HOW I BID EXCAVATION JOBS! ROAD TRIP TO RED BANK TENNESSEE...

How I bid/price jobs and my thoughts on running an owner/operator excavation business...

[@zaccheus]

I really appropriate the mental effort you put into laying this information out here.

[@tristardiggin]

Thanks I appreciate that.😀 Sam

[@laneherrlinger7478]

Hey Zach good to see you here

[@zaccheus]

@laneherrlinger7478 Hey hey! Just trying to learn what I can where I can 🤷‍♂️

[@CBobbya]

This is a very nice video. I’m just starting my minor excavation business that I’m hoping to turn into a witnessing opportunity. I just retired from the hospital work of 30+yrs. But as a hobby and disaster relief program I hope to witness like you did at the end. Thank you!!!

[@tristardiggin]

Yes Sir and thanks Bobby! I sure appreciate you supporting the channel. Exciting to hear you are heading into your own business and especially as an opportunity to share the word. If I can help from any of the experience I've gained I would be glad to help...

[@Scott-Anderson]

Lot of great information here. Outstanding delivery and great presentation. Glad that I came across your channel.

[@tristardiggin]

Thanks Scott, I appreciate that! And glad you're here as well. Welcome to the channel 😀. God Bless, Sam

[@duanemorrison6173]

I really enjoy your videos Sam. Today's video taught me a lot, even though I've been doing excavating for a few years. I'd like to incorporate some of your practices into my business. Thanks

[@tristardiggin]

That's great to hear that the info was helpful. I have learned things too from folks who have talked about their work. I wish you the best and hope you do well...

[@ledirtworks8403]

Good information.. And Another Fine Message 👍🏻

[@tristardiggin]

👍 Thanks for watching and all the comments you do to help the channel...

[@bjadvanturz]

You answered my question i messaged you about 4 minutes from where I stopped watching last night. lol Very informative. Great message as always.

[@tristardiggin]

Thanks...

[@planeanddirtsimple]

Excellent messages, construction and scripture!

[@tristardiggin]

Thanks, I appreciate that! Hoping to reach folks with the message of Christ through these videos. Thanks for watching and commenting because it really helps the channel.... God Bless, Sam

[@spencer6764]

Brother you are Awesome and Thanks for sharing and for the video. Take care Brother

[@tristardiggin]

Jon, you are on a Tristar Diggin' marathon! Love it! Thanks for all the views, likes, and comments. We will be hitting 100,000 subscribers with the activity like this.😁 God bless, Sam

[@robbinstruckinglandclearin786]

Good advice buddy 👍

[@tristardiggin]

Thanks!

[@WaynesAdventure]

Great video 👍

[@tristardiggin]

Thank you Wayne! 😀

[@southernoffroadsxs1005]

I live in Soddy Daisy and have been watching your videos for about a month or so. I ordered a diamond C dump trailer a couple months back with plans on getting a mini Ex to start excavation work. Mowing season has kicked off so I’m having trouble finding time, and a little nervous on purchasing a mini ex. lol Anyway, thanks for the videos. Maybe one day when I get doing good, we can link up. Thanks Dustin

[@tristardiggin]

Hey Dustin, I appreciate you supporting the channel. I understand the nerves for sure. A piece of equipment is a big investment but I'm sure around Soddy there is a lot of work for one. Maybe we can meet up for a visit sometime. God Bless, Sam

[@LifeWithChase]

Someone I know had a contractor bid a small clearing job, mostly 12" and under pine stumps. wanted stumps piled up and burned. Guy looked at it told them around 6k. He showed up with a 750k dozer and 250g track hoe, told them it would be easier to dig holes and burry the stumps instead of burn them for whatever reason. When he got done he told them it was $150hr for each piece of equipment and would be $13k usually for hours spent, but he was going to give them a break and just charge $10K since he knew them, he left several large stump holes that never got filled in at the back of property. At no point during the job did he say, hey this is taking longer than I thought and its going to cost more. He just kept working and then expected them to pay almost double what his estimate was when he was done. He told them that he would come back and fill in the stump holes at the back that was overlooked but never did. He should have said up front it's 150hr for each piece of equipment. I think I can do it for 6k but if it looks like its taking longer than what I think and looks like its going to be more than my estimate I will let you know, or something along those lines. People don't like large surprise bills that you haven't discussed with them.

