I don't see why it can't happen.

[Raymond]

Not that I have plenty of work guys, I ain't gonna lie to ya.

But I've half ass been looking for a part time climber and wasn't at all impressed with the (like) 5 or 6 I've tried in the last year and a half.

Now every now and then I get a call from a so called climber looking for a job. I explain I may need one every now and then but not full time yet.

But I wanna show up on their side job and see what they got before I send them up a tree of mine.

I don't need to meet a guy I ain't going to use again. I don't need him checking out my trucks, my dump, my shop, if I ain't gonna call him back.

If a guys is good as he says he is but out of steady work, wouldn't he at least pull a little something off that I could drop by and watch and talk for a minute?

 

[gr8scott72]

If a guys is good as he says he is but out of steady work, wouldn't he at least pull a little something off that I could drop by and watch and talk for a minute?

No, he's unemployed. :monkey:

 

[Raymond]

No, he's unemployed. :monkey:

A good climber with a saw and gear would do SOMETHING, friends, family, neighbor, somebody. No?

 

[Blakesmaster]

I'm not sure what you're asking here. Why wouldn't you want him to see your shop and crew? Is it possible that he doesn't want you to see his crew? Good climbers can fall out of work, if I were you I'd pick an easy job to try him out on, one with very few obstacles to avoid and see what he's got. When he straps his spikes on backwards you'll know he ain't your guy.

 

[gr8scott72]

A good climber with a saw and gear would do SOMETHING, friends, family, neighbor, somebody. No?

Some people don't have that kind of drive or immagination. They are the ones that make good employees as they will never own their own business and will work for someone else forever.

 

[gr8scott72]

Why wouldn't you want him to see your shop and crew?

I think he's worried what someone might do if they don't get hired.

Is it possible that he doesn't want you to see his crew?

Out of work climbers rarely have their own crew.

 

[tree md]

I usually like to train them from the ground up if I plan on working them with me full time. Last one I had was a 19 YO kid. Pretty decent natural climber. Was like a fish out of water with gear on. And yes, he put his spikes on backwards first time I told him to get strapped. Was not a biggie though because I wanted him to learn to work off a rope before he got too dependent on spikes. He was light weight, agile and a good worker. He just couldn't stay out of jail.

I've got a contract climber I can call in from KS if I get a heavy schedule. He rocks. Plus it's fun to just have him out for a visit, we are friends. I could probably send him your way if you needed some heavy lifting done. Let me know.

 

[Raymond]

I guess what I'm looking for is a (go get'er kinda) guy with a pick up and gear, maybe a brush bunny buddy, I could work every now and then. And maybe go into full time one day.

I have my claw buddy Mike and he has a climber (Bobby) I use and he's alright, the best I've worked so far. But not somebody I would wanna work daily and Mike needs him anyway.

Then I have (23) Robert. He's a good kid that I've worked off and on for years and is willing, bugging me really to climb. No gear and can't even get on an easy two story roof. I have sent him in a couple trees, with my gear and he does alright and looks fairly conferable at 15 ft. up are so.

I'm just sick of training guys to climb and then they go off on their own or to someone else after I spent the summer teaching them.

When I first went on my own I had a side kick. We'd knock doors and work for 3 or 4 other small outfits. If you got me you got David.

LOL I guess I am looking for someone like me 15 years ago. I don't even need one now at this time but I have high hopes on a productive summer.

 

[JeffL]

Gosh, I gotta figure out this whole contract climber on the side gig. I've got some mildly consistent work on the side from one guy a few hours away, but would love to get some more steady work. Hell, I cant say I'm not motivated, saturday I did the local ISA tree climbing comp, then the past 2 days took down a bunch of really nasty rotten sugar maples. Now here I am at midnight, set to go to work again for the 9-5 gig in 5 hours, doing laundry, the dishes, and catching up at home since I havent had a minute to sit down in damn near a week.

But, like I say, I'm young, so make hay while the sun shines, right? :greenchainsaw:

 

[asthesun]

Gosh, I gotta figure out this whole contract climber on the side gig. I've got some mildly consistent work on the side from one guy a few hours away, but would love to get some more steady work. Hell, I cant say I'm not motivated, saturday I did the local ISA tree climbing comp, then the past 2 days took down a bunch of really nasty rotten sugar maples. Now here I am at midnight, set to go to work again for the 9-5 gig in 5 hours, doing laundry, the dishes, and catching up at home since I havent had a minute to sit down in damn near a week.

