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Long long ago at my beginning some 50 plus years ago I had trouble even getting a phone call through to collect my (my) money from their insurance. It was as obvious as the nose on my face that they owed absolutely NOTHING to me and they knew it and used it.

Since then every insurance claim I have bid and this has to number in the thousands...I write a contract where the ho (homeowner) pays me ON COMPLETION and it is up to them to collect from their insurance company from the quote or the invoice.

Never had a problem or worry since. We get massive storms here and I will pick out the fattest jobs with the most agreeable ho...and get a contract signed to the above affect and begin a make safe effort (partial performance also defines a contract) and move on to the next huge job. It works here in the states, don't know how it works in Oz.

Similar situation here, but I guess am often too sympathetic to the landowners, particularly if invoice at emergency / insurance rates, then the insurance company turns around & says to the owner "we're not paying because...."

That said, am quite happy picking up more and more insurance work.
 
It’s such a weird time here for work right now. I’m pretty much sure everyone that does trees is in the same boat, more work than they can handle and it just keeps coming.

A friend of mine called it a perfect storm. That’s what it is, like a storm that hasn’t stopped and has no end in sight.

It’s good and don’t wanna complain, but man…. careful what you wish for.
 
I'm a little burnt out to tell the truth. Many giant takedowns no one else wanted or could handle. Bit of what seems like battle fatigue. It too shall pass. Very profitable year...and no end in sight. 31124342_1791148780943188_3570524918686679040_n.jpg
 
Similar situation here, but I guess am often too sympathetic to the landowners, particularly if invoice at emergency / insurance rates, then the insurance company turns around & says to the owner "we're not paying because...."

That said, am quite happy picking up more and more insurance work.
Not referring to you but seen it countless times where a guy, short on work or slow, sees insurance work with delight...thinks, hey, it should all work out all good with the insurance claim for me...right?...then thinks they have the same situation as if they had a job with the homeowner.....not. Days, weeks, months...pass...no checky. :cry:
 
The Giant does everything the mini skid does, picks up twice as much higher for loading, without the lawn damage.
We are looking to get one for those reasons and keep the sk850 for the slob jobs where lawn damage is not a concern or tight fits won’t allow the Giant to get in.

I see the Brothers bought the ages 6 - 12 version. :laugh:
 
Tree service costs should start at over $100. per hour. Mechanics make more than that. And that should include pre job planning/pricing and after work costs such as travel home and disposing of all or some of the material in your truck/s and lot from their job imo. Of course you should be an upper tier performer so far as knowledge, ability to complete the work and involved in that...be equipped to complete the work as quickly as any other top tier company could do it.

Forums tend to lead all posting to feel parity is the same with everyone on them but some have way more knowledge, skills, equipment, etc. than others and naturally someone taking (if it were possible to compare on a forum) down the exact same tree as others may actually be WORTH more than someone else removing the exact tree imo for among other things than ...peace of mind in hiring them, status in using them, reputation, experience, certifications....etc etc.....imo.
Tree prices are based per job. If it’s $2400 tree it’s a $2400 tree. Can’t charge more because you have new equipment or pay an accountant. You simply won’t get the job. You can have all the fancy equipment you want and then somebody comes in with a crane and does the whole tree before noon and for 2/3 your price.
 
Tree prices are based per job. If it’s $2400 tree it’s a $2400 tree. Can’t charge more because you have new equipment or pay an accountant. You simply won’t get the job. You can have all the fancy equipment you want and then somebody comes in with a crane and does the whole tree before noon and for 2/3 your price.
Anybody who uses a crane and does a job for 2/3 the price of someone doing a removal “old school” is out of their mind.
Cranes cost money, make the job safer and more efficient, and generally the end result is less impact on the property.
They add value to an estimate, they don’t take it away, and anyone selling crane work cheaper is giving money away.
A $2400 tree can quickly become a $3500 tree with little or no impact to the property. You just need to know how to sell it.
 
Anybody who uses a crane and does a job for 2/3 the price of someone doing a removal “old school” is out of their mind.
Cranes cost money, make the job safer and more efficient, and generally the end result is less impact on the property.
They add value to an estimate, they don’t take it away, and anyone selling crane work cheaper is giving money away.
A $2400 tree can quickly become a $3500 tree with little or no impact to the property. You just need to know how to sell it.
Yes and no. I totally agree sort of. You can get a good used 25-30 ton crane for $100k. A new bucket is almost $200k (there are no good used buckets out there). With the crane you can bang out two jobs a day. $5k a day, low end. And you only need to do that 3-4 days a week.
 
Anybody who uses a crane and does a job for 2/3 the price of someone doing a removal “old school” is out of their mind.
Cranes cost money, make the job safer and more efficient, and generally the end result is less impact on the property.
They add value to an estimate, they don’t take it away, and anyone selling crane work cheaper is giving money away.
A $2400 tree can quickly become a $3500 tree with little or no impact to the property. You just need to know how to sell it.

I think there’s a lot of crane work getting low balled in our area these days. I generally agree with what you’re saying though. At least that’s the way it should be..
 

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