What Can They Be Thinking?

[BluestemTree]

Sorry to bring up a much covered subject, but I just got called called out to bid two 60' american elms (dutch elm disease victims) for removal. They were located in the front yard with potential targets of power lines, the house (very close and hanging over slightly), a decorative retaining wall and a row of newly planted blue spruces - very tight and awkward. There was also a large dead limb over the house that he wanted gone. When I got there, he told me he had taken one bid that was too high and wanted me to submit a written bid for him. I spent some time looking at them and began crunching numbers and said I'd get him a written bid tomorrow. As I was getting in the truck, he said, "Like I said, I already got that one bid for $600 and I want to spend as little as possible." 600!?????? I restrained my urge to say "When the $$&*&^ drops it on your house, call me if the phone lines are still up." Discouraging. I'm a new company this year - finally out on my own, but I will not bid like that. I'll live on Ramen noodles and government cheese first. Thanks for letting me vent. :greenchainsaw:

Bill

 

[geofore]

not for novices

You can laugh at the guys like that, you are bidding what you can do it for, not what he would like to get away with paying you. I have had jokers (homeowners) tell me, "well the power company guys did the last one for $100." I told them, hire them back and left without giving a bid. A guy like that I don't want to work for. Some one can do it for less, let them have it. You are not in buisness to go under, you are in buisness to make money. It's just like the ones that do add ons, can you do that limb in the next tree while you are here? or the neighbor who asks if you can take off a few over hanging limbs freebie cause you are here with all the right equipment. I had to pay for all that equipment, I get paid when it gets used or it stays on the truck. You'll always have the guys trying to jerk your chain.

 

[mckeetree]

A lot of times homeowners make that crap up about the low, low bids. I've been in business a long time and seen it all. Just bid what you need to get to make a profit.

 

[clearance]

Welcome to the site, Blue and McKee. Yes there are people like that out there but they are in the minority, thankfully. Just smile and say "good luck" as you drive away.

 

[treevet]

I agree w the two prior posts and just keep in mind, the longer you are in business, the less you have to worry about 1 job at this time of year they are so plentiful. Also it doesn t hurt to low ball if you have to, just pick easier jobs than the one you described above to do it. Good luck.

 

[ckliff]

Go ahead and "low - ball" the jobs you really want to do. Like the last pin oak I took out for only 200 and got the lumber and firewood too.

 

[Sunrise Guy]

I would give that guy my bid for $1500 and a copy of my insurance card and then say to him, "Be sure to ask Mr. $600 for a copy of his insurance card, and then be sure to actually call his insurance company for verification of coverage. You may think twice before you hire that guy because I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts he has no coverage at all. Think about that as you watch him go up over your property to remove your trees with potentially disastrous results!" Then I'd smile at the guy, tell him to call me if he wants a professional job done and drive off. FWIW, I did just that on a take-down, and got the gig, even though my bid was twice the other guy's. The client did call the insurance company of the other guy, and they had never heard of him! As I've said on here before; Play the insurance card. It will work wonders, provided you're a professional with professional coverage.

 

[mtvigilante]

He's feeding you a line-90% sure. The company I work for charges a lot. We have people call us for bids, when we get there, bid the job....then they tell us some figure about half of what we bid. We don't even ask who it was, and they almost never say who it was.
I think it's funny, I tell them "We are professionals and do this kind of job everyday. We know what we have to have to do your job, and we cant do it for that much."

Give them your serious bid, they just might do it.

 

[BluestemTree]

Well I went ahead and submitted my bid. Unfortunately he wasn't there to receive it. My bid was what I would normally charge. I had talked about the insurance angle with him on the first meeting and mentioned it again in my bid. This guy just seemed like a "lowest price at all costs" type guy and he will likely find a hack to take a run at it. It is complex enough that it will require a good climber or bucket man to get it done cleanly. At this point, I'll just hope he was blowing smoke or that I get it a little later as an insurance job when one of those limbs goes through the roof. I'm in this to do it the right way - fully insured and licensed. This one was just a little disappointing because it really needs a pro and it should be obvious to anyone - especially the homeowner with his roof at stake - what the dangers are. Win some lose some I guess. :bang:

Bill

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

If you are just starting out and close 25%of the leads you run, then you are doing very good.

There will always be people who look at "tree cutters" as semi-skilled labor, even thought they would not want to do it.