How do you "Storm Chase" properly??

[NebClimber]

Tornadoes have hit a few towns w/in a few hours driving distance from me.

This sounds like good opportunity for tree work, but how does one go about chasing a storm?

For example, should I be there the morning after? Or should I wait a few days for friends/neighbors/emgergency-responders to move thru?

What about getting insurance co's to pay the claims for tree doing damage to property? Does the homeowner have to wait for an adjuster to OK the work? Or should I just have the homeowner take some pictures and then have me start work immediately?

Should I just show up on the scene with my equipment, or should I go in my car, bid jobs, and come back in a few days?

I know some of you have chased storms . . . please advise!

Steven

 

[NeTree]

Generally-

The homeowner should take pics and document the damage.

Let the homeowner deal with the insurance company, and get reimbursed from them.

Get paid when the work is done. People will quickly forget how much you saved their arse... and maybe decide you aren't worth quite as much.

If you're going to show up, show up with your equipment, prepared.

Be respectful... these people have lost property likely, and are now having to spend money they hadn't planned on. Don't look like a leach taking advantage of a bad situation. Don't price things higher just because you CAN.

I'd be there the morning after. Some things like trees down on a lawn may not be an immediate hazard, but trees across driveways & roads (blocking access to emergency vehicles), on occupied houses, and hung up in other trees should definitely be taken care of ASAP.

With the above, priority work should come first; even if it's just to "make safe" and come back to it later.

Don't get in the way of more important things, like fire/ambulance operations.

If there's other tree companies in the area, don't be shy on asking/offering help. Cooperation is good PR for the industry, and can net you many friends that may come in handy another time.

 

[OutOnaLimb]

I guess It really kinda depends on the storm and damage. There was a good article in last months TCI magazine about storm work.
I took a crew to Lousiana two years ago after hurricane Lili, and didnt do to bad. Looking back now, I would have just taken my crew and gotten there as soon as possible. We arrived the day after the storm and there were tree companies from all over the country working already. My advice would to get there as soon as possible bid the jobs, line up the work and then have your crews and equipment follow you up as soon as they can get prepared and deploy. Hind sight being what it is I would not have taken my truck and chipper due to the fact that most of the trees and brush were just piled up on the street and BFI was contracted to clean up a few weeks later. However, I did get quite a few jobs later on (about 2) weeks from people who wanted trees removed because they were afraid they would loose the trees in the next storm anyway. I also got lucky and did some work for a local country club because there regular tree guy was busy taking care of other clients.

I dont know how much damage those twisters did, but if you are slow in your neck of the wood it may be a good idea to take time and go check it out.

Kenn:Monkey:

 

[Ax-man]

storms

I was thinking about you today, I seen some of the damage on the weather channel, said it was near Lincoln, Neb.

As far as storm work goes it has never been a good experience for me personally, brings out the worst for all parties involved when a heavy winds hits. Storm mangled trees are the worst to work on and it usually takes it's heaviest toll on neglected trees that have recieved no care what so ever, the owners of these trees wouldn't normally hire arborists any way.

Every body and his brother that owns a chain saw and a pick-up truck comes out of the wood work after a storm. They get all the easy stuff on ground, they can have that work for all I care, the ones we get are the high liability jobs that no one else wants.

Personally I would not move to a storm area, there are probaly enough fly by nights there already. You would probaly be viewed as some kind of low life tree cutter taking advantage of some peoples misfortune, no matter how professional you look, some people are just leery of strangers.

Our storm policy is this

We work 2 to 5 days on storm work, my regular customers or people we have done business with in the past come first, the one timers come second, odds are they won't repeat in the future.

I make it clear that we are not working for their insurance companies, they have to settle with the ins. co. not us. The only way we work for ins. co. is if the agent calls us direct to confirm they will cover the bill.

Get paid promptly, the value of your service quickly diminishes after a storm.

