Grrr!!!

[treeman82]

A few weeks ago I was called by the neighbor of a good client to come look at their trees. New owner, just closed in December. Take a look around, for the most part it's ok... some dead branches, some cables to be raised, etc. Then I come across this nasty swamp maple that leans towards my existing client's house. I did some diagnostic work on the tree, determined it was an imminent threat to both properties. Below it are drain pipes, descent rhodis, some nice white pines, patio, and some good sized euonymous. Told the guy $6,500 for the tree, but I'd have to use the neighbor's property and trees as rigging points. Figured 3 - 4 days to get it down and cleaned up. Joked around with him about dropping into the lake which would have meant destroying the patio. He'll lose some bushes... and the tree is UGLY... big pucker factor. Called in a few other guys to look at the tree with me, none of them were too crazy about it.

Today I was doing some PHC work for the neighbor, hear some crazy noises from nextdoor. Guy is having the patio ripped up. Went over, spoke with the Mrs. Explained that I could drop the tree in the water now, and be safer and quicker... but a wall might get damaged, however with masons there anyways it's not a big to do. Nope... just rig the entire thing out.

Get home, download a long e-mail from the guy... he's got somebody else who gave a quote of $4,000+/- but will give me 5K if I can start in 1 week, and have it done in 3 - 4 days. Almost ready to tell him to F off. Only thing keeping me around is that they want me to do all the other work on the property, which is CAKE... good money... phc, DWP, and some bracing... figure 1 week to do the DWP and bracing.

 

[treeman82]

A picture of some some of the decay... right in a bad dog leg... decay goes almost all the way through the tree and roughly 5 - 10' in length.

 

[treemandan]

We gotta see pics of this 6500 dollar tree... i mean 5000 dollar tree.

 

[treemandan]

A picture of some some of the decay... right in a bad dog leg... decay goes almost all the way through the tree and roughly 5 - 10' in length.

Well that is one, got anymore?

 

[tree md]

Yes, definitely want to see some more pics of this tree... The 5K has got me beat by about $800 on my highest dollar, single tree. I'd jump on it for 5K... But then again, all I have seen is a cavity and your foot.

Let's see some pics!

 

[mikewhite85]

A few weeks ago I was called by the neighbor of a good client to come look at their trees. New owner, just closed in December. Take a look around, for the most part it's ok... some dead branches, some cables to be raised, etc. Then I come across this nasty swamp maple that leans towards my existing client's house. I did some diagnostic work on the tree, determined it was an imminent threat to both properties. Below it are drain pipes, descent rhodis, some nice white pines, patio, and some good sized euonymous. Told the guy $6,500 for the tree, but I'd have to use the neighbor's property and trees as rigging points. Figured 3 - 4 days to get it down and cleaned up. Joked around with him about dropping into the lake which would have meant destroying the patio. He'll lose some bushes... and the tree is UGLY... big pucker factor. Called in a few other guys to look at the tree with me, none of them were too crazy about it.

Today I was doing some PHC work for the neighbor, hear some crazy noises from nextdoor. Guy is having the patio ripped up. Went over, spoke with the Mrs. Explained that I could drop the tree in the water now, and be safer and quicker... but a wall might get damaged, however with masons there anyways it's not a big to do. Nope... just rig the entire thing out.

Get home, download a long e-mail from the guy... he's got somebody else who gave a quote of $4,000+/- but will give me 5K if I can start in 1 week, and have it done in 3 - 4 days. Almost ready to tell him to F off. Only thing keeping me around is that they want me to do all the other work on the property, which is CAKE... good money... phc, DWP, and some bracing... figure 1 week to do the DWP and bracing.

5000 bucks is huge. Sounds to me like a sweet deal but quite a challenge. Would love to see what the tree looks like.

 

[tree MDS]

Yes, definitely want to see some more pics of this tree... The 5K has got me beat by about $800 on my highest dollar, single tree. I'd jump on it for 5K... But then again, all I have seen is a cavity and your foot.

Let's see some pics!

Yeah, he's got me beat by $500.

You got room for a crane and a good sized landing for this one treeman?

 

[treeman82]

No access for a crane, nor bucket. Have to move a bunch of rhodis and azaleas before work can begin. Also have to tie up 2 mature japanese maples. After that I have to set a block in a neighboring white pine, plus guy the tree to another. Also have to set a rigging line in a semi nearby white ash.

 

[Rftreeman]

if he's gonna let you drop it in the water for 5 G's what the hell are you waiting on....

 

[tree MDS]

No access for a crane, nor bucket. Have to move a bunch of rhodis and azaleas before work can begin. Also have to tie up 2 mature japanese maples. After that I have to set a block in a neighboring white pine, plus guy the tree to another. Also have to set a rigging line in a semi nearby white ash.

Its starting to sound like more and more of a pita this job. lol.

At least there's some work going around again though. I just sold a day to these cheap old :censored:ers over in T-town. Its unbelievable to me that I've actually turned these two into decent paying customers.. not for much longer though, as they're running out of trees pretty quick.

Get some pics of that project treeman!

 

[treeman82]

I actually got the boot today... they're gonna go with the guy for 4K, cause I said that I want my price, won't be rushed, and that's that.. but I'd be willing to do the PHC and pruning work. Trying to figure out who'd bid it at 4K, because nobody reputable would take the job at that price... going rate for that would be anywhere between $5,500 and $7,500 for a real company... hacks on the other hand would do it for 4K. They're gonna use the same company for all the other work too. What will interest me is my existing client. They are tough, wreck something on their property and you'll hear it.

 

[treeman82]

The tree was done today by some illegals. They did the ugly maple, and a hemlock by the driveway which was pretty easy. I have to go tomorrow and see my client about their PHC program.

3 really good guys looked at this tree and all said the same things... go small and slow, no leaves on tree, etc. even had a crane company rep out the other day to look at access... even he said it was a nasy one. In the end the guys who did the job must have taken some good sized pieces, because they got a lot done in 1 day. I'm alive to tell the tale, so I feel good, but at the same time I'm not sure how my clients view this.

 

[treeman82]

Found out that it took 6 guys 4 days to do the job. Spoke with my client, they were very happy that I identified the hazard and took appropriate action. They also told me that it was not a job that I would want... I didn't give them a lot of details, only that I had been underbid considerably.

 

[mikewhite85]

Found out that it took 6 guys 4 days to do the job. Spoke with my client, they were very happy that I identified the hazard and took appropriate action. They also told me that it was not a job that I would want... I didn't give them a lot of details, only that I had been underbid considerably.

Wow, so that's only a little over 20 bucks per man hour. Wonder if they had insurance.