But, like I say, I'm young, so make hay while the sun shines, right? :greenchainsaw:

i have a full time job atm, but i did subcontract climbing for most of my career. being a good climber is only half the battle or less. having your own equipment thats not in the pawn shop it a must as well as transportation. show up on time, every time, stay out of jail and off drugs. if you do all these things, you will be miles ahead of most climbers. after that, go through the phone book and call everyone (yes, everyone) and tell them you're available and how much experience you have and that you have your own equipment and you show up on time and depending on the vibe you get from the guy, that you dont do drugs (he might be on drugs himself and might get offended if you mention that you dont do drugs). ofc nearly everyone will at least take your number, many will try you out, some will have work immediately, others will call you back 6 mos later.

 

[JeffL]

i have a full time job atm, but i did subcontract climbing for most of my career. being a good climber is only half the battle or less. having your own equipment thats not in the pawn shop it a must as well as transportation. show up on time, every time, stay out of jail and off drugs. if you do all these things, you will be miles ahead of most climbers. after that, go through the phone book and call everyone (yes, everyone) and tell them you're available and how much experience you have and that you have your own equipment and you show up on time and depending on the vibe you get from the guy, that you dont do drugs (he might be on drugs himself and might get offended if you mention that you dont do drugs). ofc nearly everyone will at least take your number, many will try you out, some will have work immediately, others will call you back 6 mos later.

Thanks for the information, makes sense. I now own all my own climbing gear, an ample set of rigging that should cover most anything, and saws to match. Should be picking up liability insurance in the next few weeks as well, have a few lines on a couple of landscapers in the area I might lend a hand to.......

Its definitely at least a nice "supplement" to the 40 hour paycheck if nothing else at this point.

 

[tree md]

Thanks for the information, makes sense. I now own all my own climbing gear, an ample set of rigging that should cover most anything, and saws to match. Should be picking up liability insurance in the next few weeks as well, have a few lines on a couple of landscapers in the area I might lend a hand to.......

Its definitely at least a nice "supplement" to the 40 hour paycheck if nothing else at this point.

Jeff,

I have contract climbed before as well as hired contract climbers. I am about to start contract climbing again for an old guy around here who no longer climbs himself. Been 10 years or better since I've contract climbed for another but I am slow as hell right now. Some money is better than no money.

Back during the ice storm here I was so overwhelmed with work that I had to contract out some of the work or I would have never been able to get to it all and my customers would have suffered. A contract climber is going to have his own gear, transportation, insurance and help. I paid $500 a day to a climber who worked with me back then and $100 a day to his helper. So $600 a day for a good climber, his helper, his gear, his insurance and I could send him to an address, let him do the job and collect the check without me even having to show up on the job except to do the initial sales call. A contract climber is self contained and has the ability to do the entire job without any supervision or help (kind of like Guido, a hired gun). They are well worth the money when needed. Say he does a $2000 job in a day. I just made $1400 for a sales call on that job. Get the picture?

A good contract climber can make very good money in a storm situation.

 

[MonkeyMan_812]

Raymond, you might already know this but i'll say it anyway.

He who speaks much knows little. And he who speaks little knows much.

Usually the guy who says he is the greatest climber in history is full of :censored:. Look for the one who doesnt brag to much.

 

[asthesun]

Raymond, you might already know this but i'll say it anyway.

He who speaks much knows little. And he who speaks little knows much.

Usually the guy who says he is the greatest climber in history is full of :censored:. Look for the one who doesnt brag to much.

every climber i've ever met thinks they're the best climber ever.

 

[MonkeyMan_812]

every climber i've ever met thinks they're the best climber ever.

Yeah, that or their dad was!!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

My business model is to provide climbing for companies that need an occasional big tree man. I have my own insurance, pickup truck, climbing and rigging gear, saws and a GRCS (minus a pole saw, since it does not fit well in the short bed truck).

I rarely bring any help, and if i do they are on their won contract, or act as part time temp for the client.

