Do any of you guys do weed abatement or tractor work for a side job? I know most of you have your own spread you work on. However in these tough economic times I've been thinking of possibly having a little weed abatement business on the side. Smart idea? Or trouble and a possible pain in the neck?
- Thread starter LJS30
- Start date
these days it depends on what exactly you can offer, example are you running a 8n ford and a 5 foot brush hog, or do you have a 100 hp big tractor and can offer tillage, road leveling, grading, and more, with the smaller tractors its still possible to make money and there easy to haul around, the problem in this economy is getting a customer to pay a fair price for the work,, they want you to run all day long for 50 bucks,i stopped doing any off- farm tractor work 3 years ago for this exact reason, when i grade and level private roads its going to coast more than a hundred bucks, this aint the '60's
My business is weed control. We grossed about 30 million last year in the Southeast. It is very involved. Insurance, licensing in each state, paperwork, application reports, etc is a necessary evil. I do think there is an opportunity for someone to spray small jobs that aren't economically feasible for larger companies like mine. Fencelines and small ponds for homeowners could be a possibility. We have to turn them away sometimes (we have a $300 minimum). Someone that doesnt have my overhead could do well. Get licensed and insured and know what you are targeting, Round Up doesnt kill everything and is not residual.
Keith Molden
Well-known Member
I've also found that to be true. I have a backhoe, dozer and dump truck. If they want to pay an hours time to move in plus at least 1/2 of the estimated up front in cash, mine will sit at home. Too many I'll pay ya next weeks in the past that didn't materialize (didn't get paid). I've found that it cost me nothing for it to sit, it's paid for. BUT it does cost to operate it, even for friends. In this area, i can't begin to think about doing any outside work for less than 65 an hour, & if you have any breakdowns at all you'll go in the hole real quick. Just my thoughts Keith
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
It all depends on what sort of a person you are. Are you a people person not looking to get rich right away and have a business plan(like no freebies) you'll probably get by.It takes time to build a client list.
'Weed abatement' - you must be from the city! 
Strange phrase to a farmer.
You lookin' at spraying weeds?
Licencing is pretty spendy for a commercial, for hire outfit.
Liability is pretty high for a commercial outfit.
Working around people's gardens, and the extreme tree-hugger types can be 'fun'. You'll be accused of killing off garden plots that weren't even planted, and every fish that dies in a 2 county area....
If in the city, looking at small plots, and people don't have cash to pay these days - might be inclined to let their weeds grow. Tough ecconomy to get into such a thing that is 'optional' expense for people.
Depends if you can find enough business to pay for the above overhead.
See if you get anything over & above that?
--->Paul
Strange phrase to a farmer. You lookin' at spraying weeds?
Licencing is pretty spendy for a commercial, for hire outfit.
Liability is pretty high for a commercial outfit.
Working around people's gardens, and the extreme tree-hugger types can be 'fun'. You'll be accused of killing off garden plots that weren't even planted, and every fish that dies in a 2 county area....
If in the city, looking at small plots, and people don't have cash to pay these days - might be inclined to let their weeds grow. Tough ecconomy to get into such a thing that is 'optional' expense for people.
Depends if you can find enough business to pay for the above overhead.
See if you get anything over & above that?
--->Paul
cadet trooper
Well-known Member
Whatever business you get into as others have said the big one is accounts receivable along with the liability issues. Money owed cuts no ice with the bank, accountant or creditors so you will need an ironclad service agreement along with services offered so there is no grey area. IMHO
GeneMO
Well-known Member
- Location
- Pilot Grove, Mo.
Aerial or ground rigs?
Gene
Gene
I have found that the people that don't like to pay
your rate are the people that you don't need to work
for. I tell them my price and if they don't like it
I don't do it. By the way I explain that pay is due
when the job is done. Not next week or month. I also
charge from portal to portal . & I don't go out for
less than 4 hours.
your rate are the people that you don't need to work
for. I tell them my price and if they don't like it
I don't do it. By the way I explain that pay is due
when the job is done. Not next week or month. I also
charge from portal to portal . & I don't go out for
less than 4 hours.
(quoted from post at 23:33:44 02/19/10) 'Weed abatement' - you must be from the city!
You lookin' at spraying weeds?
Licencing is pretty spendy for a commercial, for hire outfit.
Liability is pretty high for a commercial outfit.
Working around people's gardens, and the extreme tree-hugger types can be 'fun'. You'll be accused of killing off garden plots that weren't even planted, and every fish that dies in a 2 county area....
If in the city, looking at small plots, and people don't have cash to pay these days - might be inclined to let their weeds grow. Tough ecconomy to get into such a thing that is 'optional' expense for people.
Depends if you can find enough business to pay for the above overhead.
See if you get anything over & above that?
--->Paul
Hahaha, I just used that term to be official. Personally I just disc my weeds on our property or use a brush hog for the areas the city has deemed not discable. The issue in my city has to do with an overzealous code enforcement that is ready to stick it to anyone who doesn't take care of their weeds.
That is exactually what I do. I started doing it when I was working nights. Now since I reaired I still do it, but not so rushed anymore. I started out by discing only, with my Dad's A/C model M crawler. I have added a MF 231 with a woods 6 ft mower. I am working on getting my JD 401 industrial with a 8 ft flail mower ready this year.I really enjoy doing it. I am going to stop discing in a few years, It's getting hard to haul the crawler. Too much heavy lifting, and the old chevy flat bed is getting tired like me. With the mower, it's just mow and go.You are not going to get rich, but keeps the bill collectors away. About 1/3 of my income is fuel, and repairs. Then the tax man hit's you. Insurance is about 1,400 a year, which a lot of people want. I mowded for quite a few years with out it. Just don't mow around kids, or road ways. I put up a sign offering mowing. Also a good place to put in your name is at the fire dept. Here in Calif it is manditory to have your weeds cut when they are dry. As for charging a lot depends where you are located. Now I get 90 for mowing, and 110 for discing. That is a little less of what othres charge. If you alerady have the equipment go for it. Stan
Man that sounds like the type of operation I'm talking about for sure. See I'm a high school teacher here in Riverside County. Well as you know budget cuts may be hitting soon so I need another income to help pay for a few bills. The way I see it I have a disc, a brush hog, a MF290 and 165, and a supportive family. The only thing I'm missing, which is huge, is a legit trailer to haul my tractor to the location. I have an 85 1 ton cargo van that has hauled our tractors in the past. However my Grandfather sold the old trailer he used to utilize for duty when he was a caretaker of several properties.
Stan are your prices per hour? Or do you do estimates based per job? I have to really crunch numbers and get an idea how much my MF290 is going to cost in diesel and up keep.
Don't know if there is much CRP in your area. I was spot spraying my 160 and the two neighbors hired me to do theirs.
When I was done I gave them the bill and it was 20% of what they had paid the year before. And they said my job was better. Going to have to raise my rates.
Oh, and that was the day I sold the 2001 4 Wheeler and bought one with Power Steering!
Gordo
When I was done I gave them the bill and it was 20% of what they had paid the year before. And they said my job was better. Going to have to raise my rates.
Oh, and that was the day I sold the 2001 4 Wheeler and bought one with Power Steering!
Gordo
The prices are what I charge per hr. Most times people want a price up front. If you are in Reverside You can probably charge about that amount. I would keep a watch out for a car hauling trailer I believe mine is 16ft. I pull it with a 80 ford F350. Just watch out for rocks, A big rick can ruin your whole day.Two years ago I broke the gear box on my mower. I live just south of Riverside in Encinitas. About as far north I go is Fallbrook. Stan
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