Digginlife21's Guide To Quoting A Small Land Clearing Project

[@harconator]

Great video! Here are a few simple tips that we learned years ago in our groundskeeping/tree service, NaturWay. Keep several cans of Krylon Mark-It Industrial Marking Paint on hand for bidding jobs. It will eventually wash away and it's harmless to the environment. When walking over the land with the landowner, spray everything! When he/she asks "what are you doing?" Remark, these are all hazards that need to be removed before we commence work, the paint is biodegradable, harmless, and will wash away! Ask, "Do you want me to leave the hazards in a pile, or do you need them hauled off?" Spray everything that could be a hazard to you or your equipment. Steel sticking out of the ground, boards with nails, concrete blocks, old rear axles. pieces of rebar, barbed wire, old steel rims, old fence posts, tires, etc., etc. Spray, spray, spray, and ask lots of questions, the more the better! And keep notes of what the landowner says because neither you nor they will remember what they have told you!!! Act like the professional, and you will be the professional! Give the landowner a copy of your license, insurance policy, and bond every time. Most bidders that come behind you will NOT have proof! Everyone says they're licensed, insured, and bonded, MANY ARE NOT! Be the professional and prove that you are! Also when bidding on a job, dress like a professional, and don't show up in a ripped t-shirt and filthy clothes. At the very least have T-shirts/Polo shirts and a Ball cap printed with your company name just for bidding! And NO foul language! The orange paint is a reminder of who the Pro is! Even to the guy that bids behind you! Because they'll ask, "what's all this orange paint?" It sounds crazy, but that orange paint will win you jobs! We even started leaving a can of the spray paint with landowners so they could walk over their property and mark the trees they want to be saved! That's another job you'll win! Look like a Pro, Talk like a Pro, Be the Pro! Good luck to all of you!

[@troycassidy6177]

Solid advice mate

[@johncrouch5464]

Thanks

[@crisy_5979]

Very detailed….nicely done. 👍

[@mikekopie9897]

When I got started doing this type of work ,quoting a price was the hardest part for me. Other contractors that I knew would seem offended if I asked what they charged. I learned the hard way. You're a trail breaker on utube for doing this. Thanks for the interesting videos! 👍👍

[@blueboatone5653]

I really appreciate it when you do training videos. Not many others do them,

[@DigginLife21]

👍

[@99roadglide]

Watching your videos is like going to school. Thank you for being an educator!!👏👏

[@briangammons8242]

Love going back and watching these videos Todd. I’m just getting rolling and looked at my first “clearing” job today and it’s a little nerve racking to make sure to not price to high but not low and risk losing. Experience will come I hope and it will become easier but right now it’s a little shaky feeling. Great video Todd.

[@hansen370]

I find a lot of value in this channel and the quote process! God Bless You!

[@michaelhenderson1972]

Found your channel. I just recently retired after working with a company for 38 years. I figured maybe, I can pick up a few local jobs to help supplement my retirement and keep me a little busy. Appreciate your honesty and advise.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Love the video. Cool to hear the shout out to Kapper. I’ve done a few videos with him lately. Great guy

[@johnmattu7262]

OMG, the T-post give me a belly ache, about 3K worth. I hate the T-post, rims & engine blocks. You need this job Todd, this is the time of the year to do the mulching so you can spot all those little presents left behind. Save the muddy goat slide "driveways" for summer time. Good luck!

[@herzargoloz4986]

I’m just getting in the business, thanks for the tips man. We beginners really appreciate it.

[@robertrichard9460]

I love Kapper outdoors! Great video

[@DirtBrute]

Awesome Todd ! That’s why it’s important to walk the site first that piece of metal would be a bummer !

[@DirtDoctors]

Love these quote videos!! Keep em comin! Thanks again!

[@ralphgwynn9325]

Really good information, thanks for sharing your experience 👍

[@andrewmcintosh159]

Hey new to your channel. Just want to say thank you for great content and showing off our great industry. I'm from Ontario Canada, been planning and working on a small land clearing company with my wife. Your videos have really helped in making some equipment choices. Thank you again !! This is great!!!

[@slickl4l]

Mad respect sir.

[@Gary67242]

hope you get the job. it would make a cool video...thumbs up!!

[@kapperoutdoors]

Oh snap Todd! Wow, one of the first shout out's I've had in a long time! Been enjoying your channel as well, keep up the great work and remember... Those of us who are not in the 'KZbin Golden Boy club' must actually work (harder) for it! LOL Take care man, thank you!

[@DigginLife21]

My pleasure my brother!!!

[@robertbachmann7490]

Please make more videos like this. Seriously thinking about getting into this feuld of work

[@mollettforge5373]

Love the quotes videos, make a video or 2 of this clean up

[@gerardocorona6232]

Yea man I like this video like this do more !!!!!

[@keithanderson7007]

Right on about Kapper. This land job they have is like a bad car wreck; I cant stop looking.