I try to get back to my regular work as quickly as possible after a storm, Storm work is a hit and miss thing, you can make a little money, but you can also lose. I can do with out it myself, easier and more profitable ways to make a buck, than storm work.

The guys on the right and left coast might have a different take on this as they have had some hard hits from storms this year and last year.

Just my two cents on the subject

Larry

 

[Lumberjack]

As soon as the storm clears start drivin.

Buy you a dig camera and take your own pics to CYA.

Have all your stuff together, dont look like this is your first time.

Act like a pro, and be treated like one, you can build good relationships and clients based on how you work.

If you mess up, dont let the customer know it unless you have to, try to fix it promply and NEVER be supprised. They need stability in there messed up world from the storm.

Never work when they say, "Just give me a bill." Always bid everything, never leave them open to guess an amount.

If you can get a crane, dependin on the size of the storms and all, rent it out for a week. Exspensive, but you can make a killin with it.


Try not to be short handed. Have plenty of smart hard workes, but they gotta be smart and hard workin or else they get in the way.

Charge slightly higher, and book all the jobs you can.

Be professional and curteous. If you are biddin and they need some quick help, then help them, it will go a long way towards gettin the job.

Deal with them, not the insurance. That never works.

 

[Stumper]

Carl , Are you sure that you only just finished high scrhool? Very mature advice my young friend!

 

[Lumberjack]

Some other things:

When you roll into town, be respectful. They have lost alot, be there to help them first, make money second. In doing that you will make more money.

The more friendly and helpful you are, the more people will notice you, instead of the others.

If you have a tricky removal off a house, make a plan and work it. If something goes wrong, stay calm. Dont have the groundies jumpin around letting EVERYONE know that something went wrong. If something shifts or whatever, stay safe but dont get all excited, people will loose confidence in a stranger fast.

Dont be afraid to spend money to make it, if you need something, buy it BEFORE you get there.

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Originally posted by OutOnaLimb
people who wanted trees removed because they were afraid they would loose the trees in the next storm anyway.

These same people need risk assessment, not removal. If you enter a property it's on you to assess risk and propose mitigation, not to just cut down everything the owner is paranoid about. That would be stupid.

After the storm damage is taken care of you can contract to come back and make their other trees safer and healthier. Storms are very teachable moments, and if you have the lessons ready you can get good long-term work out of them instead just cut-and-run work.

I agree with the others on the rest.

 

[murphy4trees]

I met a storm chaser from Oklahoma in Va... He left ? days before the storm... I think 2 days... That first week or two after a big storm is where most of the guys make the most money.. Really big ones pay a little longer.. Pump things up with somw local ads and charge plenty to cover your extra expenses and lost profit from lost work at home...
My thinking is that tornados are pretty localized and don't do enough tree damage to warrent much storm chasing like a big hurricane...

 

[TreeJunkie]

Carl, You give some pretty good advice for a guy who has probobally never spent a week on the road chasing storms. Where is your experience I wonder? Are these suggestions you've accumulated from AS.. I've been around this business a while and i remember when i was 18, i had no knowledge of dealing w/ insurance co. or the like. Not trying to pick at you, just seems like the advice doesn't rack up to the amount of experience.

My personal advice on storm, other than those which have been mentioned. It's always a gamble, make sure you can afford to move equipment in and possibly come home empty handed...It's happened. Secondly, make contacts w/ well respected companies in the town you'll be working. They can help and possibly sub you some work. Bring proof of insurance certificates, you'll need them. And, oh yeah, Beware of scum bags; they're all over after a big storm. So get everything in writing.

 

[Lumberjack]

Originally posted by TreeJunkie
Carl, You give some pretty good advice for a guy who has probobally never spent a week on the road chasing storms. Where is your experience I wonder? Are these suggestions you've accumulated from AS.. I've been around this business a while and i remember when i was 18, i had no knowledge of dealing w/ insurance co. or the like. Not trying to pick at you, just seems like the advice doesn't rack up to the amount of experience.

