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Would you do it again? #7528452
03/14/22 10:24 PM
03/14/22 10:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,529
MN
D
Donnersurvivor Offline OP
trapper
Donnersurvivor  Offline OP
trapper
D

Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,529
MN
I run a tree service currently but am growing tired of dealing with employees, I can't do my work without employees. I've considered starting a ADC side business and trying to grow it into full time by myself with no employees. I don't really want to handle chemical for pest control.

For the guys who run a small adc business by yourself, would you do it all over?

My main concern would be not making as much money but between my sawmill and adc I think I could make enough and have less stress.

Re: Would you do it again? [Re: Donnersurvivor] #7528479
03/14/22 11:09 PM
03/14/22 11:09 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,116
Killingly, CT
Brian Mongeau Offline
trapper
Brian Mongeau  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,116
Killingly, CT
Yes, without a doubt.

Re: Would you do it again? [Re: Donnersurvivor] #7528549
03/15/22 04:26 AM
03/15/22 04:26 AM
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 95
Florida
B
bjansma Offline
trapper
bjansma  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 95
Florida
I just sold, but I had employees. Employees were the toughest part of my business too.

Couple of things to think about....

MN will be dead in the winter.

The money in adc is in repairs, not setting traps. If you aren't a carpenter your income will be much lower than someone who knows how to fix things.


Bob Jansma
Re: Would you do it again? [Re: bjansma] #7528610
03/15/22 08:11 AM
03/15/22 08:11 AM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,529
MN
D
Donnersurvivor Offline OP
trapper
Donnersurvivor  Offline OP
trapper
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,529
MN
Originally Posted by bjansma
I just sold, but I had employees. Employees were the toughest part of my business too.

Couple of things to think about....

MN will be dead in the winter.

The money in adc is in repairs, not setting traps. If you aren't a carpenter your income will be much lower than someone who knows how to fix things.





Thanks. I am comfortable doing anything but major repairs, I'm the good at everything great at nothing type. I assumed most money would be in repairs and chemical but I don't want to do chemical.

Re: Would you do it again? [Re: Donnersurvivor] #7528877
03/15/22 01:22 PM
03/15/22 01:22 PM
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 95
Florida
B
bjansma Offline
trapper
bjansma  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 95
Florida
This is a trapping forum so everyone pictures cage traps with raccoons and skunks and squirrels inside but I made more money with my caulk gun than I ever made with a trap. Bats were our biggest moneymaker.
If you own a tree service already know you aren't scared of heights. Learn how to perform bat exclusions and you will be all set.


Bob Jansma
Re: Would you do it again? [Re: bjansma] #7529162
03/15/22 07:37 PM
03/15/22 07:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,529
MN
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Donnersurvivor Offline OP
trapper
Donnersurvivor  Offline OP
trapper
D

Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,529
MN
Originally Posted by bjansma
This is a trapping forum so everyone pictures cage traps with raccoons and skunks and squirrels inside but I made more money with my caulk gun than I ever made with a trap. Bats were our biggest moneymaker.
If you own a tree service already know you aren't scared of heights. Learn how to perform bat exclusions and you will be all set.

Thank you. This would be a business to me, not an excuse to trap. I'm unsure if I could make it work full time in my rural area. I haven't checked local prices but it seems like a $300 assessment/setup fee, $100 per check and any repairs on yards/houses would be bid by the job with $125 an hour target price. I'm unsure if these prices would be competitive. Do these prices fall roughly into what some of you guys charge?

Re: Would you do it again? [Re: Donnersurvivor] #7529307
03/15/22 10:32 PM
03/15/22 10:32 PM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 734
Schenectady, NY
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EatenByLimestone Offline
trapper
EatenByLimestone  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 734
Schenectady, NY
They'd be in line with my area. If you have a lot of 2nd homes in your area there'd be more potential clients that'd make it easier to start a rural business.

Re: Would you do it again? [Re: Donnersurvivor] #7530397
03/17/22 01:31 AM
03/17/22 01:31 AM
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,672
Ohio
W
Willy Firewood Offline
trapper
Willy Firewood  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,672
Ohio
When wifey and I discussed starting this business, we specifically planned to limit growth to have no employees. No expense or hassle.
I do hire my nephew as casual labor when i need help on a larger project.
Yes, would do it over again.


FRAC LIVES MATTER
Re: Would you do it again? [Re: Donnersurvivor] #7530539
03/17/22 09:35 AM
03/17/22 09:35 AM
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,473
West Central MN
20scout Offline
trapper
20scout  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,473
West Central MN
I think your prices would be in line for the metro areas but difficult to get people in the rural areas on board or I would be doing it myself.


Common sense is a not a vegetable that does well in everyone's garden.
Re: Would you do it again? [Re: Donnersurvivor] #7530707
03/17/22 11:50 AM
03/17/22 11:50 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,116
Killingly, CT
Brian Mongeau Offline
trapper
Brian Mongeau  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,116
Killingly, CT
Test the market..don't charge less just because you're rural. You'll be surprised how much people will spend when they want a problem solved and have no experience with the issue. And if you lowball the competition, customers will wonder why you're so much cheaper., But will they think the other guy is gouging or that you don't know what you're doing? Be competitive. If you have no competition, you can charge as much as you want.