I tried cold calling for a while, but found that most people have the attitude Raymond shows: a climber who is not working for a company is not worthy of trust. All of my clientele have come to me through networking at conventions, workshops, jamborees and the tried and true asking current clients for references.

 

[Raymond]

Guilty myself. Funny I brought this up last night.

I/we had a job to do today, made a nice wad for the wallet. Sent my guys on their way for the day.

Then a tree scab who use to drop by and want my help, every now and then showed up. Haven't seen him for two years or better.
He had a tree that two guys climbed and tried to cut down. I followed them over there and hammered out the top of this large maple, dropped the snag for them and left them with a hell of a mess. Wasn't there much more than an hour and made another couple hundred bucks.

These guys think I'm a tree trimming God and wants me to look at a large sycamore to remove and some other job.

That's after we do our two full day jobs. Now that's what I'm talking about.
I may not have to flip burgers at McDonald's for awhile yet.

 

[tree md]

My business model is to provide climbing for companies that need an occasional big tree man. I have my own insurance, pickup truck, climbing and rigging gear, saws and a GRCS (minus a pole saw, since it does not fit well in the short bed truck).

I rarely bring any help, and if i do they are on their won contract, or act as part time temp for the client.

I tried cold calling for a while, but found that most people have the attitude Raymond shows: a climber who is not working for a company is not worthy of trust. All of my clientele have come to me through networking at conventions, workshops, jamborees and the tried and true asking current clients for references.

Well, I would highly recommend you to anyone JPS. I thought you were deemed more valuable as a salesman. Anyway, I know your organization made a lot of customers happy down here.

On the help, I will provide a man to work with a climber if need be. Actually I would rather provide someone but a lot of climbers have their own rope hand that they feel comfortable working with. I have no problem paying for their guy as long as they are making me money.

 

[Raymond]

My business model is to provide climbing for companies that need an occasional big tree man. I have my own insurance, pickup truck, climbing and rigging gear, saws and a GRCS (minus a pole saw, since it does not fit well in the short bed truck).

I rarely bring any help, and if i do they are on their won contract, or act as part time temp for the client.

I tried cold calling for a while, but found that most people have the attitude Raymond shows: a climber who is not working for a company is not worthy of trust. All of my clientele have come to me through networking at conventions, workshops, jamborees and the tried and true asking current clients for references.

I tried cold calling for a while, but found that most people have the attitude Raymond shows: a climber who is not working for a company is not worthy of trust.

I never said this and never believed this. Sorry J.P. but you have the wrong guy.

 

[Mapleman]

Interesting thread and gets right to the heart of things...

I love to climb, period. It's in my blood and I'll always be a climber. So because of that, and since I like to travel a bit, I decided early on to either contract climb or keep my business so small (no phone book ads; no heavy equipment; no permanent employees) that I could knock off for 4-6 months a year if I wanted. Since I didn't have family or employees depending on me and because I tend to live a fairly frugal lifestyle, I could swing it. I've found it's kept me from burning out mentally and my body (except for the usual aches and pains associated with climbing) can still do what it needs to do in a tree. Also, not doing huge takedowns day in and day out like I did 10 or 20 years ago has helped.

There was a snowstorm that hit Lincoln, Neb. around Halloween one year in the late 90s. I threw all my gear--8 saws, a quarter mile of rope, some blocks and other rigging--into my 4 WD and drove straight through to Iowa from Vermont. The next afternoon I was working in Lincoln. I just listened for saws and drove up to where some outfit from KC was working. When the owner saw all my gear, he hired me on the spot, and I worked there for about a month. When it was over I kept driving to Cal where I had contacts in the Bay Area, made a few phone calls, and did the same thing.

When I worked in Hawaii, my boss wanted me to take over operations on the island of Kuhai (sp). It was pretty tempting--the pay was good, and it was HAWAII, but it was utility work and I would have had to work from a bucket. I turned him down and went to Australia instead. Packed my 162 and climbing gear in two bags, bought a bongo van, and traveled for 5 months, working in Adelaide and Melbourne. Found work by combing the phone books and by using references.

Most of the time an employer can get a feel for you not by so much as what you say, but sometimes by what you don't say. But there's no substitute for watching a guy rig up and start to climb. The proof is in the pudding...