Where to start?

[treeguy347]

yep that is all there is to firefighting......... no classes no tests no books you just jump right in!
In all seriousness Im not here to be a hack im not here to underbid bigger companys Im not here for beer money. im here to learn, im here because i love working outside because i want be. i understand this is not to be taken lighly.....as my profession is not to be taken lightly. Thats why i own the books i do thats why i ask for your advice. Thanks for everyones advice so far.

That's what I'm talking about. Firefighting has barriers to entry. A rigourous training program, continuing training, credentials like MFR, Fire I, Fire II, etc. I have tremendous respect for the profession and the professionals in the field. Several of my good friends are firefighters, so I get to see and hear a little of what you guys go through for training. It sounds like you have the right attitude though. Thanks for coming in and asking.

Some specifics of what I'm talking about for overhead is self-employment tax (13.3%), state taxes, federal taxes, insurance, fuel, maintenance, license plates (are your trucks plated as commercial?), breakdowns/repairs, advertising, consumables, fuel, ppe, tools, employees wages, etc. Remember you need to make money after all that. I can't stress enough, you don't want to always be the low bidder. You can sell on quality, reliability and professionalism. My problem with the beer money part timers is they don't consider all the expenses in running a business and its not as big of a deal if they take a loss. Factor in these expenses and set your prices where they need to be to make money. It's better to be a broke fool than a busy broke fool. If you do this long enough, you will screw up bids and pay to go to work. Keep your chin up, don't compromise your integrity and always keep your word even if it means losing money. Learn from it and move on.

One of the really good video series I recommend is The Art and Science of Practical Rigging It's a great intro and you'll learn some really good techniques. Practice rigging where there is a clear LZ. That way if your ground guy lets it run a little too far, no big deal. The book On Rope is the bible of SRT and then some. I highly recommend it. Because of that book and the owner of our local climbing gym, I was using what is now known as the RADS system in 1999. That was a competetive advantage, I was able to climb much faster and more efficiently than the body thrusters. Pick up the BMP for pruning and learn the different types and how to do it in a healthy way for the tree.

The last piece of advice for tonight is for dealing with customers: communicate very clearly and in writing your job proposals. Two-part carbonless forms rock. Make sure you and the customer are clear on exactly what work you will do and how much they will pay for it. It'll save you (and them) a lot of headaches. When I first started, I made that mistake. A customer wanted their homesite cleared. I said "Sure! I'll clear that lot for $2000" They went with a competitor that cleared the lot for $1000. My definition of "clear the lot" was cut down the trees, chip the brush, haul the wood and excavate the stumps. My competitor's definition was to push everything into a massive pile with a bulldozer. The customer was fuming mad at themselves and my competitor for not getting the scope of work they wanted. I ended up hauling off the pile for $2200. In the end the job cost them $1200 more than it should because neither of us were clear on communication.

If you ever get up to western Michigan, look me up. I'd be happy to have you work with me for a few days and I'll try to teach everything I can.

 

[mic687]

That's what I'm talking about. Firefighting has barriers to entry. A rigourous training program, continuing training, credentials like MFR, Fire I, Fire II, etc. I have tremendous respect for the profession and the professionals in the field. Several of my good friends are firefighters, so I get to see and hear a little of what you guys go through for training. It sounds like you have the right attitude though. Thanks for coming in and asking.

Some specifics of what I'm talking about for overhead is self-employment tax (13.3%), state taxes, federal taxes, insurance, fuel, maintenance, license plates (are your trucks plated as commercial?), breakdowns/repairs, advertising, consumables, fuel, ppe, tools, employees wages, etc. Remember you need to make money after all that. I can't stress enough, you don't want to always be the low bidder. You can sell on quality, reliability and professionalism. My problem with the beer money part timers is they don't consider all the expenses in running a business and its not as big of a deal if they take a loss. Factor in these expenses and set your prices where they need to be to make money. It's better to be a broke fool than a busy broke fool. If you do this long enough, you will screw up bids and pay to go to work. Keep your chin up, don't compromise your integrity and always keep your word even if it means losing money. Learn from it and move on.

One of the really good video series I recommend is The Art and Science of Practical Rigging It's a great intro and you'll learn some really good techniques. Practice rigging where there is a clear LZ. That way if your ground guy lets it run a little too far, no big deal. The book On Rope is the bible of SRT and then some. I highly recommend it. Because of that book and the owner of our local climbing gym, I was using what is now known as the RADS system in 1999. That was a competetive advantage, I was able to climb much faster and more efficiently than the body thrusters. Pick up the BMP for pruning and learn the different types and how to do it in a healthy way for the tree.

The last piece of advice for tonight is for dealing with customers: communicate very clearly and in writing your job proposals. Two-part carbonless forms rock. Make sure you and the customer are clear on exactly what work you will do and how much they will pay for it. It'll save you (and them) a lot of headaches. When I first started, I made that mistake. A customer wanted their homesite cleared. I said "Sure! I'll clear that lot for $2000" They went with a competitor that cleared the lot for $1000. My definition of "clear the lot" was cut down the trees, chip the brush, haul the wood and excavate the stumps. My competitor's definition was to push everything into a massive pile with a bulldozer. The customer was fuming mad at themselves and my competitor for not getting the scope of work they wanted. I ended up hauling off the pile for $2200. In the end the job cost them $1200 more than it should because neither of us were clear on communication.

If you ever get up to western Michigan, look me up. I'd be happy to have you work with me for a few days and I'll try to teach everything I can.

I could not agree with you more I have been to Whitehall and I am sure you have the same type of walk up guys as we do here. I can apprecite your dedication to the work and doing it right. I started my buisness when I got layed off 7 years ago and it was such a success I never quit when I got called back. We have the same problem here with unskilled, uninsured and unlicenced guys poaching easy work and with no repercussions. I think in rural areas you will always have that but not all part timers are that way. Keep up the good work and watch yourself at that damm over those locals are territorial about their Steelhead.

 

[capetrees]

And if you do make it a career as some in here are demanding as opposed to part time, don't post at 9:45 am on a weekday. Not really a career minded idea. usually at that time of the day, I'm working. :msp_tongue: