Best Management Practices vs ANSI standards?

[evo]

I understand where you are coming from, and i will discuss this with my new insurance agent when we meet next about getting our new policies in place. My only question would be... we all give “free estimates”. I understand there is a big difference between the consults that we charge for and the everyday estimate but there is a very large gray area where clients would like an opinion about what should be done to their tree. For instance a customer says “my Maple needs to be pruned” you come around the corner and sure it needs to be pruned, but I can’t write it up as “prune red maple”. I have to explain to them my opinion of what needs to be pruned... and why. And if I think it needs cabling (just to keep us kind of on topic) that’s my opinion and I would be remiss in not expressing that need. I guess what I’m saying is unless you strictly do consulting work you are going to give your opinion, and many times for free. And of course no matter how much I pay my ins co... they will try to find a way to dodge payment of a claim.
This topic will definitely be one of the items I want clarification on and insure it’s all straightened out and within my new policies.

I will do the bid for pruning, but also include a inspect for cabling on the quote, or listed in the detail list of pruning work. This gets me the pruning job, in the tree, and I just take a few moments to get a good feel for the structure. Then I write my recommendations on the invoice, or I wait for payment first then give them my findings. There are ways to roll consultation, risk assessment, and other white collar tasks into a simple pruning job and to get PAID for it without sticker shock.

 

[cerviarborist]

I understand there is a big difference between the consults that we charge for and the everyday estimate but there is a very large gray area where clients would like an opinion about what should be done to their tree. For instance a customer says “my Maple needs to be pruned”

I decided a long time ago to not let this be a grey area. I came to the conclusion that while most members of the general public don't know that they can ask for a "risk assessment" of a tree, or ask for it to be "evaluated for suitability for retention"...or to have it "diagnosed for pests and diseases", they've all learned over time that if you call a tree service and ask for "pruning" or "trimming", a tree expert of some sort will come out and look at your trees. (And you can ask them questions.)

With me, it goes like this. I answer the phone and someone says, "I'd like to get an estimate for you to prune the oak in my back yard. Is that something you do?"

My reply has evolved to this: "Yes, it's definitely something I do.. Let me ask you though, what is it that made you decide that it's time to prune the tree now?" They never tell me that they have their trees pruned every 2 years and that it's time again. What they invariably tell me is "It's losing leaves on the side closest to the house." "I'm concerned about a big branch over my roof." "It's starting to lift the driveway" etc etc. None of which have anything to do with pruning.

I gently tell them that those are questions best addressed with a consultation visit, which is a fee-paid service. I point out that when I'm wearing my consulting hat, I'm not there in a sales capacity, but rather to be an objective advocate for them in helping them gain the information they need to make an informed management decision.

The people I want as clients typically see the value in obtaining a non-conflicted and objective opinion. Enough for me to make a happy living anyway.

 

[Raven]

Wow best derail ever, lotsa good fodder to chew on here.

I charge for re-inspection of cables - even a just to show up for five minutes because I have set that up during the initial consult, they're expecting it. I have just started to charge for estimates, or rather turn a free estimate into a billable consult, you have to read the client and their desires and they always get a written report they can hold in their hand and look at - something tangible for their money. I did not realize that stuff about the insurance business, it should be called the loophole business.

And back on topic, the BMP book(s) is a very useful tool to share with the client when consulting. I find that the more gadgets I can pull out of the briefcase the better they feel about giving me their money - ideally they'll pay for the consult, hire me to do physical work, and happily pay for re-inspections - hat trick.

 

[treehumper]

This gives me hope that we're heading in the right direction!