young'un requesting opinions of the experienced

[deezyboy]

Alright all,

 

I'm 21 and started my own business (que laughter) I've worked and saved my way up and now have a nice 110 landy and TW125 chipper to get me started as well as the saws etc and enough work for 2/3 days a week at the moment.

 

I've seen a presentable 30' flail mower for sale for an amount that certainly wouldn't break the bank, but don't have the work for it at the moment. Is it better to expand and buy now when I can in case the job requiring it turns up in 6 months time (especially now whilst I'm young and don't have a mortgage or kids etc)

 

Or hang on, and just buy any gear should the need for it arise whenever that may be?

 

Odd topic, but looking for your more experienced opinions as you would have been in my position yourselves in the past!

 

Cheers, Ben.

[White Noise]

Alright all,

 

I'm 21 and started my own business (que laughter) I've worked and saved my way up and now have a nice 110 landy and TW125 chipper to get me started as well as the saws etc and enough work for 2/3 days a week at the moment.

 

I've seen a presentable 30' flail mower for sale for an amount that certainly wouldn't break the bank, but don't have the work for it at the moment. Is it better to expand and buy now when I can in case the job requiring it turns up in 6 months time (especially now whilst I'm young and don't have a mortgage or kids etc)

 

Or hang on, and just buy any gear should the need for it arise whenever that may be?

 

Odd topic, but looking for your more experienced opinions as you would have been in my position yourselves in the past!

 

Cheers, Ben.

 

First off congratulations for getting to where you are at such a young age . Me I,d buy tree gear as and when needed or when your paid out after a decent job

[csservices]

I would personally say if you don't have the work for it I would'nt buy it as its dead money sat in your shed, unless your getting it at a good price where you could make a turn on it, it could be that you buy it and then next week when you've spent the money you have a job come up that you need something for and don't have the money to buy it, its all swings and roundabouts

[Chris3King]

Iv not got my own business bit have been self employed most of my working life, (11 years or so). I'd say keep the cash in a safe place "for a rainy day".

 

If and when you get the work that requires one you can buy one, if you don't end up needing one it could go towards something else.

 

There is always something wanting to take money off you. Almost as if your allergic to it, or is that just me?

 

 

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[Chris3King]

Keep your business money away from your personal money!

 

 

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[Ray1]

If its not going to break the bank i would buy it. Then you've got it you can look for that work.

[Tom D]

I find that you don't find the work for the kit until you have it, so if its a bargain go for it. Sometimes you have got to take the plunge and go for it. If you don't you'll get the chance of some flail work later on and then it won't be available any more and you'll have to buy a more expensive one..

[agg221]

How much could you sell it for relative to what you are being offered it for?

 

You need a certain amount of cash 'float' available - for fixing the landy etc (face it, it's a landy, it -will- break down!) but beyond that, any spare cash is earning you nothing sat in the bank, so if you have opportunities to make it work harder for you they can often be worth taking.

 

If you could sell it and pretty much get your money back with only a minimal loss at worst, and you can think of ways in which you could either market the capability, or likely scenarios where you will be asked alongside what you are currently doing, it may well be worth the investment.

 

Only other thing is, assuming it's secondhand, do you know what you are looking at well enough to know that you are not buying a dog? If so, great, if not, is there anyone else you can ask who would know what they are looking at and can offer impartial advice?

 

Alec

[Yorkshireman]

good on ya for getting to where you are .

 

as with everything , its your call, many wise words written above pros & cons , if its a bargain & too cheap to walk past buy it you can always sell it on.

 

cash once spent cant be spent again, however kit can be used or hired out to make money back on that purchase,

 

try and build a case for it, but if its a large garden ornament then maybe avoid it and spend on a more usable bit of kit. especially if your not flush with money or work

[Jamie_tardi]

Well done on owning your own firm! I'm in a similar position and age(ish) too you, I'm 27 btw and started a few months ago. I found that by buying a bit of kit I seem to be able too get the work for said kit as I push for that work a bit more, I started with 2 saws and a chipper and now have a full garden maintenance setup, 5 saws and all the climbing kit..... I find that if you inform say 1 of your regular customers you have said kit the word can get around too their friends/colleagues etc and before you know it your employing people!