[@jefferykingstonjr3625]

Love videos like this! Keep up the good work.. makes me want to getbout there and start up a business. I really like how you go in detail with some of your earlier videos.

[@jakeduffin4626]

Todd, great explanation and I always enjoy clean up jobs! Keep up the good work!

[@rjsuper6587]

Good info as always!

[@scottfeatherstone7156]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@dougackerman4182]

Great video

[@tonyamenta335]

Thanks for the videos! I’m a new subscriber and I have to say I appreciate the talk about pricing,I don’t know why everyone is so secretive about it. I have been operating equipment (for myself and others) for 20+ years and I feel I’ve always been very fair with pricing(I also do not mark up materials)but many people have told me I work to cheap but I never know what others are charging so I try to be fair to myself and the customers.

[@markd2858]

Good video, like learning the business end. I will be starting my own business next year.

[@samvoyles2096]

Hi Todd, I'm a new subscriber recently and am now going back through your past videos. Thanks for creating this content. I look forward to learning more as i continue to view your videos. All the best!

[@themikemetzger]

You're awesome! I really appreciate these quote videos!

[@DigginLife21]

Glad you like them!

[@2014dalton]

Love the quoting videos!

[@davidredicker3489]

love your bidding jobs its Really helped me a lot

[@greecemonkey1313]

Thank you very much for this information !!!!!

[@cyndikarp3368]

Thanks for explaining.

[@KUBBI7488]

Great as always!!!

[@mc2000Gmc]

Great show brother. Keep em coming

[@1m99RT]

Great video. Really helps us starting out.

[@oldschoolhillbilly560]

Keep those chuncks of concrete at your yard for those culvert jobs. Also good for sink holes.

[@SteveSmallwood21]

Just had a friend of mine here in East Ky hire a contractor to install around 2000 feet of water line. Charged $6000 for digging the trench, install/purchase line, and then back fill. Mostly hourly rates range from $85-$120 per hour.

[@guerraarmy]

50 hrs 😮

[@jamesrogers376]

Nice video. I don't have a mulching head but I do have brush hog for skid steer...I would bring skid and mini with single axle dump. In my area I would probably get this job for around 3500 to 3800...Any way thanks for the video.

[@Kleiminc]

Thanks for giving us the prices!!!

[@AllstarVentures]

Going to check out Kappers outdoors. Hopefully you get this job and it makes video. ✌🏼

[@cleangreenlawnservicellc2630]

More good info. New subscriber.

[@DigginLife21]

I’m glad to have you join 🙏🏻

[@Cpod1133]

Very fair and honest quoting. Love the channel...When a customer asks for an estimate/invoice on paper for the job, do you give a full breakdown with prices of each service your providing (mulching-$1000/tree removal-$1000/dump runs-$500 etc..) or do you just simply put something like "land clearing" with 1 price for everything on it?

[@DigginLife21]

I usually just give one price

[@michaelswanigan2115]

Love this video. Im thinking about starting a land clearing business. What do you suggest me doing to learn exactly how to operate this machine and create a profitable business.

[@DigginLife21]

It’s really different for everybody. I do business consultations to help folks. You can email me at [e-mail] to schedule

[@jesselane9077]

I probably would be around $2,400- $2,800 but I would've done it with my skid steer with the mulcher attachment and grapple bucket and one of my 25 yard dumpsters in one day. I'm addicted to your channel btw...

[@RicardoHernandez-zr1pw]

How do you factor in removing the stumps for small trees or just removing all the roots for say two acres? Is this part of the land clearing or not?

[@TheBrowningBunch]

Love the videos! Do you ever get into mulching ?

[@DigginLife21]

Yep. I’ve got a whole channel dedicated to it. DigginLife Deeper

[@TheBrowningBunch]

awesome, subscribed! @@DigginLife21

[@erichkestler1934]

Great video. Thank you for sharing. What factors and what percentage do you estimate for running heavy equipment overhead?

[@camoedmoose3394]

Hey Todd, I didn't realize it was this big of a quoting process.

[@fhuber7507]

Understanding how the jobs get bid helps understand why you get charged so much when you hire aperson orcompany for a job.

[@logansperber128]

Pretty sure poplar is a hardwood but might as well be a soft

[@garymann5206]

If land gets clear cut and the property owner wants to turn that into pasture is it cheaper to use a bulldozer or forestry mulcher thanks for your time

[@DigginLife21]

I go with a dozer to get it as clean as possible for grass

[@ricdenali4213]

I enjoy your videos, do you have any that shows the entire process from the bid to the completed job?

[@scrhino40]

I give a man in Laurel Hill NC a $3000 dollars price to do just about the same type job and he said they where 2 others that cut my price in half to mulch it. He wanted the small stuff gone and leave the bigger trees. You right there is always someone who will do it cheaper and leave it in a mess like what I seen in your video. Have a great day be safe.

