Equipment Subcontracing

[Mike Fronczak]

I have been a lawn maintenance contractor for 15 years now. As time went I became more of a snow contractor than lawn maintenace contractor to a point now where snow is probably 85% or more of my revenue. I use part time guys, & subs in the winter in summer its just me a part time casual laborer here or there. I've done several walls & patios over the years, & went to school for civil engineering. I want to free up commited time (every week being there to mow) durring the summer, it affects my snow bidding, going to the SIMA show & taking family vacations would be a HUGE plus.
I have a Toro Ding, two bobcats, a 1 ton & 6 wheel dumps. I came across a small mini-ex for a resonable price I'm looking at.
My question is this if I were to offer to prep, (diggout, place base stone, & haul spoils, stage block) for walks, patios & walls. What kind of demand can I expect, what is the best way to market it. My thought is alot of the smaller/newer companies don't have the equipment, so it would be a win-win.

[kreft]

For you to make revenue, the contractor would loose his ass, imo. It would be in the contractors best interest just to rent equipment.

[PatriotLandscape]

We hire subs to do this on a few jobs every year. Bigger driveways etc. If this were something I was marketing I would advertise to builders and landscape contractors big and small. You may find yourself even busier than mowing.
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[DVS Hardscaper]

I'm a naturally born equipment operator, so personally I perfer to handle all our dirtwork inhouse.

I've heard of this concept. Not too popular where I am, but I've heard of folks in New Jersey doing this.

Paying a sub can sometimes be cheaper than renting. By the time you pay for the rental, the delivery and pick up and the time spent in executing the work - you may save money by payin someone with the equipment.


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[Mike Fronczak]

kreft For you to make revenue, the contractor would loose his ass, imo. It would be in the contractors best interest just to rent equipment.

Im puzzled by this statement, at least here it is about $ 200 to rent a skid with a bucket, then add P/U & drop of time, & trailer expense, or trucking fee. Then an operator for the day ($ 200 ? by the time taxes etc), so better than $ 400. In my market skids hourly rate s $ 65-75 hr, so for an 8 hr day, Id be @ $ 500ish is my thought, by the time you figure jobsite time.

[Murphy's Law]

I do not own equipment and that is by choice. I primarily rent the specific piece of equipment for excavation based on the type of job but last season I subbed out 3 jobs because they could do it cheaper that I could. Either lots of hauling or timing play a role in my decision also.