Rev.Vassago= quick word with you and fellow HHG haulers

[RJParker]

I have seen in recent posts that some of you are working around 7 months per year and making 150k plus per year. I was wondering what are you hauling, and are you out for those 5-7 months steady? Or do you guys get back to ''home-base'' on a timely schedule.

Reason I ask is that I am signing on to a company that hauls for SYSCO foods and I always leave my options open.

[Rev.Vassago]

I have seen in recent posts that some of you are working around 7 months per year and making 150k plus per year. I was wondering what are you hauling, and are you out for those 5-7 months steady? Or do you guys get back to ''home-base'' on a timely schedule.

Reason I ask is that I am signing on to a company that hauls for SYSCO foods and I always leave my options open.

We move people's stuff from one house to another. Unlike the other guys, I usually stay out 1 1/2 - 2 months at a time, and then go home for at least 2 weeks.

Last year I drove about 55,000 miles, and made just over $182,000. I had 16 weeks of home time (I was off all of September, and all of December). My shortest period of home time was 2 weeks.

I also have more expenses than a regular freight hauler. I spent over $40,000 last year on labor. My claims are pretty decent, so I only had about 2.1% claims ratio last year, which equates to about $6000 - $8000 in claims. That is pretty low for the amount that I hauled (I hauled about $475,000 in gross linehaul last year, and about 2.1% of that $475,000 in linehaul resulted in claims).

About half our money comes in the summer months - from the end of May until the beginning of September.

It's a whole lot of work, but it can be rewarding if you know what you are doing, and can manage your money.

[YoungZ.W.]

What made want to do HHG Rev?? Money sounds good, but seems like more headaches than anything else.

[Rev.Vassago]

What made want to do HHG Rev?? Money sounds good, but seems like more headaches than anything else.

It is a lot of headaches at times, but I think it is more rewarding than regular freight. You get to work more hands-on with the customers, and they appreciate the job you are doing for them. I hated bumping docks, and didn't care for dealing with shippers and receivers that could care less if I lived or died.

But, the tradeoff is more paperwork, more hassles, and more costs. You have to be EXCELLENT at customer service (and hand holding) to do HHG. It isn't all about lifting heavy sofas.

[ben45750]

Something I have wondered about the HHG business.

Does interest rates play a big part on how much HHG freight there is to move? Has HHG freight picked up in the last couple years since interest rates have been lower and will the freight fall off a bit since rates are going back up? Or does it really not have much effect on the freight?

[Rev.Vassago]

Something I have wondered about the HHG business.

Does interest rates play a big part on how much HHG freight there is to move? Has HHG freight picked up in the last couple years since interest rates have been lower and will the freight fall off a bit since rates are going back up? Or does it really not have much effect on the freight?

Yes they do. The housing market has entered a slump, and loads are down from last year. This particular slump is supposed to last until 2009, at which time the loads will likely pick up.

A lot of it has to do with the economy in general. If the economy is slow, then companies aren't relocating people as much.

Our rates don't decline, though. They are set by the government. Discounts do increase, though, but I am protected against that with the lease I have with my company.

[RJParker]

Wow, 40k in labor? Does this or Did this come off the top??? or did your company pay this.

I have/had the impression that you hauled electronics/ trade show type freight.
I was thinking about the same type of work because like you said, you need to be very good with people. I have been told that I am very good with people, but the down fall was the schedule that you keep. I would imagine that being out on the road for that amount of time would contitute a whole new stratagy.

[Rev.Vassago]

Wow, 40k in labor? Does this or Did this come off the top??? or did your company pay this.

This comes out of my pocket. Actually, after speaking with my accountant today, the number was more like $35,000.

I have/had the impression that you hauled electronics/ trade show type freight.

I don't do it, but some HHG haulers do. It doesn't pay as well as HHG, and it is greater mileage. I would rather drive less.

I was thinking about the same type of work because like you said, you need to be very good with people. I have been told that I am very good with people, but the down fall was the schedule that you keep. I would imagine that being out on the road for that amount of time would contitute a whole new stratagy.

It takes some getting used to. If you aren't patient, then this business isn't for you. It requires a greater amount of patience than you could ever believe to deal with it. But the payoff can be worth it.

[serbie]

Not sure why, but I'm convinced I could find my niche with the good o'l dry van, and make similar money with *ahem* slightly higher mileage. But HHG has always apealed to me. But I'm thinking just for the money... and I've found out sometimes the money just isn't worth what ever agravations you may face on a day to day basis.

How does one get in the biz rev? Me as an example, 6+ yrs behind the wheel, with no HHG experience at all.

[outtaservice]

You could try North American Van Lines. I think they have a training program..... as far as I can tell by looking at their web site. Don't know what they're like to work for though.

[Rev.Vassago]

Not sure why, but I'm convinced I could find my niche with the good o'l dry van, and make similar money with *ahem* slightly higher mileage.

Unfortunately, unless you are able to haul something that every other dry van can't haul, then I think finding a niche pulling a dry van are slim to none, unless you find a shipper who will lock you in with a contract for a killer rate (not likely to happen).

But HHG has always apealed to me. But I'm thinking just for the money... and I've found out sometimes the money just isn't worth what ever agravations you may face on a day to day basis.

This business eats guys up, and spits them out. It isn't easy.

How does one get in the biz rev? Me as an example, 6+ yrs behind the wheel, with no HHG experience at all.

