Want Sub work for Stump Grinding

[dtronge]

Hello to all.
My Name is Don Tronge and I run Exterior Maintenance Services in the Richmond, Virginia area. I am interested in talking with contractors in this area who are in need of a dependable sub-contractor to do their stump work.

Thanks
Don

 

[dtronge]

Thanks for the replies. There is alot of good stuff, I have been lingering for a while reading all I can.

 

[NeTree]

I'm not that small, but I still prefer to leave the stumping to a good dependable sub. I used to have my own gear...


The sub I use has all the right equipment, all the PPE (and he uses it), and his own insurance... all for less than it would cost me to buy and maintain the machines and pay someone to go out and do it.

One less thing I have to deal with.

 

[Dadatwins]

Welcome to site, I also do stump grinding in Richmond Va. area, what type equipment are you running?

 

[murphy4trees]

Treeco,
Do you know the guy from Stump Illiminators?... He told me he's got 8 machines working the Atlanta market.... Came up to Va. for Isabel but I think he hit the road...
Daniel

 

[Tree Machine]

I sub out my stump grinding work. Its more accurate to say I give away my stump grinding work, which adds up to thousands a year for the stump guy.

There is an up-front set of conditions, in leiu of my getting a commission.
-Promptness : When they call you, make them a priority. I'll ask them to reference my name so you know where the work came from.
-Communication: Call the client right back if they've called and left a message. Many clients expect a price quote BEFORE you grind. I know you'd prefer to go there and do the job in one shot, and I hope you can. Coordinate with them.
-Cleanup : I warn them in advance that they'll be left with a mound of chips / dirt. Do not leave them with chips spread all over the yard, sidewalk and street. Use tarps, or whatever. If you don't have a good, powerful blower, get one. Your quality of work reflects on me.
-Pricing: I don't price your work for you. Be reasonable. I did a $350 takedown once on a silver maple. Stump guy ground the stump without first doing a quote, then asked $400, and wouldn't budge. This disrespectful act cost him big. He will never, ever grind another stump on my referral.
Reliability: If this needs explaining, you're probably not the guy I want to refer.

Some Tree Care Professionals may want a kickback. Personally, for me, something like 10% on a $100 stump isn't worth the time to chase you down. We make our money moving on to the next job, leaving happy, satisfied customers in our wake.

If you are to pitch your service to a treeguy, these may be some good guidelines to offer.

 

[dtronge]

Dadatwins, I am using a SC252. I am very pleased with this machine, did 2 large hickory stumps the other day uprooted from the hurricane in about an hour and a half, I think I did more raking than grinding. What are you using? Is stump work your main services? Do you do any sub work?

Tree Machine, I agree 100% with those guidlines. I would be willing to do an array of "agreements" with a contractor/sub situation. Let me ask this, would a tree contractor rather have a pre-set agreement and price structure with the sub so he/she could bid the job with the stump included and have the sub chase you down for payment? I would think that if both parties are on the level with each other and respect the boundries agreed upon, that would be a good relationship. Any thoughts on that?

Don

 

[murphy4trees]

There are large hickory stumps then there are LARGE HICKORY STUMPS

It all depends on your perspective... How many HP on that machine?
I only saw 1 Richmond stump as big as some of the monsters in the tidewater area..
I'll have to post a pic if I get it from the customer....
The drive wheels of the RG Super-50 were about 4' off the ground as I built up a ramp to work this tri-lead white oak uproot...

 

[Tree Machine]

Don, it will be entirely dependent on the treeguy. We all estimate and price in our own unique ways. There's no formula or standard for that. Every tree business is a uniquely colored horse.

If the crew is on a jobsite, chances are they don't want to be bothered with somebody wanting something from them. The decision maker may not even be on site. I just wouldn't go walking onto a tree jobsite when guys are on the move, as that may be convenient for you, but probably not a good time for them to negotiate a working relationship.

First impressions are everthing. If someone were to send me a pizza, and it had a note in it, I would read the note and assume this person to be someone I could work with. Or a couple half-gallons of Gatorade with a note waiting at the office door when the boss shows up in the morning. I would call and thank you and ask 'what's up?'

We're busy dudes. People approaching us are often a nuisance when you're trying to finish a job, and ground guys are going to be little help. You need to dial into the Head Enchilada, and if you lead with a 'want' he may take your card out of courtesy. Be creative. You need to be in some way impressive, or you can be quickly forgotten. Just my thoughts. Good luck.

p.s. , Don. Did you read Daniel Murphy's article in the Tree Care Industry Assn. publication this month? It was an absolutely frickin great piece of work!

 

[dtronge]

murphy4trees- It is a 20hp, 99' 252 with 350hrs. Not exactly the hp I wanted but from what I found in this area, it seemed to be a pretty good deal for $6500 with the 252 trailer and xtra teeth. The hickory stumps were 23" and 32" in dia. Not exactly monsters but a good workout for that machine.

Tree Machine- I have not seen the article but I have signed up through the links I have found from this site. If you or Daniel can send the article that would be great.

Don

 

[dtronge]

Thanks for the article Daniel, That is outstanding!