchase additional equipment.

There is a lot more to running a business than just going out and buying a piece of equipment. In todays market you must work smarter to stay in business. This means utilizing every available resource to your advantage.

 

[necontractors]

Could not have put it in better words. you need to act like the big dog to stay in buissness even if you don't have the equipment. I my self got started like that I open my mouth and ended up with cash in hand and 5 chain saws. I have equipment because i'am a building contractor but i'am now ready to buy a mulcher.