sharkfin12us
ArboristSite Operative
Im here in new jersey since we had first snow dec 26th tree work has halted.How is every one else doing Thank You
How are other tree companies fairing in other states
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tree md
Addicted to ArboristSite
I did a removal last Monday just before the snow came in. I've been dead since. No calls except for two other tree guys looking for work. I did have one associate call and offer to direct his overflow to me on snow removal but I am not setup to do that.
I've got 2 small jobs waiting if the snow ever melts. 6"-10" coming in tonight. Just a slow time of the year here. I normally get a call or two for large removals in Feb. but the snow is kind of hampering that now... The month is still young though.
Hanging in for March which is right around the corner.
I've got 2 small jobs waiting if the snow ever melts. 6"-10" coming in tonight. Just a slow time of the year here. I normally get a call or two for large removals in Feb. but the snow is kind of hampering that now... The month is still young though.
Hanging in for March which is right around the corner.
Must be slow I just had a mexican from 20 miles away call me looking for a job. The line companys around here were busy from the ice storm last week. I have some small jobs from the storm nothing big and a few jobs that been holding off on for this time of the year. I waited to long, now i can't get to them with the snow on ground.
In the process of buying a chipper for the busy season coming up. It seems to be consuming most of my time between talking to the dealer reps and doing the research on the chippers. O well I guess it's not a total waste of time.
In the process of buying a chipper for the busy season coming up. It seems to be consuming most of my time between talking to the dealer reps and doing the research on the chippers. O well I guess it's not a total waste of time.
alpineman
ArboristSite Member
Here in Colorado!
Doing pretty well here in Colorado. We are experiencing our first real taste of winter over the past week so things have slowed down. All in all, this winter has been great due to good weather. I keep thinking as well, March is almost here!!
Doing pretty well here in Colorado. We are experiencing our first real taste of winter over the past week so things have slowed down. All in all, this winter has been great due to good weather. I keep thinking as well, March is almost here!!
ducaticorse
Addicted to ArboristSite
I know one thing, I won't start a week long project during the winter again any time soon.. I got my ass handed to me over in Framingham, from the record setting snow we had here in MA. I pulled out, and am starting up again in March.
I have a month of work lined up, but can't do any of it because of a flared up back injury.
The amount of snow we've had has been uncanny. If I knew in October what I know now, I woulda shut down the tree work for the winter, and done only snow and ice management. Maybe some tree work in between.
I'd be up close to 25-35K right now between commercial plowing, salting, and bobcat snow removal. People cant get coverage here in MA, big contractors have removal crews STILL working 24/7. There is a CL add up right now paying $35 an hour for roof shovelors, and there are plenty of hours......
I have a month of work lined up, but can't do any of it because of a flared up back injury.
The amount of snow we've had has been uncanny. If I knew in October what I know now, I woulda shut down the tree work for the winter, and done only snow and ice management. Maybe some tree work in between.
I'd be up close to 25-35K right now between commercial plowing, salting, and bobcat snow removal. People cant get coverage here in MA, big contractors have removal crews STILL working 24/7. There is a CL add up right now paying $35 an hour for roof shovelors, and there are plenty of hours......
tree md
Addicted to ArboristSite
My best friend from high school blew his back out hauling a snowblower up on the roof of his favorite watering hole up in Chelmsford... Said they gave him some cash and a month tab... Hope it covers the MRI he's having to have done...
All my high school friends are telling me about the snow up there... The miracle of facebook...
ducaticorse
Addicted to ArboristSite
Ha, I doubt the bar gave him enough to cover an MRI. I had one done just 2 weeks ago (multiple herniated disks), and they're about $1500 bucks. Fortunately, I'm not paying for any of the medical bills, as I was hit by another vehicle back in Sept (ruled their fault).. Tell your buddy to make sure the bar covers his bills, or tell him to lawyer up. Back injuries are no joke..... If I didn't have a settlement coming my way, I'd be out of business, simple as that......
treeclimber101
UNCLE BUCK
winters back here and is not going to be leaving any time soon , so snow in the winter may vary a little bit , but its back , I think we all forgot how it was around here as kids and waking up and looking out in the back yard with a foot of snow on the picnic table and the seat of our swings buried in snow ....
ducaticorse
Addicted to ArboristSite
That being said, I am highly modifying my business plan for next winter. The focus will be snow and ice management, and tree work will be secondary,transitioning back to primary late march.
