How are other tree companies doing?

[sharkfin12us]

Hi from new jersey just wanted to get some feedback on how tree companies are doing.We had a nice little wind and rain storm march 13th and thats just what the doctor ordered to kick things in gear.Seems to be slowing down now maybe people are thinking about vacation.Thanks

 

[Sunrise Guy]

The "economic recovery" is a sham, as I see it. The pundits seem to believe that if you say it's here, over and over, it will happen. I am barely getting by, and get closer, each day, to sending out my resume. Although the topic of being underbid by those of dubious legal residency status has been done to death on here, it has definitely effected my business to a great extent. I can't compete on $250 take-downs, done by a five-man crew with two pick-ups and a ladder.

 

[DK_stihl]

work

The company I work for has all kinds of work, plus people are calling me for side jobs. I can't complain.

 

[beowulf343]

The company I work for has all kinds of work, plus people are calling me for side jobs. I can't complain.

Here too. Six days a week and still not getting caught up. Boss is thinking of adding a fifth climbing crew for the summer.
Alot of our work is in high end neighborhoods. Seems like the rich are still rich.

 

[mattfr12]

ya we are slammed here in PA best year so far of the last 4 years.

 

[fishercat]

doing great!

I'm swamped!

Thanks Obama!!:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Mikecutstrees]

Nice and Busy here too!

 

[tree MDS]

Busier and busier every day here.

 

[treesquirrel]

I can't compete on $250 take-downs, done by a five-man crew with two pick-ups and a ladder.

Funny you mentioned this. I got underbid on a job recently by 600 bucks and the company sent out a small army for three days on a job that would have taken my partner and I two days with one additional helper on the ground.

Seems the bigger companies are now bidding ultra cheap and not just the pickup and chainsaw guys.

The best part was this, I was speaking to the homeowner after the work was done, I saw him out on the lake, and he informed me that during the job one of thew crew members ran over and crushed three chainsaws with the track loader. So bidding cheap and sending idiots out on jobs seemed the order of the day. There were 7 peop0le working this job and honestly any competent pair of tree workers could have done it in the three days they were there. They also left a mes, promised they would come back out and grade the disaster area and have not been back in three weeks time.

 

[mckeetree]

Although the topic of being underbid by those of dubious legal residency status has been done to death on here, it has definitely effected my business to a great extent.

Hey man, some guys on here are lucky enough to not relate to that but I do. I deal with it every freakin day This area seems like it is a little "catch basin" for them or something. You can't compete with them price-wise or you will go broke.

 

[flushcut]

Work is steady for this guy. We are booked up for the next three weeks with a combo of small prunes and takedowns. So far 2010 has been good. I hope the rest of you guys get busy and make that money. Stay safe and let the chips rain

 

[treeslayer]

Easily getting half dozen calls a day, and nailing 2-3 jobs a day.

 

[beastmaster]

Business has came to a halt for the Company I work for. Say what you want about me, but Ive been force to go out on my own seeking side jobs.
I don't even have a truck, I advertise on craigs list that I'll do the work if they do their own clean-up and hauling away.
Ive made up cards and fliers and I door knock some times if I see a dead or dieing tree. This being said, I had a really good week, though I am working my ass off for the money I am making. I have had to reinvest most the money I'm making into equipment to do jobs.
Things are really slow and people are hiring more hacks and illegals. Maybe I am contributing to the problem as I'll work for wages if I don't have to haul nothing.
I am not a hack, I am an arborist with high standards,no insurance, no truck, who's trying to feed his family. What will be the out come of all this? I may end up a legit business man. I'm working on insurance now.

 

[Blakesmaster]

Slow, fast, I don't know...

This is our first year for my partner and I going full time so it's hard to gauge where we should be as far as lined up work goes. My phone was ringing pretty hard the past few weeks but we're really fast at pounding out work so it's been a day to day, as we get 'em we do 'em type thing. We've banked a good amount and are almost ready to start looking at Dingos but I wonder if the work will stop soon. I kinda feel like I should be booked out several weeks so it all doesn't grind to a halt come vacation season. Guess we'll wait and see.

 

[sharkfin12us]

Business has came to a halt for the Company I work for. Say what you want about me, but Ive been force to go out on my own seeking side jobs.
I don't even have a truck, I advertise on craigs list that I'll do the work if they do their own clean-up and hauling away.
Ive made up cards and fliers and I door knock some times if I see a dead or dieing tree. This being said, I had a really good week, though I am working my ass off for the money I am making. I have had to reinvest most the money I'm making into equipment to do jobs.
Things are really slow and people are hiring more hacks and illegals. Maybe I am contributing to the problem as I'll work for wages if I don't have to haul nothing.
I am not a hack, I am an arborist with high standards,no insurance, no truck, who's trying to feed his family. What will be the out come of all this? I may end up a legit business man. I'm working on insurance now.

I hear you.Do what you have to do be safe weve all started somewhere take care.

 

[ozzy42]

Better than it was in Jan. and Feb. for sure ,but than again most of the new customers are paying 30% less than what the work is normally worth.

 

[mattfr12]

this year has givin me new hope i struggled the first 2 then 3 and now 4 have been way better we are doing 6 days a week here. and booked out over 8 weeks. when we bid jobs now we are saying a month to a month and a half before we get thier.

but i guess that is not the case for all of you and i wish you all the best of luck because its hard dangerous work that deserves good pay.

if anyone is close and needs a job i could use another climber. for full time work but serious people only that can show up everday on time. i could offer decent pay.


i pray everday for this crap economy to turn around so i can keep doing what i love. maybe this year its working.

i dont wanna go back and work for the big corps. working for youself is great.

 

[Sunrise Guy]

Interesting---all of the "We're busting our butts keeping up with all of the work!" replies are from the East Coast. Wait until our local force of---uh---"low-wage workers," swarms into your neck of the woods. Then again, you guys have cold weather in your areas and our "low wage workers" don't do cold weather. Maybe you're safe, for now.

 

[treeclimber101]

I think it is gonna be a short lived rush , but I will take it I try not to complain about lack of work because I find myself complaining plenty when I'm overworked so ya can't have it both ways

 

[Treetom]

Sounds rough in Tejas.

JOE LEGAL vs. JOSE ILLEGAL

You have two families: "Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal".
Both families have two parents, two children, and live in California .

Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.

Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table".

Ready? Now pay attention...

Joe Legal: $25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week, or $52,000.00 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax; Joe Legal now has $31,231.00.

Jose Illegal: $15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600.00 per week, or $31,200.00 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose Illegal now has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for his family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $24,031.00.

Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible for food stamps or welfare. Joe Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or $6,000.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $18,031.00.

Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps and welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or $14,400.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $9,631.00.

Jose Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal rent subsidy. Jose Illegal pays out that $500.00 per month, or $6,000.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $ 31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for insurance. Joe Legal now has $7,231.00.

Jose Illegal says, "We don't need no stinkin' insurance!" and still has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal has to make his $7,231.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc.

Jose Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month.

Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after work.

Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.

Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school. Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches whileJose Illegal's children get a government sponsored lunch. Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home.

Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services, but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.


If you vote for or support any politician that supports illegal aliens...You are part of the problem!

It's way PAST time to take a stand for America and Americans!

What are you waiting for? Pass it on.