Any advice on running a small Forestry Mulching business?

[mattmatt300]

I know those are the two biggest failures to any business

You’re not wrong on that part.

 

[DAHLONEGA GOLD AND PAWN]

I was going to post the same. I shake my head when I see someone charging under $100/hr for basic skid steer work. Or you see someone charge the same hourly rate for running a hydraulic attachment. Forestry mulching is almost a luxury service as there are just only so many potential customers that are able/willing to have it done. The price of the attachment plus your machine and running costs says it’s going to take a looooong time before you make your money back. Good luck!

The machine is paid for. I was going to offer a financing option to make the service affordable to more potential customers. Thoughts?

 

[DAHLONEGA GOLD AND PAWN]

Facts. I’ve gone to quote quite a few mulching jobs just to have the customer say “oh another guy I talked to is $100 an hour” and all I can tell em is good luck. Luckily I’ve gotten to the point im staying busy with referrals and word of mouth but I’d hate to be starting up right now.

Seems to me, the breakeven costs in this business are close to $100 per hour. Does that seem right?

 

[DAHLONEGA GOLD AND PAWN]

$100 is crazy low to run a mulcher. Like they’re losing money at that point. If you can find someone even remotely competent for $100 you better get on their schedule.

That sounds right to me. The breakeven cost per hour is probably around $100 per hour.

 

[sniper22]

Seems to me, the breakeven costs in this business are close to $100 per hour. Does that seem right?

$130/hr if it's a local job and your machine is in great shape and paid for. Repairs are expensive and parts are even worse

 

[palmettomoon]

You got their numbers?
$100/hr up here and were usually in the more affordable part of the state

$100 - $140 here too. Do have several operators though looking for new jobs all the time.

 

[mattmatt300]

Seems to me, the breakeven costs in this business are close to $100 per hour. Does that seem right?

Yes it does.

 

[JDUB]

Here is the machine we got delivered today. Any advice on running a small Forestry Mulching business?
View attachment 4114882

Plan to have a guy (or you)walk through the job and find barbed wire or trash under the thick stuff before you turn the machine on.

Plan on 3 hrs maintenance per 8-10 hrs use min. Pay for carbide teeth and don’t eat dirt.

Down here around Coweta co it’s a min of 150/hr. Charge more to stand out and do more to stand out. Service is key. Don’t leave a mess and impress.

Get a grading bucket and get proficient. You can upsell customers on light flatwork like small concrete slabs for parking or shop/work areas, fixing washed out driveways etc.

Good luck. I love running those machines.

 

[davans]

That is not a $100.00 an hr. set up. you can rent the machine for $350.00ish a day. Plus pick up, delivery and fuel. That mulcher head will run you close to $2000.00 a day. Maintenance and repairs can be substantial. You can do 10k in damage in a blink of an eye. Skid steer work is one thing but a forestry mulcher can run 200.00-400.00 an hr.

 

[wildbill1973z28]

You got their numbers?
$100/hr up here and were usually in the more affordable part of the state

Well in ALABAMA you can get it for 50 hr. With Operitor