[@tristardiggin]

You are right. He should have explained that up front. And kept them up to date. And certainly should have finished the job 🙄. Poor communication and leaving work undone is a good way to get a bad name in the business. Poor work ethic during times when there is a lot of work available they will find work. Let work get slim and that's when the poor work ethic will get you in the cheese line.

[@mikec8519]

Great information. Great message on the forgiveness of our sins.

[@tristardiggin]

Thanks, Mike. That message is where the rubber meets the road. If we don't realize there is a sin debt, then we don't realize we need a Savior!!! Sam

[@farmerbob728]

Nice and informative video. I've always bring up the question. What is going to be here in a years time? One of my services is stump grinding. If they are only going to put grass there, then I'll only go down 5 or 6 inches. But if they want to put another tree or something that requires going deeper down that I need to know. I've got the kubota kx057-4 and u-17 so removal of the stump is not a problem. But it will come at a higher price.

[@tristardiggin]

Thanks and I appreciate you supporting the channel. That is a good point and should be asked when we are looking at a job. Future plans, if known, play a big part in the way the works will be done…

[@jimjennings7777]

good video

[@tristardiggin]

Thank you Jim! I appreciate you supporting the channel...

[@theimprovementsguy8871]

Thanks for sharing Sam. Diesel is $2 a litre here so you're getting it cheap lol..

[@tristardiggin]

Ouch! Things are getting rough…

[@theimprovementsguy8871]

@tristardiggin petrol is $3 a Litre in new zealand too.. cant wait to move back home to Australia... its only $2-2.20 for petrol or diesel

[@charleswalton5132]

The hardest thing for a lost person to understand is that they must REPENT to be FORGIVEN. Good message.

[@tristardiggin]

Charles that is right and well said! God Bless, Aam

[@emoryfarms]

Amen !!!

[@tristardiggin]

Thanks! 👍 😁

[@TrailTrackers]

Old video I know... But there is one thing I didn't hear you say concerning "potential" properties of customers. I've had those calls too in the past and sometimes the people really want you to go out there and do a proper bid for one reason or another. Example would be an investor who was just buying a property to build a spec home on. Anyway... In this case, I would charge them $250.00 for the bid up front. Then if the purchase falls through... No harm, no foul. If the purchase completes and I get the job that $250 goes towards the cost of the project. Meaning it didn't cost them anything for the bid itself.

[@tristardiggin]

That is a good way to look at it. I need to try that and see how it works. Thanks for watching and the comment. I sure appreciate it...

[@taylorhansen2619]

Great video! What was your profession before going full time into running your excavation business?

[@tristardiggin]

Thanks Taylor, I appreciate that. I was farming full time. We had a commercial chicken farm raising around 1.4 million chickens per years. Sold the farm and started excavating…

[@mainelyworthwhile5793]

Really liking your channel! Question, do you charge a separate equipment delivery fee to cover time loading unloading driving and fuel to get stuff there or is that cost factored into your daily rate. Any thoughts on that?

[@tristardiggin]

I generally charge $300 on the first day to cover some cost of moving equipment around. And most of the time I just charge a daily rate on jobs.

[@tristardiggin]

Appreciate the comments and supporting the channel... Thanks, Sam

[@mainelyworthwhile5793]

Thanks so much for responding! At almost 50 I am shifting gears from installing docks on the waterfronts on Maine to light dirtwork(the small jobs you mentioned)and really appreciate the info and trials that you chronicle. More importantly, I came to Christ about 5 years ago and as a fledgling Christian I find your messages truly fantastic. Thank you so much!

[@tristardiggin]

Thank you! That is awesome to hear you came to Christ 5 years ago. God Bless and I am thankful the Lord is using the messages to be a blessing and help...

[@tristardiggin]

If I can help with anything I've learned I would be glad to help. I've been in excavation about 4 years in June. Started out doing small land clearing and small pads. Took off from there...

[@walterwhitaker1395]

Sound wisdom! When you screw a customer you actually screw five of his friends too who you never worked for! Word of mouth will beat you to every job you bid afterwards! The main reason so many small contractors are here today gone tomorrow.

[@tristardiggin]

Exactly right!!!

[@carlevarts9986]

3.99 a gallon lol

[@tristardiggin]

👍