What's a crane and operator worth?

[tree md]

I got an email from a guy yesterday who has seen one of my ads and says he has a 95' crane if I ever need it. I mailed him back and told him that I do a lot of crane work (or used to before the economy went to hell) and to give me a contact number, which he did. I have a couple of trees that I have bid for the crane service that I have previously used which the people can't afford and the trees are still standing. Obviously no one else has been able to give them a price which is acceptable to them either. I bid these jobs tight but I am constrained to what my current crane service charges me. My thoughts are to possibly meet with this guy, look the trees over and see if we can do it for a lower price. I have had a bad experience at going partners before and wonder what would be a reasonable arrangement for both of us. Maybe offer an hourly rate or a percentage of the job? He will have to understand that it will have to be at a more reasonable rate than my current crane service. What would be fair? Split the money?

BTW, one of the trees I have in mind the cane is the only way to do it as it is not structurally sound and looks like a piece of driftwood standing over the guys house.

Any suggestions?

 

[Treetom]

1k per day. line up a bunch of crane jobs and knock em down.

 

[tomtrees58]

we have a guy he gets $150 pr hr tom trees

 

[JohnH]

It depends on what size crane you'r talking about.

 

[hanniedog]

Around here $150/hr will get you a 30 ton crane with about 70 ft. of stick.

 

[Blakesmaster]

My guy ( though I've yet to use him ) gets $95 an hour from the moment his truck leaves his lot till it returns. 28 ton, 125 with jib. He won't come into NY though. Hence, I have yet to use him.

 

[tree md]

My guy ( though I've yet to use him ) gets $95 an hour from the moment his truck leaves his lot till it returns. 28 ton, 125 with jib. He won't come into NY though. Hence, I have yet to use him.

$95 an hour is awesome. I haven't seen comparable prices since the 90's. My current crane service charges $115 an hour for the 23 ton 95 footer, plus 2 hours travel time with a 6% fuel surcharge. Anything over 8 hours is time and a half (this includes travel time).

 

[Blakesmaster]

$95 an hour is awesome. I haven't seen comparable prices since the 90's. My current crane service charges $115 an hour for the 23 ton 95 footer, plus 2 hours travel time with a 6% fuel surcharge. Anything over 8 hours is time and a half (this includes travel time).

I think a lot has to do with the crane regs and insurance in PA, he can operate cheaper down there. I tried convincing him to get his certs for NY but his truck's paid for and he's looking more towards retirement, not towards expansion. I'll use him if I ever get a big job south of the border.