Phone line trimming cost

[jacobmc]

Just wondering if anybody trims phone lines on here and what is the average cost per foot? Also they want everything chipped and want 5 ft on both sides of line

 

[TheJollyLogger]

That question has a few too many variables to answer. How long is the run? What species trees? Is the line pre existing or are you creating a new R.O.W. ? Will ther be a lot of climbing and rigging involved, or can most be done with pole printers and loppers? Are you allowed to use explosives? How far is it to the nearest bar? There are so many things that come into play...

 

[BC WetCoast]

Around here, telephone isn't considered an essential service like power, so there is no active preventative pruning done.

 

[ropensaddle]

Make sure no fiber optic lines involved is my best advice! I would love to do reoccurring work like line clearance but it is usually done way too cheap imo.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Long and the short of it is more info= better advice. Is this a contract job? Or a one time deal?

 

[jacobmc]

It is a one time deal...it is a. exsisting line and they are installing fiber wire...7,000 ft and needs trimming on both sides....1500 ft needs trimming on one side only...this is a close job for me...I just figured someone would have a idea..their is no climbing involved all can be reached with bucket truck

 

[JRoland]

I would think that there would still be too many variables to come up with a cost per foot but I'm curious to see what everyone says.

 

[ropensaddle]

It is a one time deal...it is a. exsisting line and they are installing fiber wire...7,000 ft and needs trimming on both sides....1500 ft needs trimming on one side only...this is a close job for me...I just figured someone would have a idea..their is no climbing involved all can be reached with bucket truck

Will they be installing after your done in writing ? I can tell you. you sure don't want to have a fiber optic splice team out. Is it going to be chipped? Most of my experience is 30 feet row in which 900 feet per day was possible if not dealing with too much burning overhang on our 4 man crew!

 

[ropensaddle]

It was faster to cut new row than clear out old !

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Way too many variables. Every job is different. I've bid larger jobs by the foot before, meaning I've looked at a, say, 100' section in detail, estimated t&m on that section and multiply it out, but I would never offer a "We'll clear any line for $ x.00 a foot" price. That'll bite ya in the butt.

Jacob, it sounds like this might be a larger job than you're used to, so just keep one thing in mind: a large job bid wrong stings way worse than a small one. Bid it to where you'll be ok, and let the chips fall where they may. If you get out bid let your competition lose their butt on it.

 

[ropensaddle]

Also make very sure they obtained easements etc. you do not want to be chewed out by landowners for doing your work!

 

[ropensaddle]

I would bid it cost plus if it were me no way to lose!

 

[jefflovstrom]

I would figure out a day rate and bid it on that number.
Jeff

 

[redfin]

you sure don't want to have a fiber optic splice team out

Why is that?

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Because they charge by the minute for downtime, and tthey're expensive as hell to repair.

 

[redfin]

Because they charge by the minute for downtime, and tthey're expensive as hell to repair.

Talking about damaging the cable. Gotcha.

 

[jacobmc]

Thanks for the replies I will give ya a update if we get the job.

 

[redfin]

Thanks for the replies I will give ya a update if we get the job.

I hope you get the work. I work for a telco that's why I opened this thread. I couldn't tell you how many times I have fixed both copper and fiber cables from trimmers.

Its tough working around grown over facilites. Last week I was clearing a strand from a downed tree, I didn't see the lashing wire had broke fron the strand and it bound up behind the rim in my saw. I was using a 180 electric stihl. We aren't allowed gas saws in the lift. It melted the housing now muh saw is brokded.