Video version available here: YouTube Episode 183 of the Earthworks Hub PodcastIn this episode, I wanted to talk about something I think a lot of earthmoving business owners are starting to feel — the cost of doing business is getting harder from every direction.Diesel is still expensive. Interest rates have gone up again. Credit card surcharge rules have changed. The ATO is removing direct credit-card tax payments. Finance is getting more expensive, and at the same time I’m hearing from contractors who are actually being offered lower rates.That’s why I wanted to open this one up and hear what everyone else is experiencing.Are you raising your rates?Are customers accepting fuel levies?Are you tightening your payment terms?Are you charging properly for attachments and variations?Or are you finding yourself busier than ever but making less money?The Dirt Cartel jumps on during the live and talks about exactly that — being offered a lower hourly rate while fuel costs are going up, and the different ways contractors may need to start recovering some of those costs.We also get into undercutting, dry hire rates, finance, reducing overheads, invoicing faster, knowing when to walk away from bad work, and why I think every contractor needs to sit down and recalculate what their machine actually needs to earn.One of the biggest points I wanted to make in this episode is simple:Being busy does not automatically mean you’re making money.If your costs have gone up but your rates haven’t, something has to give.I also share some practical things I think contractors should be looking at right now, including fuel levies, payment terms, finance, overheads, variations and knowing your true hourly rate.Plus, I give a few Earthworks Hub updates, including Elmore Field Days, the Earthworks Hub Open, Norm Engineering’s Sydney opening and my plans to bring more guests and panel-style discussions back into the studio.If you're involved in earthmoving, excavation, civil construction, plant hire, trucking or machinery, make sure you subscribe and join the conversation.Visit Earthworks Hub to explore Work Leads, the Business Directory, operator profiles, Marketplace, Tip Sites, Academy resources and Earthworks Hub Membership.Proudly supported by Earthworks Hub partnersView all partners: https://earthworkshub.com.au/partnersExplore Earthworks HubWebsite: https://earthworkshub.com.auTools & templates: https://earthworkshub.com.au/tools-and-shop/Join Our social platform and discussions: https://earthworkshub.com.au/communityConnect with contractors and suppliers, browse the business directory, access practical templates and calculators, learn through the Earthworks Hub Academy, and join Australia's dedicated online community for the earthmoving industry.Subscribe to the channel for more earthmoving podcasts, machinery content, site visits, industry discussions and interviews.#EarthworksHub #Earthmoving #Excavators #ConstructionAustralia #HeavyEquipment #EarthmovingAustralia #Podcast
