south florida

[budroe69moni]

hey guys,
i'm just getting started with my own business.
i quick my job w/ a local tree service to start up
on my own. i was sick of doing all of the work and
my boss getting all of the money. any tips for this
new-be?????? any advice would be grately appreciated.
p.s. i plan on doing mostly palms and oaks.
love, peace and chicken grease.
budroe

 

[DDM]

I hope you have some money saved up.because equipment failures can wipe you out.Where in Fla are you?

Later,
David

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Keep the equipment to a minimum.

Don't eat out.

Hope the wife has a job.

Geta part time job.

Clean your clients gutters.

 

[DDM]

And cut there grass to. You might need more than one chainsaw though Right JPS?

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Only do your neighbors grass. I don't see how anyone makes any money in something that is so labor and capitol intensive. 'ce[t for the guys operating in the gray market.

 

[budroe69moni]

i'm from vero beach, it's on the east coast about an hour north of west palm. there's tons of cabbage palms that need to be cleaned out twice a year. i've got and echo ppt-260 power pruner w/ a 12" bar and it reaches up 23-23 feet. i can zip thru the cabbage palm's in about 5-10 minutes. the standard price per tree under 20 feet is 15-25 bucks each. a bunch of my friends have landscape/lawn businesses in town and usually sub out the tree work to one of the bigger guys in town. i've been studying for the ISA exam and can't wait to take the test. i also work in the outside garden dept for the local home depot so i figure that i can drive my jeep and trailer to work and park it out front for some free advertising!!!! what do you think?????????? i'm psyched and i'd love to get into the bigger shade trees, there's tons of oaks in vero.

 

[DDM]

Your Pruner reaches 23'? Mine only reaches 12'
I could use another 10' even 50' up in a bucket.
If your going to use your jeep & Trailer for advertising You should make sure its always presentable looking As far as image I make sure that any trucks with my company name on the side is always kept clean when we work anywhere me and whomever is helping me always has a company shirt on Ect Image and dependability return phone calls ASAP Show up for the estimate ON TIME or call let them know you will be a little late show up to do the job as PROMISED or call there are so many undependable people in this industry.It gives ALL
of us a bad name

Later,
David

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

And tell the new guys that they need to where a plain shirt. No Megadeath concert Tees!

No profanity.

No smoking on the clients property, buts disposed of properly.

Ripped pants need to be patched to be worn again.

Cleanups should be "better then when we got here" unless otherwise negotiated and stated in a contract.

Don't make divots with branches unless otherwise specified. Can be a bargining point for cost concouse potential clients. "Well Mr. Smith I rig all the branches down to minimze lawn damage. If you want to repair any dents or divots then I can reduce the price. Would it be okay to drive on the law instead of draging everything to curb?"

I could just hack all the lower branches off for you, Mr. Maas.

 

[DDM]

You forgot a couple

No one should Urinate in the customers yard
dont leave Mcdonalds bags stuffed in the hedges
dont let the dog out.
remember to close all gates
No employee Hits on customers wife/Daughter


Later,
David

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Or hits the customer when he hits on the crew guy.

 

[DDM]

Drawing the line at that one Because i might just have to Belt him too!