Started out doing firewood for extra $$$$. Did that for 7 years, too hard. God wisdom always says to work smarter. Learned some of the basics with a rope and saddle. Small jobs, some were bigger than I should have taken on. I have never advertised via newspaper, radio, phone book. I work by word of mouth. Been studying ISA material to soon aquire my cert. Always booked out about a month ahead. I am insured and have been. I work with my son and one other guy. Just bought a chipper truck. Bought a bandit a year ago, both used. Biggest tree removal to date was a elm my son and I did, 140 ft next to house. Just us two took 10 hrs. not alot of brush though, wood was very girthy. I try to stay humble, there are other guys in my area that say they cant get jobs. I present myself prefessional to people these other guys around here have something to be desired. Anyway throw some harsh critisism.
4 years in bussiness how am I doing?
- Thread starter Fatcord
- Start date
easyphloem
Branched out member
- Location
- Louisville, KY
Good job.
SZ
SZ
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
No criticism!
Reading success stories is always refreshing.
Getting involved in your local or chapter ISA chapter will put you in touch with other successful, passionate, arborists. Attend local workshops and conferences helps a lot too.
Reading success stories is always refreshing.
Getting involved in your local or chapter ISA chapter will put you in touch with other successful, passionate, arborists. Attend local workshops and conferences helps a lot too.
There is an old saying: "Stay small or go big".
Many may judge by the amount of equipment you own, but the real judge of your company is the quality of your work and your personal integrity.
If you can be booked when others are not, and people are willing to wait for you...then you are doing well. Very well.
Two factors have been a saving grace in the area in which we live, to say nothing of the economy right now, is that we have resisted the urge to financially get in over our heads. If we couldn't afford it, we didn't get it until we could. The second is our reputation...a good product offered for a fair price and a professional attitude.
Stay safe.
Sylvia
Many may judge by the amount of equipment you own, but the real judge of your company is the quality of your work and your personal integrity.
If you can be booked when others are not, and people are willing to wait for you...then you are doing well. Very well.
Two factors have been a saving grace in the area in which we live, to say nothing of the economy right now, is that we have resisted the urge to financially get in over our heads. If we couldn't afford it, we didn't get it until we could. The second is our reputation...a good product offered for a fair price and a professional attitude.
Stay safe.
Sylvia
- Location
- Dallas TX
Wow booked up a month ahead. That is awesome.
- Location
- Michigan
No Criticism! This is the way we all started! One piece of equipment at a time, one certification at a time, one satisfied customer at a time...sounds like you have made it! Kudos to you! Keep your reputation clean, keep reaching out for knowledge and always act like a professional!
- Location
- MKE, WI
I think you should try and figure which way you want to go with the business now. Do you want to do more big removals, or do you want to be a tree care company? Most tree small tree care companies will do a few big removals a year and focus on managing a core portfolio of revolving accounts which I call differentiate from customers as clientele).
Many skilled riggers (climb or bucket) can make good money by being cost effective in the removal business, but you are always chasing leads and competing for work.
The easy math tells you that if you need $100,000 a year as a tree care operation , then you can have a portfolio of 300 clients that net an average of $1000 per day, on a three year cycle. This yields the net of $100k/yr in 100 days, leaving around +/-120 days in the year to flesh out the budget and build on the portfolio.
If you have 200 working days in the year, and can retain 10% of those as clients, then in five years you are 33% of the way to the 300 client goal.
You need to regularly look for ways to build the business. Part of my business is helping small companies do this, so feel free to contact me if you want some help.
Many skilled riggers (climb or bucket) can make good money by being cost effective in the removal business, but you are always chasing leads and competing for work.
The easy math tells you that if you need $100,000 a year as a tree care operation , then you can have a portfolio of 300 clients that net an average of $1000 per day, on a three year cycle. This yields the net of $100k/yr in 100 days, leaving around +/-120 days in the year to flesh out the budget and build on the portfolio.
If you have 200 working days in the year, and can retain 10% of those as clients, then in five years you are 33% of the way to the 300 client goal.
You need to regularly look for ways to build the business. Part of my business is helping small companies do this, so feel free to contact me if you want some help.
treehumper
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Ridgefield, NJ
While you develop your skills as an arborist take business skills courses as well. More small businesses die as they grow because there is a lack of business management training.
You've done well so far and sounds like you'll do well in the future. Remember it's a business first and foremost.
You've done well so far and sounds like you'll do well in the future. Remember it's a business first and foremost.
I am really lacking on the financial part of it. That is keeping up with the #'s. Its alot of hard work as all you know but after working so many years for someone else and barely paying bills I am enjoying the fruit of my labor. I worked another job for 7 years punching the clock on someone elses time, hate it. Now i need to get insurance for my family. I really try to focus on quality. I know I could charge more but I look at volume instead of one job being 4500 i will make it 2700 and get more jobs in the same neighborhood. Thanks for all the encouragement guys. I really expected to get slammed.
- Location
- MKE, WI
[ QUOTE ]
I know I could charge more but I look at volume instead of one job being 4500 i will make it 2700 and get more jobs in the same neighborhood.
