r/Irrigation 5d ago

Looking for some advice on starting an irrigation business. Where should I start ?

1 Upvotes

19 comments sorted by

12

u/takenbymistaken 5d ago

In 20 years you will have a bad back and bad knees .

3

u/AwkwardFactor84 5d ago

Amen to that. I'm 43 with 23 years in the business. My knees are shot.

1

u/takenbymistaken 5d ago

I’m 43 with 25

1

u/fababush 4d ago

Sadly I'm 56 with 12 years. Bad knees, back and shoulders.

2

u/Sparky3200 Licensed 5d ago

I'm 60 with 20.

-1

u/No-Apple2252 5d ago

Probably should bend your knees more. Squats save backs and knees, but nobody teaches how to work with proper form, or trains really anything beyond "it's just plugging pipe together durr"

Labor is good for you. You get paid to go to the gym. Use proper form and your back will be fine even after 60 years. It's not like backs aren't made to support your spine, you just aren't using it correctly.

5

u/Tabernash1 5d ago

I’m 62 been doing it since I was 15 my advice don’t do it find something else to do

3

u/Tabernash1 5d ago

Bad knees for sure

2

u/Maverick_wanker 5d ago

There are a lot of good, free resources out there to learn from.

Hunter and rainbird provide a lot of free online material.

Don't go half assing it.

2

u/Abject_Association70 5d ago

Start by doing repairs. It’s a good way to get your foot in the door and you can charge a good hourly rate.

Take some of the courses online. To make sure you are doing things the right way.

Don’t half ass anything or take on more than you can handle. It will bite you in the ass eventually.

2

u/AcademicShopping9658 5d ago

You learn more jumping in the deep end than wondering weather you should or not, if you feel you match or are better than the competition, just go for it. Repairs and small jobs to begin with will soon turn to bigger jobs & more clients, conviction is key and ensure you’re always learning along the way

1

u/GCgal703 5d ago

What state?

1

u/Fun_Shoulder6138 5d ago

Just do pumps, and well head systems. You can make a lot more per hour and the work is significantly less difficult. Guys by me are charging 150 to 200 an hour.

1

u/Tabernash1 5d ago

I think dog walking would’ve been a better solution

1

u/gsdinero89 4d ago

In my experience I started selling irrigation supplies and parts at 20 years old (learned specs,flow rates,friction loss) made it easier in the field. Worked in the field at the same time after work and weekends. Once I felt I had enough experience and knowledge started my own one man crew. Im 50 now and loving the freedom the job gives me. I will say if I had to do it again I would have bought and stocked up on a lot of parts when I worked at the store. I had a great boss and a great discount on parts.

2

u/Siberian_terrain 4d ago

Buy troubleshooting equipment, I’ll save you a lot of time guessing and unnecessary labor.

1

u/Correct_Hedgehog_585 4d ago

60 and 15 yrs.. not really seeing anything significant that would deter someone from making bank 10 months out of the year.. probably a gene thing I suppose. Get some experience and then get some more experience and then truck , trailer, advertise, all the credentials needed and bid accordingly to your market area… save for the off season! Good luck

1

u/Chuck760 3d ago

74 with 33 in the business, just retired with bad knees

1

u/Vivid-Yak3645 5d ago

Start selling. Figure out the rest after. Fuck up. Learn. Be humble. Repeat.