Lot clearing

[edger]

Heres what I have been asked by a new client. He has 2 lots to be cleared. Question one is this: Is is better for me to sub this out to someone who knows what they are doing or rent the equipment myself and do the work? The big thing I see if I get the equipment is that I have no idea as to where to start. Also the other compines have the dump truck to haul everything away if we can't burn it off in a push up.

I've talked to 4 other compines that do this kind of work. Two out of the four have walked the property. They others just stayed roadside and looked. One that walked the property I know from the firehouse. The others are word of mouth. One wants me to mark the property better and also mark the trees to be left on the property. Then call him back and he would rewalk the property.

So right now I'm kind of lost on this whole thing. This is in a area where I would like my name to get out. Its hard to get your name in a gated community in our area and this is a great chance for me to do just that. I guess I do have one thing working in my favor. I do now have someone that just passed and completed all of the NC landscape licensing exam. I have talked to her a few times asking for help with the design part. I know that I will have to sub alot of the work out on this job. Which is fine. This is going to be a learning time.

One last thing, what do some of you larger compines charge for something like this? Looking at an area of 300x600.

Thanks

[cjm2783]

if you dont know what you're doing i can tell you that a nightmare is going to happen. just sub it out and make some money. if you dont have the equipment it's going to be very hard to do.
trust me i did this once. it was installing huge rocks in guys yard. they weighed from 200lbs to 4000lbs. i had no truck to get them there, noequipment, but what i saw was dollar signs. thank God that man decided not to do it or i wouldnt looked like a dummy.

my thoughts,

cjm

[work it]

Always know your limits. If you have no experience in an area find someone who does and offer to help them. The best way to learn what's needed to accomplish a particular job safely is hands on experience under the close supervision of a professional. Safety should also be your main consideration when dealing with a job like that. Even if you went out and rented all the equipment you need can you honestly say you know, beyond a doubt, you'll be able to recognize potential hazards and find safe solutions to them? Thus minimizing the risk of serious injury to yourself or others and/or damage to personal property.

[SodBuster]

Necessary equipment for lot clearing

Skidsteer $27,000
Tooth Bucket $650
Grapple Bucket $3,000
Excavator $45,000
10 ton trailer $5,500
Dump Truck Mid-Size Diesel $50,000
Misc. Saws & tools $950

[Jared_Smith]

Get someone who has all that stuff and sub it out. I'd recommend at least a D6 dozer if there is any big stuff in there. Bigger dozers cost more per hour, but can do a lot more work in the same time.

Also, it may be more economical to just bury the debris on site. I did that to one peice of property, and it turned out good, no sinking.

[jrservices]

In some cases, it is in your best interest to say no. Especially if you are not set up to do the job with all the equipment required, insurance , and what-not. Referral is not such a bad thing, what comes around goes around.

[Scaper-S2k]

Please explain what is involved in this job. Lots of big trees? Or mainly brush?

[GeeVee]

I'll add to CodBuster's list.

Ancillary tools, equipment, supplies, parts-on-hand to actually own that equipment: 100,000.

Price to compete with Johnny Local Boy from way out in the sticks because he's been doing it since his Gran Dad let him drive the tractor?

1850.

Clearing is not a once a week or twice a month segment you can add on to your scaping business, you can't afford it. It is frequently what the Clearing Company owner does when he isn't clearing.

GeeVee

[Phil Nilsson]

No matter what ... it would be a great learning experience ... the only question is ... what will it cost (if anything) to learn? If you had nothing else to do (for a while) and you broke even ... all of a sudden you'd be in the land clearing business ...

Take some risks or watch the parade from the curb!

[edger]

Well I have agreed on a company to handle this end of the job for me. Thought I post so pics of the area to which all this is for. I'd say I have a lot to work with here. Let me know what you think. Should be nice to learn something like this. Air Ranch1

[ohreallythanks]

congrats chris......... if ya want some free labor let me know...

[edger]

Where you at in NC?