NORMZILLA44
Addicted to ArboristSite
I was wondering if anbody knows, if you are a licensed general contractor, and own youre own company, and have insurance what can you do to ad tree work on youre policy?
Tree work/ Insurance.
- Thread starter NORMZILLA44
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Blakesmaster
Addicted to ArboristSite
Talk to your insurance agent and open up your wallet.
NORMZILLA44
Addicted to ArboristSite
My buddy put the call in to his agent no call back yet. Do you need any arborist certifications or anything special or they just expand youre policy? Thanks Norm.........
NORMZILLA44
Addicted to ArboristSite
I was hoping somebody has dealt with this before. I am not new to tree work, but lack experience with the insurance end thanks Norm.........
You will probably need to add a D49 to your license. You probably wouldn't even need to take the test as you have already taken the law portion of the exam for your General B. You could easily get it within 90 days.
Then call state fund, which will give you the cheapest rate on worker's comp, which will probably be about 35-40%.
I personally have C-27 and am the only climber. My worker's comp is considerably cheaper because I insure my ground workers as landscapers. The ins co was fine with it, just as long as they stay on the ground. The CSLB was ok with me using a C-27 for tree work so you may want to go that route though you will have to take another exam for the trade portion, which was not too hard, by the way.
Anyway, hope that made sense. Good luck!
sgreanbeans
Treeaculterologist
John Paul Sanborn
Above average climber
Your best bet would be to take on the landscape portion of the work and sub out the aerial work. The W/C is what will kill you. I've heard it being over 50% in CA.
TreeClimber57
Addicted to ArboristSite
That is insane, if not almost immoral! How do they expect anybody to run a business. Must see huge difference in quotes between those with WSIB and those without!!.. (I imagine there are those who run without it.. there sure are around here)
treeclimber101
UNCLE BUCK
Step 1: Call your agent , add it on Step 2: Pay your premium Step 3: Repeat annually
In my perspective, even though worker's comp is more expensive, it seems like the prices per job are lower than other places in the US. I get about 750-900 a day for 2 men, which is less than what it is when I used to work in CT (Though back then, I was a worker not an employer so I could be wrong)
The difference is that workers get paid less. Most groundmen get 8-10 an hour and climbers start around 12. There was a time when I applied to work for a couple different companies and one wanted to give me 14-16 per hour as a foreman climber with a class A CDL (and I would take the test at my own expense). Again, I could be wrong about this but those are the vibes I have been getting. I have only lived here for 2 years so I could be wrong.
I am also sure not all companies are like this as the more established outfits who can charge more probably pay their workers more. I heard of one who gives their employees full benefits.
I have only been in the biz for 2 years and do not have as many expenses as larger companies. Because of this (and the fact I classify my groundmen as landscapers, myself being the only climber) allows me to pay them a little more.
But anyway, yeah there is still a huge difference in quotes between the insured and the uninsured. The amount of illegals around here is astounding so they bring the prices way down. You can get an uninsured crew of 3 guys working all day for 500 bucks.
How much do they charge for worker's comp in other states?
John Paul Sanborn
Above average climber
WI Pool is around 23% now, from what I've heard.
I've heard about the LA tree community, Blair's Okman/Eucman model runs that route. It is the same anywhere, just more pronounced.
NORMZILLA44
Addicted to ArboristSite
Sounds good. Hope to hear from agent tommorow. Sad thing is nothing is cheap in California. Must be a sur charge for all the sunshine? LOL!! Would hate to sub it out, because we have all our own equipment, and one of my buddies is awesome at climbing, and rigging. We love to do it would do it full time, but pretty hard. Alot of tree services out there, and like you guys said expenses. Sure hope that doesnt upset anybody here about not being a legit tree company. We are a few guys who work full time at jobs, and like most people in this economy are trying to survive. We take on side jobs from time to time trying to take a load of the bills. We dont want to undercut anybody. Someday I do want to have my own company, and we love doing tree work,and we are good at it. I given up on the idea of being able to pig hunt for a living LOL!!!!!!!! Thanks for the tips. NORM................
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