Hi all have been reading threads on here for a while but only just joined the forum to send this, my first post. I’m thinking of buying into a franchise with one of the concrete or aggregates mobs. Has anyone had any particularly good (or bad) experiences with the big names? My old man used to have a mixer with Pioneer (Hanson) back in Oz but that was 20+ years ago. I’d probably run the truck for a while but then put a driver on after a bit and go back to doing my main job. I know now isn’t the best time to be getting in with the economy and fuel prices the way they are so I’ll likely hold off for a bit and even then wouldn’t want to come in taking on a big £90k lease for a new truck. Would rather buy something 2 or 3 years old so I don’t have to worry so much about huge payments if things go quiet… Just hoping to find a company with a good name that will give reasonably consistent work and pay up on time. Probably a lot to ask for…
i think the job was always a risk but nowadays probably even more so nothink is getting built my mates a engineer and he’s had no work for a long time
The big names in the aggregate industry are screwing the hauliers into the ground with low rates,also insisting they purchase fuel etc off them.Have a talk to a few hauliers who are already doing that job.
Turn and run away as fast as you can from ANY KIND of “Contract Haulier” offers at this time 
same as above post they will have you locked into heavy finance etc with hardly anywork been there got the tee shirt. 
pork_chop:
Hi all have been reading threads on here for a while but only just joined the forum to send this, my first post. I’m thinking of buying into a franchise with one of the concrete or aggregates mobs. Has anyone had any particularly good (or bad) experiences with the big names? My old man used to have a mixer with Pioneer (Hanson) back in Oz but that was 20+ years ago. I’d probably run the truck for a while but then put a driver on after a bit and go back to doing my main job. I know now isn’t the best time to be getting in with the economy and fuel prices the way they are so I’ll likely hold off for a bit and even then wouldn’t want to come in taking on a big £90k lease for a new truck. Would rather buy something 2 or 3 years old so I don’t have to worry so much about huge payments if things go quiet… Just hoping to find a company with a good name that will give reasonably consistent work and pay up on time. Probably a lot to ask for…
Where are you based?
pork_chop:
Hi all have been reading threads on here for a while but only just joined the forum to send this, my first post. I’m thinking of buying into a franchise with one of the concrete or aggregates mobs. Has anyone had any particularly good (or bad) experiences with the big names? My old man used to have a mixer with Pioneer (Hanson) back in Oz but that was 20+ years ago. I’d probably run the truck for a while but then put a driver on after a bit and go back to doing my main job. I know now isn’t the best time to be getting in with the economy and fuel prices the way they are so I’ll likely hold off for a bit and even then wouldn’t want to come in taking on a big £90k lease for a new truck. Would rather buy something 2 or 3 years old so I don’t have to worry so much about huge payments if things go quiet… Just hoping to find a company with a good name that will give reasonably consistent work and pay up on time. Probably a lot to ask for…
I worked for one of the major players in the 90s it was a nightmare, think very carefully. Regards kevmac47
Ask Fuse if he would do it again?
Just remember, there will always be someone willing to do the job for pocket money; We’ve lost a job in Oxford because we were asked to cut it to hilarious rates. Anyway, some firm from Corby way’s doing it now, more fool them…
I know an owner haaulier who has a tipper and a couple of mixers running for Tarmac and I would not want to be him!
I’m in Surrey, around Addlestone / Staines way
Muckaway:
pork_chop:
Hi all have been reading threads on here for a while but only just joined the forum to send this, my first post. I’m thinking of buying into a franchise with one of the concrete or aggregates mobs. Has anyone had any particularly good (or bad) experiences with the big names? My old man used to have a mixer with Pioneer (Hanson) back in Oz but that was 20+ years ago. I’d probably run the truck for a while but then put a driver on after a bit and go back to doing my main job. I know now isn’t the best time to be getting in with the economy and fuel prices the way they are so I’ll likely hold off for a bit and even then wouldn’t want to come in taking on a big £90k lease for a new truck. Would rather buy something 2 or 3 years old so I don’t have to worry so much about huge payments if things go quiet… Just hoping to find a company with a good name that will give reasonably consistent work and pay up on time. Probably a lot to ask for…Where are you based?
Yeah that pretty much says it right, if the engineers can’t get work… Will give it a while and see if things have picked up in a couple of years. Even then it sounds as though from what everyone here’s saying I’ll have to crunch the numbers assuming a worst case scenario to see if I’d even keep my head above water on average
dustylfc:
i think the job was always a risk but nowadays probably even more so nothink is getting built my mates a engineer and he’s had no work for a long time
Yeah is the same old story I think wherever you are, is no different back in Oz. Someone’s always gonna turn up and do it for less than you even if you’re already doing it for a pittance. What I don’t get is how those blokes who go around cutting everyone elses throats manage to cover their costs and make a living themselves…!
