Stump Grinders

[abbeystump]

Stump Price

I have 2 carlton 2500-4 one 1993 model and one 1999 model.Also have a 2 wheel machine for small stumps in tight areas.I quote over the phone at min $45 aust.That will cover a 12inch stump cut at ground level in middle of lawn.I then decide how HARD the stump is and the wear and tear on my teeth and machine, and how far to travel.I now only cover the local area and stumps over 3 foot I refer the customer to the guy who advertisers to BEAT ANY QUOTE.after I give them a phony cheap quote.So although I only gross $25000 a year ,by sticking to the cream $80 jobs I keep my overheads right down.

 

[stumpy66]

all areas are different....but if the folk can affordthe ball park figure and they know that other variables come into it.....you have a job won.....two trips to a job takes the profit....and we like profit....

 

[buff]

I only make one trip. I can determine before I leave if they have work to do or if they are fishing for a price to squeeze the next guy with. If that is the case I do not go out or give them a "price."

 

[howel07264]

Stumpgrinders Revenge

I knew a guy in Detroit years ago that advertised in the local paper "Stumps Removed $40 each" As crazy as this sounds it worked great for him. Some customers would call with 5 small stumps and already figure on $200. Sometimes he would end up getting big stumps that were worth well over $40 but he would still do them.

He never had to go do estimates and return. He always got every job he went to. He would have the customers leave checks in the mailbox if they weren't going to be home.

Claimed he never had a day he didn't do at least 10 stumps.

Nothing makes me madder than a customer that wont give me a curtesy call to let me know someone has already come and done the job before i get there. Recently a customer called me to come by to give a price to grind a big blowover. When i got there the next day someone had already done the job. It really upset me so i called the customer ready to chew him out and got his voice mail. i left a message that i didnt have time to come by and look at the job but i would come out and grind it for $25 knowing all alone it cost him a ton of money. Sure enough latter that day the guy calls me back sick, telling me he wished he had waited on me. that he paid $400 for the job.At the time i was ready to ****** slap him but i think the phone call hurt a lot more!........Regan

 

[buff]

Under quoting......that was a good one. I will have to remember that one.

 

[juststumps]

i go by an hourly rate,, 75-100 per hour......50 min....no clean up,,, just kick some grindings back into the hole,, so no one breaks an ankle....grind and go....most of my work is subbing..... guys i sub for have the pricing down pretty good...rush jobs more money!!! last saturday, did a 24" maple, that had to be done,,,$100,, then did a 40" mulberry for a home owner,, had to cut it down 2 feet with the saw,,, $100..... left the house at 9 am,,, got back at 11 am....2 jobs,, $200,, 2 hours,,,i,m happy

 

[stumpy66]

hourly rates thats another one i have looked at for subing, do you go by the grinding time or the cable check, screen erection and clear up time.....the pre and post grind stuff takes 3 times as long as the actual grind.....there are so many variables, for instance if i am going to a job on my own on bahalf of the customer....is is gonna cost more than if i am meeting the contractor on site with his blokes to move bricks, clears scrub around it, clear up the chip....yet its the same stump....
pricing has to be ball parked on the phone and done on site....it usually ends up being more that the quote on the phone anyway (if you can remember what that was)...
the next best thing to a good impressive looking grinder is a bit of charm and just to get on with people...works wonders.....

 

[trevmcrev]

I quote stumps that form part of a whole tree removal but enquries for stumps only i avoid going out to quote unless im in the area or it sounds complicated. I then give a float fee plus an amount per cm (or inch). That way they are only fooling themselves when they tell you its 50cm wide but thats at where they cut it to (too high) and its really 100cm at the base. If you go off their measurements over the phone and then give them a price instead of your rate youll always get ripped.

 

[juststumps]

hourly rates thats another one i have looked at for subing, do you go by the grinding time or the cable check, screen erection and clear up time.....the pre and post grind stuff takes 3 times as long as the actual grind.....there are so many variables, for instance if i am going to a job on my own on bahalf of the customer....is is gonna cost more than if i am meeting the contractor on site with his blokes to move bricks, clears scrub around it, clear up the chip....yet its the same stump....
pricing has to be ball parked on the phone and done on site....it usually ends up being more that the quote on the phone anyway (if you can remember what that was)...
the next best thing to a good impressive looking grinder is a bit of charm and just to get on with people...works wonders.....

i charge from the time the machine gets off the trailer,,til it back on.....i adjust for bs time,, talking to the customer,, having to stop because some one is to close....etc...