Bidding

[1savagehunter]

I'm finding it hard to find out a going rate when bidding. I'm either over bidding or underbidding jobs. I'm getting the work but want to continue to get the work but frankly am getting sick of underbidding. I want to get the most but still continue to get the jobs.
I know every place is different but give me what you feel a fair bid for the following.

- 80 - 100 ' pine and spruce would be. Most involve stripping the tree on the upclimb,ripping the top and then dropping the spar.
- 40 foot Elm tree. Large branches that require dropping and then cutting the spar. (I find these ones take me longer.)

I should note we are a small crew (2 man) I do the climbing. No bucket. I'm looking for what you calculate into the bid. I obviously calculate equipment, gas, travel etc. ... do you have some way to calculate into the calculation for skill. What I mean is ... just because I can do the job doesn't mean that the common joe can do the same job. I do some light commercial diving also and for me to drop down an check or re-rig a anchor in 40 feet of water is so simple it's a nothing (< 5 min. job) but to the cabin owner that is an easy $50 dollar touch.(that is if I'm already suited up).
I want to be fair and honest but I don't want to be doing the job for a fraction of what the other bids are running. I hear some others make comments like ... "I don't start my saw for less that $500". Any help or insight would be most helpful.

 

[TDunk]

With out pics. to look at and the way the market is it's damn near impossible to give a price. An 80ft. spruce tree around hear would prolly go for about $500-$600 depending on how far away, accessibility etc... But that same tree could bring $1200 in other parts. I can usually knock out spruce trees pretty quick with a three man crew. Just figure about how long it will take you to do the job, figure out what your expenses are, and adjust accordingly.

 

[ozzy42]

I have the same set up you do :2man crew,myself climbing,then help with cleanup,then grind stump when applicable.
The thing I feel you need to be the most accurate on is
1.cost to get rid of debris,you must be able to guess pretty close what it will weigh in most cases.

2.time involved.Yes ,we all miss on this every now,and then.Some trees just fool ya,but should be able to tell within 15-20minutesfor small jobs[zippers we call them down here],1-2 hrs on bigger jobs ,most of the time.

3.The hourly rate will be up to you ,and what you need to make,and what the market will stand.As others have posted ,this can varie from place to place,and time of year.You just have to get a feel for it.If you are good at #1and#2 ,the 3rd will come to you. Just MHO. Hope this helps.

 

[BC WetCoast]

Average rate around here is $150-175/hr for a 2 man crew (with or without bucket). Take that rate and estimate the time to do the job (including travel and dump). It is usually easier if you break it down into quarter day sections, so a job will take a minimum 1/4 day or 1/2 day or full day. Don't try and fine tune it down to the minute. There is always something that will screw you up.

I see everyone here telling how fast they can rip down a tree. However, there is never any discussion on the time it takes to talk to the customer, set up cones and signs or fuel saws that mobilization takes around 15 min. Same as clean up. Maybe my standards are higher, but to properly rake and blow a lawn should take at least 15 min, then putting away cones signs etc.

And you should always build a little buffer into the job in case the saw pull cord breaks, chipper chute plugs, somebody tries to steal your equipment etc etc etc.

 

[fishercat]

be glad you are getting work.

no one here is getting much if any.i know several folks trying to sell equipment.

 

[scott t]

Here for a two man crew is around $1,200 for a day. what i do is i take what i have to pay for say my crew/lets say he makes 9 an hour x 8- 10 hous depending on your work then your fuel for the day your pay then if it cost to dipose for debis add that to then add all to gether and thats around what you have to make to keep going per day. i was in the same boat as you when i started. but we can not go to work and barley pay bills. you may slow a bit that way but you will raley see the red zone on job.(imo) thats how i see it.