How/why I started my own excavation business

[@lcriveralcr1627]

I’m 22 live here in the Bay Area and got experience on skid steers and excavator thanks to this landscape construction company worked there for 4yrs I’m starting my business I’ve done a lot of house foundations for contractors and looking to upscale my business I do demo and junk removal rn saving for a skid steer to do drive way demos and grading .

[@lcriveralcr1627]

Great video man

[@MORE_DIRT]

Good luck on your adventure dude! Thanks for watching

[@BAAMRanch]

I'm in the same boat right now brother....not far behind ya, just saving for that dump trailer

[@MORE_DIRT]

That’s awesome man! Feel free to ask any questions about how I quote work etc.

[@stewieroided3437]

@@MORE_DIRT Hey man im 16 just starting heavy machinery training. When im 19 ill be finished with school and i want to start my own excavation business, what are some good hauling cars and what do you haul the excavator with?

[@JonsDailyHustle]

Hoping to get into some excavation work like this in the near future

[@LaymansCapital]

Wonderful vid Cole, in FL it’s crazy the licensing requirements for true big excavation work. Is there any other licenses needed that you got besides LLC?

[@MORE_DIRT]

No all I got was my llc and the correct sorta insurance. Insurance is outrageous but it’s worth it!

[@JonsDailyHustle]

Any day you get to play with tractors is a good day to me lol

[@kevinallen206]

invest in like 20 sheets of 3/4 marine grade plywood. keep things clean and make your customers pretty happy when extra stuff isn't tore up.

[@MORE_DIRT]

Solid advice, This particular job was for one of my best friends and he was having a lawn care company completely redo his back yard so I wasn’t too worried. I use a Harley rake for my finishing most of the time on normal jobs.

[@kevinallen206]

@@MORE_DIRT that helps. I've even just peeled sod with the hoe and flipped it over when I was doing the finish work.

[@MORE_DIRT]

That’s awesome, I love learning and trying to become better.

[@kevinallen206]

@@MORE_DIRT ya been doing it for years and that's what it takes. I'm a blade operator for my main. Demolishing a 50 foot yatch with the hoe tomorrow.

[@elbuggo]

@@MORE_DIRT _Greatmats_ can be better Lawn Protection Mats than plywood. More solid and more suitable - if interested! -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/ennOcmdnqq6We7s

[@Mrcool12684]

How did you learn about your price points? Like how do you know what to charge clients. Bidding is my weakest point. I’m too nice and it bites me in the end

[@MORE_DIRT]

Talked to many successful business owners and learned what the market is like in my area. This line of work is expensive and most customers understand that.

[@alwaysapplypressure2477]

Thank You 💯 We Appreciate You 💯 🙏 ❤️ 💛 💙

[@Theredeemedchild2]

By trade I'm a plumber. I mainly replace water and sewer lines. Since I'm comfortable around mini excavators up to 15k pounds I want to start a side hustle that can hopefully turn full time. my problem is knowing what license I need. I know I want a class b to start but I can't find a specialty in excavation. Does a GC cover this kind of work?

[@MORE_DIRT]

I personally do not have a CDL I make sure to stay under 26k gwvr. If I need anything big hauled I use a local transportation company. When starting out it’s so much simpler just getting a 14k or 16k trailer with a 1 ton pick up truck. Less head ache and less over head.

[@4Fecta]

Great video. Thanks

[@iCampSometimes2]

I have a question, do you have your own HVAC company too? If not, how come you don’t start your own thing doing that trade? I’m curious because I’m A/C sully interested in both HVAC and Excavation but don’t know which route to take first. I’d like to know both trades but feel stuck between the two?

[@iCampSometimes2]

Thanks for making these videos btw! They are helpful for ppl like me who don’t even know where to start

[@MORE_DIRT]

My Dad owns an hvac company. I was in that trade for almost 13 years. I personally like dirt work more that’s why I switched my careers

[@Sycobaseball92]

How much money would you make a day when you just did the trailer hauling rocks, mulch, etc.?

[@MORE_DIRT]

1000/1200 on a good day. $180 haul bill plus materials.

[@19xtasy]

Yee haw comenting for you big dog

[@MORE_DIRT]

Appreciate ya!

[@luisogando8197]

I have 2 sany excavators I want to start dirt business is it better to do new residential work, or customers doing remodeling?

[@MORE_DIRT]

When first starting out do all you can. You will learn more that way. I do a lot of lot clears and building pads now.

