Starting a second crew??

[alpineman]

I am new to the forums here and would like some advise! I bought out a business that has been operating in town for about 18 years. After some upgrades and new marketing, I think we are close now to starting a second crew. What was your experience when you went from one crew to a second one? Aside from the obvious(more equipment, more labor, more cost in general), how did the transition go and do you have any suggestions. What worked and what would you have done differently?

 

[TreeClimber57]

I am new to the forums here and would like some advise! I bought out a business that has been operating in town for about 18 years. After some upgrades and new marketing, I think we are close now to starting a second crew. What was your experience when you went from one crew to a second one? Aside from the obvious(more equipment, more labor, more cost in general), how did the transition go and do you have any suggestions. What worked and what would you have done differently?

Well, was a while ago when I first was into a 2nd crew. And at the time I had a partner in business.. so initially we were both out on every job -- and had one of us or other on every job. If you can not be there, make sure your best guys are on the crew where you are not.. the most trusted, the most dedicated and the best trained. (not just climber but entire crew) You deal personally with the less trained staff (assuming you have that luxury). Do not make your employees deal with any issues.. have a person in charge (likely climber - but maybe not).. and make sure ALL team members know it. Keep cell phone close by and if any crap happens have them let you know right away.. for the most part it will likley be ok.

You will need procedures on time reporting (as you can not always be there), equipment repairs and maintenance.. lay it all out as clearly as you can think so they can work and get things resolved without you. I

f issues arise which you have not though of.. and they will.. work through them.. deal with them.. but most importantly pull your team together afterwards and discuss what works best and what did not.. set up new policies if necessary as soon as possible (if necessary or possible) to avoid similar future circumstances. Do not let anything drag on.. deal with it as soon as you can. Always be firm and fair in all situations.. and it will work out.


We went seperate ways a while ago.. so things a little different now, were no hard feelings in seperation. But sometimes seperating is almost like starting over..

You will either spend a lot of extra hours in office, or have somebody else do it.. have good software there to manage bookings, accounting, billing, etc.. You do not want to spend any more time in office than you need to.. you need to be on job site as much as you can. Estimating becomes an issue as you grow as well.. you need to do more.. and it takes you from productive work. You need to manage that aspect as well.. as you want to be onsite with one crew as much as you can.

 

[Mikecutstrees]

Good thread. I hope to be there one day, but I also realize what a headache it could be.

Mike

 

[alpineman]

I like to be on site as much as possible...but with the demands of estimating, keeping up on equipment needs, and office work, I find it hard to be out there. I have a very trusted foreman/climber whom I don't need to babysit and i know it will get done right.