Co-opetition in the tree care industry

Marc_H

Marc_H

Location
Denver, Colorado
How many of you partner with the competition on projects? Would you hire your competition if they had skills/ equipment that you needed to complete a job?

I know many people hire out stump grinding and sometimes climbing but how about chipping and hauling?

I think there is an untapped market of marketing your companies services to other companies in the industry. It also could be a benefit to smaller companies that can't justify purchasing expensive equipment that they would seldom use.
 
When I went FT in94 I would chip another guys brus ever night on the way in. He never got a chipper but I eventually had too much work to continue. At the time it was great cash flow.
I currently work with my crane for several companies and grind larger stumps for them. I also climb for a couple as they do for me depending on who has a large job at the time.It works very well with those I deal with. I could forsee problems if it were with others. There needs to be a respect for whos clients they are.
 
Same here, don't mine being pimped out. Allways interesting to see how other companies operate. Crane, bucket, climbing, log pick-ups what ever it takes.
grin.gif
 
Theres always the opportunity to learn too. Sometimes it takes working with someone different to realize your in a rut.
 
Well I started doing some side work and the small time guy I worked for in smalltown Indiana wasn't much of a climber and only could find someone who spiked everything so we worked out a deal that he'd pick up and chip my brush and in turn I'd help him out on climbing jobs. I got paid too but just not as much as i would've.
 
Seeing as how I have ZERO luck with trucks I've done this many times. A few people who I know have chippers, dump trucks, loaders, etc. etc. Their problem is that they either are getting too old to climb anymore, or they just don't have the ability to do it. They have me come in and climb for them. Some pay better than others. When I need something done, I call up the correct person and have them come chip or move wood around for me. Some guys I pay per day, some I split the jobs with, and some we just work it out.
 
We own a bucket and chipper and occasionally pimp ourselves out. My husband worked for a company hired on a regular basis to change the marquee at the Polo fields in the Hamptons. Haven't done that in FL yet.
Now we use a hauling company if the wood is over 18" or there's just too much of it. We call in a stump grinder when necessary and if we need another climber, we have a favorite of those as well. For the most part we calculate the cost into the job and pay by the job. The stump grinder is pretty much on his own. He deals directly with the customer.
 
When I was operating in Minneapolis there were a few of us that would tag-team together. The work load and equipment setups would compliment many jobs. Besides, it's fun to work with buddies and hear some new jokes :) typically we'd just trade hours so very little money would change hands. It all worked out quite well.
 
I work as a subcontractor for two days a week as a climber. It has worked well until last summer when my company was growing and time got to be a issue. It is difficult when you can earn 2x when you work for your self. I get paid $24/hr as a sub. and $50 when I do my own jobs.
What are other subs getting paid???

Thanks,
Cory
 
I made more money as a sub-climber than I've ever made in my life. It makes me cry sometimes to think of leaving that to run a company. My strategy was to find people that did tree work or were willing to try to do tree work- effectively they sold for me, except I didn't have to organize the job or worry about being paid. I was very good to my contractors, and cut them a break sometimes on my fees. Generally, I charged 1/3 of the job on an as needed basis, or $200/day (regardless of the time, not to exceed 6 hrs) if the guy would guarantee me three days a week. I always told my contractors that I knew that I made money only when they did.

Rules of Sub:

1. Get paid at the end of the job when the job is hourly, not when your contractor gets paid (they bear the risk of the job + profits)

2. For a cut of the job, then ignore #1.

3. Get paid in cash when possible. Don't give your SS# to the contractor if you don't fully trust him. You don't want any surprises at the end of the year.

4. Know your costs and your market. For a market with few climbers, you can really rake it in. A good climber is worth at least $200 a day in any market as a sub. More in better markets.


Can anyone think of anything else?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom