we own some pasture land that i was thinking of putting about 10 RV pads, strickly for oilfield workers in the eagleford shale area, what are the pros and cons, cost, money that can be made, liabilites, septic tank (what is needed for 10 pads, electricty 50amp? is there anyone that has done this, is it more trouble than money that can be made, or is it an easy way to make money and help with the housing shortage, it would be around the Fayette county/colorado county area
I have a relative that does something similar to this. He put in the hookups, (water, electric, TV and in some cases gas). He then bought about 10 older trailers for 4 or 5 thousand dollars each and he rents them out to workers many of who are single. He has some smaller ones for single men and a few three axle with several slides for families. He also has put in a washer & dryer. They rent from $400. to 650. each. He is in Montague Co TX. You will need a larger septic tank and a good water well. Most of the renters are gone most of the time.
Clois Richardson
I have thought about that very same thing and have done a little research for what may be required in the way of a sewer/septic system and have come to the conclusion that I'd just put down one large capacity septic tank and have only folks with trailers they will take with them when they leave and can dump in my septic tank before they leave or whenever they need to. I thought it would be better to keep it like a camp ground instead of putting down a sewer system that would serve 10 households. The local parks' camper spots stay occupied mostly already and supposedly the big boom hasn't even hit yet. The less you put under ground the better as far as recovering your land once the big influx of workers has gone away. But then if you want to make your pasture a permanent spot for house trailers to come and go or like the other guy says his relative did and buy your own trailers, it's a matter of choice and how much money you have to put into it up front. I think all three ways of doing it will make money eventually, and probably one faster than the other two.
My concerns are several, what about garbage pick up? You'll need dumpsters probably and they come with a lease. A well for water starts at $3,600.00 around here. We don't have cable for T.V. out here yet. And what are these folks going to do on their time off everyday? Do you provide some sort of entertainment? You'll have to consider the alternatives that the workers may have at another place that will rent them a spot. Will they have a washer and dryer to use for free or do you get coin operated ones? Will your homeowner's insurance protect you if one of your occupants gets seriously injured on your property? How much will insurance for such an endeavor cost? It will be a 24/7 business venture and if you and your husband are retired, you'll be back at work and for many more hours a day than you may want. Just some more things for you to think about. I'm in Amite County, MS by the way, and not in competition with you I don't think.
If you own the land, and there's no parks with facilities like yours near, where all the workers are, or laundry facilities, I would bet that you could easily rent a space for $450 a month if not more, depending on the price of a hotel room for a month. Multiply that by 10 and you've got quite an income per month. If everything you offer is paid for and you don't become reliant on the money you are making, then when no one is renting a space, you aren't loosing money, just not making any. I would go and visit some places like what you want to do and talk to the owners about what problems they have on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. One other thing to think about well probably there's several more to think of, but how close is this pasture to your house. What if these folks are real party animals and keep a loud gang going til wee hours of the next morning? You'll need rules!!!
When you say a "Pasture" that say's rural. Is there stores near you for food, ice and propane, Bars or theaters?
I'm so far out in the country the stores are all at least 7 miles away. All I could offer a renter is some peace and quite and hope that's what they want. Good luck to you, good Idea.