excavation advice... - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Scratch · 03-26-2006, 11:28 PM

I need some advice... I'm possibly thinking af a career change. I do low voltage security now but have always wanted to have a small excavation business. I've had 2 skid steers in my life (35 years old BTW) and have quite a bit of seat time in them... though not nearly as much as you guys i'm sure.

What advice would you give someone starting out. I was thinking I would get a dump truck, trailer, skid steer and a medium sized excavator (is that the correct term?) How much am I looking at spending for some used equipment?
Or would I want to start out just doing skid steer work?
How much money could I expect to make after a couple years you think. I gotta know if it's worth quitting my job right now or not.
What about winter work.... is there any?
Keep in mind I've never driven a dump truck or operated anything other than a skid, but I do have 20 acres of woods to practice in and a new 40 X 60 pole barn to store the equipment. I also feel I am a strong worker that would put in the effort needed to succeed.

Are there classes to take on "digging foundations" ? When my house was dug, it was raining bad and the diggers crew wouldn't work but the operator would, so I was the guy holding the stick for depth. I'm not saying I could dig a basement because of that, but I did get a small understanding of what he was doing that day.

Would I want to get a job working for someone else to start? How much money could I expect to make doing that? Would they even hire a guy that just knew how to "drive a skid"?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

signed,
-clueless and way in over my head...

Scratch · 03-27-2006, 03:24 PM

23 views and nobody has any advice...

I know you guys have some sort of comments for a newb like me.
C'mon, I can take it.

jmic · 03-27-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scratch

I need some advice... I'm possibly thinking af a career change. I do low voltage security now but have always wanted to have a small excavation business. I've had 2 skid steers in my life (35 years old BTW) and have quite a bit of seat time in them... though not nearly as much as you guys i'm sure.

What advice would you give someone starting out. I was thinking I would get a dump truck, trailer, skid steer and a medium sized excavator (is that the correct term?) How much am I looking at spending for some used equipment?
To buy the things in your list I would say you could spend anywhere's from60-80K for used equip. , which I wouldn't buy unless you're mecahnically proficient. Lot's of moo-la to dish out for someone who's not sure of what they're doing.
Or would I want to start out just doing skid steer work?You could, but not sure if it would be enough income to survive on.
How much money could I expect to make after a couple years you think. I gotta know if it's worth quitting my job right now or not.
What about winter work.... is there any?How much money could you make? You know the area that you're fromm better than anyone else. I think you should keep your job or find a job with an excavating co. and ease into it.
Keep in mind I've never driven a dump truck or operated anything other than a skid, but I do have 20 acres of woods to practice in and a new 40 X 60 pole barn to store the equipment. I also feel I am a strong worker that would put in the effort needed to succeed.Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to get your CDL drivers license.

Are there classes to take on "digging foundations" ? When my house was dug, it was raining bad and the diggers crew wouldn't work but the operator would, so I was the guy holding the stick for depth. I'm not saying I could dig a basement because of that, but I did get a small understanding of what he was doing that day. Maybe someone else knows of classes someplace.

Would I want to get a job working for someone else to start? How much money could I expect to make doing that? Would they even hire a guy that just knew how to "drive a skid"?Yes,not certain of market in your area. If they needed someone with your skills.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

signed,
-clueless and way in over my head...

Wolf · 03-27-2006, 08:56 PM

dude:

did you ever consider going into demolition? You could use the skid loader for doing small demo jobs, and rent the larger excavator if you can do a house or something. There is a ton of money to be made in demo, and not too many people are doing it.

And besides, it's a hell of a lot of fun to get paid to destroy things.

jojo · 03-27-2006, 08:59 PM

I have a full time job,,I plan on leaving,,,so I went out and bought a backhoe and dump truck,,I am starting a small excavating business,,and soon will have two jobs,,but I won't quit my full time job untill I know that I can make it on my own,,,be smart ,start part time and try to build it up see where it takes you,,,

Wolf · 03-27-2006, 09:30 PM

What kind of backhoe and dump truck did you get?

Scratch · 03-27-2006, 09:35 PM

I plan on staying at my job doing low voltage. I only work about 20 hours a week so I think I would be able to start doing some excavation on the side and still keep my health insurance until I get too busy.

I am mecahnically proficient and I do metal fabrication in my spare time, so I'm not too worried about that part. Also my first skid steer was always in need of repair it seems, so I learned alot about hydraulics and the like from that.

I live in a "used to be small town" that is growing very fast. There are developments popping up all over the place in my city so I feel that there would be lots of work to come by.

I plan on getting a CDL when the time comes but IMO that is a small obstacle.

I have a friend with so much money he bought all the equipment for fun, then he had a house fall down on him and almost killed him. He expressed some interest in leasing the equipment to me, or making payments to him so I might get real lucky on that. He's got a dump truck, trackhoe, dozer, skid and roller. He's not too worried about money but seemed willing to help out a friend. Don't know if that'll pan out yet or not. I don't wanna get my hopes up too high.

Thanks for the advice... keep it coming.

**denick** · 03-27-2006, 10:00 PM

Learn the business end of the business. Construction and equipment based businesses especially are different than other businesses. Find an accountant and insurance agent that are well experienced in this type of business.

All the jolly's of riding around on a piece of equipment won't be much comfort when you go to retire or a house falls on your head. I'd guess your friend with all that money didn't get it running a machine.

Could you take your low voltage experience and use it in conjunction with machinery? Outdoor lighting? Lighting = trenching=backfilling?

You cannot eat machinery, it isn't good shelter, it doesn't hold up its end in a conversation and won't keep you warm as you sleep

Don't check your brains at the door when you leave the house to go run the machine?

Nick

jojo · 04-01-2006, 10:44 AM

The backhoe is a 1992 case 580K,,,it really runs great,,,the dump truck I found on e-bay,,,drove from lancaster pa to almost rochester ny, to pick it up,,,its a 95 ford L8000,,it only has 40800 miles on it,,it was a local municipal truck it came with a service manual all the records from oil changes and all that stuff,,,it also has a 11 1/2 foot fixed angle highway snow plow,,,not a bad deal for $14000,,the local township hires me out to plow for $55 an hour,,,sure wish it snow more around here than it does...