woodchux
Addicted to ArboristSite
I was wondering what you guys would say was your best business move this past year...
Or any other years for that matter.
Or any other years for that matter.
Best Business Move This Year
- Thread starter woodchux
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STLfirewood
Addicted to ArboristSite
I think my best move for this year is going to be buying a Genie Lift. I don't climb. I hire a contract climber or rent a lift. Each one costs me $300 right off the top. I think it will make a big difference with small jobs having the boom. At least I'm hoping.
Scott
Scott
arbor pro
Addicted to ArboristSite
+1 on what STL (scott) said about buying the lift. I bought a genie tz50 lift last spring and it has been a good move for me. My mini skid works great to snake the lift into back yards where big truck lifts can't go. Also, I rent my lift out to insured contractors and the rental income has been making my monthly bank payments for me!
Also, I got out of doing large stump grinding contracts and refocussed all of my energy back into residential tree care where my expertise is anyhow. In doing so, I trippled last year's gross and my net went up 10-fold because, as a one-man operation, I personally have a much larger profit margin in tree care than I do in stump grinding. Tree work, of course, is much harder on aging bones than stump grinding but that's why I bought an aerial lift and mini skid.
Also, I got out of doing large stump grinding contracts and refocussed all of my energy back into residential tree care where my expertise is anyhow. In doing so, I trippled last year's gross and my net went up 10-fold because, as a one-man operation, I personally have a much larger profit margin in tree care than I do in stump grinding. Tree work, of course, is much harder on aging bones than stump grinding but that's why I bought an aerial lift and mini skid.
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Nice. Not sure how you do it though? Don't you need atleast one rope man when youre up in the air?
arbor pro
Addicted to ArboristSite
It's not the ideal situation working alone but I have a rope and harness with me up in the lift in case I need to climb down due to mechanical failure. With the use of a couple of porta wraps I can do some rigging by myself. My primary focus is on pruning and small removals so, I'm able to manhandle or cut/drop most of the debris. If something requires extensive rigging, I pass that kind of work along to a bigger tree service who likes to do the big removals but doesn't like to do pruning. Hence, he passes pruning work and smaller removal jobs along to me. It's not a perfect setup but, for me, as a part-time tree service, it works. If I ever went full-time again (won't happen - too good of full-time desk job), I'd hire a groundie to help out. If nothing else, just to help shuttle equipment back and forth. That's my biggest problem as a one-man show - too much equipment, not enough drivers to get it to the jobsite!
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with jobs I get I couldnt imagine doing work all by myself, let alone running ropes by myself while cutting!
my thing is I watch what others do then do the opposite, works real well for me! Like this year talking about cutting back..........Im not...nows the time to buy & grow, everything is cheap!
LXT...........
my thing is I watch what others do then do the opposite, works real well for me! Like this year talking about cutting back..........Im not...nows the time to buy & grow, everything is cheap!
LXT...........
TreeTopKid
ArboristSite Guru
I love to climb but we've got a Genie S-65, and for quick take downs with an awkward drop zone it's awesome. We removed two large Water Oaks yesterday to make way fro a memorial butterfly garden both trees on the deck, and mostly hauled off for lunch time with no damage to surrounding plants, and ornaments.
TreeTopKid
ArboristSite Guru
My best move was sharpening every saw in the house, and stocking up on chains just prior to hurricane Ike! LOL I was out before the wind stopped blowing!
Mucho respect for being a one-man unit. I bet you have some tricks up your sleeves. Working as a groundie this past summer, we had a former employee comeback after 10 years on his own doing tree work full time. He knows some tricks.
SteveBullman
User Formerly known as stephenbullman
diversifying away from arb work
treevet
Addicted to ArboristSite
Mucho respect for being a one-man unit. I bet you have some tricks up your sleeves. Working as a groundie this past summer, we had a former employee comeback after 10 years on his own doing tree work full time. He knows some tricks.
