Job on the side startup. Advice needed...

[lil'mo]

I am fortunate enough to have a job that offers me a lot of free time and have been thinking about starting a little side business to supplement my income. A little hobby of mine is installing backyard patio and rock landscapes. Stone edging, dry and wet stack, and dry-laid or mortared flagstone patios. I've even dabbled with pergolas and raised gardens, etc.

What are the steps to take so that you can get wholesale prices on materials and how would you go about offering/advertising these services? Do you have to get certifications/licenses? It'd be cool if I could get 2-3 jobs a week.

Thanks in advance for the great advice and fuck off in advance for all the jeally douchebag hatas. :blah

[GoodOdor]

:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol

[mrsmaalox]

I have no advice but I volunteer my backyard for a prototype.

[lil'mo]

:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol
There's one jeally hata :lol

[lil'mo]

I have no advice but I volunteer my backyard for a prototype.

Hah, I already got a pretty good "portfolio" I'll post some of my work a little later ;)

[mouse]

For a third way to make money buy 500 bottles of this to sell on eBay later.


http://ll-media.tmz.com/2014/04/22/0422-justin-bieber-soulja-boy-syrup-sub-v2-3.jpg

[lil'mo]

Srs advice only please mouse thank you :tu

[mouse]

Srs advice only please mouse thank you :tu

are you saying my advice wont produce extra income?

[mouse]

It'd be cool if I could get 2-3 jobs a week.


There are only 7 days in week most people want quality work how can you accomplish that in a hurry trying to do a 5 day job in two days?

[mouse]

step one get the license and insurance.

step two find two other well established businesses and offer to do the jobs they had to decline due to work load the job gets done you get paid and they get a 20% kick back win win all around.

[mouse]

step three post pics of your work so we know your not TRolling and I will post step four.

[RD2191]

First off you're gonna need to fight of the Mexicans. They pretty much have a monopoly on the landscape business.

[mouse]

First off you're gonna need to fight of the Mexicans. They pretty much have a monopoly on the landscape business.

If hes smart he will learn that and sub out his contracts. The fact that a white man would go into a business dominated by Mexicans shows lack of experience and brings red flags to the authenticity of this topic.

[cantthinkofanything]

Start small but dream big. Keep striving to be all you can be. Try to find true synergy.

[mouse]

Start small but dream big. Keep striving to be all you can be. Try to find true synergy.

You used to watch a lot of Oprah back in the day?

[cantthinkofanything]

You used to watch a lot of Oprah back in the day?

what's your deal with Oprah today?

[lil'mo]

are you saying my advice wont produce extra income?

No I'm not saying that.

[lil'mo]

There are only 7 days in week most people want quality work how can you accomplish that in a hurry trying to do a 5 day job in two days?

Meant to say 2-3 jobs a month

[lil'mo]

step three post pics of your work so we know your not TRolling and I will post step four.

Pics coming as soon as I can pull some together. I've never photographed my work with the intention of putting together a portfolio so they are scattered all around.

Why would anyone troll about this?

[lil'mo]

First off you're gonna need to fight of the Mexicans. They pretty much have a monopoly on the landscape business.

True but maybe that is what will set me apart, and I will only work upscale jobs. I'll be pretty selective on what jobs I take once I get the thing established.

[mouse]

Meant to say 2-3 jobs a month

that's better....

Step 5

Give your business cards to all the realtors in your town with a link to Step 4 host a website.

[lil'mo]

Yeah I'd like to eventually get a website started up for it. Good thoughts. What kind of certs/licenses do I need for something like this?

[mouse]

True but maybe that is what will set me apart, and I will only work upscale jobs. I'll be pretty selective on what jobs I take once I get the thing established.

A heads up most upscale rich people are the cheapest paying. They want pepe before Mr. Wilson

[mouse]

Yeah I'd like to eventually get a website started up for it. Good thoughts. What kind of certs/licenses do I need for something like this?

http://www2.tceq.texas.gov/lic_dpa/index.cfm

[lil'mo]

Personally I'd rather hire someone who enjoys doing it and helps his friends do it because it's a hobby and he legitimately enjoys it rather than hiring pepe and his crew who do it to make a living and pump it out as quickly as they can so they can move on to the next job.

