Small contracting business

[Robo17]

Hi, I’m a young lad I have a Ferguson tef20 which I have been showing for about a year but I have a bit of spare time on my hands I was thinking of renting bits of kit off people like flat rolls and chain harrows and offer to equestrians and other farmers small services just to get a bit of cash and maybe eventually get a conventional baler and do a bit of hay out of a field my family own what are people opinions on this, is there jobs people want doing but won’t do it them selves? Prices for rolling, chain harrowing, topping etc? Best brand of conventional baler, welger, claas or others? Paddock renovations? Let me know your thoughts
Based East Midlands cheers

 

[Clive]

if you love it, do it

if you want to make £’s ……… don’t bother

 

[farmgineer]

You can gauge prices off the NAAC website, they do a list every year. You then go up or down depending on the size of the job. The big boys will want the big jobs, but won't be bothered with a little one... But then the people who have a small job to do won't understand the costs involved. There should be a market out there. Give prices before you do a job is the best advice I can give, you'd be surprised how many well off people want stuff done for nowt and will take the proverbial...

 

[CPF]

One of my ex employees
Started up doing paddock maintenance with a quad bike with a topper with engine on it 9 years ago.
Now he’s got all the kit to do a full service from reseeds to fencing ,etc .
And now employing four full time staff.
Seems to be doing very nicely out of it.

 

[Nearly]

You'll make more money by driving a small tractor than you will driving a big one.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Start with modest kit, don’t over spend. Gear up when you have the work not on promises and dreams.

Charge a decent rate. Don’t concern yourself with what others are charging. If they want to be busy fools that’s their business.

Do the job well and on time. Invoice immediately and get the money in your bank. Cash flow is crucial .

Give customers value for money. If you’re the most expensive quote they have, give them a valid reason why.

Do what you say you’re going to do. You’ll have a phone, use it - both ways.

Crack on, good luck.

 

[Jonp]

There's alot of work out there especially if your in an area with lots of small equine properties, small farms or country piles with large gardens.
All my work is labour only, use customers expensive tools (hedge cutter, strimmer,chainsaw etc)and tractors and my own hand tools.
Do plenty of fencing, tree work, hedge/wall work as well as garden work and field topping/ragwort pulling. Big sheds/ small sheds, patios, decking, concrete in fact I'll do anything they want doing including building a house for them!
Alot of people need someone 2 days a week, 1 day a week or 1/2 day a week, regularly, all year round ....just got to pick the good ones, stick to them, do a good job and you've got a stress free regular income.

 

[robs1]

Don't bother looking for farm work as has been said the money to be made is from horsey folk and big houses. Do a good job and turn up when you say you will and you will make good money especially using smaller cheaper kit

 

[Devil's advocate]

Read up on SFI if you can do the hand work for hedges & machine work in time it could be a good income stream.

You would earn more if you could help fill the application forms in.

 

[Campbell]

Charge for your work by the hour, not by the area.

 

[som farmer]

local lad does all the 'small' jobs, for those with a horse paddock, and a few sheep, does very well on it.
l used to top a few paddocks, but biggish tractor, and small paddocks, don't mix. Posh idiot wanted their paddock topped, didn't like my price years 1 and 2, then in year 3, agreed, stung him fairly well, but 3 years worth of rubbish to top, is a hard job. Never made a profit on it, burn't the belts off, on my flail topper, price just covered the new belts, and they haven't stopped moaning about the amount l charged, 7 yrs on.

 

[Jonp]

local lad does all the 'small' jobs, for those with a horse paddock, and a few sheep, does very well on it.
l used to top a few paddocks, but biggish tractor, and small paddocks, don't mix. Posh idiot wanted their paddock topped, didn't like my price years 1 and 2, then in year 3, agreed, stung him fairly well, but 3 years worth of rubbish to top, is a hard job. Never made a profit on it, burn't the belts off, on my flail topper, price just covered the new belts, and they haven't stopped moaning about the amount l charged, 7 yrs on.

Those kind of people should be avoided....once bitten etc.
That's why I use their kit.....takes out a lot of unexpected costs.

 

[Daddy Pig]

Those kind of people should be avoided....once bitten etc.
That's why I use their kit.....takes out a lot of unexpected costs.

How do you get on regarding breakdowns ? Do people try to put the blame on to you regardless of what caused it ?

 

[som farmer]

Those kind of people should be avoided....once bitten etc.
That's why I use their kit.....takes out a lot of unexpected costs.

it just isn't worth the hassle, leave the buggers alone, ignore them.

some will never be happy, with what you have done, some expect you to do it for free.

we have enough to do without messing about with them. But, if you are expecting to make a living from them, you have to have the right attitude, l haven't.

 

[thesilentone]

Cracking idea, who knows where it will lead ?

My advice is test the water and see if you can drum up a bit of work to get started. Lot's of people own a bit of land but cannot justify the right kit to keep it in good order. The equestrian people are a mixed bag, you see many scruffy paddocks with all sorts of rubbish growing.

Topping and spraying could be a good place to start. Low prices will get you going, but don't under sell yourself to much.

Make sure you do a good job !

 

[Lazy Sod]

You'll find doing PTO work with the T20 will be a pain as they don't have live drive.

 

[Jonp]

How do you get on regarding breakdowns ? Do people try to put the blame on to you regardless of what caused it ?

No....I only work for people I like and trust and they employ me for the same reason. Fair wear and tear is normal and they understand.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

I have a few acres you can Role for me , pitty it's so far away

 

[Spud]

You'll make more money by driving a small tractor than you will driving a big one.

Very true - a relative has a compact tractor on grass tyres and has various bits of kit for it including a hedgecutter - it will earn him more than his full size hedger, which is on a 20yo tractor with 18,000hrs. The compact is nearly new. Golf courses, big houses & gardens etc are his market

 

[Hfd Cattle]

Reliability is key . If you say you will do something then make sure you do . If you give a time of arrival...make sure you are there! .
Don't promise the earth and deliver nothing ....too many do that now !
Plenty of work around for decent reliable people .

If something goes wrong and you cant make it ring the customer straight away!

Heaps of work around here for someone with your attitude!