I’m stressing over the schedule, trying to make sense of it. Luckily, having enough work isn’t the issue right now, it’s just how to keep all the wheels greased and ducks in a row. Two analogies that aren’t great but they came to mind. It’s my own fault for saying “yes” to doing so many different things. Diversification has its ups and downs.
How's the work flow?
- Thread starter data farm 26
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Serf Life
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Maine Island
I'm in you're boat @oceans , keeping ducks greased and wheels in a row. Currently deciding on buying a new mini or planning on increased maint etc. Keeping gear in service and shape is time intensive work.
Steve Connally
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Suffolk, Virginia
I've had paying work for the crane 1 day this month so far. I'm driving 2 hours each way to climb and doing side jobs alone just to pay my bills........the plan isn't working. I've dropped the sale price on the crane 75k. I'm enjoying climbing and the commute is fine for what I get out of my experience with this company. Thats the silver lining. It's lining my implosion and trying to claw myself out of the quicksand. Things are a little unsettling.
Steve, hows the building trades down there? You set trusses with that knuckle?
I ask because the stick crane I frequent is quite busy. Besides the tree service he's tied to, he subs to a couple other tree guys and sets trusses.
Stumpsprouts
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Asheville
I’ve been doing some tree talks about Helene failures- I recently did one at a naturalist convention here in Asheville and it went really well, had over a hundred people show up for my talk. I had a table full of business cards and I think like 50 got taken. Thought it would lead to a lot of consulting work but everyone just emailed me for my slides. 
And production work is still really slow.
And production work is still really slow.
RyanCafferky
Been here a while
- Location
- Hood River, Oregon
Call volume is very low but we have been staying booked out at least a few weeks thanks to some big jobs and repeat clients. Still very disconcerting since we went up to two crews this year. At times it feels like we are buried and are going to be very busy. Other times it feels a bit scary.
Serf Life
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Maine Island
Man, probably sums up a whole lifetime of owning a business.
I talked to a guy out there who said he has 50 crews. I asked him what that was like and his reply was, “you have to sell your soul 100 times over and then at the end ask yourself if it was worth it.”
It was after hearing his statement that I became fully cemented in my owner/operator stance. I’ll never be rich, just hopefully too small to fail and hold my values the whole way through.
It was after hearing his statement that I became fully cemented in my owner/operator stance. I’ll never be rich, just hopefully too small to fail and hold my values the whole way through.
evo
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- My Island, WA
“too small to fail” story of my life
Matias
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Butte County
Same, but to add, I will either be a 51%+ owner, or just an employee. That shit in between just ain't for me.
I once had 20 employees and a 50/50 partnership, and I don't even wanna get to more than 2 or 3 employees again.
What an ass.
Matias
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Butte County
me?
evo
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- My Island, WA
Doubt it.
Stopped by to look at utility trailer down the street. Dude had trump signs during the election, when he came to the door I could smell the beer on his breath at noon.
We chatted for a while and his numbers kept shifting around, as the conversation went on, he started complaining that he can’t find any yard help. ‘Have you noticed? The gas station where the guys use to hang out? They aren’t there anymore!’
Thankfully the phone has picked up. Still far from normal as I’m normally booking into late august to September. If I wanted to I could burn through most my work by the end of June.
Stopped by to look at utility trailer down the street. Dude had trump signs during the election, when he came to the door I could smell the beer on his breath at noon.
We chatted for a while and his numbers kept shifting around, as the conversation went on, he started complaining that he can’t find any yard help. ‘Have you noticed? The gas station where the guys use to hang out? They aren’t there anymore!’
Thankfully the phone has picked up. Still far from normal as I’m normally booking into late august to September. If I wanted to I could burn through most my work by the end of June.
Steve Connally
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Suffolk, Virginia
I tried and spent a lot of money on marketing and didn't get a single job. There's a dozen crane services with 6 or more cranes around. For shits and giggles I counted the sticks in the air around the port and, not counting port cranes, I saw 30 cranes in the air in a 5 mile trip. Tons of cranes here
Steve Connally
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Suffolk, Virginia
I'm pretty content just doing what I'm told at this point. Once the crane is gone that'll be my day to day. Just an employee. Hopefully not to be put in charge of anything.
Bendroctanus
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Springfield
Leave that artist in the tree to work
Hey, it was a pretty good deadpan delivery. You're good. Whether I'm good is another matter entirely...
Steve Connally
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Suffolk, Virginia
I like being in the tree. Chasing 1" deadwood in champion trees has been q quick process to re acclimate to climbing. Kind like being thrown into the deep end. LOL
Bendroctanus
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Springfield
Like riding a bike, though, I’m sure.
Steve Connally
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Suffolk, Virginia
Not exactly. I've only climbed a couple times a year for the last 8 years so I have a lot to regain. Strength loss, confidence loss, skill loss, balance loss, and proficiency. Today was a great day in the trees. Felt totally at home and confident. Was just a good day. I'm starting back at it with MRS. I'm trying to retrace my steps as a rookie climber and see what I can develop that I missed in the early years. It's a pretty cool pilgrimage. I can tell you my knuckles hurt and my 55 year old body isn't as resilient as it once was but I'm getting at it and the boss and foreman have said they noticed improvements. Made me feel good because I'm really working hard to get back to where I feel I'm worth the pay. It's also good for my soul. I feel at home on rope and in a tree.
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Light 14 or 16" narrow kerf bar for 200t or 201t- Started by southsoundtree
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