sean pilecki said:
New to the site fellas but I agree with pete mctree. In the area I work in some of my customers insist on topping their trees this is such a shame I always offer alternatives but If I don't do it someone else will. The customer is happy and the check is in my pocket.
This is a foolish attitude. Take pride in your work, and do what is best for the tree. Of course this needs to tempered with the needs of the clients, but topping is way outside the industry standards and doing it makes you look like a hack and opens you up to a lot of liability.
When those tops start breaking out and somebody is injured or killed, it's all on you buddy.
People will see you out there topping, climbing on spikes, not wearing PPE and you'll define yourself as a hack, and by definition, that's what you are.
However, if you work within industry standards, do a good job, walk away from those customers who insist on butchering their trees, you will soon be able to take pride in what you do. Your name will become synonymous with quality work, and you'll be able to charge a much higher rate.
Instead of earning more money by taking every job, you're hurting your reputation and in the long run loosing money. And you don't have to be rude, just saying something simple like, "We may not be the tree service for you.", is all it takes.
Funny thing is, this line often is all it takes for the client to understand your ethics and re-think his tree management plan. If not, let somebody else build their reputation on his trees.