Re: Would you do it again? [Re: Donnersurvivor] #7530905
03/17/22 04:30 PM
03/17/22 04:30 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,294
Louisiana
Aix sponsa Offline
trapper
Aix sponsa  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,294
Louisiana
I think you’ll like it.

Having a sawmill is nice and gives you even more options.

Re: Would you do it again? [Re: Donnersurvivor] #7531289
03/18/22 01:31 AM
03/18/22 01:31 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,100
Adirondacks, N.Y.
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trapdye Offline
trapper
trapdye  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,100
Adirondacks, N.Y.
Been alone for 28 years, It has good side & bad, I think the worst is trying to do much at one time. Most folks around here are very demanding, They have money, So they figure they can have it done today. Every job is different & takes a different amount time to do right. It is nice to have help sometimes or when you have to run for something needed. In fact, my wife asked about NWCO testing last week, I called NYSDEC & they have a class April 20, so she's booked for that. she's been on enough jobs to know what & where, the help will be nice.


John's Nuisance Wildlife Control
If you like what you do for a living, It's better than a vacation. Most days.
Re: Would you do it again? [Re: Donnersurvivor] #7531298
03/18/22 03:52 AM
03/18/22 03:52 AM
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,672
Ohio
W
Willy Firewood Offline
trapper
Willy Firewood  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,672
Ohio
Donner - you are asking questions from an experienced and knowledgeable perspective. It is nice instead of people who strongly ask that others send them contracts or other documents and tell them how to run their new business. You have received some really good helpful advice from some real experts.

Honestly, I just reread the comments and I agree with every suggestion. With exclusion work, I limit myself to not doing anything load bearing. I write up the jobs as nuisance wildlife caused damage to the structure which needs repair in one or more isolated areas that are not load bearing. The work is cosmetic in nature.

Don’t forget the LLC and liability insurance.

I sincerely wish you the best!


FRAC LIVES MATTER
Re: Would you do it again? [Re: Donnersurvivor] #7532127
03/18/22 10:58 PM
03/18/22 10:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,529
MN
D
Donnersurvivor Offline OP
trapper
Donnersurvivor  Offline OP
trapper
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,529
MN
Thank you every one who replied, it's very much appreciated. Right now I'm working 7 days a week, I'm tired, I'm sore, I'm stressed. For the immediate future I'm going to keep pounding it out in trees but I can't do this long term. We did 20 tree removals today, it went great, when everything and everyone is clicking work is fun, that said ide still prefer to work alone and my body is not going to hold up to this.

Re: Would you do it again? [Re: Donnersurvivor] #7564310
04/20/22 02:59 PM
04/20/22 02:59 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,383
Central Ohio
LT GREY Offline
trapper
LT GREY  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,383
Central Ohio
...and I would have started sooner !
( you know hindsight in always 20/20 vision)

Re: Would you do it again? [Re: Donnersurvivor] #7564759
04/20/22 08:57 PM
04/20/22 08:57 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 377
New York
Jim Comstock Offline
trapper
Jim Comstock  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 377
New York
No regrets going into ADC. If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. As a fur trapper since the 60's, it was a big change going into ADC, $. Fur declined, nuisance grew. For me it was a natural progression moving from fur to ADC. Never gave much thought. It just happened. Having sold many beaver for as low as $8.55 one year and 70 another year for a $6.85 average, when people began paying for my services I felt like I hit the lottery. I started out at $25 a beaver and was thrilled. It was a beginning. I did ADC beaver work back in the 70's for pulp companies and a Nuclear Power Plant, just didnt' get payed for it. But, they did give me a boat and a man, so that was a big deal. Just loved catching and getting wet and muddy every day. Just thinking about how good it felt at the end of the day to dump a days worth of sticks and leaves out of my boots after 10 hours of swamps, pull up wadded socks and tuck in my shirt. There was a steak place where I could get a hamburger, baked potato and salad for less than 5 bucks. Splash a little water on my face, felt like a king, but I digress a little. Still that way some days, but now I have a new truck. So much opportunity for anyone who wants it.

Re: Would you do it again? [Re: Donnersurvivor] #7634772
07/25/22 12:38 PM
07/25/22 12:38 PM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 700
Chocowinity, NC
Phil Nichols Offline
trapper
Phil Nichols  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 700
Chocowinity, NC
You just know when the thing you do is right (or not right.) We had good employees so I would suggest learn how to find and interview. I did experience a slow down in my physical abilities with age, that was compensated for with a helper. You can always partner up with the competition on bigger jobs. Finally, listen to your inner voice when it comes time to leave it, and leave it with a realistic retirement plan in hand.

Re: Would you do it again? [Re: Donnersurvivor] #7634974
07/25/22 06:49 PM
07/25/22 06:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,529
MN
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Donnersurvivor Offline OP
trapper
Donnersurvivor  Offline OP
trapper
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,529
MN
My main guy put in his 2 week notice today. I'm offering 20-25 an hour for no/minimum tree work experience and getting nowhere. It's just impossible to compete with roofers and concrete guys paying 45 a hour.

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