Couple Questions RE: Dump trucking

Discussion in 'Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum' started by trucknut87, Nov 12, 2013.

  1. trucknut87

    trucknut87 Light Load Member

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    Been curious as to how the dump truck industry works regarding how drivers are paid as well as how the companies receive payment themselves.

    1. Do most drivers who work for companies get paid by the hour or by loads hauled? Does it vary much, or is one more common?

    2. How do the companies themselves collect payment from the customers? Is it paid on a net 30 basis like freight, or is it weekly/monthly/daily/by load basis?

    3. Is it better to own your own truck, or work for a company pay wise?

    Just curious how the industry works, always been something I've been interested in. Any help is appreciated guys!
     
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  3. fld

    fld Medium Load Member

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    In my area, most drivers are paid by the hour, although there are some types of work that pay by the load. I believe payment is structured similarly to freight.

    In the end, owning your own truck would make more money. BUT, it requires a great deal of money to get started and to be able to keep going. Repairs, insurace, tags, fuel, all big money. And dump trucks take a beating like no tractor ever will. You would spend a great deal of time doing repairs, especially if you have a driver. And sometimes the dump trucks only work 8 or 9 months out of the year.
     
  4. trucknut87

    trucknut87 Light Load Member

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    Yeah it definitely seems like there is a lot of overhead. Do you know much about how the company owners were paid? Like if I was to try and start a company, and pay my drivers hourly, how id collect payment? Monthly, weekly, or at the end of the total job ie bidding on a job of moving X amount of dirt over X amount of time for a builder and collecting at the end?
     
  5. popcorn169

    popcorn169 Road Train Member

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    It all depends on how you make agreements with potential customers. You can haul gravel for someone to do their driveway or to dump in a pile for doing a patio or something to that nature and have them pay when you dump. You can have contracts with some contractors that you will send a bill every week and they will send you a payment. If you want to bid a job for hauling dirt you can bid by the job or if you are just hauling for someone who is hauling dirt then you should charge by the hour.
     
  6. trucknut87

    trucknut87 Light Load Member

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    I see, seems there is a lot of different ways to earn money with a dump truck. Not just building neighborhoods or hauling asphalt. I just didn't know of there was any waiting periods between the billing and payments like with the traditional net 30 for freight.
     
  7. popcorn169

    popcorn169 Road Train Member

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    Now I know some people who have their dump trucks leased to the local quarry who get paid on the 1st and 15th of every month. Then they also haul asphalt for a couple paving companies do not know how they pay. But you have to be reasonable on your pricing and make a name for yourself. If you know of any around your area talk to them and ask how they are paid and such.
     
  8. trucknut87

    trucknut87 Light Load Member

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    Yeah I may do that thanks! I have read a lot of post ms about pricing and how cut throat it is..seems is can be difficult making it in this line of business..
     
  9. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Some of the better quarries will pay weekly work this week pay next Friday . At least for their full time hired trucks.

    Some of the crappier places make you wait 30-60 days. So you have to be very careful where you work. And how deep you going to be in.......

    Down there I would think you would work year round....a plus (I guess).

    The margin on dump work is pretty thin right now. And you need to be able to survive slow weeks.........

    Most pay is by the ton , except site work and asphalt. Of course there are exceptions....

    Do you math with a sharp pencil .
     
  10. Ezrider_48501

    Ezrider_48501 Road Train Member

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    30-60 day to pay on most work, some is tonnage others are hourly rates, as far as drivers a lot are on % so if the truck is payed by the hour so is the driver. if the truck is paid by the load driver is paid by the load. some company's will pay there drivers hourly even when the truck is paid by the load to try to avoid the drivers tearing there equipment up by overloading and hauling ###.

    depending on where you are i don't know how some of these people make any money my overhead typically cost me around 65 an hour semi w/belly dump running the truck myself. some of the rates you see posted that people are getting in some area's of the country @75-80 an hour if you have to pay a driver i don't see how you would make a dime at the end of the year. let alone most hired drivers around here are getting paid 25 or so an hour. so you figure that in your at 90+ an hour to have the truck out there working.

    im working for alot better than 75-80 an hour where im at but i wouldent touch dump work for less than 100 an hour id sell my trailer and find something else to haul.
     
  11. trucknut87

    trucknut87 Light Load Member

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    Man, sounds like tough work. I was just curious because the good thing I figured about Atlanta was all the development and road construction could make work easier to find. Although I guess it could also make it difficult to find good rates as people are fighting over the work...
     
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