[lil'mo]

http://www2.tceq.texas.gov/lic_dpa/index.cfm

Thanks brotha

I'll get back with those pictures a little later

[mouse]

Personally I'd rather hire someone who enjoys doing it and helps his friends do it because it's a hobby and he legitimately enjoys it rather than hiring pepe and his crew who do it to make a living and pump it out as quickly as they can so they can move on to the next job.

Then do one a month.

Go for the Red MCombs / Cosmic cowboys of Texas once you impressed them word is out and your suddenly overwhelmed in future projects. I would give HEB a visit they have cash and property all over.

http://www.hebdevelopment.com/index.jsp


Region Property Name City Property Address Zip Land Size Development Lease Manager Phone
Gulf Coast/ Corpus Christi CC Timbergate Corpus Christi South Staples & Timbergate, Corpus Christi, TX 78413 20 Acres Completed Debbie Knox (210) 938-8290 Ext.7
San Antonio Kingsville Kingsville King Ave (across from store), Kingsville, TX 78363 0 Acres Completed Debbie Knox (210) 938-8290 Ext.7
Border/Valley San Juan San Juan Hwy 83, San Juan, TX 78589 1.75 Acres Completed Jessica Dureell (210) 938-8290 Ext.8
Central Austin 13 Austin Manor Rd. & Turner Lane-US 183, Austin, TX 78723 5.42 Acres Completed Brett Baker (210) 938-8145
San Antonio Temple #3 Temple Canyon Creek Dr. & So. 31st, Temple, TX 76502 32 Acres Completed Brett Baker (210) 938-8145
Central Georgetown (Inner Loop at Hwy 29) Georgetown Hwy 29 @ Inner Loop, Georgetown, TX 78626 2.572 Acres Completed Brett Baker (210) 938-8290 Ext.5
Houston Pasadena Pasadena Belgium Drive, Pasadena, TX 77505 4 Acres Completed Debbie Knox (713) 329-3939
Houston Beaumont 05 Beaumont Dowlen @ Delaware, Beaumont, TX 77706 8 Acres Completed Debbie Knox (210) 938-8290 Ext.7
Houston Ingleside Ingleside Highland St. & Ave B, Ingleside, TX 78362 6.5 Acres Completed Debbie Knox (210) 938-8290 Ext.7
Gulf Coast/ Corpus Christi Cullen Mall Corpus Christi Alameda & Airline, Corpus Christi, TX 78416 1 Acres Completed Debbie Knox (210) 938-8290 Ext.7

[lil'mo]

Not looking to travel all over for this, just affluent neighborhoods here in town on my down days.

[lil'mo]

Make just enough to pay my property tax and groceries bills every month would be nice :lol

[DJR210]

The fact that a white man would go into a business dominated by Mexicans shows lack of experience and brings red flags to the authenticity of this topic.


You used to watch a lot of Oprah back in the day?

:lol

[CosmicCowboy]

Whats your hourly rate? I've got about 100' of a low rise (maybe 18") mortared rock wall finished on one side (yard drops to a lower level) left to do at my place...I did half of it a few years ago and then got distracted with other projects. Or, I'm cool with a bid too. I could do about 20' a day by myself fucking off and drinking beer.

[CosmicCowboy]

As to your original question, get a DBA and get a state sales tax number. Most wholesale places will give you wholesale rates. You might want to get a cash back credit card in the business name. That simplifies it...most take credit cards now as payment and you don't have to mess with opening individual credit accounts with every business.

[mouse]

Then do one a month.

Go for the Red MCombs / Cosmic cowboys of Texas

[lil'mo]

Whats your hourly rate? I've got about 100' of a low rise (maybe 18") mortared rock wall finished on one side (yard drops to a lower level) left to do at my place...I did half of it a few years ago and then got distracted with other projects. Or, I'm cool with a bid too. I could do about 20' a day by myself fucking off and drinking beer.

Didn't intend to ignore your post CC. That's the thing, I don't even know how to get started figuring out what to charge for jobs... I'd like to help you with your wall but I'm up in Lubbock, I assume your place is down in Bexar county?

[lil'mo]

Here is some of my more recent stuff that I actually have pictures of...

texas patio, fuckin baaaaad:
http://i59.tinypic.com/2duczz6.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/wsqjvc.jpg

Patio and edging with pergola:
http://i57.tinypic.com/2vs1zip.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/2qsa0wy.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/2qb65c4.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/2i119xw.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/hrmqrl.jpg

raised garden on the left:
http://i57.tinypic.com/b489kw.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/ax1jeh.jpg

[The Reckoning]

good stuff mo. i was thinking of sculpting my bush into the shape of texas so all the international women will know where i'm from.

[lil'mo]

that'd be fucking sweet. you'd have to get a professional manscaper to do it though. be pretty tough to do it on yourself. Surely they have some pube barbers there in Europe?

[The Reckoning]

yeah but they're all scared of my circumcised penis

[lil'mo]

lol 3/4" my ballsack. :lol I mean I CAN do but I'd probably upcharge the smaller the client wants the spacing. I like having about an inch on my personal patios, sometimes I have to go bigger because I'm not buying a shitload of extra rock just to make sure I have the pieces that will fit together perfectly. I'm not trying to have a half ton of rock left over from a personal job. If I started doing it regularly for side income I could justify buying a lot more than I need knowing that it'll eventually get used. I also like to lay dry because I like to let the Bermuda grass we have up here in Lubbock grow in to the cracks. I can do the mortar lay, no problem.

I'd like to have a DBA and a website eventually just to look a little more legit and the richers like seeing that shit and wont hire someone that doesn't have a neat little website they can look at. I've already got a bit of a word of mouth thing going on, as I have helped some coworkers with patios and other backyard projects and now their friends/family are asking about my help with their backyard projects. I've helped buddies in the past just for beer and bbq, but this is kinda what got me thinking about doing it for extra income during my free time.

and every job I do is top quality, that's why I only want 1-2 jobs a month so I can put the necessary time and effort and care into each one.

The ponds are a great idea. I also can do small fences for dog runs and washer/horse shoe pits. You know, all easy shit that richers just don't want to go in the back and do on their own.

[lil'mo]

that's really nice but waaaay beyond what i'm looking to get in to. This is what you do for a living?

[lil'mo]

so what's your trick for getting such small joints? you take a piece and chip it and break it till it fits perfectly where you want it to go?

[lil'mo]

that's a good point... i'm just getting started thinking about it so this is all good information.

[jag]

A little hobby of mine is installing backyard patio and rock landscapes. Stone edging, dry and wet stack, and dry-laid or mortared flagstone patios.

:lol that's a lot of work for a hobby

[lil'mo]

Sounds like it to a lazy person, huh?

[DJR210]

Here is some of my more recent stuff that I actually have pictures of...

texas patio, fuckin baaaaad:
http://i59.tinypic.com/2duczz6.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/wsqjvc.jpg

Patio and edging with pergola:
http://i57.tinypic.com/2vs1zip.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/2qsa0wy.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/2qb65c4.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/2i119xw.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/hrmqrl.jpg

raised garden on the left:
http://i57.tinypic.com/b489kw.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/ax1jeh.jpg

How much did you charge them for that Texas?

[lil'mo]

That's my backyard at my old place. I've never charged for money...yet

[SnakeBoy]

People love this shit, well for about a year.


Well when you build them a shitty pond that has no chance of being anything other than an algae filled cesspool it's no surprise they get tired of them.

[SnakeBoy]

I don't build ponds. The only reason they become shittay, is usually because the customer doesn't take care of them.

Nah, it take a lot more filtration than the little home Depot kit to have a pond that someone can actually enjoy instead of constantly cleaning it.

You should learn how to build ponds, not too many builders in Texas who actually know what they are doing. Here's an example of a guy who does know what he's doing...
http://highdesertkoi.com/index.htm

Pretty good money to be made.

[Expert]

I am fortunate enough to have a job that offers me a lot of free time and have been thinking about starting a little side business to supplement my income. A little hobby of mine is installing backyard patio and rock landscapes. Stone edging, dry and wet stack, and dry-laid or mortared flagstone patios. I've even dabbled with pergolas and raised gardens, etc.

What are the steps to take so that you can get wholesale prices on materials and how would you go about offering/advertising these services? Do you have to get certifications/licenses? It'd be cool if I could get 2-3 jobs a week.

Thanks in advance for the great advice and fuck off in advance for all the jeally douchebag hatas. :blah

A job that offers a lot of free time is called being unemployed.

[Expert]

That yardscaping looks ghetto as fuck.

[Expert]

http://i57.tinypic.com/wsqjvc.jpg


I notice your fence says "Dik" on it... not a surprise.

[SnakeBoy]

You're right, but regardless how good the system is they still have to be maintained. The better the system the easier they are to service. But that's the problem, everyone wants a cheap price. I won't sell them a piece of shit. The shittier pond kits can still be maintained it's just more of a pain in the ass. Same thing with pools. Shitty equipment = pain in the ass.

Good point. Probably why there aren't many good pond builders around here. SA is cheap as fuck.

[lil'mo]

http://i57.tinypic.com/wsqjvc.jpg


I notice your fence says "Dik" on it... not a surprise.
I notice your perception is failing you

[Expert]

I notice your perception is failing you
bullshit... right there in white... DIK

[lil'mo]

Expert of looking like an ass :lmao

[lil'mo]

Rofl yeah I don't what that was all about. It lasted for about a week before it got sandblasted off. Made it long enough to be immortalized on my patio picture though :lol

[DJR210]

That's my backyard at my old place. I've never charged for money...yet

Send pics to some professionals and ask them to quote how much they would charge to do that for you..take an average and undercut the competition a little price wise as I'm sure they are overcharging people.

[Phillip]

not bad pego. as 2120 said, of course there is improvement to be made, but that just comes with time and experience. do a couple jobs first for people for real cheap (minimal profit), just to get some testimonials/pictures/practice and develop a portfolio.

and always remember, the people that are hiring you 95% of the time know infinitely less than you. do your jobs with confidence, focus on getting better and delivering quality, and before you know it this will be your full-time gig if this is really what you want to do.

:toast best of fortunes

[Phillip]

http://i60.tinypic.com/2qsa0wy.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/2qb65c4.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/2i119xw.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/hrmqrl.jpg



And I'm not trying to be a jerk, I honestly want the best for you. So I figured I would give my personal opinion. If you are going to have a broken stone look, then it needs to be everywhere. It seems like some awfully big pieces are across the edges, and it's more heavily broken more in the middle. It looks kinda boxy to me. And as 2120 said, the gaps occasionally are a bit too big, although I think if you used gravel to fill the gaps up, it would look better than straight grout. Big gaps look better with gravel IMO.

But the fact that you are even doing this stuff for yourself deserves props :clap because most people are too fat and lazy to bother trying. Overall, I think it's pretty solid work. I really liked the Texas thing :tu

[lil'mo]

Send pics to some professionals and ask them to quote how much they would charge to do that for you..take an average and undercut the competition a little price wise as I'm sure they are overcharging people.

Hey... Good idea... I could get like a price breakdown from them too... Good call :tu

[lil'mo]

not bad pego. as 2120 said, of course there is improvement to be made, but that just comes with time and experience. do a couple jobs first for people for real cheap (minimal profit), just to get some testimonials/pictures/practice and develop a portfolio.

and always remember, the people that are hiring you 95% of the time know infinitely less than you. do your jobs with confidence, focus on getting better and delivering quality, and before you know it this will be your full-time gig if this is really what you want to do.

:toast best of fortunes
Good thoughts brotha :tu

Lol this is not what I want to do full time :lol I already have a really good full time gig that I plan on sticking with til retirement. This is strictly on the side for extra income

[lil'mo]

2.00 to 2.50 per ft depends on who's buying. If you can get more...:tu your prices can go up when you get some on the ground.

Your using 1" right?

When you get going and badass you can get more like 4 to 5 bucks a foot.

Also if you need a 3d design. I can hook it up for you. If/when you get a pretty big job ask your customer for their plot/plat plan. I may ask you to triangulate some trees and other measurements though.

Thanks man. I'll keep you up on it.

