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Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 1:03 pm
by DNgroundworks
Well as ive commented on previous threads work has dried up for me, really struggling at the minute, been out priced on the very few jobs i have looked at, just no way i can compete with them sorta guys.
Anyway so if anyone hears of anything going in the northwest/preston region, or you would like a price for anything then let me know, or any sub-contract offers ill happily try and be of some assitance.
On a good note i think im finally getting somewhere with Arnold clark, taken a while though!
Regards Dan - Tel 07805255756.
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 6:05 pm
by ilovesettsonmondays
hi m8 .im from the north west orig .cpl of firms you could try who like to use subbys (pricework) .dct from shaw .dowhigh from liverpool.w.e parson from ellesmere port.charles l warren from the wirral.all i can think of in a few mins .anymore i will pm you gl.
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 8:05 pm
by GB_Groundworks
dan its grim at moment isnt priced a few jobs but seem to be way out,
priced a 125m sq drive, currently half bad tarmac laid on whole bricks, and half clay. no drainage and really steep slope towards the house.
priced it to rip it up, cart it all away, build soakaway and subbase. not far from our yard so limited waste charges etc then our surfacing lads gave me a price on 4 different surface courses on AC 20mm (aggregate size) dense base binder course, Bs 4987, to a consolidated depth of 50mm
Normal Limestone Surface Course (fades in Colour to soft grey)
Normal Granite Surface Course (retains dark Colour through out lifespan)
SMA in Limestone, stone mastic asphalt, made with mastic and fibres the most hardwearing material available. Flexible and suitable
for vehicles point turning in tight areas with power assisted steering
SMA in Granite
diffentent option and price and our surfacing lads i think are good lads, but they went with a company who scraped the turf off, scattered a bit of mot over the plac and then 10mm surface course laid over the top, watched them do it going past. no drainage etc, how do you compete doing a proper job??
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:52 pm
by London Stone Paving
Its a shame really Giles, but these people will have to learn the hard way that you get what you pay for.
Obviously no consolation for you but what can you do?
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 10:27 pm
by Dave_L
Give it a winter and see what the driveway looks like!
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 2:42 am
by lutonlagerlout
feel for you dan, we are picking up a bit more but its extensions not paving.
the downward pressure on wages seems neverending
cheers and good luck
LLL
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 8:36 pm
by ken
do you install PIC? im looking for some one to repair a PIC driveway at a property im working at in warrington. ken
Edited By ken on 1286393973
Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 7:27 pm
by DNgroundworks
Hi all not been on the net in a while, I think the only reason i got work in the first place is due to people not bothering getting other quotes in so they dont know what is expensive and what isnt so they just go with me plus i make a concerted effort when meeting the client, portfolio, refernces etc first impressions count for alot i think., and thos who do get other quote go for the guys that do the sorta shite work you just mentioned.
I know im perhaps a tad expensive probably just average tbh but we endeavour to go a good job and provide a high level of customer service, took an old dear that we were working for one day to the hair dressers because she missed the bus, after that did loads of work for all her friends 
But it seems to go from one extreme to the other ill be absolutley flat out workin 6 days with 3-4 lads on then it will just dry up and ill have nothing on.
I dont know how to compete giles, i dont know what im doing wrong, but i cba any more. Gonna get a consoldation loan settle up with everybody, and get a general 9-5 mudane job.
Sorry ken never done PIC before.
Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 10:26 pm
by pickwell paving
sorry to hear bout the workload DN, know what you mean its either feast or famine with us too, 2008 was our worst year might as well not have bothered a firm we subby for a lot do loads of work at schools so we spent a lot of that year stripping inside of schools etc ready for refurbs not ideal but it was work and if it wasn't for them we probably wouldn't be going now, stick with it mate something will turn up
Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:14 pm
by bobbi o
If its any consolation, its brutal for everyone right now. most companies are in survival mode,just trying to get by without losing any money,in the hope of better times somewhere in the future.
theres no secret to staying alive in these times,but my current formula which i'm constantly reviewing is:
spend as little as possible,with particular emphasis on fuel and wages./pay off all debts
say yes to all and any job opportunitys,even if you cant do it yourself,theres plenty of skilled workers out there to help you out.
be prepared to work outwith your area.
try to get your company/self on approved contractors lists(Councils,NHS,Utilities Co's)
Network and keep your nose to the ground at all times.
Respond to any leads same day and provide written quote next day
stay positive!
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:13 am
by lutonlagerlout
bobbi o wrote:If its any consolation, its brutal for everyone right now. most companies are in survival mode,just trying to get by without losing any money,in the hope of better times somewhere in the future.
theres no secret to staying alive in these times,but my current formula which i'm constantly reviewing is:
spend as little as possible,with particular emphasis on fuel and wages./pay off all debts
say yes to all and any job opportunitys,even if you cant do it yourself,theres plenty of skilled workers out there to help you out.
be prepared to work outwith your area.
try to get your company/self on approved contractors lists(Councils,NHS,Utilities Co's)
Network and keep your nose to the ground at all times.
Respond to any leads same day and provide written quote next day
stay positive!
sound advice there from bobbi
exactly what we have been doing
LLL
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 5:58 pm
by DNgroundworks
I do most of what you mention there bobbi, apart from paying off debt what with be close to bankrupt and all, mum and dad are skint through no fault of there own, i then become a cash cow.
And before you mention it, the navara/holiday/new tools where all bought on the back of nearly 50000 pounds worth of work that i had priced (some of it day work, but agreed) ages ago and subsequently lost, a huge job, just basic groundworks and landscaping in my local town which i had, is now being done by a retired guy who used to own a well established plant hire firm - and get this he is workin for free because the developer is one of his best mates - absolute joke, the guys a millionaire why cant he give some one else a chance for f*cks sake.
i think people just dont have confidence in me due to my age, which i can understand, but im sick of proving people wrong its just ridiculous. I lose jobs to guys who are dearer than me and do a crap job just because they have been around longer so people assume they know what there talking about.
Anyway rant over 8 pints waiting down at the pub.
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 6:09 pm
by lutonlagerlout
I imagine youth would play a key part in it dan
but I am willing to give anyone 1 chance young or old
got a fantastic electrician now who is only 23.
i know its hindsight but i would never buy anything on the strength of future earnings,a 8 yr old pick up would suffice rill you actually did the work
anyway good luck,had my 8 pints last night so feeling a bit sore today
LLL
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 6:40 pm
by dig dug dan
dan this is very sad to hear. I hate to hear of genuine hard working people like yourselves struggling, yet the ones who shouldn't be doing the job are still going.
I had similar problems when i started, but as my work grew from recommendations, the age thing soon passed.
Sounds like there are too many cowboys in your area, and not enough common sensed folk.
Keep us all posted on your future. I for one wish you all the best
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 9:45 pm
by bobbi o
DN- i think the best advice of all is to try and stay positive about your future. Unfortunately my old boy passed away 3 years ago and i know he could have passed on some sound advice if he'd still been here, as he'd been through a downturn/recession that we're all currently experiencing.
The fact is he survived and went on to build a solid company that i'm now benifeting from.you must always have one eye on the future,not just the present.
Most/All companies have debt. the key to survival is to pay these off. Ok thats not an easy proposition,but the secret is to speak to your debtors and offer a realistic proposal to pay these off within a reasonable timescale.
I recently have had a horrendous time with my my debtors list. i would much rather they speak to me and seek a mutual agreement to sort this out,than resort to putting it to the lawyers.
Business may yet get a lot worse than it currently is, but there are a lot of companys that have been here before and survived.make sure you are one of them.