Big Portable Job

[boonesyard]

Hi All, it's been awhile. 

Been a little crazy, retired my municipal construction company last year, still dealing with that. Found out it's easier starting a company (22 yrs ago) than it is shutting one down. Very excited about being able to spend my time with the sawmill and our wood products business. Although, after a year away from full-time work I have no idea how I had time to do it all.

99% of our sawing is stationary at our site. I've done a couple portable jobs in the past, not a lot. Got a call from a guy about 3 hrs away, just had 16 acres of virgin white oak and ash logged, looks like very nice stuff. About 150 10'-12' logs, approx. 23,000 bf. 

I'm thinking hard about taking it on. He has help and support equipment. Wouldn't be a bad pay-day if everything goes according to plan. I usually charge by the hr. because my custom jobs are typically small and not very clean but this would be by the bf. Not sure how long it'll take, guess I'll know when it's done.

Thoughts??

[WV Sawmiller]

   Good luck. Just figure your expenses carefully and charge accordingly.

    If it is a new customer you might want daily pay days so you don't get into a dispute or left hanging at the end of the job. 

    My problem with distant jobs is if there is a break down I end up eating the travel costs so be sure to think about that and take every reasonable spare part you think you might need and the tools to fix the problem.

    In any case you will learns some lessons - what worked well, what didn't and what to do different next time.

[Magicman]

When I was a few years younger, I gladly took such jobs and always made $$$.

Cover your bases such as travel/setup, return trips after the weekend, lodging etc, & payday at noon Friday to give you traveling time going home.

[terrifictimbersllc]

Price it so you want to do it. No one benefits if you don't.