Selling Sandstones

Hillbilly · May 16, 2002

Hello,
I have thousands of old sandstones pieces and various rocks on my property from an old stone quarry about a hundred years ago,my neighbors are wanting to buy them for decorative rocks for the gardens and landscapes.I was wondering how would an individual price something like this,I would be the one delivering and/or bringing them out of the woods to a staging area.I do not know how to price.Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
Hillbilly

Egon · May 16, 2002

I know not of the pricing but perhaps there are local site's that sell stone etc. for decorative purposes. This may give some idea of onsite price. From there it should be a milage/time type charge to the delivery site and then a time/equipment type charge for landscapping etc. based on an hourly figure.
Being from away I would not know local prices so can make no comment on them.

Egon

JJT · May 16, 2002

What I've done in the past - if it's a friend the first pickup load is free, after that it's $50/load. If it's not someone I know there's no freebees, it's $50/yard. If I'm loading and/or hauling the price goes up 2 - 3X. I've never had anyone who stopped at just 1 load. Laying stone can be addictive.....

A few years ago I delivered 40 yards to a lawyer, the last 10 yards were hand picked from a streambed - he wanted moss/lichen covered stones. It's my understanding he waters his 150' x 5' stonewall to keep the moss alive.

Mark_in_NH · May 16, 2002

First off, how big are these rocks ?
There size and the difficulty to obtain and deliver will affect price.
How about a visit to some of your area landscape supply stores, garden centers etc. to see what kinds of prices they may have on Decorative type rocks. for rock gardens, stepping stones.
You might even be able to sell some rocks to them as well.

Maybe spend an hour or two with FEL and or a trailer and bring back a load or 2 of some select and interesting pieces in differant sizes. This way you will have a little stock on hand to sell and show to some of those garden centers etc.
I would think and expect that any delivering being provided by you would become expensive, for just a rock or 2 to this customer or that one. If your staging area is fairly accessible, I would try to have as many people as possible come to your site where they can choose there rock and take it right with them, as long as the rocks ore small enough and easy to handle.
Rocks / boulders to big to man handle easily, would then probably require a delivery fee, or who knows.
If you have the means to transport your tractor and a set of bucket forks, you could even get paid more $$$$ to deliver, unload the rock and set it into place for the customer. Larger volume sales, say to one of those garden centers, a landscaper or a homeowner buying multiple rocks etc. could be delivered free of charge, up to a reasonable distance away.
The less handling and delivery you have to do will keep your time and expenses low and you profit high. Unless you can make the handling & delivery the basis for profit.
Do some internet searching on decorative landscape rocks.
Try these. Good Luck /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
http://www.therockshed.com/largerrock.html
http://www.glacialgranite.com/

Hillbilly · May 16, 2002

I really,really appreciate every ones sincerity, time and replys to my question.That is what makes the discussion board so great.
Thanks

WVBill · May 17, 2002

Where are you located, Hillbilly? I'm landscaping my back yard and am looking for rocks like this.

Hillbilly · May 17, 2002

Bill,
Clear across the state in Wood County.I could ship them UPS./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

rdln · May 17, 2002

Michigan sandstone is wholesaling here in Michigan for about $120/ton

WVBill · May 17, 2002

Well, thanks anyway.

There's an old rock wall bordering my property I could take down and use but I can't bring myself to destroy something that's probably a couple of hundred years old.

Hillbilly · May 17, 2002

I feel the same way about old stuff.........Sorry about the sand stones if I was closer I would gladly try to accomodate you,I would love to have a bunch of that river rock you find in the Rivers in the WVa mountains,like the Potomac.....beautiful.