Need business ideas

[SnoSheriff]

This is a great site! I've been reading this forum for 3 days and I can't stop

I have an '06 F-350 Diesel and I would like to put it to work by starting a part time biz. I don't have a set idea on the business type so I'm looking for ideas and suggestions. I'd like to utilize a machine of some sort and I be willing to invest about $20-30K into this venture. It would be a good idea if the business services were in demand in today's economy. Also keep in mind that about 5-6 months/yr we have winter up here.

What is the best way to advertise my new PT business?

 

[rdln]

Look into a horizontal boring rig for utility, government work under roads and such.

 

[Lloyd_E]

With that rig you could haul trailers for people - whether it's horses, landscape or otherwise.
I see people on kijiji offering hauling services for people that buy large items with no method to bring it home....

goog luck...

 

[GBeck]

spray foam...especially in Canada....plus if you hurry and get started quickly your 'customers' would be eligible for gov rebates.
the market grows about 200% per year last I heard

 

[SnoSheriff]

Great ideas guys. Keep them coming.

Directional drilling is probably out. I'm handy and mechanically inclined but I know nothing about this...

Hauling rig - funny you should say that. My buddy said the exact the same thing. I will put up some ads and see if it leads to anything.

Spray in foam - very interesting. I'm off to check out some youtube vids on this topic...

I've been thinking about getting a skid steer but I see guys with a truck and skid advertising everywhere. I wonder if they are busy with their rigs?

 

[PILOON]

If construction is active in the area, a specialized foundation sealing service works nice.
One fellow around here lugs about a 200 gal tank that is heated by the exhaust of his PU and his pump is basically a gear hydraulic pump driven by about a 5 hp Honda with about 100 ft of hose.

He arrives on site, blows debris away from footings, walks the perimiter dabbing pitch over rod ends then starts the pump and sprays the foundation up to backfill level with real hot tar. (not diluted fancy sealer)
Does a great job and is in high demand.
Last time I used him @ $150. I learned that he was full time at in (in season) doing 8-10 jobs a day. (he is in and out in 1 hour or less)
I noted his setup and for sure it was not a big investement. Old oil tank, used gear pump (probably old leaky hydraulic pump) 5 hp Briggs some plumbing and 100 ft low pressure hose. I would guess that the gun was the costliest part of the setup.
When he first started he'd sweep the footings but recently he added a powerful backpack blower to clear the footings area.
He told me that he had a heater element in his tank that he'd power up as soon as he get up in AM and that the exhaust would keep the tar warm all day.
That hot tar congeels nicely on the concrets and makes a great sealant.
When I priced out buckets of sealer required there was no contest just on product cost alone, never mind labor and soiled garments applicators etc.
A nice win-win situation.