Starting contracting?

[DANLEWIS1980]

I currently own a business non-farming related in partnership with my brother. We are both earn enough that we don't need to work elsewhere however we get a lot of free time, i used to work for an arable farmer and contractor so have experience but with the money I have saved from the business/inheritance I want to start to do some contracting around my area, not large-scale big shiny new kit. But just some equipment that is second hand, and jobs that I enjoy doing earning some money while I'm at it. I've noticed around my area that there is a lot of farms that grow small acreages of combinable crops and talking to a lot of them they have rent out combines as local contractors can't fit there massive kit down the smallish lanes and into the gateways and don't want the trouble to harvest and drill there small acreages so they are forced to rent combines then they have struggle of it all and obviously it's expensive. So as I wanted to start contracting for a while I thought maybe of getting myself a small tractor, 3m combi drill, 12T trailer and a claas dominator combine and maybe some other stuff, (I know all that's not cheap)As I think I could get myself some work as local contractors don't take the jobs on as they are too 'small'. And those are the jobs they are struggling to get people to do for them and I enjoy drilling and combining. I have the experience, finance, storage and I'm not too bad with a spanner(which I know will be use if using second hand kit) I want to do this to make Abit money and keep me occupied but more important than that I enjoy it and I understand I won't be busy 24/7 as drilling and combining are obviously in there respective months and not a all year round thing etc.I understand coming with it will be more headaches etc. Do you think i could get work? And how should I advertise so local farmers know I'm doing it? Would you even advise this at all doing it as a hobby/work? Any other jobs that people would recommend other than carting, combining and drilling?Some mind find it a stupid idea but I've always wanted to do it, and I know it's not all as clear cut as I make it out to be with farmers not paying etc. Thanks

 

[David.]

You will not get any work, you will be seen as unprofessional running around with sensible smaller secondhand kit.
Everyone wants a piece of the "winners" with their 40ft Lexions, Mzuri drills and 400hp Cat Challengers,

 

[DANLEWIS1980]

You will not get any work, you will be seen as unprofessional running around with sensible smaller secondhand kit.
Everyone wants a piece of the "winners" with their 40ft Lexions, Mzuri drills and 400hp Cat Challengers,

Yes I understand where your coming from , but there just seems a gap in market in my area with big contractors not taking on there jobs and farmers struggling, I wouldn't be in it to challenge the big boys, wouldn't they even consider it even if I advertised professionally and surely I would be the solution to there problems, I would take on the small jobs and be more suitable for there field sizes, maybe I'm wrong?

 

[Thick Farmer]

Try it and see how it goes. If you're already financially secure and you enjoy it I can't really see a problem.

Does it have to be a Dominator? I have a lovely Clason 1530 with a cab and 10' header that would suit you down to the ground!

And a 12 tonne ETC trailer come to think of it...

 

[David.]

Sorry, was meant sarcastically.
If you think you can get the work and do it profitably, go for it and good luck. Be careful not to pick up the non-paying tossers who regular established contractors will be only too happy to see you take off them.

 

[DANLEWIS1980]

Try it and see how it goes. If you're already financially secure and you enjoy it I can't really see a problem.

Does it have to be a Dominator? I have a lovely Clason 1530 with a cab and 10' header that would suit you down to the ground!

And a 12 tonne ETC trailer come to think of it...

Yes, has to be a dominator, all the small farms I've worked at have had a dominator, can't go wrong with them

 

[DANLEWIS1980]

Sorry, was meant sarcastically.
If you think you can get the work and do it profitably, go for it and good luck. Be careful not to pick up the non-paying tossers who regular established contractors will be only too happy to see you take off them.

Yes, talking to an old friend he said the same thing, he has had his fair share of non-payers and says it makes his blood boil.

 

[KMA]

I agree about the smaller stuff being too much bother for the big contractors, they want big easy acreages which is fair enough but its left enough gaps in the market for us with smaller kit/team to make a living. It'll take you a year or five to get established and well enough known to have enough work in front of you. Do market research and honest, realistic costings before you buy any piece of kit.

As mentioned before watch for non-payers and don't be afraid to get your solicitor to write a letter, we've had 3 customers go bust on us in the 5yrs since we started, in some cases you may have to wait until the SFP comes in to get paid so do your budgeting accordingly.

Always do the best job possible and treat the customer and their crop/property with the respect you'd expect some one to treat you and yours.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Buy a stone picker , when can you start ?

 

[Kevtherev]

There's always work around for the right man.
Just avoid the late payers and time wasters!
Good Luck

 

[powerontheland]

Do your research properly BEFORE you waste your money on something that will get little use! Be reliable too, this will gain you far more work in the long run, also get your figures sorted, know exactly what it costs to run each piece of equipment and charge accordingly, don't try and undercut, it's false economy in the long term. Good luck and keep us inform of what/how you do

 

[Kevtherev]

I always thought there were niche markets out there.
BUT pretty much most jobs are covered!
Things that may be worth looking at.
Fertiliser injecting.
Direct drill.
Stone rake.
Tree shears.
Things overdone in this area.
Mini diggers
Round balers
Silage tack.
Fencers.

 

[nick...]

Give it a go.i started doing plant hire 14 years ago full time.said id give it 3 years and still at it.if you dont try you will never know.works in well with the farm,most of the time
Nick...

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

Hmmm nice idea, helping out all the small farmers, and would be a good way of getting rid of the cash your making from the other source of income,
you will find you will get all the none and late payers, working long hours for nothing, mind you its a good hobby to do if you like playing with tractors, and a hobby is what it will be,

now then if you want to ride about on a tractor in your spare time, and are looking to make some money rather than loss alot of cash you would be far better off in the long run, and still have a life,
then get one like this

they even do a John Deere one if you want to be posh

 

[Chae1]

@John 1594 does well doing something similar.

 

[DRC]

Agree with Penine.
I know of one chap who has a bobcat , which he tows behind his land rover to muck out sheds and stables for people .
Another chap has a small tractor on turf tyres. He has lots of small attachments like topper, grass Harrow. Fert spinner, and does horse paddocks etc.

 

[mtx.jag]

If you got the work then go for it!! The only thing i would say is dont buy a bit of kit because you allways wanted one,seen so many contractors buy kit that they think they will get work for,but it never leaves there yard..go knock on some doors and see what the demand is..good luck!!

 

[Yale]

I currently own a business non-farming related in partnership with my brother. We are both earn enough that we don't need to work elsewhere however we get a lot of free time,

Could you tell me what this business is as I fancy the sound of it.

 

[DFC]

Sorry, was meant sarcastically.
If you think you can get the work and do it profitably, go for it and good luck. Be careful not to pick up the non-paying tossers who regular established contractors will be only too happy to see you take off them.

Take heed !!

Been there done that!!

 

[Hilly]

Agree with Penine.
I know of one chap who has a bobcat , which he tows behind his land rover to muck out sheds and stables for people .
Another chap has a small tractor on turf tyres. He has lots of small attachments like topper, grass Harrow. Fert spinner, and does horse paddocks etc.

Aye theres a chap here dose the same £120 a day, now if it were me I would want £120 a day without the 4x4,trailerand bobcat, you ??