[@ggcleaningvlogs1344]

Right

[@danielmcginnis6630]

Have you ever had problems with customers not paying after the jobs done? If so What steps did you take to get paid. Is it a bad idea in your eyes to ask for payment upfront before starting the job to protect yourself form customers with no intention on paying?

[@larryag99]

I quickly scanned the titles of your videos looking for a video(s) on what and how to by used equipment. I didnt see any, but perhaps I missed it. If you don't have any videos on where and how to buy used equipment, I for one would be interested in your thoughts on the subject. Thanks.

[@heribertomendoza412]

Hey man im in Northeast Ga and i clear lots for houses but what kills me is bidding

[@lighterknot]

Have you ever thought about doing consulting for guys wanting to get started in this kind of work? I'm just over the hump in TN and would love to have someone as open and honest as you are to help guide me and would definitely be willing to pay for that service.

[@DigginLife21]

We do offer consulting. Email me at [e-mail]

[@sisco_rl7160]

Hey Todd, quick question: For removing medium sized trees (say 12" - 36"), would your quote be cheaper if the homeowner cut the trees down to stumps first? Or would the homeowner be wasting his time? Basically what I'm asking is...is it cheaper to hire someone remove only stumps than it is to remove whole trees? Thanks in advance :)

[@drewellis89]

I would like to know the answer to this as well. I have about 1.5 ac of sweet gum trees (8-16 inch dia.) and the city will not allow me to burn them on site so hauling will be a large cost I suspect.

[@dynamicdevelopers5385]

Here in ga I was told land clearing was generally 3600 per acre? That sounds accurate?

[@treyhutchison4526]

I do clearing work as well, I won’t speak for everyone, but for me it would be cheaper for you to leave it alone and let me take them down, reason be is homeowners in general usually think they are helping when in reality they are usually causing chaos for us to clean up.

[@WisDrone]

Do you mail or email an invoice or get paid on site after the job? What about customers who don’t pay? Do you add interest to the invoice to ensure you get paid in a timely manner?

[@fastsetinthewest]

The way it works today is you accept the job and when finished, the customer pays you what they think the cleanup was worth. Eaglegards...

[@diggin4alivin589]

throw a 500 00 30yrd dumpster and all trash can go in it no hauling?

[@DigginLife21]

Not a bad idea at all

[@gerardocorona6232]

I do want to know about quote of a demo job

[@lancec6342]

I have a 6200 sq foot property. .14 acre how much mostly small pine and brush

[@conradnelson5283]

How much per load? How many workers? What kind of equipment? How long and how much per hour?

[@michaelfiore4921]

Thank you

[@gorgegutierrez9704]

Was that price with stumps removed ?

[@jeremiehoug2837]

Love seeing the quotes! I'd love to see a video of you quoting and then the job back to back or at least a recap if you get the job andake a video of it. Otherwise great video. I'm not a contractor just a homestead/farm and work full time at another job and use your videos to see how I can do projects also if I need to pay someone to do something the quotes you do help me to figure roughly how much. Thanks again keep it up!

[@DoctorRickSanchez]

So basically brush hogs are the bigger brother to zero turn mowers🤔👀

[@MuttiFPS]

Hey Todd, do you need any type of contractors license in your state?

[@WrightsOrganic]

Just started watching these! Thinking about starting a mini excavator side hustle on the weekends. I’m pretty confident in my operating skills and I definitely could improve a ton. How do you get jobs and market your business?

[@cubleycat]

Todd can you put links to these projects if you dog them, it would be awesome to know if you do and how the job goes. I watched the one where a customer wanted the first 100 feet of a 240 feet drive fixing and wonder if you got that one ;-) Emma

[@DigginLife21]

You know it

[@oklahomachris6298]

I don’t see where you came up with the 1800 a day. Is that averaging your hourly. It’s 300 a day to rent a excavator around here just bucket and grapple though so little more insight to your pricing would be cool if you feel like sharing if not I understand that completely.

[@Faulk-u]

Its a number he has used in a lot of videos to cover all his costs. Seems like his goto number when he is just bidding days work. He has stated in other videos his personal number is 156$... so 156 x 8 hours + 300 to rent a Excavator = $1548 ... add on using his own truck to move the excavator, refueling, maybe paying to have it washed when its returned.. i could see where he gets to $1800 - hope that helps.

[@go5582]

Hi handsome @5:12 ,I'm going to say this is a $6k job.

[@JM-tm4hb]

You want to be alive to make more videos? keep your hands on the steering wheel!

[@rickduncan2929]

I wouldn't pay 4k to clear less than a acre. That's just me though

[@blaze-uz6or]

Hard to tell how big property is but yeah seems low.

[@DigginLife21]

The area is about 1/4 acre

[@LANDSCAPING-jt2bs]

$4000 to$5000 is fair