How much would you cost???

[ApexTreeService]

I have a tree service competitor who uses me for stump grinding. Told him I was slow due to the holidays and snow. He asked me to quote him a day rate for me showing up with my dump trailer and truck, help loading and cutting. I am an ISA Certified Arborist and Climber, he know's this, so I could also direct his crew in his absence.

I have a figure of $100 to $125 per hour I am thinking. This would include start time at first job, and finish time after dumping at dump. He would be responsible for dump fees. I use my saws, gas, vehicle, and he gets a second him. Any bright ideas?

 

[treeman82]

Personally, I would charge $50 per hour +/-. Somebody who I do business with charged me $175 per hour a few months ago for a small dump truck and small backhoe... I'm looking at ways to replace him.

I understand that you have costs related to running your business, but I think you are a bit rich on your expectations, and I'm sure if the tables were turned you would feel the same. Talk with your co-worker and try to work something out.

 

[ApexTreeService]

I just text the guy, he jumped on it and said 'perfect we have a job' at $100hr. Sounds like slow winter work will pay the bills to me...

I will keep on eye on miles driven, gas, time, and see if it's worth it.

 

[imagineero]

Sounds a little high to me, but I don't know what you're bringing and what you're doing. Are you climbing? If you're climbing and providing a (large?) dump and gear then it's probably pretty fair.

Shaun

 

[mckeetree]

I have a couple guys that contract from me on a fairly ongoing basis but all they provide for what they are doing is saws and climbing gear. Of course they work for themselves plus other tree outfits and I have no idea what they charge there but for me it is around $50.00 to $70.00 per hour. They do the billing so I never know exactly the per hour but it is in that neighborhood.

 

[mikewhite85]

great gig!

I think I would go solo if it was me and my dump truck full time for 100 bucks an hour! I'd throw in my chipper and stumper too!

 

[imagineero]

great gig!

I think I would go solo if it was me and my dump truck full time for 100 bucks an hour! I'd throw in my chipper and stumper too!

Seriously? You're selling yourself short there mate! Chipping goes for anywhere between $200~$350/hr where I'm at, (I charge $250/hr for my 250XP) and I charge $200/hr for stump grinding.

 

[mikewhite85]

Making $800 a day with no employees or worker's comp sounds much more attractive than paying for 4 employees to make around 1500-2000 a day. That may seem low to you but I get underbid like crazy and my prices are actually pretty high comparatively. My worker's comp for climbers is about 40% so I get a huge bill every 6 months.

That said I do have some pretty good days. Most crane removals I have 5 or 6 guys and make 3,000-4,000 a day (and usually the crane ends up costing less than a grand) but I only do a couple a month.

 

[Jed1124]

I think a 100 an hour is about right. You have to remember you are coming to the job with equipment that YOU have to maintain and your expertise as a ISA certified arborist. Unless your hurting for money I would say it's better to be on the high side than to sell your self short. I work with a bunch of great subs but none of them are ISA certified arborist. I wish some of them were.

 

[imagineero]

Is certification really that much of a draw card when hiring sub contractors? Assuming you have your own certification, what benefits does using a certified sub bring you?

Shaun

 

[mckeetree]

what benefits does using a certified sub bring you?

Shaun

You would have a little more assurance he wouldn't cause you to come off looking like some sort of ass hat.

 

[adronetree]

60

I have a tree service competitor who uses me for stump grinding. Told him I was slow due to the holidays and snow. He asked me to quote him a day rate for me showing up with my dump trailer and truck, help loading and cutting. I am an ISA Certified Arborist and Climber, he know's this, so I could also direct his crew in his absence.

I have a figure of $100 to $125 per hour I am thinking. This would include start time at first job, and finish time after dumping at dump. He would be responsible for dump fees. I use my saws, gas, vehicle, and he gets a second him. Any bright ideas?

Its been studied before. In tree work if you own your business then you should charge at least $60 per man hour. Each piece of large equipment counts as a man.
Be great if everyone was willing to pay that amount(most are not anymore) because thats what it takes when its all said and done to pay for the equipment and depreciation, live, insurance, taxes, etc. etc.
Most everyone operates illegitimately in one way or another which brings the cost down I suppose but if everything is run the way the insurance companies and gov't outline it then 60 a man hour should be the minimum.

 

[imagineero]

You would have a little more assurance he wouldn't cause you to come off looking like some sort of ass hat.

I've got that covered, I cut out the tongues of all employees on the first day.

Shaun