Tree Service

[Yard Elements]

I am looking into moving into tree service. I am going to learn to climb. I can fell but no climb. I need to get into this with minimal investment. But I need to keep our look professional. That is OUR selling point we wear uniforms and keep everything looking nice and clean. I am looking for advice on how to do this.

[CHEESE2009]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by Yard Elements I am looking into moving into tree service. I am going to learn to climb. I can fell but no climb. I need to get into this with minimal investment. But I need to keep our look professional. That is OUR selling point we wear uniforms and keep everything looking nice and clean. I am looking for advice on how to do this. Good luck with that. You can make a lot of money, but I think it's a safer bet to get into "Stump Removal". The cost is still there, but you wont kill anyone including yourself. Taking down trees is expensive to operate, and very dangerous. Last thing you want is for a branch to go through a house or car. It's common down where I am. Our trees are from hell. So cutting down trees does sound fun, but how do you plan on hauling the crap away? Wood chipper? Those are about $10,000.00+ aren't they?

[Yard Elements]

Used wood chippers are 4-5 Thousand Used,

I am attending a climbing seminar on the 16th of sept.

Of course it is dangerous, but I get calls a lot for tree service type work, and get asked about it frequently. This would be a slow move into. Not an overnight deal. I know Andy on here runs tree service.

Don't be so scared Cheese.

[picframer]

Originally Posted by Yard Elements

Used wood chippers are 4-5 Thousand Used,

I am attending a climbing seminar on the 16th of sept.

Of course it is dangerous, but I get calls a lot for tree service type work, and get asked about it frequently. This would be a slow move into. Not an overnight deal. I know Andy on here runs tree service.

Don't be so scared Cheese.

Big bucks in tree climbing and as long as you use common sense, it is not dangerous at all. Generally speaking we get $150 to $350 per tree to climb, then $65 an hour to chip, I haul the hardwood away at no cost as I sell it, hardwood is $265.00 a cord here, last year we sold around 35 cord and I kept 10 cord for my own home and workshop.

If the cutomer wants to keep the firewood, here is an example:

Bring the tree down $250.00 - one person - no time limit

Chip the branches and leave the chips $65.00 hour - One staff

Additional staff $25.00 hr

Buck logs up $35.00 hr - one staff

Split hardwood - $35.00 hr - one staff (we own chippers and splitters)

I also have two contract employees, they are also certified tree climbers and work for the power company, I pay them 50% comission.

Insurance is high however it goes down based on your performance.

[Steve]

Buck logs up $35.00 hr - one staff

What is that?

[picframer]

Originally Posted by Steve

What is that?

Cut a log into pieces the length of the clients stove, 15, 16, 18 or 24"

[Steve]

Oh very interesting!

I also have two contract employees, they are also certified tree climbers and work for the power company, I pay them 50% comission.

Do you only higher certified tree climbers or would you hire someone that was able to show you a certain level of climbing proficiency?

With the level of risk involved, I do wonder if it is a good idea or not for an owner of a lawn care business to be performing this job themselves.

One slip up could stop a business in it's tracks if the owner is injured.

Maybe it would just be better to hire the work out?

Do you have to carry insurance on the work you pay out the 50% commission to or do the climbers have their own insurance?

[picframer]

Originally Posted by Steve

Oh very interesting!



Do you only higher certified tree climbers or would you hire someone that was able to show you a certain level of climbing proficiency?

With the level of risk involved, I do wonder if it is a good idea or not for an owner of a lawn care business to be performing this job themselves.

One slip up could stop a business in it's tracks if the owner is injured.

Maybe it would just be better to hire the work out?

Do you have to carry insurance on the work you pay out the 50% commission to or do the climbers have their own insurance?

I only higher certified climbers, not worth the risk no matter how long the person may tell you they have been cutting trees, it's an Insurance and Workers Comp requirement anyhow.

With proper training, it is really not that dangerous assuming you wear the safety gear, I have been in some very difficult situations, it really boils down to experience and training, never had an issue yet.

I carry Insurance no matter what we do, to me I have far to much to loose for the few hundred dollars it costs for insurance.

In many cases it's probably better to cub the work out, I have been climbing trees for over 30 years, received my training shortly after high school as I worked a summer for the power company which is where I received my training, big, big bucks in climbing.

[Johnny_boy02]

Call your insurance and see if you are covered.

I have a pole saw I will trim trees with if a customer asks. But that is far as I go.

[Steve]

I also have two contract employees, they are also certified tree climbers and work for the power company, I pay them 50% comission.

What is your view on this pay structure? Is it worthwhile to offer services this way when you have to pay for things like insurance and other expenses?

How about using a bucket, would that make the process easier and safer?