new to the game

[stihlhere]

any help on storm work otherwise known as "storm chasing" in my area locally people seem split they say run away or run to it.

 

[ironstumper]

I say run to it. Typically there is not as much reluctance to pay a reasonable wage for our services.

 

[stihlhere]

i would appreciate any advice you could give on how to solicite my services at these locations. I am loseing my fulltime job as an electrican in 4 months due to plant closure and cannot find work. but my tree buisness is increasing, any help you or anyone else could offer would be greatly appreciated by me and my family. thanks gary

 

[ironstumper]

Gary, I was in a similar situation back in 91(?). At the beginning of the 1st Iraq war. The area of Rochester NY had a severe ice storm which devastated their trees. I packed up my gear and a suitcase and headed there. I was fortunate to have a room to stay in. My friends parents. I advertised in a local weekly flea. Rented a phone number from a local phone answering service (Today I'd use my cell phone) Dating myself ain't I? I stayed busy there for months. Course I'm not shy about knocking on someones door either. If it looks like they could use my service I offer.........Ask and you shall receive.....God speed, Go get busy....

 

[Ozarkie01]

Ironstumper is right on! My son just got laid off and started his grinding business and is doing very well. A recent ice storm we had has given him a great start. It probably won't last forever but it should certainly get him through the economic slump. Besides, he's excited to go to work everyday now knowing he's his own boss! Go for it and don't look back.

Good luck to you!

 

[stihlhere]

thanks for the advice. I've been worrying my self to death over this. also forgot to mention this my first post to sight i've been checking it out for a while. finally decided to join. any ways thanks again gary

 

[stihlhere]

since the last time i posted here i have purchaced a dodge 4x4 3500, 1986 ford f700 bucket, and 2006 allpro 8x20 dump trailer paid cash for all using tree money not one dime form my job. i got and extinsion so should loose job in october, im a little woried about the economy but for now buisness is good, thanks in part to local flooding and wind damage.
i want to be ready for some storm chasing as well out side of my insurence 1mill liability do i need some sort of permit in other states.

 

[Ozarkie01]

Hi Gary,

Sounds like you're coming along real good! Things are still going well for us in the Ozarks just wish it would quit raining. Got plenty of work on backlog but the ground is too damp to get in. BTW, we have upgraded our grinder from the Carlton 4012 to the 7015 with remote control. My son says it makes a huge difference. It has really cut his time down and increased his profit. Also traded the Chev 1500 in for a Dodge duelly with the Cummins diesel. Had to because of the extra weight.

Good Luck and stay safe!

Keith

 

[Raymond]

Yep permits for every little city/town you work in, valid insurance
and your guys best not have any warrants.
Alot of small town revenue comes from us storm chasers.

I'm giving it up because of guys like you. Good luck
When and if you get a motel, tell'em your there to help
with storm damage, they'll cut you a break.

 

[treesquirrel]

im a little woried about the economy but for now buisness is good, .

Keep in mind that between october and march things can get very very slow unless there is some kind of storm creating work. Squirrel away enough to float you a few months to prepare for the dry spell.

I find myself doing all sorts of other projects other than tree work but even that is hard to find. Around October is when folks start watching pennies for the kids christmas. Between christmas and march they are recovering from the spending and then tax refunds start rolling in so lots of people will spend that money on projects like tree removals.

Best of luck. I love going to the equipment show down there evry year.