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Tom Brown

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Posted: Sep. 05 2008,11:27 am

Post # 1

For some time now, I've wanted to start a hobby business. This seemed like a good time to do it, being on strike for the last two months.

... so I started a bobcat service. It was shockingly easy. I had a dump trailer and a mini skid steer so I just put up an add on the local for sale forums. After a few days of no interest, I started receiving email and phone calls. More than I can handle, as a matter of fact.

... so I did a few jobs. As good as the local free Internet advertising was, doing work has been even better. People see me working, come over, and ask if I can do some work. After about 10 jobs, it was clear there was enough interest so I started a formal business.

The requests are getting more weird by the day.

The second job I did, bringing in backfill, asked if I would build some cedar planters. A bobcat service is pretty similar to a landscape service so I said, 'sure'. ... and I built the planters.

Since then, I've been asked a few times to do some manual digging since the machine can't do everything. Not wanting to do it, I said, 'sure... but I'll have to charge an extra $25 per hour for the manual work.' I got my exercise that day.

I've also been asked to sweep sidewalks and walkways when I'm done making a mess of them with the machine. Again, I charge an extra $25 for manual work... no problem.

This is turning into something different than I envisioned. I shouldn't complain.... I've made $100 per hour to sweep a sidewalk.

I do everything myself. When I have a contractor do something for me, I do all the small stuff. I move furniture before the carpet layers come over. I clean up when service people leave. I do all of the small jobs that seem to come with the responsibility of owning a house.

It would seem, however, I am the only one. People don't want to do anything.

It's not like these people are rich. I have no doubt, in many cases, I am more financially secure than they are yet they are paying me to sweep their sidewalk and shovel small quantities of dirt the machine couldn't get to.

I've also been asked to install a garage door. "While you're here... could you install an overhead garage door?" I turned that one down. If I had a helper, I probably would have done that too.

I've installed several garage doors for myself over the years but it's easier with 2 guys.

So far, it's been fun. I hope the strike lasts until freeze up. The change of pace has been refreshing.

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Posted: Sep. 05 2008,12:32 pm

Post # 2

Years ago, the guy that has or had "Ditch Witch", started off very much the same way.

"Damn you sure know how to fock things up."-GFR

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gigamurph

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Posted: Sep. 05 2008,2:16 pm

Post # 3

Quote (Tom Brown @ Sep. 05 2008,11:27 am)

I've installed several garage doors for myself over the years but it's easier with 2 guys.

So far, it's been fun. I hope the strike lasts until freeze up. The change of pace has been refreshing.

Glad to see dat they're keepin' ya busy. Ya know what they say; "Idle hands are the instruments of the Devil's work." Hope the jobs keep comin' and da business prospers TB! :good

"My lifestyle determines my deathstyle!" -Metallica

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Posted: Sep. 05 2008,8:10 pm

Post # 4

Quote (Tom Brown @ Sep. 05 2008,11:27 am)

For some time now, I've wanted to start a hobby business. Â This seemed like a good time to do it, being on strike for the last two months.

... so I started a bobcat service. Â It was shockingly easy. Â I had a dump trailer and a mini skid steer so I just put up an add on the local for sale forums. Â After a few days of no interest, I started receiving email and phone calls. Â More than I can handle, as a matter of fact.

... so I did a few jobs. Â As good as the local free Internet advertising was, doing work has been even better. Â People see me working, come over, and ask if I can do some work. Â After about 10 jobs, it was clear there was enough interest so I started a formal business.

The requests are getting more weird by the day.

The second job I did, bringing in backfill, asked if I would build some cedar planters. Â A bobcat service is pretty similar to a landscape service so I said, 'sure'. Â ... and I built the planters.

Since then, I've been asked a few times to do some manual digging since the machine can't do everything. Â Not wanting to do it, I said, 'sure... but I'll have to charge an extra $25 per hour for the manual work.' Â I got my exercise that day.

I've also been asked to sweep sidewalks and walkways when I'm done making a mess of them with the machine. Â Again, I charge an extra $25 for manual work... Â no problem.

This is turning into something different than I envisioned. Â I shouldn't complain.... Â I've made $100 per hour to sweep a sidewalk.

I do everything myself. Â When I have a contractor do something for me, I do all the small stuff. Â I move furniture before the carpet layers come over. Â I clean up when service people leave. Â I do all of the small jobs that seem to come with the responsibility of owning a house.

It would seem, however, I am the only one. Â People don't want to do anything.

It's not like these people are rich. Â I have no doubt, in many cases, I am more financially secure than they are yet they are paying me to sweep their sidewalk and shovel small quantities of dirt the machine couldn't get to.

I've also been asked to install a garage door. Â "While you're here... Â could you install an overhead garage door?" Â I turned that one down. Â If I had a helper, I probably would have done that too. Â

Â I've installed several garage doors for myself over the years but it's easier with 2 guys.

So far, it's been fun. Â I hope the strike lasts until freeze up. Â The change of pace has been refreshing. Â

I've noticed the same thing with people, some are plain old lazy and some just feel its worth the extra few bucks to have someone else do the so called "dirty work".
Let 'em keep paying you to do it :good

Ain't life Grand? Treat it that way.
The Love of my Life, Jan.

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Posted: Sep. 06 2008,3:23 am

Post # 5

sounds like you got yourself a heck of a business going!! Congrats...hope the jobs keep rollin in for ya!!!

if it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all

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Posted: Sep. 06 2008,5:43 am

Post # 6

Sounds like a good biz, congrats!.. :good

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Tom Brown

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Posted: Sep. 06 2008,8:25 am

Post # 7

Thank you for the well wish, gentlemen. I appreciate it.

It's not exactly the hottest business in town. There aren't many jobs I can do when it rains, and it's rained a lot, but it has been fun doing this stuff and it's cool to make a bit of money.

The biggest surprise has come from the, "While you're here digging my patio, would you mind fixing the exhaust fan in my bathroom?" type of requests. Also, I'm appalled at how little work some people will do, even when they could save $50 to do 30 minutes of work and, judging by their home and lifestyle, they're probably making $25/hour on their regular job.

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Posted: Sep. 06 2008,9:12 am

Post # 8

Very cool...good to be busy and get your mind off the strike... :good

My brother in law did much the same during the Retail Clerks stoppage here in Cali...started doing minor bathroom plumbing and general painting. Got some jobs in his grandmothers apartment complex, and 3 YEARS later, is still doing jobs in that complex... :cool

Gotta luv lil old retired ladies... :grouphug

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gigamurph

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Posted: Sep. 06 2008,10:49 am

Post # 9

"..... they're probably making $25/hour on their regular job. " -Tom Brown

Hell, in SoCal dat's damn near poverty level! $25/hr. will getcha a "nice" two bedroom apartment, a tank of gas a week, and three bean burritos off da "Value Menu" @ Taco Bell. :eek

"My lifestyle determines my deathstyle!" -Metallica

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Posted: Sep. 06 2008,11:06 am

Post # 10

Quote (gigamurph @ Sep. 06 2008,10:49 am)

Read closer Gig, he said an Extra $25 per hr. BTW, "nice 2 bdrm", change that to small beat up 1 bdrm.

"Damn you sure know how to fock things up."-GFR

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Tom Brown

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Posted: Sep. 06 2008,11:46 am

Post # 11

Quote (gigamurph @ Sep. 06 2008,10:49 am)

Hell, in SoCal dat's damn near poverty level!

That's what blows me away, Gig.

They are barely surviving and they won't dig a half wheelbarrow full of dirt?

If they were to a little bit of manual labour, they could buy a 4th bean burrito.