[lil'mo]

And I'm not trying to be a jerk, I honestly want the best for you. So I figured I would give my personal opinion. If you are going to have a broken stone look, then it needs to be everywhere. It seems like some awfully big pieces are across the edges, and it's more heavily broken more in the middle. It looks kinda boxy to me. And as 2120 said, the gaps occasionally are a bit too big, although I think if you used gravel to fill the gaps up, it would look better than straight grout. Big gaps look better with gravel IMO.

But the fact that you are even doing this stuff for yourself deserves props :clap because most people are too fat and lazy to bother trying. Overall, I think it's pretty solid work. I really liked the Texas thing :tu

Thanks for tha props and the constructive criticism :tu

As for the boxy look and inconsistent size, that's just a result of trying to buy the exact poundage of rock that I'll need to finish the job. I actually calculated pretty damn close on that one as I ended up with only 3 rocks left over. If I could buy a pallet at a time I'd have a lot more options and be able to get the sizing and spacing just right.

[mouse]

And I'm not trying to be a jerk,

Then your in the wrong forum. :lmao


on a side note nice pics!

[mouse]

http://i57.tinypic.com/wsqjvc.jpg


I notice your fence says "Dik" on it... not a surprise.

You defiantly have artistic talent and should patented your Texas patio designs.

I personally would look into and solid outdoor grout especially for the high traffic areas you wouldn't want one of those high paying customers to have a female guests get her 600 dollar high heel shoe stuck in between those many gaps in the pattern.
The first words from their mouth would be "Who designed this shit"

Not wanting to take the blame for wearing high heel shoes at a neighborhood outdoor party.
my 2 cents.

[mouse]

http://i62.tinypic.com/hrmqrl.jpg


rent a professional paint sprayer (not Wagner bullshit) for 40 dollars a day and buy a 5 gallon can of exterior stain / paint for 75 and have a new fence.

Also have the kids stay off the lawn for 30 days as you seed and fertilize the yard and maybe put artificial turf around the patio high traffic areas.

That's my 2 cents.....keep in mind i'm at home drinking and posting online.

[Expert]

:lol It's on his neighbors fence. :lol

But it's facing his house, so his neighbor is calling him a dik.

[mouse]

It looks like random graffiti to me.

[lil'mo]

http://i62.tinypic.com/hrmqrl.jpg


rent a professional paint sprayer (not Wagner bullshit) for 40 dollars a day and buy a 5 gallon can of exterior stain / paint for 75 and have a new fence.

Also have the kids stay off the lawn for 30 days as you seed and fertilize the yard and maybe put artificial turf around the patio high traffic areas.

That's my 2 cents.....keep in mind i'm at home drinking and posting online.
Ah, the grass is beautiful during the summer and fall. It completely dies out in winter and the comes back drug spring. It's got a sort of muddy look because of the dirt that was dug up and stomping around on it while putting the patio in. I have one of the greenest, weed free lawns, front and back in the neighborhood :tu

Once it all comes back in this summer I'll take an updated picture :tu

[mouse]

Well guess what? You learned something on your next bid if you do another job for cash you can try and avoid or cover the customers grass around the area you will be working on.

The best way to get better is more jobs look at each project as another step in getting better.

Soon you will have it down packed by avoiding jobs with Big dogs that are free to roam the backyard pissing on your tools. Then you will avoid jobs were the home owners are going through a nasty divorce as each one argue in court on who should pay you. Make sure you take pics or video "before" in case the home owner says you ruined something


And avoid jobs were the land is on the bottom of a hill so your patio doesn't get flooded each rain it will slow down the deadline date.
You have any more pics?

[lil'mo]

Nop dets it :/ I'll post more as they come

[mouse]

I need a bid on a 10 x 10 area for my back yard but I want it like this.

http://www.evtiel.com/images/Backyard-Kitchen-Design-Ideas-with-L-Shaped-Table-Furniture-and-Amazing-Stone-Floor-Decorating-also-Black-Tiles-Countertop-for-the-Best-Outdoor-Kitchen-Collection.jpg

or like this...

http://www.tinyk.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/patio.jpg

[The Reckoning]

we had a brick patio when i was growing up and i fucking hated it as a kid. the bricks get dislodged and you stub your toe, and the weeds get all in that shit.