If working by yourself prob. a good idea to make sure you have a cellaphone on ya for obvious reasons.
Slvrmple72
Addicted to ArboristSite
A cellphone and lifealert! If you have fallen there is a good chance you won't be getting back up.
treevet
Addicted to ArboristSite
What if you are stuck in the tree somehow (it has happened) or have an attack of some kind. Guy last fall had an attack and died on drowning on his own spit (prob couldn't have called) but groundy could have and he didn't ....on time.
If fallen and busted up a call could be made or if lift device has you stuck up there. What if your cut bad and losing blood fast. Use your imagination Slyrmple. Working alone, and I do it all the time, is very dangerous. I keep my cell strapped on my ankle. It is out of the way and spikes can still be worn. Best part is it is not sticking in your ribs when leaning against something.
treevet
Addicted to ArboristSite
Re reading your post I may have misinterpreted it Slyrmple. If I did I apologize.
I thought initially you were mocking my suggestion to wear a phone.
I thought initially you were mocking my suggestion to wear a phone.
Blakesmaster
Addicted to ArboristSite
Getting insured, licensed and advertising was probably my best business move. But there was also our stump grinder purchase, getting ISA certified, buying 2 more trailers, putting up the website and joining AS that should all pan out well for our future.
treevet
Addicted to ArboristSite
Lots of good stuff there. If you do not grow you die. Just like a tree....in a state of dynamic equilibrium.
We had some major storms that generated unexpected revenue esp. a hurricane. I took this opportunity to buy a lot of equipment too. I am ready for a 2nd crew next year as we have doubled up on everything. 2 chip trucks, 2 chippers, 2 bucket trucks, 2 mini skids, 2 log trucks, 1 truck crane, etc and mass small gear. Also bought a nice 24' conveyor to go with my tw5 splitter which is paid for and this year just about paid for the conveyor.
Also have accelerated learning as you have. I virtually own about every book in the ISA book store with a few exceptions and always have had every Shigo book from his beginning. I read constantly and have been a Cert for 17 years (beginning). Got a great accountant and great GM who also became certified thru my assistance and he will run a second crew and we just need 2 laborers to develop.
As for marketing and advertising I am in a local monthly magazine and about to go in a local phone book. The big yellow book does little for me as I don't want to go all over the city so I just have a one liner. Have an appointment for a web site on Thursday. We just got a load of logo'd collared shirts last spring. Content of an AS website thread was very helpful for website info.
ccrider2240
ArboristSite Operative
Paying my CPA
Im still trying to figure out how i did it before I hired this great man 6 years ago, ohh what i didnt do it at all. Hiring a part time secretary, to take the calls when things get crazy, Taking some freakin timeoff doing some flyfishing. Man if aint all about the money or the lack there of. Treat your employees like brothers pay em a damn good wage let them know where you stand.:monkey:
Im still trying to figure out how i did it before I hired this great man 6 years ago, ohh what i didnt do it at all. Hiring a part time secretary, to take the calls when things get crazy, Taking some freakin timeoff doing some flyfishing. Man if aint all about the money or the lack there of. Treat your employees like brothers pay em a damn good wage let them know where you stand.:monkey:
Mikecutstrees
ArboristSite Guru
Good Employees +1
I agree, finally having great employees has been the best thing that happened to me this year. I have 3 right now. Investing in them has been the smartest business move I have done. Good pay, bonuses, letting them go early and paying them for the day etc. The only problem I have is that they are so good that on hourly jobs they actually move too fast. So I need to bid more jobs by the job because we can knock em' out fast!.... Mike
I agree, finally having great employees has been the best thing that happened to me this year. I have 3 right now. Investing in them has been the smartest business move I have done. Good pay, bonuses, letting them go early and paying them for the day etc. The only problem I have is that they are so good that on hourly jobs they actually move too fast. So I need to bid more jobs by the job because we can knock em' out fast!.... Mike
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