[@_skiin]

Sup man love the videos just another question how did you find leads back then word of mouth ? Friends ?

[@MORE_DIRT]

Facebook was my biggest boost. Word of mouth was second! Before and after pics of jobs are very important also.

[@_skiin]

@@MORE_DIRT thanks man looking to score my 1st job this week can’t wait thx for all ur help Man U been a inspiration! MORE DIRT BABY

[@MORE_DIRT]

@_skiin let’s go!!!! Good luck brother

[@paulkivisto9060]

Do you use that trailer to move excavator too, or only dump?

[@MORE_DIRT]

I use to haul my equipment. Anything under 11k lbs I’ll put in the dump trailer. I use a 40’ gooseneck for bigger machines.

[@MORE_DIRT]

Check out my Facebook page M&M EarthWurx LLC and you can see my setup

[@ghostedwaffle2151]

Where is the best place to learn this stuff? I’m in the same boat, I work a full time job and I want to pick up some equipment for around the home but make some money with it at the same time.

[@MORE_DIRT]

The easiest route would probably be going to work for someone. My situation was pretty unique.

[@MORE_DIRT]

Or just get in the machine at do your own projects and binge KZbin videos 😂

[@allisonbarnes9166]

Do you have any tips or tricks for getting busines I have a mini but I struggle getting my name out there

[@robertd6925]

Any particular reason you went with such a heavy machine?

[@MORE_DIRT]

This machine was a rental, also only I had just started running a mini x.

[@mikeyjohnston3796]

You bid by the job or by the hour. I’m looking into to this business idea just don’t know what to charge that part of the business is new to me

[@MORE_DIRT]

Typically by the job. Many factors to take into consideration

[@yusronthowaf]

Which one profitable do excavation bussiness or excavator rent bussiness? And why ? , thanks

[@claykorth7244]

Where did you dump the dirt?

[@MORE_DIRT]

Customer had a place on his property that he wanted filed.

[@baileysconstruction7898]

Do you rent your equipment per job or or lease it or did you buy it? I’m looking to expand into small scale excavation work and trying to decide which way to go.

[@MORE_DIRT]

I bought a svl75-2 kubota skid steer, but I rent mini excavators from our local CAT rental store

[@baileysconstruction7898]

@@MORE_DIRT ok thank you for the reply. By the way I seen you said you were from Indiana do u mind if I ask what part of Indiana because I’m in the northwest area

[@MORE_DIRT]

I’m located down in Spencer, about 45 mins southwest of Indy! Let me know if you have any other questions would be glad to help

[@thebrodycody2009]

I’m 20 and have just recently started my own excavation company in kentucky, how do you go about quoting jobs and things such as that? I’m currently just doing everything time and material and trying to find a way to quote before I start giving quote prices.

[@MORE_DIRT]

I have a 4 hour minimum on any machine. Then depending on machine size I’m $150-200 an hour. I don’t mark up materials much

[@evantimmerman8037]

Don’t know about where you’re at, but where I’m from you have to have a grading contractors license. You probably wanna check in on that otherwise you can get some serious fines.

[@MORE_DIRT]

Yeah we don’t have that around here I looked into it.

[@Nitroxdude]

How expensive is the insurance for a month or a year ?

[@MORE_DIRT]

I pay $275 a month currently

[@Huntersprojects]

I’m 14 I’ve got a tractor I borrow for my grandpa it’s a Massey Ferguson 1429 It’s got a loader a box blade and a couple other 3 point attachments I’ve done 2 jobs a one was brush clearing and tilling some land for a garden and the other was 2 gravel pads I’d like to start a legit business make some money I love working outside with my equipment I’ve got someone with a trailer and a pick-up that can get me to jobs is it worth it or am I too young? It wouldn’t be big jobs but like driveway grading, brush clearing and garden tilling etc I already mow lawns and do mulch and I’ve gotten some big mulch jobs that are like 5-6 yards of mulch my most recent one I had cleared the brush for a client and she asked if I could till some of her land I said sure I’ve got access to a tractor and a tiller mine aswell right?

[@Nitroracer2332]

Seen as though the op can't be arsed to reply. I set up my own company aged 20 a bit different to this kind of work though. If self employment is what you 100% then go for it. It's alifestyle though not a job and one of the hardest jobs you will ever do in life. Of you stick at it always and never give up you will be well off and have a lot of money one day

[@MORE_DIRT]

I didn’t see this comment until you just made this!

