Adding tree work?

[lsylvain]

Hi all,

I run a lawn/landscaping business and I have been thinking for awhile about getting into tree work. There is a pretty big market around my area for it. I've cleared several lots for people, and a tree or two here and there, but I have never done anything that could cause damage.

I was just wondering how I should go about getting started. I need to hire a new guy for my mowing crew so I was thinking about getting someone who has done tree work before to help get me started.

any help would be great

 

[Newfie]

Trying to kill two birds with one stone is sometimes a good idea but probably not in this case. A tree guy who is good at what he does will probably love to climb trees and do tree work, NOT mow grass.

You might look into the idea of hiring a free lance tree guy when "getting started". You'll have the guy when you need him and if he doesn't work out you can find a different guy, without creating problems in your bread and butter, mowing.

Make sure you have liability insurance that properly covers you and your crew for this kind of work.

JMHO

 

[Dan Flinn]

I can simpathize with you. While bidding on tree work for a management company, I recently had two property maintenance contracts dropped in my lap. I never wanted to cut grass, but who couldn't use an extra $1700 a month?

Anyway, my suggestion would be to work some as a groundman with a reputable tree company. There are so many aspects to tree work, many that could get someone hurt if done incorrectly. And, you could learn what is involved and then make your decision.

So, when do you overseed.........

Dan

 

[treeman82]

I would have to say that a combination of what Mike, and Dan are saying would be a good thing. Right now is winter anyway, try to hook up with a tree company for a little while as a ground man. Learn what kinds of tools you, as the employer will need (saws / ropes / rigging equipment / etc) also learn how to use these when it's not your a$$ if something gets busted up. Then once you get at least some form of education on how to price jobs, how to do jobs, etc... then start taking on jobs and hiring "hit men" When you look at insurance though, make sure that they cover you for COMMERCIAL TREE REMOVAL! Also be sure to let them know that you will be climbing, instead of using a bucket truck. That does make a difference, believe it or not.

One other thought though... why not find somebody with a bucket who will come in with a ground guy, saws, ropes, etc for a couple hundred bucks a day and bang out a bunch of work for you... then all you have to do is go back and clean up

 

[rwilk]

Welcome Isylvain,

I have been doing what you are wanting to for about 6 mo. now. I understand the frustration you have, are, and will be going through. Here are a few things, I have done:

1. Get your license. In Louisiana you must be licensed in order to remove, trim, prune, etc anything over 10' for hire.
2. To get you license you must have insurance. I just had that added to my lawn care insurance, and yes make sure it covers removals, pruning, trimming, fertilizing, etc.
3. I, like you probably, didn't want to waste time working for min. wage for another company. I invested a good deal money buying training videos. I have a good background in high-angle rescue, so I was familiar with some of the concepts of rigging, ropes, and knots, but there was still alot to learn. I also hired a freelance climber to come on a couple of big (hard) jobs to show me some things.
4. Just like your mowing company, you had to buy equipment. If you run a good mowing co. then you have good equipment, so your down time is less. Don't go to wal-mart to buy saws. Get in with a good dealer/shop and buy from them and learn. As for the other equipment, I recommend Sherrill. Great site and catalog.
5. Start small, just like mowing, you have to learn how to bid jobs. You WILL get screwed a couple of times before you get it right. Be patient.
6. Be ready to let somebody else run your mowing side, because when you get good in the tree you will not want to run a mower. The tree work is much more satisfying both money and personal.
7. Try to have fun.
8. Come to this site as often as you can. Be prepared to be critisized for mistakes, but learn from them.

just a thought

rwilk

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

Also, aim to stay small; if in a year or so that changes, fine. Establish a relationship with a friendly tree guy, send him jobs out of your range, maintain him so yo never feel pressed to go over your head especially at first. Let your established mowing carry you, develop tree part slow and unhurried.

Main thing is take it easy and don't get hurt, learn from everything, practice in your backyard. There will be no replacement for having a mentor.

 

[treeclimber165]

As a teenager with a lawn service, I took on lots of tree work that I could do from the ground with my lil POS Poulan chainsaw. I passed on many jobs that were out of my league, but learned how to run a saw with hedges and small tree removals (I cut down lots of dead citrus trees too). I used climbers to climb the trees that I couldn't climb and watched them intently as I loaded the brush on my trailer. I eventually did almost all of my own climbing but had a fair amount of exposure to different climbers and their techniques.
Now I'm the freelance climber doing the climbing for other small tree companies and landscapers. It's come full circle now and I get to show others what has been shown to me. I always have time to stop and explain what I'm doing and why. It's enjoyable watching the lightbulbs pop in other's eyes as they learn a new technique or safer way to accomplish something.
Good luck to you in your endeavors to learn treework. Use others who have been there and done that. Learn from them so you can be a safe climber when you eventually put on that saddle.
:angel:

Here's me in my first crane removal about 12 years ago. I was 25 at the time (if my dates are correct).

 

[monkeypuzzle]

Here is my first crane removal,1992. Two words----STRESSED OUT! This was a BIG Pecan tree.

 

[monkeypuzzle]

 

[monkeypuzzle]

I love cranes

 

[DDM]

Hmmmmm I just sold my lawn service. First of all because i hated "Lawn Day" Second because there is so much more business in tree work.

 

[Toddppm]

How much you get?
I love lawn day, they go out and cut and I ride around and do estimates or ....nothing at all

 

[DDM]

Enough for a Chip Dump F-600 Diesel and 2- 4 wheelers And forgot what else i bought LOL. O yeah 1800.00 worth of new tires!

 

[Toddppm]

For one days mowing customers!!!!!!! Niiiiiiiiiiicccccccceeeeeeeeee

You should get rid of one of those hillbilly wheelchairs , get a dirt bike and we can ride some time!

 

[lsylvain]

thanks for all the input guys.

I've thought of getting a job with some of the guys around here, but I just don't have the time between all my other obligations to be able to work full time for someone else. Plus all the companies I've talk to all have bucket trucks and don't do any climbing.

I've always known that the money in tree work was good, but how good is it?

I pull in about $65 and hour profit mowing on average. Could I do better than that switching to tree work as a primary service?

thanks again

 

[treeman82]

$65 per man hour profit from cutting grass? Stick to cutting grass! much less danger involved, and the tools are much less costly! There is an old saying... "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" or something like that?

 

[treeguy347]

Where are you mowin at??? I want a job! I filled in mowing for the township a couple years ago at the top end of the paygrade and was only gettin about $16 an hour. Still not bad for sittin on a nice mower with power steering, cupholders, cruise, and a highback suspension seat for a few hours a day.

 

[treeclimber165]

If your PROFIT is $65 per man hour, I wonder what your gross is..... Around here $65 per man hour gross is typical, minus expenses and overhead to determine profit. Either you are unusually profitable in your lawn business or else you need to brush up on your bookkeeping skills.

 

[Treeman14]

He also thinks his payroll expense is $9 per hour. Let's get real.

 

[tony marks]

ill jump in here. part of my service is lawn care. while i have some elderly folks that
i give good deals[25 per] 65 bucks per,
is about what u gotta charge to make money. good lawn equipment ,dont come cheap.i enjoy the tree work i do,but im getting to old to swing all the time.