How do I get more stump work?

[WolverineMarine]

This is my 2nd season doing stump removal work, and I do ok getting jobs, actually..not very well, just a few calls a week typically(obviously I'm not doing this full time). I have small ads in a few local community papers, but I'm wondering how and what I can do to attract more business? Who should I approach to look for contracts? I'm not looking for anyones marketing secrets...I just need some pointers here to help me going better than I am now. My advertising budget is very limited right now, but I know how the old saying goes, "you gotta spend money to make it", so if I have to dig deeper in my pockets..I suppose I'll bite the bullet. Thanks for all the help..

 

[arbor pro]

I'm part-time too but I do tree work in addition to stump grinding. It's very tough to break into the stump grinding market unless you are willing to really put some extra effort into it. Here are some things to try:

1) Talk to the local tree services and find out if there's any chance of someone sub-contracting stumps out to you. Follow-up regularly (couple of times a year). If the situation arises where a tree service using another sub-contractor doesn't work out or their own stump grinding machine goes down for repairs, you want to be the first name on their list to give a call to. Don't expect miracles - it takes time to work your way in and it might start slowly - a stump here, a stump there. You just have to be ready for the big opportunity when it shows itself.

2) Offer free or reduced-price cleanup to new clients. It's a lot of extra work but there are a lot of stump grinding guys who refuse to do cleanup. If you advertise that you'll grind a client's stump for the same price AND do cleanup for just a bit more, you'll catch the attention of those who would otherwise have to hire a landscaper or kid next door to provide that service.

I'm likely going to take some heat for the last suggestion since some members of this forum are going to see the 'free cleanup' tactic as a threat to their businesses. It is what it is - a marketing method to drum up work. It's no different tactic than any merchandising business that gives away free or discounted items when you make a minimum purchase of 'x' amount or 'z' item. I did the free cleanup thing my first year of stump grinding. It was a pain to clean up every stump but, it got me business that I might not have gotten otherwise. How hungry are you?

 

[ClimbinArbor]

I'm part-time too but I do tree work in addition to stump grinding. It's very tough to break into the stump grinding market unless you are willing to really put some extra effort into it. Here are some things to try:

1) Talk to the local tree services and find out if there's any chance of someone sub-contracting stumps out to you. Follow-up regularly (couple of times a year). If the situation arises where a tree service using another sub-contractor doesn't work out or their own stump grinding machine goes down for repairs, you want to be the first name on their list to give a call to. Don't expect miracles - it takes time to work your way in and it might start slowly - a stump here, a stump there. You just have to be ready for the big opportunity when it shows itself.

2) Offer free or reduced-price cleanup to new clients. It's a lot of extra work but there are a lot of stump grinding guys who refuse to do cleanup. If you advertise that you'll grind a client's stump for the same price AND do cleanup for just a bit more, you'll catch the attention of those who would otherwise have to hire a landscaper or kid next door to provide that service.

I'm likely going to take some heat for the last suggestion since some members of this forum are going to see the 'free cleanup' tactic as a threat to their businesses. It is what it is - a marketing method to drum up work. It's no different tactic than any merchandising business that gives away free or discounted items when you make a minimum purchase of 'x' amount or 'z' item. I did the free cleanup thing my first year of stump grinding. It was a pain to clean up every stump but, it got me business that I might not have gotten otherwise. How hungry are you?

No problems here. thats exactly what i do.

 

[lxt]

shame you dont live in PA, I rent a stumper once a week to finish off the customers ive done removals for, whats sad is when I had a machine all the local lowballers undercut me, Now their struggling this year, people want the whole job done & want one contractor to do it!!

In some ways Im enjoying it, one of em called me up over the past weekend & wanted to know if I could/needed a sub for stumps, I told him you lowballed all last year & barely got through the winter.......I sold my machine cause of you & the other lowball hack.....why should I sub to you? enjoy your $650.00 month payment, Ill rent untill the lowballers are gone & then think about buying a stumper.

shame......if stumpers could climb they might have more work!!!


LXT..............

 

[md_tree_dood]

Cut down more trees?

 

[juststumps]

shame you dont live in PA, I rent a stumper once a week to finish off the customers ive done removals for, whats sad is when I had a machine all the local lowballers undercut me, Now their struggling this year, people want the whole job done & want one contractor to do it!!

In some ways Im enjoying it, one of em called me up over the past weekend & wanted to know if I could/needed a sub for stumps, I told him you lowballed all last year & barely got through the winter.......I sold my machine cause of you & the other lowball hack.....why should I sub to you? enjoy your $650.00 month payment, Ill rent untill the lowballers are gone & then think about buying a stumper.

shame......if stumpers could climb they might have more work!!!


LXT..............

where in pa? new hope, washingtons crossing,morissville,, 30 mintues away..i'll cross the river one or two saturdays a month,, for a full day..

 

[juststumps]

Cut down more trees?

ya took my line !!! LOL

 

[(WLL)]

ya took my line !!! LOL

x3 lol

 

[046]

post for FREE in your local Craigslist..

but be prepared to give great prices. I'm convinced most Craigslist folks are pretty much a tight wad bunch of folks with cash.

 

[bombdude]

I'm in the same boat as you, WolverineMarine. Part time, 2nd season, & comin off a long slow winter. I've been really busy the past month. I landed a couple bigger jobs that gave me a real boost for the time being.

But I wrapped that up Saturday, & currently have NO work lined up. Got some bids out, but I have some time off this week.

You might want to contact some landscapers, also. I met one last year, & have gotten 4 jobs from her. It'll usually be small stuff, but I'm not turning anything away. It won't make you wealthy, but may be what keeps you going.

Hope you luck.

 

[CHEVYTOWN13]

mention property enhancements

Whey you advertise, maybe mention something about areas in the property being utilized more after stump work. Those stumps can sure get in the way of things.

In my case, I could have used you bro. I had a stump just outside my garage where my guests park. But the stump was kind of high. It came rather close to oil pans and the like.

So I finally took it down today. Damn! It gave the 6401 a workout. But all oil pans are safe now.

Good luck brother.

 

[ATH]

If I were you, I'd solicit other tree service/landscaping/lawncare companies.

I still have your contact info from when we PM'd a few months ago. Just haven't had any removals needing grinding since then...

 

[ccrider2240]

hhmmmmmm

cut down more trees?

 

[SLlandscape]

This is my 2nd season doing stump removal work, and I do ok getting jobs, actually..not very well, just a few calls a week typically(obviously I'm not doing this full time). I have small ads in a few local community papers, but I'm wondering how and what I can do to attract more business? Who should I approach to look for contracts? I'm not looking for anyones marketing secrets...I just need some pointers here to help me going better than I am now. My advertising budget is very limited right now, but I know how the old saying goes, "you gotta spend money to make it", so if I have to dig deeper in my pockets..I suppose I'll bite the bullet. Thanks for all the help..

Personally, to save money I print my own business cards. doesn't take to long and I save about $60 (when doing 250 cards at a time) doing it myself instead of paying a local company to do it. There's a company called, Avery that makes perferated business for home printers, I get mine from the office supply store. Your computer, if it's windows (if not you use their website and down load the template) already has the template in its software. Select the software enter the info into the computer and print, it's that simple. the package of cards you buy comes with 250 cards and here they are fairly cheap. Then I went and bought some card holders for $0.95 each at the office supply store and set some cards around town. hope this helps and good luck to you.