What we get up to

[Gunners]

Nice to be able to finally be able to do this job i priced it back in July.

Nice work Dan, glad the price work is going well. On these jobs that take ages to come in, I always put on my quote that its only valid for 3 months. Especially when a job spills into the new year, I always find prices rise in January and sod being the idiot to take it on last years prices. To be honest blaming stuff on Brexit has made me money so far as it seems to be an acceptable excuse to charge up to 5% more when it comes to actually doing the work. I'm sure you've got it covered anyway but keep up the good work

 

[Danny]

Added this prodem hammer last week and hopefully its going to be busy for a day or two

 

[V8Druid]

Added this prodem hammer last week and hopefully its going to be busy for a day or two

Plymouth Centre ... you get your passport stamped to come out o' Cornwall ...... bet you're causing bloody chaos there

 

[Danny]

Plymouth Centre ... you get your passport stamped to come out o' Cornwall ...... bet you're causing bloody chaos there

My driver lives in Devon so no passport needed Organised chaos will all look lovely come the end, cant wait to tell my kids that i had a digger there for the rest of there lives ( once i have kids )

 

[Hg2702]

A lot of us in Devon consider Plymouth as Cornwall

 

[JD450A]

A lot of us in Devon consider Plymouth as Cornwall

They might aswell have it... Horrible fkn place

 

[Hg2702]

They might aswell have it... Horrible fkn place

we shall have to get Donald to build us a wall !

 

[JD450A]

we shall have to get Donald to build us a wall !

Yes.. they can have tavvy too

 

[V8Druid]

Yes.. they can have tavvy too

an' what's Tavistock done to you ??

 

[Danny]

First time ive done plate testing this was for a new lorry park to be constructed

 

[Danny]

Riddling walling stone so customer can reuse and rebuild a new hedge

 

[Danny]

This area used to be a bmx track but after years of neglect the customer just wanted it made safe so a tractor can flail it next year

 

[Danny]

Helping a friend of mine out ( my first boss ) as his Volvo has a wierd hitch on it so he couldnt hire a breaker locally

 

[Danny]

Bit of an update back in March, me and my groundworker ( we have worked together on and off for the last 9 years and have become very good friends he has worked for me for 18months paye now ) had a discussion how we were both unhappy with where the business was going.

We had been on long term hire the whole time he had worked for me with a few weekend jobs here and there.

They always paid on time, weekly as well so they had us by the balls you become very complacent in an environment like that.

But when your unhappy and thinking this wasn’t the reason I got into business things had to change. I’m not saying I never would go back on hire to them or other companies but right now we are focusing more on groundworks and more specialists hirers.

So I started putting the feelers out to old friends and contacts and picked up some work here and there, I’ve kept the groundworker going on various jobs big bonus he can drive a machine but prefers being on the ground!

In all honestly it’s been tough going and a few sleepless nights worrying here and there.

But we are still here.

I know it takes years to build a reputation but If anyone has got any tips in gaining more work in the groundworks sector, but doesn’t want to post on an open forum feel free to PM me

 

[Regy53]

On this I can make a closed forum page for members only ( paid ) let me know if that is somthing anybody would like

 

[diggerjones]

One way would be to get on approved contractors list at copanys. There must be hundreds of companies up and down the country. The only downside is lodging away.

 

[Routy56]

Bit of an update back in March, me and my groundworker ( we have worked together on and off for the last 9 years and have become very good friends he has worked for me for 18months paye now ) had a discussion how we were both unhappy with where the business was going.

We had been on long term hire the whole time he had worked for me with a few weekend jobs here and there.

They always paid on time, weekly as well so they had us by the balls you become very complacent in an environment like that.

But when your unhappy and thinking this wasn’t the reason I got into business things had to change. I’m not saying I never would go back on hire to them or other companies but right now we are focusing more on groundworks and more specialists hirers.

So I started putting the feelers out to old friends and contacts and picked up some work here and there, I’ve kept the groundworker going on various jobs big bonus he can drive a machine but prefers being on the ground!

In all honestly it’s been tough going and a few sleepless nights worrying here and there.

But we are still here.

I know it takes years to build a reputation but If anyone has got any tips in gaining more work in the groundworks sector, but doesn’t want to post on an open forum feel free to PM me

Yes agree with all that
Been going (albeit part time) for about 9 years now
And during that time I have built up a good base of business partners. There are 2 ground workers that I respect and trust. Have know them for years. Day rate only which works both ways depending on who had the lead for the job
Have had many repeat clients and don’t need to advertise. The two things that I will say is that you have to 100% reliable and have excellent communication skills
It’s no good, as we have read on this forum, if not replying or returning phone calls etc. In this day and age it’s service that counts
On your final point (of which I don’t feel fully qualified to answer) I believe the best way of drumming up business is by networking
A good clear simple website helps with maybe social media
Thanks for sharing your honest views

 

[JD450A]

@Danny you know the craic as we spoke earlier in the year. Glad it's going well!

 

[V8Druid]

On this I can make a closed forum page for members only ( paid ) let me know if that is somthing anybody would like

couple of other forums I'm on have a 'member's lounge' , which is not publicly accessible and for more private debates and discussions.

 

[Danny]

Yes agree with all that
Been going (albeit part time) for about 9 years now
And during that time I have built up a good base of business partners. There are 2 ground workers that I respect and trust. Have know them for years. Day rate only which works both ways depending on who had the lead for the job
Have had many repeat clients and don’t need to advertise. The two things that I will say is that you have to 100% reliable and have excellent communication skills
It’s no good, as we have read on this forum, if not replying or returning phone calls etc. In this day and age it’s service that counts
On your final point (of which I don’t feel fully qualified to answer) I believe the best way of drumming up business is by networking
A good clear simple website helps with maybe social media
Thanks for sharing your honest views

Always best to be honest, we all have to start somewhere we do okay just striving for more

@Danny you know the craic as we spoke earlier in the year. Glad it's going well!

Always good to talk to other owner operators Rory, as i know alot of the time we are all in the same boat