Some carriers will let you in the door, some won't. I know that Graebel requires at least 2 years HHG experience, with a certain amount of verifiable linehaul, and a minimum of claims. Others, like United and Atlas and Allied, may let you in. Remember, though - if one of those agents turns you down, another agent for the same van line may accept you. United and Atlas and Allied all use independent agents.

[serbie]

Unfortunately, unless you are able to haul something that every other dry van can't haul, then I think finding a niche pulling a dry van are slim to none, unless you find a shipper who will lock you in with a contract for a killer rate (not likely to happen).

That's were i'm positive, confident(hopeful). Goal is to get connected with a shipper that ships more exotic freight, not sure who or what, but know when the time is right I'll find them. (and yes... legal exotic loads )

This business eats guys up, and spits them out. It isn't easy.

I could imagine. For what it's worth, moved cars for 1.5 years. Did this while living and working in the NE area. Cold winters, frozen gloves 9 vehicles, 5 of them being SUV'S... Not saying HHG is any easier, been not shy of getting dirty/sweaty/sprains etc etc.

Some carriers will let you in the door, some won't. I know that Graebel requires at least 2 years HHG experience, with a certain amount of verifiable linehaul, and a minimum of claims. Others, like United and Atlas and Allied, may let you in. Remember, though - if one of those agents turns you down, another agent for the same van line may accept you. United and Atlas and Allied all use independent agents.

There's nothing worse then going backwards in pay, but if the pay off is worth it as it appears, it'll be an option I leave open to myself to consider. Thanks for the info


seems the spell check is gone.. any one using an updated ver of FireFox should see red lines underneath misspelled words.. select word, right click and you should see a list of suggested words.

[mike3fan]

hey Rev.,never asked you this before,do you do any of the unloading yourself or do you concern yourself more with the inventory and packing type stuff?.
I know that if I was gonna spend that much on labor I would hope I could keep my "lifting" to a mininum.

[Rev.Vassago]

hey Rev.,never asked you this before,do you do any of the unloading yourself or do you concern yourself more with the inventory and packing type stuff?.
I know that if I was gonna spend that much on labor I would hope I could keep my "lifting" to a mininum.

When first arriving at a shipper's home, I do my inventory. I can do an entire house in about 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Then I stay in the trailer, doing loading. My labor brings stuff to me. If there is something in the house that I know is going to be tricky getting out, then I am on one end of it. If something is going to be damaged getting it out of the house, I want to be responsible for it (as I can probably prevent it from happening).

[RostyC]

Rev, how is your labor handled? Is it like a temp service that you pay for at a flat rate and they handle taxes and workers comp? Or are they on Graebels payroll. Do you have control over how many guys you get to do the job, thereby controlling the labor cost?

Also, on other threads I believe you mentioned your not incorporated. That's a lot of 1099 money, I'm wondering why your accountant doesn't have you do an S-corp? Only you and your accountant know your business and situation so I'm not questioning why your set up like that but, I'm wondering how he makes it work for you.

I save money on social sec tax with my S corp but, as you know, I'm in construction, trucking might be different.

How long have you been a O/O? and how long in HHG?

[Rev.Vassago]

Rev, how is your labor handled? Is it like a temp service that you pay for at a flat rate and they handle taxes and workers comp? Or are they on Graebels payroll. Do you have control over how many guys you get to do the job, thereby controlling the labor cost?

If we have an office somewhere near where I'm loading or unloading, I call our office for labor. If we don't, I call another moving company that is nearby. The labor I hire is responsible for their own taxes - they are "technically" not employees. The labor receipt I supply substitutes a 1099 for them. Most of them are not on Graebel's payroll, but are just kept in a "labor pool" by Graebel for contractors that call for labor. I supply workman's comp insurance for the labor.

I always have control over how many men I hire, and, if I know the area, who I hire.

Also, on other threads I believe you mentioned your not incorporated. That's a lot of 1099 money, I'm wondering why your accountant doesn't have you do an S-corp? Only you and your accountant know your business and situation so I'm not questioning why your set up like that but, I'm wondering how he makes it work for you.

As a single truck O/O, there's really no reason for me to form an S-corp. I manage just fine as a sole proprietor.

I save money on social sec tax with my S corp but, as you know, I'm in construction, trucking might be different.

How long have you been a O/O? and how long in HHG?

I bought my truck in June of 2005, and I was in HHG for about a year and a half before that. I've been driving since 1997.

[RostyC]

I supply workman's comp insurance for the labor.

How does that work? Do you carry a workers comp policy? What's the percentage for movers anyway? just curious. For me in construction doing drywall and interior walls and ceilings it's 9%. My brother in law is in roofing, it's 63% :shock:

[Rev.Vassago]

I supply workman's comp insurance for the labor.

How does that work? Do you carry a workers comp policy? What's the percentage for movers anyway? just curious. For me in construction doing drywall and interior walls and ceilings it's 9%. My brother in law is in roofing, it's 63% :shock:

Yes - I have to carry a workman's comp policy for the labor (which frankly sucks). Why I have to carry a workman's comp policy for labor that is technically not even an employee is beyond me. I've argued it until I was blue in the face to no avail. But, my contract states that I must keep a policy active.

I believe it's about 10%. I'd have to call my insurance agent to find out for sure.

Remind me never to go into roofing.

[nsxman2001]

REV.

I was wondering is there a fixed price for the labor u hire? also does your truck have to be a certain color? why did u choose your company over the other HHG companies out there? just curious

thanks jermaine

[RostyC]

I've argued it until I was blue in the face

I don't blame ya, I wouldn't like that either. I guess their saving money by making you assume the risk, especially at 10%. Do a lot of guys get injured on the job?