What are the "must haves" for a NEW tree care service?

[ForTheArborist]

I've been working trees since I was very young. My parents burned a wood stove all winter, so working trees was done routinely. They bought a plot in the Ozarks which is fortified with trees. Did a lot of tree work there.

Now I'm into a tree care service of my own in CA, and I've worked my way to where I am from below the ground I would say to ground 0 now. I must keep climbng.

What are the big must haves a company of this "brand" needs in order to turn the dimes and make the bids while taking good money on the jobs? That means equipment, supply, advertising campaigns, and uniforms.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[StihlRockin']

Not that you specifically asked for them, but commercial liability for the business and vehicles, work comp., bonding and licenses are about the first of "big must haves" you should consider first along with what business model you will be, ie, sole-proprietor, incorporation, etc.

Good luck with your venture and be prepared to live a new lifestyle because there's no breaks when you own your own show. Your mind will be constantly about it regardless of where you are or time of day.

StihlRockin'

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Must haves in my list is climbing and pruning experience gained from doing the right courses or working around competitant and experienced climbers.

Best thing you can have, otherwise YOUR just a tool.

 

[treeoperations]

haha dont ask mate, just get out now dont try doing your own thing, when works dead its stressful when works pumping its stressful its either one or other turn and run now man haha

 

[Tree Pig]

People willing to pay you money to come and hack up their trees... Outside that the obvious. A dependable Dump truck, chipper, some decent rigging gear and of course the above mentioned. Then of course the never ending list of stuff you will find that you just have to have and seem to keep finding a way in to your piggy bank to buy.

 

[RVALUE]

cubic money, deep pockets. There are too many things you have to have.

 

[treeseer]

What's that the mechanics say?

When in doubt, read the directions.

http://secure.isa-arbor.com/webstore/BMPs-C59.aspx

Trees have a lot to give besides heat when burned, and people are willing to pay $$$$$$$$$ for tree care, and not just tree removal. Focusing on takedowns leaves you on the bottom, feeding with the unskilled.

Good luck in your endeavor, but treeoperations is right about that stressful part. It's not for everyone...

 

[outofmytree]

I've been working trees since I was very young. My parents burned a wood stove all winter, so working trees was done routinely. They bought a plot in the Ozarks which is fortified with trees. Did a lot of tree work there.

Now I'm into a tree care service of my own in CA, and I've worked my way to where I am from below the ground I would say to ground 0 now. I must keep climbng.

What are the big must haves a company of this "brand" needs in order to turn the dimes and make the bids while taking good money on the jobs? That means equipment, supply, advertising campaigns, and uniforms.

Thanks for the advice.

Thats a big ask with a lot of different "builds" which depend on the work you chase. I think TM hit the nail on the head. Go get some serious training for climbing,felling,rigging and treecare. Not to say you don't already have skills but everyone can learn something and the best time is BEFORE you drop something on the clients house not after.

Insurance appropriate for your area is next on the list IMO.

After that its how you choose to go. You can exist sub contract climbing and build a piggybank until you can buy your gear in little pieces or you can sell your soul to the devil (borrow from a bank) and buy new gear up front.

Its all subjective but you will get some great advice here if you list what you have now, what sort of work you expect to get, how much you want to spend at the moment and how many years YOU think you have in this business.

Oh and from one business owner to another, welcome to my nightmare!!!!

 

[tree MDS]

"Welcome to the nightmare". I like that one.

I just finished doing a ton of work...now mostly out again. some lady with an accent called saying they "cut big tree, will you come take wood for free?". I said no, quite simply. Another #@#$%$# called wanting me to chip his brush pile from the tree they cut down. I told him I'd look at it (just because I made the mistake of ansering the phone), he calles back later and asks me if I looked at it yet. I told him I thought about it and I'm not interested in that job. He was getting all pissed off with me and demanding like, he says " I cut the tree, I want you to chip the brush, I dont see the problem". I said "good, you figured out how to cut the tree, now figure out how to get rid of the brush... I'm not interested, call someone else or go rent a chipper!" He says " I"ll remember that next time I need something". LOL, GOOD! Just needed to share that with you guys, thought you might enjoy - I did.