Muckaway:
Just remember, there will always be someone willing to do the job for pocket money; We’ve lost a job in Oxford because we were asked to cut it to hilarious rates. Anyway, some firm from Corby way’s doing it now, more fool them…
Steer clear! It might as well be called “Buy Our Work” because thats what their doing to people.
I’ve seen it first hand, you buy you’re fuel off em’, finance off them (at THEIR rate), insurance off them (with their approved insurer), you are frequently only allowed a certain make of truck, certain age etc. Basically, “do as we say, when we say” until the work goes quiet when you’ll be left with nothing as they totally wash their hands of you.
Ask for a copy of the contract, take it to a specialist solicitor. It might cost you a couple of hundred quid but it will be the best money you’ve ever spent. Once the solicitor has finished laughing, you can go and spend 50p on a lighter and burn the contract - it will be the second best money you’ve ever spent! 
pork_chop:
I’m in Surrey, around Addlestone / Staines wayMuckaway:
pork_chop:
Hi all have been reading threads on here for a while but only just joined the forum to send this, my first post. I’m thinking of buying into a franchise with one of the concrete or aggregates mobs. Has anyone had any particularly good (or bad) experiences with the big names? My old man used to have a mixer with Pioneer (Hanson) back in Oz but that was 20+ years ago. I’d probably run the truck for a while but then put a driver on after a bit and go back to doing my main job. I know now isn’t the best time to be getting in with the economy and fuel prices the way they are so I’ll likely hold off for a bit and even then wouldn’t want to come in taking on a big £90k lease for a new truck. Would rather buy something 2 or 3 years old so I don’t have to worry so much about huge payments if things go quiet… Just hoping to find a company with a good name that will give reasonably consistent work and pay up on time. Probably a lot to ask for…Where are you based?
If you decided to go completely independant (might be a better idea as you can pick and choose to certain extant) I suggest Day Aggregates and Henry Streeter for your immediate area; I don’t know too many around by you although there’s Sibelco (was WBB Minerals ) Sand quarry at Godstone; They make play/mortar/industrial use sands there. Chewyboy might know of the other pits in your area; I know there’s a marine agg works along the Thames, and further out along the M4 there’s Grundons at Colthrop (Thatcham), Hansons’ rail siding at Theale… SJK from Hemel Hempstead do a lot of bulk muckshifts, then theres always specialist (contaminated) jobs done by Viridor upto Ardley (M40)…
hammer:
Steer clear! It might as well be called “Buy Our Work” because thats what their doing to people.I’ve seen it first hand, you buy you’re fuel off em’, finance off them (at THEIR rate), insurance off them (with their approved insurer), you are frequently only allowed a certain make of truck, certain age etc
What Hammer said + I’ve heard if you have a day off, Hansons’ insist you supply a relief driver…
Why don’t you try gallaghers at Maidstone the don’t do franchises as such but they do take on owner. Drivers there not bothered about u having a new truck as long as its legal I’ve worked from there a little while ago u don’t get sent further than 45 mile s from there think the furthrest I went from there was near Brighton not sure about there rates as I was driving for someone in there . Or if you would be interested in doing muck away try Thames materials Ltd they get work all over london and ur resonably close also you ring aggregate movements Ltd again they work all over let me know what gallaghers rates are like was thinking of buying own lorry and going on there little while ago hope this helps also try east Thames aggregates
Well I have been an od now for twenty seven years,when I started I was told I would be better off but not rich this is about right.the last couple of years though I could not recomend it,more so if you are just starting out,at the minute new trucks are far to expensive and old ones to expensive to fix.If you do go ahead and do put a driver on your truck get a good one and pay him well they are like gold dust.
hammer:
Steer clear! It might as well be called “Buy Our Work” because thats what their doing to people.I’ve seen it first hand, you buy you’re fuel off em’, finance off them (at THEIR rate), insurance off them (with their approved insurer), you are frequently only allowed a certain make of truck, certain age etc. Basically, “do as we say, when we say” until the work goes quiet when you’ll be left with nothing as they totally wash their hands of you.
Ask for a copy of the contract, take it to a specialist solicitor. It might cost you a couple of hundred quid but it will be the best money you’ve ever spent. Once the solicitor has finished laughing, you can go and spend 50p on a lighter and burn the contract - it will be the second best money you’ve ever spent!
Good advice, when I looked into my contract (mid 90s) the only thing they were contracted to provide was water for washing out, they even tried to get out of that .
fuse:
Well I have been an od now for twenty seven years,when I started I was told I would be better off but not rich this is about right.the last couple of years though I could not recomend it,more so if you are just starting out,at the minute new trucks are far to expensive and old ones to expensive to fix.If you do go ahead and do put a driver on your truck get a good one and pay him well they are like gold dust.
What area you cover mate