[@MORE_DIRT]

Only issue I could see would be not having legit insurance being your age. Sorry for the extremely late reply, I never saw this comment! I’m all about young guys chasing work as long as they do it safely and efficiently!

[@kevinallen206]

I watched until the 6 slam against the stops. no reason for that unless you have really sticky stuff. don't do that.

[@Patfenis717]

Did you have prior experience using the skid steers and excavators? I’ve always wanted to get into but I’m not to sure where to start

[@MORE_DIRT]

Yes I grew up running tractors and skid steers. I taught myself how to use an excavator the last few years

[@thesingingbeevlog7228]

Hey i like what your doing and im enterested on machines

[@chadbassmaster9084]

Man id love to hear what your history is! And experience to get this started

[@MORE_DIRT]

What would you like to know sir?

[@chadbassmaster9084]

@@MORE_DIRT where did you learn what u know. Excavation experience, working at prior companies, all self taught? Stuff like that.

[@MORE_DIRT]

I worked around two other contractors off and on but mainly I’m self taught. 90% of my education came from KZbin. The biggest thing is understand how the dirt in your area works and what sorta restrictions/requirements the local government has on certain jobs. I’ve ran equipment and built dirt bike tracks since I was a 12 years old. The business side of things I learned by helping managing my dads hvac company.

[@Palfaro48]

Hey cole love to see what you do I’m in Cali and trying to start off I heard your advice and how/what you started to promote your self I’m going to follow it my self already haul a few loads of gravel for my big brother how you go by charging on loads I have a dump truck it’s a single axle Chevy C6500 I also have a backhoe and jst recently got the trailer to move it around jst need to work on the wiring then off to register it so I guess a few questions 1. How much do you charge per load or is it an hourly charge? 2. Is there a specific way you go by like per size of the job to charge say like a driveway or leveling out someone’s property 3. I seen you say $150-200 an hr depending on the machine can you explain a bit more thanks bro really appreciate you jst reading this and answering every one’s questions

[@Palfaro48]

Ohh yea I forgot this is what got me to ask in the first place you said something about find out and get to know how the dirt in your area works? And what sorta restrictions or requirements the local government has in excavating? Can you explain a bit more thanks again and good luck to you sir thanks for taking the time to do this vídeo has helped understand and Make a few better decisions

[@robertd6925]

2:20 what contractor license did you have to get?

[@MORE_DIRT]

In my area it’s just an LLC, insurance and wham bam

[@robertd6925]

@@MORE_DIRT Hmmm must not be california. I can't wait to be out of this sh!thole for good.

[@Sycobaseball92]

Also, do you pay per day for renting excavator from a local rental place and does that cost a lot?

[@MORE_DIRT]

I’ve got a lease now, It’s around $400-700 a day for rental depending on size of minj ex

[@Sycobaseball92]

Thanks man for the replies. I live in Kentucky and looking to get into. Probably start with getting a truck and a trailer and go from there renting bigger equipment if needed. Is that what you would suggest? I already have an LLC ( I sell full time on amazon right now but looking to get into this on the side with the free time i have). @@MORE_DIRT

[@Droking530]

In what state

[@MORE_DIRT]

Indiana

[@4twenty3]

Do you have contract agreements for every job you do?

[@MORE_DIRT]

Yes, the more detailed the better. It’ll help cover your butt In case of charge orders

[@demoman2422]

My only problem with this video is the banging of the cylinder every bucket he dumps😢

[@MORE_DIRT]

This would be a 100% green Cole. I was early in my excavation journey 😂 rookie moves my friend rookie moves!

[@tangoseal1]

You should really wear hearing protecting when working that excavator man. Trust me 24/7 tinnitus ringing in the ears is awful. I dont wish it on anyone. Please consider your hearing, anyone for that matter that is reading this.

[@MORE_DIRT]

Man I absolutely know what you are dealing with. I’ve had it since I was 18 from racing dirt bikes. I actually do wear ear protection almost daily when running machines now

[@Patrick-jt4dk]

Apparently this is your first time running a excavator because if it’s not well I’m going to be nice. You should at least find some videos of people running excavators and listen and watch how they do it. You could stand for some improvement.

[@MORE_DIRT]

It was my third time ever yes

[@MORE_DIRT]

I’ve still got a lot to learn!

[@danlarkin460]

Swing the other way you are muddying up there patio