So now I sit and wait (excepting a few small things) for things to break again hopefully one last time before the frozen tundra of CT kicks in again - oh and watch my bank account shrink just as I was getting ahead. Yeah, welcome to the nightmare.

Back on topic: it seems to me that if your ready to start a tree service, you should inherently know what you need to do the work - I think most carpenters know what they need to do the work.

 

[treevet]

What's that the mechanics say?

When in doubt, read the directions.

http://secure.isa-arbor.com/webstore/BMPs-C59.aspx

Trees have a lot to give besides heat when burned, and people are willing to pay $$$$$$$$$ for tree care, and not just tree removal. Focusing on takedowns leaves you on the bottom, feeding with the unskilled.

Good luck in your endeavor, but treeoperations is right about that stressful part. It's not for everyone...

Don't forget about those other books in that store.....http://secure.isa-arbor.com/webstore/Search.aspx

 

[BC WetCoast]

The most important thing you need!!!

A wife with a steady well-paying job and benefits!!!!!!!!!

 

[treevet]

My wife hasn't worked a day in 10 years and I take pride in that. Wish she'd stay the fuuck outta the antique store tho.

 

[Slvrmple72]

but isn't that where she found you?

Sorry, couldn't resist, left yourself wide open for that one!

 

[treevet]

but isn't that where she found you?

Sorry, couldn't resist, left yourself wide open for that one!

she did.....and I did.....lol

 

[Slvrmple72]

Treevet, how are you liking that truckcraft dump?

 

[treevet]

I love it but the real value will come out when I start taking a truck load of firewood out of the pile every day after work and have around $150 in my pocket (theoretically). Always hated taking the big dump trailer out and having to come back and drop it off. You thinking about getting one?

 

[Slvrmple72]

Looking seriously at the TC-200 combo/service dump for my 01 F-350 crew. Like the look of those shiny tool storage boxes and have heard nothing but positive about truckcraft's workmanship. I hope they are at the Paul Bunyan show with one. Gotta make sure the 088 fits! Haha! Nothing like "firewood" money for loose change! A lot of the competition up here leaves the wood at the street for Craigslisters after they take all of the time and effort to block it down/cut it up. Almost as bad as the big outfits chunking down a millable tree!

 

[treevet]

Looking seriously at the TC-200 combo/service dump for my 01 F-350 crew. Like the look of those shiny tool storage boxes and have heard nothing but positive about truckcraft's workmanship. I hope they are at the Paul Bunyan show with one. Gotta make sure the 088 fits! Haha! Nothing like "firewood" money for loose change! A lot of the competition up here leaves the wood at the street for Craigslisters after they take all of the time and effort to block it down/cut it up. Almost as bad as the big outfits chunking down a millable tree!

Likely you give them a call or e mail and they will bring one. I had a question and they got right back to me personally.

 

[ForTheArborist]

Thanks for the advice. I've got some ideas to work on now.

After this thread, I want to go get a cert. for climbing and rigging. I hadn't really thought much of it before until now. The biggest trees I'm taking on are 90ft palm trees. Every other kind of tree has never been more than 5 stories tall. My company is the really just a "chigger business" with the teeth in the small jobs that none of the big outfits would want to trip over unless they were getting paid way more than what a small job is worth. I can only bite off what my company has a big enough mouth for.

First time I got a call to cut out some mamoths growing 10 ft from an apt. complex came in last week. I took 30 seconds to look at that job, and told the manager that I would never do it. If a single branch slipped off the rope from 10-15 stories above this building, I'd never hear the end of it. I've got the balls to get up there and monkey around, but I've got the brains to turn down the job without certification for climbing/rigging even if the customer is trying to get me to take the job. I'll take jobs like those one of these day when I've got the insurance to cover any damage costs might amount to more than the cost of the jobs themselves.

86' F-150 w/ 4'x8's on the sides
85' C-30 14'x8' dump truck
A tiny echo saw
16" Poulan
Eager Beaver 3.7, 60cc
A set of tools, Haynes manuals, and a creeper.
opcorn:A good ol' investor with few interests except seeing what I can do with his money.

 

[ozzy42]

All one needs to acheive a small fortune in the tree business is to start with a large one.

In other words.If you have to ask,you probably can't afford it.