I found this on craigs list....
http://denver.craigslist.org/grd/1421317019.html
Was wondering if it was worth it?
Let's do the math:
BeeKeeping Business - $10000
Great honey producing bee business. 60 hives includes
60 packages @$70=$4200
100+ honey supers
50+ deep brood chambers with new frames
with frames and foundation roughly $1740
40 Nuc boxes
with frames and foundation roughly $1120
Single bottom boards and pallets.
maybe $800
Feeding equipment
30 frame extractor
meds
probably another $1800
Total $9660, so 10,000 might not be that bad if you think about it. However if you factor in dealing with the issues and pests, diseases, etc. of existing equipment I think I would just buy all new.
In addition to contactme_11's analysis, a couple of other things to consider:
Are outyards included - do you get to continue using the site/s the bees are currently on? The 'where' can be as valuable as the 'what'.
Starting with packages/nucs versus established hives you won't get the same production in the first year. This can really impact on the viability of the business (depending on your goals). For example, our splits have averaged about 25 kg (55 lbs) production per hive in their first year. Our 'mature', ie, 2nd year and older hives, averaged 80 kg (176 lbs) in the same yards in the same season.
I was thinking about why the guy would want to sell a "working " business and then he emailed me back and was telling me about his contracts with the almond crops and then I was figuring on CCD and maybe it was getting too expensive with contaminated equipment and then looking at the break down ....thanks for doing that... It would actually be cheaper to start new and if I were to make my own equipment that would be half the fun right? Just a thought I would throw out here.
My thought is that it is a situation where somebody loved beekeeping so tried to make it into a business and found out that then it isn't a fun hobby but a lot of grueling work and long hours to CA and probably doesn't want to do that anymore. :roll:
Quote from: Highlandsfreedom on October 21, 2009, 12:28:44 AM
and if I were to make my own equipment that would be half the fun right?
and probably half the cost.
Hey they say that you should "throw them an offer" ..... why don't you figure what you are willing to pay and offer it? no harm done if they say no.
Alfred
Personally, I would want to see the stuff first. Worst case scenario- 60 hives in poor shape + filled with bees that are diseased = one big expensive mess to fix. No harm in checking it out first to actually see what it is though. 8-)
That's a good drive over the mountains for you isn't it?
Alfred
My father was an airline pilot. He used to say "I joined the Navy to see the world and saw the sea, I joined the airline to see the world and saw airports".
Myself, I got in the motorcycle industry to ride bikes......and drove trucks.
commercial beekeeping is likely the same.
I go there every week for work so its not that bad and yah I dont want to make this a JOB I like it as a hobby with benefits...... If my yard gets that big I would like it to be from cutouts and swarms and splits.
Beekeeping is HARD work, unless you have peons doing the work for you. I have 9 hives and its a commitment to just keep treating them right!..But I LOVE doing the bees!
In here,( the forums) In the past 3 years, Ive seen people start with bees, then become absorbed by the bees and what they do, then jump into beekeeping as a business, only to want to sell out within a year or so.
Like I said, I have 9 hives and I wanna get more going. I've been tempted several times to snatch up dozens of hives from people quitting beekeeping, but, luckily, the deals have usually fallen through..Ive come into alotta "Tap dancing" when dealing with people selling bees( not bee factory types of people but people like us)..One day, theyre ready to deal...the next day, theyve changed their mind....next time they call to deal, then when you're all loaded up to go get them, they say somebody has already said they'd take the bees..Or, you go to get them, and nobody is there!
I have to agree with Highlands here..It seem easier to do swarm catches or cut-outs. or catch your own swarms than to try to grow too fast!
Ive also found that most people who ask if I want their bees, the hive boxes and equipment are always on its last legs.
Then again....There comes a time, when you come across a deal of a lifetime and just cant say no! :)
Good luck!
your friend,
john
Quote from: Highlandsfreedom on October 20, 2009, 06:03:51 PM
I found this on craigs list....
http://denver.craigslist.org/grd/1421317019.html
Was wondering if it was worth it?
are you really interested in buying this business if you could get a good deal on it? Most sellers when putting a asking price on it add $1000 (when dealing with this amount) expecting the buyer to dwindle them down so everyone feels good, if you check this out and hives and equipment are in good shape it could be profitable in the long run getting a good deal on it, if everything is in good shape I would start out offering around $7000-$7500 for it all just to see how motivated they are, but I wouldn't go over $8500 for it all and thats just if everything is in good shape.
I believe part of this is he is also trying to sell his 1 ton Chevy truck, I didnt see that calculated in the firgures, thats probally $2500 you could knock off as it could be sold separately.
Quote from: LSBees on October 22, 2009, 02:33:35 PM
I believe part of this is he is also trying to sell his 1 ton Chevy truck, I didnt see that calculated in the firgures, thats probally $2500 you could knock off as it could be sold separately.
I haven't seen anything about a truck, where does it say that?
I didnt notice the truck wasnt in his original posting but here is a copy of the email he sent me. I told him I had to pass.
James-
This bee business is the bees, hives, and extraction equipment.
No Real estate.
As for moving the hives to Reno. We could work on that.
All tolled which includes a Chevy 3500 flat bed truck I really need to get $10,000 or real darn close.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Jon
In my eyes, swarms and cut outs can have their problems too. I would also expect to see a little more then a package of bees and queen per hive.
If you want to expand any or simply for the sake of curiosity, it's at least worth a closer look.
I would be taking a closer look execpt for the fact I would have to transport them them over 700 miles to where I am now and then again we are seriously considering moving to the midwest or the plains this spring.