Edited by Tom Brown on Sep. 06 2008,11:47 am

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Posted: Sep. 06 2008,12:37 pm

Post # 12

This story kind of sounds like this site. First it was a hobby, but I made it a business because I was spending too much $$$ on it. So now, it generates $$$ from advertising, web design and development, web hosting, apparel sales, and sticker production.

Getting kicked out of Google AdSense took away all the profits, but hopefully I can make that up with web hosting. I have 5 IP's left on this server.

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gigamurph

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Posted: Sep. 06 2008,1:08 pm

Post # 13

Quote (WATERDOG @ Sep. 06 2008,11:06 am)

Quote (gigamurph @ Sep. 06 2008,10:49 am)

Read closer Gig, he said an Extra $25 per hr. BTW, "nice 2 bdrm", change that to small beat up 1 bdrm.

Don't se no "extra" in there. :confused

Gotcha! Was just tryin' to sound a little less pesimistic. :good

"My lifestyle determines my deathstyle!" -Metallica

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gigamurph

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Posted: Sep. 06 2008,1:15 pm

Post # 14

Quote (Havasu Doug @ Sep. 06 2008,12:37 pm)

Getting kicked out of Google AdSense took away all the profits, but hopefully I can make that up with web hosting. I have 5 IP's left on this server.

Came on board "shortly(?)" after you started da site HD and remember well da "growin' pains" ya suffered through. Thanx for your diligence, hard work, and optimism dat has been so integral to our enjoyment of dis site. Ya don't know how many times da gig has looked on in pain wishin' dat he had da resources to be able to do more to help out. Thanx again! You're a good man Charlie Brown!.....and you're not too bad yerself HD! :good

.....Oh; and what did we'aal say or do ta getcha kicked off of Google's AdSense? :confused

Didja tell 'em dat we was jus' kiddin'?

"My lifestyle determines my deathstyle!" -Metallica

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gigamurph

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Posted: Sep. 06 2008,1:20 pm

Post # 15

Quote (Tom Brown @ Sep. 06 2008,11:46 am)

Quote (gigamurph @ Sep. 06 2008,10:49 am)

Hell, in SoCal dat's damn near poverty level!

That's what blows me away, Gig.

They are barely surviving and they won't dig a half wheelbarrow full of dirt?

If they were to a little bit of manual labour, they could buy a 4th bean burrito.

Can hear ya talkin' TB! I mean, when push comes to shove, we're all lookin' for da easy path ta follow. But Geezus Monte Cristo; some peops dat da gig has had da "pleasure" ta work with and for have taken "laziness" to new heights! Watta gonna do besides reap da benefits? Their loss, "our" gain! Jus' doesn't bode well for da generations when dis one has passed IMHO. :eek

"My lifestyle determines my deathstyle!" -Metallica

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Posted: Sep. 07 2008,2:59 pm

Post # 16

I try and do most work myself, But what I can't do, or figure I can do my job and pay someone to do there job faster. I figure that what you would be doing will make a mess so part of the job is to clean up the mess. hose down, sweep, ect. the improvement that I pay for shouldnt leave a mess somewhere else for me. But that is talked about prior to start of anything.

Edited by stingray on Sep. 07 2008,3:32 pm

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Tom Brown

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Posted: Sep. 07 2008,5:35 pm

Post # 17

Quote (stingray @ Sep. 07 2008,2:59 pm)

I figure that what you would be doing will make a mess so part of the job is to clean up the mess. hose down, sweep, ect. the improvement that I pay for shouldnt leave a mess somewhere else for me. But that is talked about prior to start of anything.

Everything is negotiable before the job starts. If site cleanup is what someone wants, I'm happy to do it but, of course, that time is chargeable.

You understand I dig holes and haul dirt... right?

If someone wants their lawn and 5" of material removed, followed by installing a few inches of top soil, that tends to be a dirty job. I can certainly clean it up but by the time someone puts down sod, it will need cleaning again.

