Yesterday was the first time I did it for someone else. The homeowner had cut most of the trees without a lean toward the house. Guess I need to study dropping leaners away from the lean - they all wanted to fall with the lean no matter what I did. Except for the winch that is - the winch was used on all leaners and may have saved me when an aspen snapped prematurely before any wedging could be done.
One of his trees snapped last month in a windstorm and took out a nice carport built into the house deck. Appears to be riddled with very small holes in the core. Some type of termit? I think that also caused the premature aspen snap about 20' away.
It was a great day - pretty exciting and I get satisfaction from removing unwanted trees. The homeowner loved the peace of mind obtained from safely removing about 8 substantive leaners. Of course many others had to be falled to accommodate the leaners. Dropping the trees is ridiculously easy when there is no lean - of course.
I had no real idea what to charge - we met at a picnic the day before. A LOT of equipment was used. The trip was an 1 1/4 hours. The risk was very high. The wear and tear was substantial - stuff happens as a rule. Lunch was great, the company was awesome. Then it came time to name my price. I had enjoyed the day and I gained significant experience with dangerous trees. I quoted $300 for about 7 hours of very hard though rewarding work at 9700'. They insisted on paying $500 which I accepted knowing that the more experienced would have charged at least double that.
They left their vacation home and went back to Arizona today. But first gave me the key to their garage so I can safely store my hydraulic sawmill and maybe mill some good lumber if I can get around tuit. My neighbors both have proven histories of combing my lot for valuables. Then my ISP provider took out the tall electric fence with their ladders racks. Always something!
Pricing formulas for "dangerous trees"?
One of his trees snapped last month in a windstorm and took out a nice carport built into the house deck. Appears to be riddled with very small holes in the core. Some type of termit? I think that also caused the premature aspen snap about 20' away.
It was a great day - pretty exciting and I get satisfaction from removing unwanted trees. The homeowner loved the peace of mind obtained from safely removing about 8 substantive leaners. Of course many others had to be falled to accommodate the leaners. Dropping the trees is ridiculously easy when there is no lean - of course.
I had no real idea what to charge - we met at a picnic the day before. A LOT of equipment was used. The trip was an 1 1/4 hours. The risk was very high. The wear and tear was substantial - stuff happens as a rule. Lunch was great, the company was awesome. Then it came time to name my price. I had enjoyed the day and I gained significant experience with dangerous trees. I quoted $300 for about 7 hours of very hard though rewarding work at 9700'. They insisted on paying $500 which I accepted knowing that the more experienced would have charged at least double that.
They left their vacation home and went back to Arizona today. But first gave me the key to their garage so I can safely store my hydraulic sawmill and maybe mill some good lumber if I can get around tuit. My neighbors both have proven histories of combing my lot for valuables. Then my ISP provider took out the tall electric fence with their ladders racks. Always something!
Pricing formulas for "dangerous trees"?