I'm the new guy....advice?

[Bill Stradtman]

So I've been working for tree services for over 15 years now, landscaping as well. I took the 1st step and started my own business last season. It all started with doing some of my own work on the side a couple years back and I realized how good I am with people and how good at sales I am. I started with flyers and going door to door and introducing myself. Next thing you know I have a solid customer base of about 60-70 customers that are calling me for everything. What's the best advice you could give me as the new guy. What mistakes did you guys make in the beginning? what's the most profitable path to take? I'm also teaching myself to climb and also being taught by my buddy dave who's been climbing for 43 years. Is there any good advice out there in regards to climbing? Thanks a lot ahead of time to anyone who helps out.

 

[jefflovstrom]

So, are you saying you were a ground guy for 15 years?
Jeff

 

[gorman]

If you're just learning how to climb, you are going to have a hard time making money. Hire someone who knows how and pay them well. A green climber won't make money for a company for a couple years.

 

[Zale]

What kind of operation do you plan on running?

 

[Keith Barrow]

you are going to have a hard time making money.

 

[JRoland]

I would say work on getting the jobs, and have your good buddy Dave climb for you at the beginning.

 

[TreeFeller11]

If you have the work just rent lifts while you're learning to climb. It'll get you good rigging experience and you won't have to worry about your speed in the tree. Do you own any equipment?

 

[mike515]

Write a business plan. Investigate what all of your true and/or hidden costs will be. Immerse yourself in things you need to know besides the actual tree work and sales. How do your insurance policies work and what are they based on? When should you be filing sales tax? When should you be paying payroll taxes or your own taxes? If you have a good business plan (and that does not mean just a plan in your head) then you will know and be prepared for your expenses. If the plan doesn't work, then you either didn't plan it properly or you didn't execute the plan correctly. Pay all of your things on time and honestly. There are different ways you can try to cheat but life is a lot easier if you're just honest and all your numbers match up.

Good luck. You should be learning a lot in the foreseeable future.

And also.....if the plan doesn't work on paper.....DON'T DO IT! Math does not lie!

 

[bck]

Keep your over head low
Keep your over head low
Spray trees, fertilize trees, prune trees - specialize in promoting tree health
Make an awesome logo - make it the best in your area
Get an effective website with pictures
Get licensed
Be full service - if you can do it then do it - if you cant sub it out - network with good contractors - you get them work they'll get you work
Don't worry about being the best climber - it takes time to be an excellent climber- just price jobs properly
You wont get every job - don't do them for nothing - its often easier to sub someone out with a bucket and just to get the tree on the ground then you do the rest- lots of guys with buckets are hungry for work
Sounds like you are off to a great start - work can get slow quick - make sure you have enough to cheese in the bank to ride out the slow times
Don't worry about other business and who has the new truck and who is doing what job - you don't know how much they borrowed and if they're doing the job just to make payments - slow and steady wins the race , just keep on picking up new clients
Do lawn care programs - nice steady sustainable income
Don't listen to the haters on this website
Keep your over head low - if you need it then buy it - if you don't need it sub it out or rent it

 

[jefflovstrom]

Dude's,, the Troll has left the building,,,,,
Jeff

 

[tree MDS]

So, are you saying you were a ground guy for 15 years?
Jeff

Hey, its a long way to the top, Jeff!!

 

[imagineero]

So, are you saying you were a ground guy for 15 years?
Jeff

Yeah but come on, hes really good with people and good at sales and his buddy dave is teaching him how to climb!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

somebody move this to 101 please

 

[tidy]

Make an awesome logo - make it the best in your area

Insert boobs

 

[Jeff Nevil]

You need to get the basics first get a website, logo, clear plan of what services you can provide, a license and a worker(maybe Dave?)! Not yourself, you will be ridiculously busy. Also a clear structure of your budget.

Let us know how it goes and remember never promise things to customers you can't keep - Don't ruin your rep before you even have one!

 

[mckeetree]

Dude's,, the Troll has left the building,,,,,
Jeff

Yeah, I picked up on that.