If I were doing a complete project from start to finish, installing a paving stone patio, for example, I would certainly expect to clean up. I'm not a landscaper, though. I'm just a bobcat service. I do one component of the job.

I bill for the equipment and myself whether the machine is being used or not.

Edited by Tom Brown on Sep. 07 2008,5:37 pm

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Posted: Sep. 08 2008,11:54 am

Post # 18

So soon you'll be starting a TV show :stupid

, Canadian ToolTime perhaps?

Ain't life Grand? Treat it that way.
The Love of my Life, Jan.

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Posted: Sep. 08 2008,12:17 pm

Post # 19

Quote (Ziggy @ Sep. 08 2008,11:54 am)

So soon you'll be starting a TV show :stupid

, Canadian ToolTime perhaps?

Don't you go bad mouthing Tim the Tool Time Taylor, True American with American tools, Stupid as hell though. :beer

"Damn you sure know how to fock things up."-GFR

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Ziggy

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Posted: Sep. 08 2008,12:57 pm

Post # 20

Quote (WATERDOG @ Sep. 08 2008,12:17 pm)

Quote (Ziggy @ Sep. 08 2008,11:54 am)

So soon you'll be starting a TV show :stupid

, Canadian ToolTime perhaps?

Don't you go bad mouthing Tim the Tool Time Taylor, True American with American tools, Stupid as hell though. :beer

I still enjoy the reruns of Tim's show. Tim vs Tom....we'll still have distinction :laugh

Ain't life Grand? Treat it that way.
The Love of my Life, Jan.

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Posted: Sep. 08 2008,2:40 pm

Post # 21

Quote (Ziggy @ Sep. 08 2008,12:57 pm)

Quote (WATERDOG @ Sep. 08 2008,12:17 pm)

Quote (Ziggy @ Sep. 08 2008,11:54 am)

So soon you'll be starting a TV show :stupid

, Canadian ToolTime perhaps?

Don't you go bad mouthing Tim the Tool Time Taylor, True American with American tools, Stupid as hell though. :beer

I still enjoy the reruns of Tim's show. Tim vs Tom....we'll still have distinction :laugh

Watch it every time I can. My wifes still not tuned in to the more power thing. Some things they just never understand.

"Damn you sure know how to fock things up."-GFR

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Posted: Sep. 09 2008,6:05 am

Post # 22

That show is always fun to watch!. :good

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Posted: Sep. 09 2008,7:19 am

Post # 23

Quote (Ziggy @ Sep. 08 2008,11:54 am)

So soon you'll be starting a TV show :stupid

, Canadian ToolTime perhaps?

Staring Kim Hanson And Tom Brown....."I Don't Think So Tom." :laugh

Sarcasim, Just one more thing that I offer for free!!
I've Reached The Age Where Happy Hour Is A Nap!!

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Ziggy

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Posted: Sep. 09 2008,9:41 am

Post # 24

Quote (Carrera Elite @ Sep. 09 2008,7:19 am)

Quote (Ziggy @ Sep. 08 2008,11:54 am)

So soon you'll be starting a TV show :stupid

, Canadian ToolTime perhaps?

Staring Kim Hanson And Tom Brown....."I Don't Think So Tom." Â :laugh

.
.
.

I have to say G, thats probably the funniest post you've made :peace

Ain't life Grand? Treat it that way.
The Love of my Life, Jan.

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Ziggy

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Posted: Sep. 09 2008,9:43 am

Post # 25

Quote (Carrera Elite @ Sep. 09 2008,7:19 am)

Quote (Ziggy @ Sep. 08 2008,11:54 am)

So soon you'll be starting a TV show :stupid

, Canadian ToolTime perhaps?

Staring Kim Hanson And Tom Brown....."I Don't Think So Tom." Â :laugh

Hooligan stars as "Hi dee ho neighbor" ...........ah I mean Neighbour

Ain't life Grand? Treat it that way.
The Love of my Life, Jan.

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