Objection #2: Why Mess With Milling?

For those who make it beyond the initial objection of price, the next most likely sticking point is the perception of hassle. Though they may see the potential for extra profits, many contractors don't want to deal with the investment of time and energy to add something new and different to their repertoire. Regardless of their business acumen and success, contractors can be creatures of habit and many choose to do what they "know," and let milling be someone else's "problem." Therefore, they simply take the fixed cost of a subcontractor and build it into their bids. This may simplify their operation, but what contractors are missing with this point of view is a great opportunity to grow their business.

When it comes down to brass tacks, the goal of any successful business is to grow and, in turn, achieve monetary gain. This can be done in one of two ways - expand geographical service area or offer more services. Though both are viable options, the former involves extra overhead in transport costs and man-hours to travel farther. On the other hand, the purchase of a milling machine may be a large capital investment, but it's one that could immediately and exponentially grow a contractor's business in their current area of operation.

As mentioned earlier, not only would purchasing their own milling machine allow contractors to keep many of the profits they're currently passing on to subcontractors, but it would also immediately allow them to bid on work they've never before been able to consider. By becoming "all-in-one" contractors, they are a more attractive choice when project bids are being reviewed because they can do everything needed for that job.