Gunns Contractors Ltd

[Furniss]

We got lucky...there is a quarry about 15m away from our village, not usually more than 30mins away , so often 45m/1hr turn around, if I want some stone we usually plan to arrive just before lunchtime and have sarni on route back to site, something like that to cut lost time, although we carry on on site if it doesn't work in to Haul it ourselves in a couple of 10t loads, better let someone else ronk about in their 8wheeler,
Although his new truck only carries 17t ish so if get gready his heap doesn't look a lot bigger than ours

 

[Quattromike]

I've got a hawkfawk or whatever you call them and admittedly it's not used a lot but just the convenience of being able to pull it out the shed and use it for a few days makes it worth it for me. Don't have to plan in anything or get organised for a certain time, in my experience I need to plan in an 8 Wheeler delivery days in advance and if I'm wanting someone to come collect stuff when I want is a headache.
Hence why some people can justify the gear they've got to work how they want

 

[bobthebuilder]

I respect the graft Ollie obviously puts in and like the way he tries to do things his way, and maybe there is an environment benefit, no disrespect @Gunners but I just can't imagine sat on my machine rocking up hours,burning fuel and becoming ill through boredom for 7t per hour of crush.
Thing is we pay 5€ per ton to tip and about 10€ per ton for 0/60mm to collect it so it's not suprising i think that way.

lucky to get any grade of stone from quarry here less than 30 a ton plus twat

 

[Stroppymonkey]

We got lucky...there is a quarry about 15m away from our village, not usually more than 30mins away , so often 45m/1hr turn around, if I want some stone we usually plan to arrive just before lunchtime and have sarni on route back to site, something like that to cut lost time, although we carry on on site if it doesn't work in to Haul it ourselves in a couple of 10t loads, better let someone else ronk about in their 8wheeler,
Although his new truck only carries 17t ish so if get gready his heap doesn't look a lot bigger than ours

That works for you-but if you were paying a lad then they would be stopping for the lunch which by the time they have gone via the shop and parked up would add another hour

 

[Simon edwards]

Furniss, I really like the way you go about work and think you've pretty much got the ultimate small contractor setup, but not all of us have a lorry at our disposal. I could tip hardcore for free if I took it there, but there are costs involved in doing so. Time away from site, diesel, lorry costs etc. At 5€ to tip and 10€/ton for crush I'm technically earning 105€/hour at 7t/ph before running costs.
Now the counter argument for that is of course that you're gone maybe an hour on turnaround and come back with 10t? (cant remember what your lorry will take) on the back ready to tip and get back to work? Some sites might be close to the tip, others further away, but its hard to nip down the garage in 20 mins for a drink in my experience so I bet the average turnaround is 1hr.
In that time I'm 3t short of you but I haven't spent 150€ either. And we both have diesel & labour costs, probably about equal, and I don't have the lorry running costs.

Maybe I'm missing something really obvious that I haven't taken into consideration. I admit, its a bit of an experiment, but my maths going into this put me up at a potential £200/hr cost saving to me where I live. That's Doobin micro fancy tractor levels of profit! And it doesn't cost me anywhere near that to run the machine.

I know there's faster ways to crush material. And I know that above a certain number (I haven't quite worked out yet), its going to be far better financially to get a bigger crusher in and just load the b4st4rd. But I'm working with what I have here, trying to maximise profitability and appeal to customers in a world where doing it the usual way seems to only be getting more expensive and less reliable.

I’ve been considering a screening bucket,using similar logic to yours.
My biggest customer buys a huge amount of topsoil annually,If I mounted it on the 6 tonner I have two guys that would happily sit on it for a few days at a time, my biggest concern is how effective it would be with anything less than really dry material.
As you say Ollie ,to stay viable in this game you have to explore any options that set you apart from the masses and offer that bit more to the customer.

 

[DaveDCB]

I do like the concept, I always try and crush everything on site, the times I don’t is when we can’t store it/ or use it, then it pays to just get rid out of the way and buy clean back in as and when it’s needed.
So long as it’s making you money and keeping you busy then it’s a win win really!!

 

[bobthebuilder]

customers do like the recycling aspect ,

 

[Gunners]

Thought I'd share a recent project I have just completed. Full groundworks package for a new family home in Basingstoke, using an insulated raft foundation system by Greenraft, that forms the base and shuttering for the slab. Lots of steel in this one - I had to remind myself how to read a rebar drawing but nothing we couldn't resolve. Big pour on this, was somewhat relieved when it was all in - especially as the Greenraft system is essentially only clipped together - back propping is essential.
Been involved with this project for nearly 18 months, helping the customer through several designs of foundations as the ground conditions were poor. Great to see it finally out the ground.

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Thought I'd share a recent project I have just completed. Full groundworks package for a new family home in Basingstoke, using an insulated raft foundation system by Greenraft, that forms the base and shuttering for the slab. Lots of steel in this one - I had to remind myself how to read a rebar drawing but nothing we couldn't resolve. Big pour on this, was somewhat relieved when it was all in - especially as the Greenraft system is essentially only clipped together - back propping is essential.
Been involved with this project for nearly 18 months, helping the customer through several designs of foundations as the ground conditions were poor. Great to see it finally out the ground.

How many bathrooms are they having?! Looks massive…

 

[Jimoz]

More steel than the forth bridge in that fair play looks a tidy job

 

[Quattromike]

More steel than the forth bridge in that fair play looks a tidy job

Which forth bridge are we talking about here as there’s 6 of them.

 

[doobin]

Which forth bridge are we talking about here as there’s 6 of them.

The fourth one, clearly.

 

[V8Druid]

my guess'd be this one

 

[Jimoz]

Thought i recognised the slab when scrolling thru!

 

[Gunners]

Thought i recognised the slab when scrolling thru!

Yes, really nice of the customer to post that. It was a nice job, I'd like to do more of this kind of work if I could.

 

[DaveDCB]

These kinda jobs are exactly why i started building houses for myself, all the best kinda work, except I don’t have to answer to anyone! If only it was that simple though

All neat work as always Ollie , nice to showcase the full lineup of kit as well!

Yes, really nice of the customer to post that. It was a nice job, I'd like to do more of this kind of work if I could.

 

[Gunners]

I kinda wish I'd got a pic of all the machines together, first time they have all been on the same job! But sadly, all spread about now and wont be together again for the foreseeable. But best they are all out somewhere earning I guess.