[/ QUOTE ]
I loose a little bit on every job, but I make it up in volume.
Seriously, only you will know your market. If you are focusing on being a discounter, how do you figure you hourly cost for payroll and equipment?
Are you on payroll, or is your profit your pay?
I know I could charge more but I look at volume instead of one job being 4500 i will make it 2700 and get more jobs in the same neighborhood.
[/ QUOTE ]
I loose a little bit on every job, but I make it up in volume.
Seriously, only you will know your market. If you are focusing on being a discounter, how do you figure you hourly cost for payroll and equipment?
Are you on payroll, or is your profit your pay?
- Location
- Aarhus, Denmark
[ QUOTE ]
There is an old saying: "Stay small or go big".
Many may judge by the amount of equipment you own, but the real judge of your company is the quality of your work and your personal integrity.
If you can be booked when others are not, and people are willing to wait for you...then you are doing well. Very well.
......
Stay safe.
Sylvia
[/ QUOTE ]
My words exactly! It's the quality of your work that matters. You can always rent equipment when you need it!
There is an old saying: "Stay small or go big".
Many may judge by the amount of equipment you own, but the real judge of your company is the quality of your work and your personal integrity.
If you can be booked when others are not, and people are willing to wait for you...then you are doing well. Very well.
......
Stay safe.
Sylvia
[/ QUOTE ]
My words exactly! It's the quality of your work that matters. You can always rent equipment when you need it!
- Location
- Michigan
Was wondering that myself - I can't stand it when someone dumbs down our industry being a discounter!
- Location
- Western Montana, USA
[ QUOTE ]
There is an old saying: "Stay small or go big".
Many may judge by the amount of equipment you own, but the real judge of your company is the quality of your work and your personal integrity.
If you can be booked when others are not, and people are willing to wait for you...then you are doing well. Very well.
Two factors have been a saving grace in the area in which we live, to say nothing of the economy right now, is that we have resisted the urge to financially get in over our heads. If we couldn't afford it, we didn't get it until we could. The second is our reputation...a good product offered for a fair price and a professional attitude.
Stay safe.
Sylvia
[/ QUOTE ]
Good post Sylvia! You and Dave have definitely earned my respect, and I count myself lucky that you have been so helpful to me, both hands on, and setting an excellent example for me of professionalism. Thanks!
There is an old saying: "Stay small or go big".
Many may judge by the amount of equipment you own, but the real judge of your company is the quality of your work and your personal integrity.
If you can be booked when others are not, and people are willing to wait for you...then you are doing well. Very well.
Two factors have been a saving grace in the area in which we live, to say nothing of the economy right now, is that we have resisted the urge to financially get in over our heads. If we couldn't afford it, we didn't get it until we could. The second is our reputation...a good product offered for a fair price and a professional attitude.
Stay safe.
Sylvia
[/ QUOTE ]
Good post Sylvia! You and Dave have definitely earned my respect, and I count myself lucky that you have been so helpful to me, both hands on, and setting an excellent example for me of professionalism. Thanks!
- Location
- MKE, WI
[ QUOTE ]
Was wondering that myself - I can't stand it when someone dumbs down our industry being a discounter!
[/ QUOTE ]
If the discounter can make a profit with his business model, isn't it just sour grapes on our part? As long as thee work is done right.
Was wondering that myself - I can't stand it when someone dumbs down our industry being a discounter!
[/ QUOTE ]
If the discounter can make a profit with his business model, isn't it just sour grapes on our part? As long as thee work is done right.
southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Was wondering that myself - I can't stand it when someone dumbs down our industry being a discounter!
[/ QUOTE ]
If the discounter can make a profit with his business model, isn't it just sour grapes on our part? As long as thee work is done right.
[/ QUOTE ]
It is one thing to have sustainable business plan.
I know that there is no way that I could have kept going at the pace that I had to (energetically, physically, mentally, and body wear and tear) that I had to when I first started.
If it works, it works, but seems that volume operations with very slim profit margins usually would succumb to an unexpected expense or injury.
If it is quality tree care and he can keep his prices profitable, he might have a good niche in his market.
[ QUOTE ]
Was wondering that myself - I can't stand it when someone dumbs down our industry being a discounter!
[/ QUOTE ]
If the discounter can make a profit with his business model, isn't it just sour grapes on our part? As long as thee work is done right.
[/ QUOTE ]
It is one thing to have sustainable business plan.
I know that there is no way that I could have kept going at the pace that I had to (energetically, physically, mentally, and body wear and tear) that I had to when I first started.
If it works, it works, but seems that volume operations with very slim profit margins usually would succumb to an unexpected expense or injury.
If it is quality tree care and he can keep his prices profitable, he might have a good niche in his market.
southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
Fatcord,
I think that the professional development advice offered is sound. Your studying for the CA Exam is a good thing.
Tons of valuable experience here on TB.
JPS and Treehumper, amongst many, many others offer good Business advice that goes along with their tree knowledge and advice.
I think that the professional development advice offered is sound. Your studying for the CA Exam is a good thing.
Tons of valuable experience here on TB.
JPS and Treehumper, amongst many, many others offer good Business advice that goes along with their tree knowledge and advice.
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