How Much For This Hickory?

[Incomplete]

You might climb a hundred trees like that one and have nothing go wrong, but when one fails, you probably won't walk away from it.

Just in case you're thinking you're too good to get hurt.

Oh no. I followed Brother Paul's advice while in that tree: "Pray without ceasing"

 

[Carburetorless]

Oh no. I followed Brother Paul's advice while in that tree: "Pray without ceasing"

If praying worked, no one would ever get killed.

 

[Incomplete]

If praying worked, no one would ever get killed.

Prayer always works, just not like we think it should some times. Even the Master said "never the less, not my will, but Thine be done".

 

[sgreanbeans]

Thats pretty damn cheap. Might want to crank up those prices a bit. Esp cause of its condition.

 

[Carburetorless]

Thats pretty damn cheap. Might want to crank up those prices a bit. Esp cause of its condition.

+1

Overhead on a small job + the condition + slow removal process = Low profit margin

 

[Incomplete]

Thats pretty damn cheap. Might want to crank up those prices a bit. Esp cause of its condition.

Agreed. I'm learning. (I let her haggle me down a little too. BUT I have return pruning on a mature Sycamore)

 

[Incomplete]

+1

Overhead on a small job + the condition + slow removal process = Low profit margin

Agreed

 

[imagineero]

Agreed. I'm learning. (I let her haggle me down a little too. BUT I have return pruning on a mature Sycamore)

No sense throwing good money after bad ;-)

You'll learn quick not to fall for any kind of negotiating tactic like that. If they lowball you on the first job with a sucker punch of coming back for more, what makes you think you'll get paid double for the second job to make up for it? They know you'll work for less, and now that they're a repeat customer they'll want even better pricing!

There's plenty of similar scams out there;

"give me a good price on this tree and I've got a tonne of other trees that need doing"

"give me a good price on this tree and my neighbour needs his tree done too, I'm sure I can help you get the job"

"I'm rich and I can introduce you to all my rich friends"

etc etc....

Just price each job for what it's worth, pay no mind to all the other fluff.

Shaun

 

[imagineero]

Well done in gittin 'er done too, and not to rain on your parade but yeah, 15 mins to get it on the ground would be about right. 2-3 hours is more realistic including bucking it up, getting it to the street and cleanup depending on the site conditions. This is the kind of job that most contract climbers do on the way to doing another job. i don't contract climb mu, but I don't mind taking on small jobs like that since I can turn up at around 6:45 or 7am, get a harness on, get it on the ground and be on the way to my job for the day by 7:30 with an extra $100 in my pocket.

Shaun

 

[Incomplete]

No sense throwing good money after bad ;-)

You'll learn quick not to fall for any kind of negotiating tactic like that. If they lowball you on the first job with a sucker punch of coming back for more, what makes you think you'll get paid double for the second job to make up for it? They know you'll work for less, and now that they're a repeat customer they'll want even better pricing!

There's plenty of similar scams out there;

"give me a good price on this tree and I've got a tonne of other trees that need doing"

"give me a good price on this tree and my neighbour needs his tree done too, I'm sure I can help you get the job"

"I'm rich and I can introduce you to all my rich friends"

etc etc....

Just price each job for what it's worth, pay no mind to all the other fluff.

Shaun

Thanks for the insight. It's good to know that this principle is the same in all trades.

My first long term job, I was contracted into a position that was horrible; money data was kept from me even though I was essentially management, and I was payed a laborers wage, even though at one point I was running five/six guys. When I was finally released, I had no concept of my worth so it took me a while figure out what to charge. And coming from that place I know what the value of a buck is, and when I start to add fair prices up, some times I still break into a cold sweat. . Charging for tree work is new for me, but it's good to find out that my instincts, developed by 8 years of owning my own business (last 4 years of which has been BRUTAL for my trade) are good, obviously not perfect, but good.

And it helps to get encouragment from a great group of professionals right here at AS. Even the razzing is good: helps develop a tougher skin, cause this ain't bean bag.