Back-Log, what is too much?

[southsoundtree]

Someone mentioned buying your spot. If you want next day service, fine, as long as you pay the already scheduled client's fee for rescheduling them into the end/ another part of the line. Seems good. You have the $xxx that the customer willing to reschedule wants, in your pocket, ready to take off their bill at time of service. If you lose that rescheduled job, you have free $xxx.

 

[southsoundtree]

I like it!! Helps me sleep night for sure. This is all new to me that is why I ask. I just sold a job on Thursday of last week. The client and I had some e mail exchanges and it took me up until yesterday to finalize an estimate that he liked. He was really a chill guy, just kept adding things. I then told him that I wouldn't be able to get to his job for 5 weeks. I thought he was going to be un-happy. He was fine with it. Didn't bother him at all. So, it all depends on the client.
I have no problem loosing work, as long as I can land enough to keep my crew busy for the year. I would hate to loose work now, and then run out of it in September. I will cross that bridge when I get there though.
I think getting a little more efficient could help. I am starting towards that. I just bought a new 20 yard chip truck. This will make it so we don't have to dump 4 times a day. My next step will be to get a bigger chipper. I have a 12". I wouldn't mind stepping up to a 14 or 15". BUT, I don't want to grow too fast. I would rather be going somewhere slow, than nowhere fast!!

Seems like time for a bigger chipper to match the truck. That will cut your backlog. Bid strong.

Don't spend time doing a free estimate for someone then say you're 5 weeks out, IMO. Saves on people who would bawk. Also, the customer may have changed the yard in 5 weeks. You won't have bid it for the new water feature/ fence/ retaining wall being installed near the tree, etc, etc.

 

[Jeff]

Also, the customer may have changed the yard in 5 weeks

It sounds funny Sean, but you're totally right: I'm amazed how many times we show up and say "This @#!$? wasn't here when we bid the job!". In the past several years, I think I can remember only 1 client who actually had the foresight to call us and say they were having work done on thus and such date and we might want to arrive before then.

 

[Leon_Foree]

It all depends. Was talking to a customer earlier in the week that told me the previous tree service couldn't come until October. That's like 10 to 12 week backlog. Easy job too. So it just depends on your game plan.

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[climbhightree]

Easy job, dead tree etc. Doesn't really matter. If you have a customer that waited weeks/months, you can't bump them for a new job.

We are currently booked till December, and because of holidays and yearly winter work we only have a week open then...so more looking at January.

This is what happens when you return calls in 24 hours and have 2-3 estimate appts every week day evening, and have a good reputation.

It is good, but very stressful in a different way.