Questions we are asked
What contractors ask us when they are buying their first machine.
Where to start
What equipment do I need to start a construction company?+
Less than most people think. One machine that matches the work you can actually win, rather than a yard full of equipment waiting for contracts that have not arrived.
What is the first machine I should buy?+
A twenty tonne excavator if your work is digging and earthworks. A backhoe loader if it is spread across small sites. A wheel loader if you handle aggregates or cement.
Can I start with one machine?+
Yes, and most successful contractors did. Buy one, get it earning, then buy the second from what it makes rather than from borrowing.
How much money do I need to start a construction business?+
Our cheapest excavator is USD 35,000 and the 2 ton forklift is USD 8,500. Add sea freight, your duty and port charges on top, and work out that total before you commit.
Should I buy an excavator or a backhoe first?+
An excavator if you will be digging all day, because it digs faster and costs less for the same money. A backhoe if you genuinely need to load as well and the work moves between sites.
Choosing for the work
Which machine earns the most money?+
The one that is working. A cheaper machine on a contract beats an expensive one standing in a yard, which is why matching the machine to real work matters more than the specification.
What machines do I need for a road contract?+
Typically an excavator, a grader, a roller and tippers to haul. Tell us the length and the specification and we will tell you what the job actually needs rather than sell you a list.
What machines do I need to start a quarry?+
An excavator in the forty tonne class, a production loader and tippers sized to match, plus crushing and screening if you are producing aggregate. We source crushers to order.
How many machines do I need for a small contracting business?+
One to begin with, two when the first is fully booked. Growing faster than the work is the most common way contractors get into trouble.
Can you help me choose machines for my first contract?+
Yes. Tell us the job, the ground and your budget, and we will tell you what fits. If the honest answer is that you need less machine than you asked about, we will say so.
Money and practicalities
Is it better to buy used or rent equipment?+
Rent while the work is occasional. Buy once a machine would be busy most of the month, because at that point the rental cost passes what owning costs.
What does it cost to run an excavator per month?+
Fuel is the largest part, then an operator, then servicing and wear parts. Those are local costs we cannot price for you, but your own fuel price and operator rate will get you close.
Which machines are easiest to resell?+
Twenty tonne Caterpillar and Komatsu excavators, and the JCB 3CX. Common machines in common sizes sell quickly. Unusual sizes and unfamiliar brands sit.
Can I buy several machines in one shipment?+
Yes, and it lowers the cost per machine and gives you one clearance instead of several. That said, most first time buyers are better starting with one.
Where do small contractors buy their first machine?+
Increasingly direct from exporters rather than local dealers, because the same machine costs far less even after freight. Everything we sell has its price on the page so you can compare before contacting anyone.