Its from experience.

 

[OutOnaLimb]

Originally posted by Guy Meilleur
These same people need risk assessment, not removal. If you enter a property it's on you to assess risk and propose mitigation, not to just cut down everything the owner is paranoid about. That would be stupid.

After the storm damage is taken care of you can contract to come back and make their other trees safer and healthier. Storms are very teachable moments, and if you have the lessons ready you can get good long-term work out of them instead just cut-and-run work.

I agree with the others on the rest.

Hey I wasnt complaining, I was 1,500 miles from home and was wondering how I was gonna pay my crew and pay for gas to get back to Colorado. So a property owner who had 7 rental houses wanted two or three trees in each property removed. What was I gonna say? "No I think I will go home to Colorado, and then come back in a few months and cable your trees for you"
Yeah right get real. If I didnt do it some one else would and I would be left hitch hiking home.

Kenn

 

[OutOnaLimb]

On a realistic note though, If your gonna go chasing storms at least have your ducks in a row. If you heading into an area that was just hit by a hurricane, think about other logistal problems other than trees. Number one. Where are you gonna get fuel? If there is no electricity its kinda hard for gas pumps to work. Number two and I had to deal with this one for 10 days. Where are you and your crew gonna sleep????? We slept in a public park in Lafayette La. My self and a 3 man crew Me in the cab, one in the man cab and two in the box. After about a week the local authorities were ready to kick us out. It would have been nice if the local motels werent full with red cross and FEMA workers. Keep that in mind.
Another thing you have to keep in mind is saw maintence. Make sure all you saws are running primo. Try buying a new saw in an area that has just gotten hit buy a hurricane. I think the people that made the most money in Lili were the saw dealers. Not only finding saws or parts it a ?????, but try finding a single loop of chain. It is best to bring a reel and spin your own.

Just a few more tips from the peanut gallery. Oh and will I ever chase another hurricane again? Highly douptful. I had my fair share of adventure. But if I had it to do all over again, I would have done a lot of things differently.

Kenn

:Monkey:

 

[TreeJunkie]

Carl, you storm chaser you, I'm just wondering how far you've traveled to chase a storm, and how long were you gone from home? Who were you working for? Trailer? Did this occur over spring break or the christmas holiday? Just wondering...

 

[a_lopa]

no storms to chase here but if i was id be going for the smaller easier stuff if your after money, you can do more $500 jobs than $800 in a day.but thats looking from money perspective

 

[Lumberjack]

Originally posted by TreeJunkie
Carl, you storm chaser you, I'm just wondering how far you've traveled to chase a storm, and how long were you gone from home? Who were you working for? Trailer? Did this occur over spring break or the christmas holiday? Just wondering...

Who said you had to travel?


We have had 2 federal diasater storms in my city in the last 6 years, and several smaller ones in between.

 

[SilverBlue]

I remember Carl posting some pics of his property and mentioning the storm damage, so yes he would have experience.

Say where's TreeSlayer? He's the guy to add much from his experience.

 

[TreeJunkie]

LJ, Would you mind telling what sort of experience/ training you have? How many years have you been at this? How did you get into it? Where did you get your training? Who have you worked for? You seem to be a fairly knowledgeable guy, i just wonder what kind of experience you have.

 

[TreeJunkie]

Originally posted by Lumberjack
Who said you had to travel?


We have had 2 federal diasater storms in my city in the last 6 years, and several smaller ones in between.

So you were climbing trees at 12 yrs old? HMMM????

 

[TreeJunkie]

My qualifications: 3rd generation tree business. Grew up in fathers' business. Grandfather owned the first large lawn and tree care in Kansas City. Two uncles each also own companies here in town, as well as my brother. Father has a company in Florida which i grew up working w/, as well as spending a year climbing there two years ago. Chased storms through Georgia, N. Carolina, Kentucky, and Arkansas. Have lived in hotel rooms for 4 months at a time, working on storm work. So i have a little experience.