Thing is I’m already pretty well set up for it. I have a 45 hp tractor with bucket, forks, hydraulic grapple, 3 point log hog. I have a commercial log splitter, 4 saws, truck, trailer, 21 acres of land to store stuff on. I know my brother would be willing to trailer the tractor to and from for a couple hundred bucks a pop which id factor in my price. My father has a lift, full size backhoe, bulldozer, and 2 dump trucks I could rent, or split jobs with him. I would want to get a tandem axle dump trailer, a 3 point 8” chipper, and a 3 point stump grinder eventually.
I'd say go for it, what ya going to loose? I'm sure you will recoup the $1500 bucks and then you can make a educated decision not just wonder about it. Be careful on the tax thing as there are a lot more tax police out there than you realize.
My wife has given me the green light to spend on some more equipment I don't have. Dump trailer and chipper would probably be the 1st items. I have the property to store wood, saws, splitter, access to a dump trailer, and truck. Would start small and see how things go.
My wife is pretty excited about it. I told her and my daughter to think of a catchy name. Then I’ll see if it’s taken
Been full time for awhile now... It's been my experience that these types of jobs don't exist. Everyone knows someone with a chainsaw and will only call for a pro when the trees are too sketchy to cut down themselves. Pics don't really show the 15° lean over the neighbors yard/fence, but here's a couple pics of the easiest tree removal I've had in months. Yes I hung in there at the stump and steered it into the hole. I'm not saying don't start a side hustle, but don't plan on felling easy trees as a main source of income. You might also consider doing fall clean ups.
Go for it. Its great. Ive done it for years. More so in recent years. Recent storms have been great for it. We love making firewood and why not get paid for it. My dilemma is no chipper s the PU gets loaded to the hilt with brush and to the dump it goes. Keep overhead very low too.
I only do half cords as i just have the F150 to deliver. Most of my customers are "casual burners". Most of my sales and chain saw work is word of mouth which is the best. Me personally would rather do the saw work than sell wood.
We only take cash and venmo as payments for my wifes new business. On a few occasions, we have taken checks, but only from preschools, not the general public. Havent had a single person balk at that yet.
Sounds like you're pretty set up with most of the equipment already which is nice. The insurance isn't that bad a price, and you could probably make that $ back easily, plus all the product you can burn or sell. What Barcroftb said sounds pretty spot on in terms of the "easy" tree takedowns. Like you said, be careful on getting into a job that's over your head... And I think there would always be a charge for a job..."free jobs" (even of for primo easy wood that would make it worth it) get spread fast by word of mouth too, and then you get into the expectations and pricing thing, which I personally despise.. But....I do wonder a bit about this statement.. Is she trying to get you out of the house more...or is she picturing all this cash you're gonna be making???
Remembering some previous posts and conversations, there may also be business potential for you to construct and sell some home gym equipment. Stuff is still hard to find!
Venmo is actually owned by Paypal. I had never heard of it either, but apparently Tim and I were the only ones. EVERYONE uses it from what I have seen! I've probably taken at least $15K in orders through it so far.
OK, don’t laugh. Years ago I pipe dreamed a relatively cheap homemade kiln idea that doesn’t require any power. (No fans) Because it was a pipe dream it was bigger than you are thinking 55 gallon drum woodstove dug into the ground. On top I imagined round metal sections like a silo but seperatable. Wood would be tossed into a section and lifted into place with a Lull (only thing I don’t have, a Lull) Each separate silo piece would have a screen bottom and open top. How many was still open to dreamland. Crude but heavy steel flue could run in sections right through the middle. Or homemade double wall with no insulation. I think there’s be little danger of it catching fire. Top would require a conical steel roof but raised so heat and moisture could escape. Fuel is just junk wood not suitable for sale Ok you can laugh now Still some of that idea is valid. Pipe or no pipe.
