I'm up in the Flathead Valley. . .
I know Bayview. . . I've only seen it from afar (from 200). . . The whole area is very nice.
You're correct in your assessment that the Pend Oreille area is thick with timber. . . And rugged too boot. Them mountains just go straight up! LOL
If you know the other companies are booked up, that's good news for you. You're also in a good position as you have another income at the saw shop, and this new venture would be supplementary. The hardest thing will be getting your first few jobs, but if folks know you (small town) it may be easier than otherwise.
Pricing is a tricky one to answer. . . It's kind of a loaded question. There are many, many variables to consider.
First and foremost, you don't want to be known as "That part-timer jerk that underbids for jobs." You're prices must reflect your skill level, but also reflect the going rate or close. It's okay to be cheaper, but it's a fine line.
You'll most likely have less overhead than the other companies, less employees (comp, unemployment, insurance, etc) which will mean you won't "have to" charge as much. You also don't want to charge what the other guys are charging if you don't feel you're up to par with their level of speed, experience, and knowledge.
Here's how I would set it up:
Figure out how you're paying your help. Are they running their own numbers? Meaning they're a sub to you, and have their own personal liability insurance, tools, gear, etc. It's too dangerous to just hire a guy for the weekend, and then a tree smashes his skull in. You'd be held responsible if he didn't have his own ducks in a row. If you're going to hire them as an employee, you need to pay for their comp, unemployment, and wages. If they're a sub, make them show you documentation of their coverage, and make sure it's current.
Once you figure out help, now you can figure your own insurance. In today's "sue happy" world, insurance is a must. You'll probably want at least 1 million single occurrence with 2 million aggregate. That'll cost you a few thousand a year.
Then we move on to equipment purchases, maintenance, operating costs, etc. Each job must reflect wear and tear on your stuff, fuel, etc. The guys who have been around a few years have this pretty nailed down. From year to year, they pretty much know what their expenditures will be, barring unforeseen catastrophic failures. . . But even those can be somewhat accounted for.
These numbers will give you an idea of what you need to make in aggregate, but not per job. . . Now the fun starts. Most bids start with a few questions. How long will this job take me in hours? What equipment do I need to do it? Can I meet any customer deadlines, and if it's a push, should I charge more? How much liability does the job entail? How much more do I charge for higher liability jobs? These questions (and others) should ballpark you for the bottom line. Now you need to see if you're competitive.
A good way to do it is perhaps befriend a local company. Let him know what your intentions are, and try and get a business relationship going. There are many other businesses locally that we send work to. If we can't handle the work, or if we are too busy, etc. . . We'll call other shops we have a relationship with and give them the job. It's good for them and good for us. . .
Now, you need to approach the right company so they don't tell you to @#!!@#* on the phone. Perhaps a company that frequents your day job? If you already have a business relationship with him, it'll make it easier. If the guy likes you, and he's booked up, he might even throw you a bone?
Lot's of things to think about and consider my friend.
