Necessities

[4 seasons lawn&land]

Im looking for some advertising ideas. I want to try to advert some necessity work, things that people have to have done instead of landscaping type improvements. Seems like a good idea for a crappy economy. I dont do septics but thats the type of thing that comes to mind. I dont do heavy excavation which I know makes the whole idea kind of tough but you guys might think of a couple things that Im not.

Land clearing
Driveways
Sidewalks

[allinearth]

French drains, drainage, ditch clean out

[AWJ Services]

There is 2 types of work. Work of Want and Work of need!

Work of want will make you rich and work of need will make you a living.

[ksss]

Originally Posted by AWJ Services

There is 2 types of work. Work of Want and Work of need!

Work of want will make you rich and work of need will make you a living.

That is spot on.

Excavation for typical spec home = nobody involved really makes anything except maybe wages.

Excavation for Custom home = while not rich the project (properly bid) will make good money due to the extras involved.

Septic can make money in some markets (not the one I am in) but your set up for it so getting licensed is a good idea.

Pick some attachments that might open some doors, concrete breaker, stump grinder, excavator mower ect.

Water/sewer repair (while these are typically find the cheapest guy type jobs) they can open opportunities for bigger projects.

Smaller demo projects

Spend more time networking with General Contractors, these are the guys that will keep you busy. It takes a while but if you can find 10 or so that use you, you will always be busy.

Be diversified in what you can do or are willing to do. Very few one trick ponies still alive here (actually I cant think of any).

[4 seasons lawn&land]

rich sounds good but both types pay me the same per hour so unless you mean the want types of people will give you more and more work then Im not sure that translates to my business.

[NEUSWEDE]

Originally Posted by 4 seasons lawn&land

rich sounds good but both types pay me the same per hour so unless you mean the want types of people will give you more and more work then Im not sure that translates to my business.

I think you have just identified your problem. If your billing per hour your leaving money on the table. What he means is that people that want something are willing to pay to get it done because they want it. Needs are things that they dont want to but has to get done so they will find the cheapest person.

When I want a good drink I go to a bar and pay $4 per pint when I need a drink I drink water from the tap (cheap)

[AWJ Services]

Originally Posted by 4 seasons lawn&land

rich sounds good but both types pay me the same per hour so unless you mean the want types of people will give you more and more work then Im not sure that translates to my business.

Well if you charge by the hour rather than by what a job is worth then it will not matter. The profit margin per hour of work should not be the same for all your work.

[alldayrj]

Agreed. I'm trying to sell more pavers/firepits/etc (wants) vs concrete walks and drives. (needs). Usually translates to NEEDSs the lowest price since they don't WANT to spend the $ on it
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[AEL]

niche markets are where the money is. with little to no competition you set the prices...

I dont recomend working by the hour unless it is a long term project.

It took me a couple hard years, but finally i have a niche and i have been blessed enough that my business has grown ten fold.

Look into large government projects, go to the site meetings, shake some hands , give out business cards, take estimators out for coffee etc . Impress them and im sure you can get subbed out doing stuff such as , bobcat/mini ex work, erosion control, concrete breaking, planting etc.

[4 seasons lawn&land]

deffinitly not charging by the hour. I said Im making the same per hour.