Needs some advice Topping of Trees

[fldodger]

Need some advice from the pros, how much do I charge?

I have 2 trees ( or Bushes) The guy whats topped off.



He wants them 7-8 feet tall, Branches are not thick largest maybe 4-5 inches. Removal it taking them to the curb for bulk pick up. Limbs do have to be no longer than 4 feet.

Any ideas.
Thanks to all

[Steve]

Is this something you could just lop off with a chain saw?

Maybe Andy would have some thoughts on this too.

[Wayne909]

Myself would price it no lower then $120 per tree. 2 hour job for $240 is not bad. You still have to labor after topping it since they have to be 4 ft for pick up. It sure will make their house look a lot better that's for sure.

Keep in mind that's what i would price it at here in KY and not sure where your from.


P.S: If I'm correct those are 18-19 footers, and your taking off 10-11ft of it. That's if the very top is not tree's in the background.

[fldodger]

I can not get a full size chain saw in there. Maybe a Pole trimmer ( Gas of course).

Wayne909 you are correct. 10-11 feet off,

I was thinking 300 for each tree. Let see what other say. I have month.

[FloridaBoy]

wow, if you can get $300 per tree, jump all over that.

are they an existing customer? sometimes you should take care of those people better than non clients.

I have a customer that has a huge oak tree, roughly 100 to 130 feet tall, same around, with a trunk that is about 12 feet around cut down, hauled away for $1100.

I see you are south of me, your price seems a little high, i don't see prices being that much different, but i could be wrong.

Like i said though, if people want to pay it, more power to you.

Hope you get the job for that, thats some quick, easy money.

[fldodger]

What would recommend?

[Wayne909]

I would think if you price that job at $600 they would laugh you off the lot(they would here).

I'm guessing you don't use a bucket truck of any kind? If you wont to push your luck, the highest you could possibly ask is around $180 each(might get lucky at 400 for both). Your not doing the clean up, so the city is booting the bill for that (which is shocking in its self).

Anyway you can always price little high to give you play room to come down.

[FloridaBoy]

I am with Wayne on this one, I was personally thinking $100to $125 per tree. You could try for a little more if you know the people and think they would haggle a little bit.

Thats a touchy area to deal with, i have customers that would take a high amount and just say no thank you, and not allow me to come down, and i am out of the work.

[Little's]

You would be doing good if you can get it done in 4 hours. I would bid it at about 400 to 500 bucks. I always try to get about $100 per hour when doing trees, which is about 1/2 my business. I would use a top handle saw, about 12" bar and climb up inside and start cutting. Have a guy on the ground grabbing and slicing into smaller pieces and stacking. That is the method I would go with. I know from experience that those trees are a little bigger and fuller than the look in the picture. Good luck.

[fldodger]

That is my problem no bucket truck and limbs are to thin to climb on. I will try and get a picture inside the tree. At the same time I will show how much debris I have removed from other parts of yard. I have it piled on the side of the road for bulk pick up.
I trimmed 2 Palm Trees one is in the picture. ( Cut bottom limbs to make it 3-9 o'clock canopy) Plus remove some ( not sure what you call them) Branches with little berries on them.

[Little's]

One of my best investment was a 24 ft extension ladder with adjustable feet. In situations like this, it has been used many, many times. I would recommend picking one up if you plan on doing many tree service jobs. Sometimes someone will just need one limb trimmed, and the ladder makes it super easy.

[Steve]

Could you use a ladder against such a tree? Or would you need a ladder that would create an 'A' so you could get high enough to lop off the top?

Something like the Little Giant ladders?

[fldodger]

I have a 12 foot extension ladder ( goes to 24 ft) and 10 ft A frame. Which I used both for the Palm trees.
A ladder against the tree not possible. It has been raining here all day no pictures today. Sorry hope to get them tomorrow.

[vl2007]

You're going to TOP two trees? Make sure you're not breaking any laws. Topping is illegal in Browerd. What type of trees are they?

The standard for palms is, removing fronds up to a 10 and 2 configuration.

[vl2007]

I have a customer that has a huge oak tree, roughly 100 to 130 feet tall, same around, with a trunk that is about 12 feet around cut down, hauled away for $1100


Now see here...a tree that size could weight in at around what...20,000pounds? Just the debris alone would cost over $1,000.00 down here. Totally depends on your dump fees, and hazards, do you need to dismantal it, or just flop it down. You cann't compare. I live south of both you guys, and a job like your oak tree removal would be over $2,000 without any hazards, or special equipment. Tree work should get between $125.00 and $300.00 per hour. I compete with five man crews getting $300.00 per hour here. Depends on your location man. Oh yea...and quality of work.