I am going to buy a (or the equivalent) 550 dump, and a F350 and set them up with blades and a sander over the summer, my personal vehicle now is a Ram 2500, and I'll sell that and buy my own F350, than it's off to the races by first snow fall.....
Always great, here.
Jeff
Jeff
prentice110
SpongeBob Fap Pants
I talk pretty regularly with a lot of the big guys around me and no one has anything. One guy I know has owned his own since 87', and hes calling me for work. Scary. Ive got 2 small trim jobs, but there both for friends, so Im waitin for the thaw. Got back from Germany on Jan. 10th, phone has not rang once for tree work. In fact, since I got back, only seen 3 co's out period. But dont fret, I got a feeling its gonna be a short winter. Heard some birds chirpin' that arent here during winter.
prentice110
SpongeBob Fap Pants
I think you've been in the sun too long. Tell the gaslamp district I miss it. Is it true that 'Lips' is your favorite hang out? I heard Rupaul misses you!
Definitely slow here. Glad we have snow removal contracts.
tomtrees58
Addicted to ArboristSite
dead here from dec 15th but wood is selling good i stocked up with 100 cords:hmm3grin2orange:
Be careful there, lad! I've been doing this a while, and it isn't always profitable. Here is how it usually works:
1. You get a few killer snows in one year, and the market is ill-prepared to deal with it. Prices are high, because all the contractors are saturated.
2. Every tom, ####, and harry that has any interest in doing snow removal starts ramping up his preparations for next winter, both increasing their equipment and chasing more customers to keep the new equipment busy. Prices start falling...and it's still summertime.
3. Winter arrives, and you find that you are all primed for the big season, having spent thousands upon thousands for new toys to make money with. You discover that getting new snow removal customers is pretty tough...prices continue to fall.
4. DAMN the luck! Why isn't it snowing this year? $@#&! %#@*! You only get enough snow to pay your overhead, and it becomes obvious that it will take several years to recover your investment. You start knocking on doors to sell more tree work...
Rather than buy a bunch of equipment, just hire subcontractors. They are MUCH more reliable at getting up in the middle of the night than employees. After you have enough established accounts to justify the investment, keep increasing your equipment investments a little bit each year. Rapid growth with significant cash flow reductions from equipment purchases can be a business killer.
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treeclimber101
UNCLE BUCK
I don't care what any body says theres money in snow I have 2 machines that I own and 2 long term rentals, the average pay here is 110 per loader and 180 per backhoe and 200 for a rubber tire loader, the average pay per shoveler is between 35/40 billable per hr. So lets just say that theres plenty of money in it ... And even know there are alot of people out of work in this economy for one there was a shortage of good equipment and a real shortage of good men to run it ... I have made money on snow and ice management EVERY year since I was 14 .... So be afraid to make the investment it will be worth it ....
ducaticorse
Addicted to ArboristSite
I agree with what your saying on the large scale. But for my scenario, buying a used 550, a sander, a used 350 and trading in my 2500 for a 350 won't kill me if it doesn't snow.. if it does, than great. I know this winter here has been unusually high, last year sucked, but the 2 years prior were good. If I had this equipment this years instead of the log and chip truck I bought, I'd be looking at a check in the mail this week for about 30 grand, plus whatever side stuff I managed to put a bobcat on. Yes , there's expenses not accounted for in that number.
treeman75
Addicted to ArboristSite
Its been so cold here you cant work! i have work to do just waiting for it to warm up. Usually when there is a bad winter the phone rings more in the spring. Its going to be in the mid 30's and 40's this weekend and next week! I always make good money, sometimes you have to get out and hussle more.
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