Note added to pruning estimates

[Haplo]

What notes or disclaimers do you add to your quotes?

 

[jefflovstrom]

View attachment 974700
What notes or disclaimers do you add to your quotes?

Just my observation, but you have 'topping' in parenthesis as if that is the 25% of foliage. We do not top trees, not even if the customer wants it topped. Plenty of other non professional companies out there for that. We don't do residential, but all our contracts state that all work is performed according to ANSI standards and they are available upon request.
Jeff
It was a beautiful day!

 

[Haplo]

Topping here is given as an example of more than 25% removed. Since that is a word customers are generally familiar with. I am trying to have the quote be educational for them.

This particular quote was to thin out a tree by no more than 25%. I want them to know why, and they were getting other quotes as well, so also warning them about topping since I see other companies around here doing it

 

[Haplo]

This was an experimental note on one quote. I usually do put the ANSI statement on there maybe I will stick with that

 

[ATH]

"All work will be conducted according to ANSI standards". IME, you don't need to spell that out as the additional note in the quote. That is part of the work description. Focus more on what you are doing, than what you aren't doing.

ALSO...if you are saying you are using ANSI standards, you probably shouldn't use the term "thinning". That term was intentionally removed from the pruning standard because anything good you are going to accomplish with pruning is accomplished with a more specific description. There is no good reason to "thin" a tree just for the sake of taking out some foliage and branches. Give a more clear description of what you are doing, for examples: remove crossing and mal-formed branches/prune away from house/raise crown over sidewalk/clean out dead over x" in diameter/prune to improve long-term form and structure/reduce or remove co-dominate branches.

I would also not "equate" topping with removing 25%. I know you said that isn't what you were trying to do...but that is what I read in the OP.

I would also not highlight that topping causes excessive growth. Some would see that as a positive thing - thinking it sounds like it is healthy for the tree. I, instead, would (I do) highlight that topping starts the downward spiral of tree health and structure.

 

[Captain Bruce]

Just my observation, but you have 'topping' in parenthesis as if that is the 25% of foliage. We do not top trees, not even if the customer wants it topped. Plenty of other non professional companies out there for that. We don't do residential, but all our contracts state that all work is performed according to ANSI standards and they are available upon request.
Jeff
It was a beautiful day!

Ditto Jeff. The customer is always wrong when it comes to the required trimming, validated by a professional arborist...........and what their neighbour says should be done. I have walked away from hundreds of trees. Proud to say, they stand and leaf out to this day. Capt. B. Bart

 

[Haplo]

I would also not highlight that topping causes excessive growth. Some would see that as a positive thing - thinking it sounds like it is healthy for the tree. I, instead, would (I do) highlight that topping starts the downward spiral of tree health and structure.

Good point.
Lots of good input. I think I will stick with the ANSI disclaimer, be more specific with what we intend to do, and maybe include a warning of the downward spiral if the customer had said they wanted it topped

 

[Haplo]

In this instance, what I was trying to communicate was that we would remove no more than 25% of the foliage, and if they had the other guy come in and butcher the tree that this was going to backfire on them.

Normally I would talk about this with them in person but that was not an option this time, and I don't like talking on the phone

 

[ATH]

In this instance, what I was trying to communicate was that we would remove no more than 25% of the foliage, and if they had the other guy come in and butcher the tree that this was going to backfire on them.

Normally I would talk about this with them in person but that was not an option this time, and I don't like talking on the phone

That is a good statement if that is a specific circumstance you are working against...

 

[Captain Bruce]

"All work will be conducted according to ANSI standards". IME, you don't need to spell that out as the additional note in the quote. That is part of the work description. Focus more on what you are doing, than what you aren't doing.

ALSO...if you are saying you are using ANSI standards, you probably shouldn't use the term "thinning". That term was intentionally removed from the pruning standard because anything good you are going to accomplish with pruning is accomplished with a more specific description. There is no good reason to "thin" a tree just for the sake of taking out some foliage and branches. Give a more clear description of what you are doing, for examples: remove crossing and mal-formed branches/prune away from house/raise crown over sidewalk/clean out dead over x" in diameter/prune to improve long-term form and structure/reduce or remove co-dominate branches.

I would also not "equate" topping with removing 25%. I know you said that isn't what you were trying to do...but that is what I read in the OP.

I would also not highlight that topping causes excessive growth. Some would see that as a positive thing - thinking it sounds like it is healthy for the tree. I, instead, would (I do) highlight that topping starts the downward spiral of tree health and structure.

Well said! Spot-on!