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[DetroitMike]

Now that I have a tiller, a post hole digger, and a few other things, I'm thinking of doing some side work in my area. My thinking is the tilling part might make me some money. There are alot of small gardens around me and I know how I used to hate tilling mine. Maybe people would be willing to pay someone to do it for them.

The post hole digger is the same thing. My brother and I bought it together to put in fencing and put up new decks, but after that we won't use it much. So i thought I could make a little dough on the side. Has anyone done this kind of thing and how did it work out for you? Also, how did you come up with a fair price to charge?

Thanks, Mike

 

[EFC]

I did it and it was the ultimate nightmare. First rule is "Call before you dig" my tiller found phone lines, power lines, gas lines, sprinkler systems, outdoor lighting, pet graves (that the owners had forgotten about). I spent more time rebuilding phone lines and sprinkler systems than I did tilling. I asked up front and they always said the same BS "there is nothing out there.... I have been tilling it for years with my Troy built" Yeah, whatever. I made it a rule that I wouldn’t go out unless they called the utilities to mark the underground lines. It is a free service, just takes a phone call. Instead the customers would go to the store and buy marking paint to make it look like the utilities had been there then lie like dogs when I found their GAS LINE!! and tried to sue me to boot. If you do this get some good insurance. By the way post hole diggers are better for finding water than a divining rod. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[gws]

I wouldnt even consider this as a business unless you have good insurance. I till my neighors garden but its been a garden for close to 40 years so I know there is nothing there.

 

[hosejockey2002]

I use my tractor as part of my part time landscaping business. Becoming insured, licensed and bonded is the only way to go if you are working for hire. When I do grading or tilling, I call before, and as part of the written work agreement I state that I am not responsible for damage to any unmarked underground utilities. Of course, that won't keep me from being sued, but it will help tip the scales of justice in my favor if I ever end up in court.

 

[kayssupply]

I just attended a Julie meeting. It is now a Federal law that if you put so much as a shovel in the ground, literally, you have to call for a locate and wait 48hr. You as the contractor are responsible no matter who has called. If you dig without a dig number it is an automatic $2000 fine. Just passing on what I know for a fact. My son and I are both in the excavating and plumbing business.

 

[cfoxmd]

If you are digging, you are responsible. Now you can have the customer call and give you a dig number, but you must call and verify it to make sure that it has actually been done. No dig number that is for that property and currently in force, no digging, end of story.

Even if you have a signed agreement with the property owner that he is responsible, you are the one digging and will be the one fined in all likelihood.

Phone lines and cable are not marked in my area. So an agreement with the owner that he is responsible for those not marked is still probably wise. It may cost the consumer money to have them repaired and they may want to come after you for that.

 

[DetroitMike]

Well, thanks for all the input. I am a little surprised however at the fact that insurance and what not could be such a big issue. I guess I should have been more exact in the description of the tilling jobs I was talking about. Tilling up some Ma & Pa garden thats been in place for years should not cause any problems. But I also realize there are exceptions to the rule. It just seems to me that a guy could make a few extra bucks while helping out some neighbors in his community. I'm not looking to go into business doing this, just doing a handfull of quick jobs in the fall.

As far as anything in virgin soil, in Michigan we have whats called MissDig. We call them and they come locate all utilitys which I've done before on my own projects, and would of course do for any other new work.

I do like the idea of a signed form stating that i am not responsible for damage.

 

[EFC]

That is all I was tilling was long term established gardens. Still big problems. Didn’t tell you the story about the guy down the street that asked me to till under his Rose bed because it had some nasty bug he wanted to get rid of. A week later his wife sued me (this was a free job by the way for a neighbor) because her husband was in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s and there was nothing wrong with their trophy rose bed. Oh yea, did I mention... she WON!
I have been told many times by insurance company lawyers that a customer cannot sign away his or her rights even if they want to. So getting a signed paper that says your not liable for damages is so much toilet paper in court. Having a better lawyer on the other hand is miles above a signed piece of paper. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[cfoxmd]

Liability, worker's compensation insurance, and overhead are reasons that hired work costs so much more than it seems it should. The guy that just comes up and offers to do some work for a price generally has no liability insurance or worker's comp. Here in Louisiana, if he gets hurt on your property, you and your homeowners insurance become responsible.

These guys often have cards or even signs that say they are licensed, bonded and insured even if they are not. Insurers provide certificates of coverage at the beginning of a job, but some guys forge these. Often, these people had a policy but failed to pay the premiums. The guys can show you a policy which was issued, but is now not in force because they didn't pay. That's what the current certificate of coverage is about.

Amazing what people sue for these days as the rose garden issue shows.

 

[hosejockey2002]

<font color="blue">These guys often have cards or even signs that say they are licensed, bonded and insured even if they are not. Insurers provide certificates of coverage at the beginning of a job, but some guys forge these. Often, these people had a policy but failed to pay the premiums. The guys can show you a policy which was issued, but is now not in force because they didn't pay. That's what the current certificate of coverage is about.

</font>

It's guys like that who make it hard on people like me who really are bonded and insured. On the other hand, I have NEVER had a customer ask me for proof of license, insurance or bond. I have had many customers that I could have easily taken advantage of if I had been so inclined....