Contract Tree Climbers Association (CTCA)...

I like the way you think, flex. You're looking for something that is lean and mean, and that allows interested parties to exchange pertinent information easily. It seems like all you might need are the same kind of caring system administrators or site monitors that this forum has.

Heck, what you are talking about could almost be incorporated into this website, maybe by adding a layer of security into the new section of the existing website. It could even have a small fee structure built into it to help pay for the increased burden on the site admins, and to discourage folks that are not serious.

Those are just a few random thoughts off the top of my head.

Tim
Tim,
I like the lean and mean statement. That is the basis for my idea with the database. Honestly, I am hoping such a thing will bring a change to the industry in my area and maybe other places as well. Cut the fat out. No need for companies to keep some A-hole climber on payroll if they can find an AWESOME one on the database, who has his own LLC, caries his own GL policy, Certs, etc etc. GEAR! Don't have to pay him to load your truck and dump your chips. Lean and Mean yes!

What can you bring to the table?

You can climb like crazy but, don't like PR?

You can bump your gums all day but can't climb to save your life?

You own machinery/equipment, can't get the brush down?

Can't climb YET but, want to learn, drag brush like a mofo all damn day?

Have a brand that attracts clients?

Blah blah blah
Name the price...

All of these things have a value and can be optimized in a collective effort.
 
My brother was telling me today he thought maybe the Buzz would absorb such a thing. I think it's a good idea if Tom and Mark are interested.

Personally I think that the live talk would clog up the database. Reviews as well as a chance for rebuttal I think would be good though.
 
From all the ideas that have been thrown around on this thread it is working itself out right in front of our eyes. No fees, no databases, just a continuing conversation. Everything's out in the open, everyone has an equal opportunity, no one's scooping up the best jobs, everyone is making new contacts. I think a permanent forum link right under the job finder would hold it's own. I also believe the database idea should be married into the forum because each compliments the other. All of this not only addresses the contract climber's needs, whatever their motivations may be, but many of the needs that the business community has.
 
My brother was telling me today he thought maybe the Buzz would absorb such a thing. I think it's a good idea if Tom and Mark are interested.

Personally I think that the live talk would clog up the database. Reviews as well as a chance for rebuttal I think would be good though.
The proof will be in the pudding...
 
Well, I could use a good contract climber in the Brattleboro Vermont and Keene NH area's. We are getting LOTS of work and i could use an extra person for a few jobs. They would have to be real good, I don't want to be baby sitting and I don't want to have to train someone on how to do the job safely and in a timely manner. The pay would be there as well. They would climb and that is it. My guys would take care of the clean-up. Know anyone interested??
 
The only way to keep making money as a sub is to stay local. That's it. There has been ideas like this in the past, it just doesn't work. The climber will always pay. I am a sub, and my old man still subs, for over 20 years. I'm not being pessimistic either I'm saying there are so many holes you have to get through to stay busy, and to stay busy is to be consistent with your work and to realize that the only reason you are there is to get the job done, period. Your not there to kiss ass to the homeowner or make friends. You have to perform here nothing more and it all matters on the climber, everyone off those contract climbers you have on this association will have to be the same caliber. That's it. And they're aren't enough climbers out there subbing to get the job done. Somebody will be bearing all the weight of others.
 
The only way to keep making money as a sub is to stay local. That's it. There has been ideas like this in the past, it just doesn't work. The climber will always pay. I am a sub, and my old man still subs, for over 20 years. I'm not being pessimistic either I'm saying there are so many holes you have to get through to stay busy, and to stay busy is to be consistent with your work and to realize that the only reason you are there is to get the job done, period. Your not there to kiss ass to the homeowner or make friends. You have to perform here nothing more and it all matters on the climber, everyone off those contract climbers you have on this association will have to be the same caliber. That's it. And they're aren't enough climbers out there subbing to get the job done. Somebody will be bearing all the weight of others.

I disagree with that. I think that there are jobs out there for every level of climbers. I know, I own a company and there are jobs where I need a guy who can slam down trees, then there are jobs where I need a guy who can prune, or run the bucket. I would think for something like this to work you would have to have a bio for each member with what there specialities are. Years of service and such. Kinda like renting a crane from a crane company. Sometimes you can get by with a 15t and sometime you need a 50t. They both have there place on certain jobs. I would think the climbers would be the same. There are days I can get by with a sub-par climber and still make money. I just need them to have a good head on their shoulders.
I like that I would have a place where I could go to get talented individuals that would positively represent my business. I would want someone that is respectful to the customers, makes friends with my employee and adds to the level of professional that is placed in my business.
 
Reason why we hire contract climbers is because we need assistance. I usually put them on the easier less dangerous trees. I always have one or more of my full time climbers assisting them on the big jobs. We bring guys in to speed up the job some not because we can't do it ourselves or want to put a guy into something too hairy. Last week fall_risk, myself and one of my climbers were all in multiple trees at the same time in the same yard. It was raining brush to say the least. 8 guys were on that crew and completed an all day job by 12:30.

Or I'll put together a bunch of small jobs together for the contract climber and a few of my ground guys to run an additional crew. This works really well when the jobs call for all wood and brush staying on site. They don't have to bring much equipment but their climbing gear. And we can have the loader, chipper, stump grinder out on other jobs.

I will be starting a month+ long project shortly. It must get on our schedule right away. However all our crews are scheduled out to no avail. I will be bringing in a contract climber to run that job and there isnt much climbing needed, a lot of ground work. However, the contract climber will still get climbing pay and will be forwarding with a gehl 540 most days on that job.

My point is, not all co.'s bring in a contract climber to have them climb to exhaustion. Some co.'s just want a good guy they can trust to run a crew effectively.
BTW. We are seeking more contract climbers! Send availability, rates, skill level, etc via PM
 
Reason why we hire contract climbers is because we need assistance. I usually put them on the easier less dangerous trees. I always have one or more of my full time climbers assisting them on the big jobs. We bring guys in to speed up the job some not because we can't do it ourselves or want to put a guy into something too hairy. Last week fall_risk, myself and one of my climbers were all in multiple trees at the same time in the same yard. It was raining brush to say the least. 8 guys were on that crew and completed an all day job by 12:30.

Or I'll put together a bunch of small jobs together for the contract climber and a few of my ground guys to run an additional crew. This works really well when the jobs call for all wood and brush staying on site. They don't have to bring much equipment but their climbing gear. And we can have the loader, chipper, stump grinder out on other jobs.

I will be starting a month+ long project shortly. It must get on our schedule right away. However all our crews are scheduled out to no avail. I will be bringing in a contract climber to run that job and there isnt much climbing needed, a lot of ground work. However, the contract climber will still get climbing pay and will be forwarding with a gehl 540 most days on that job.

My point is, not all co.'s bring in a contract climber to have them climb to exhaustion. Some co.'s just want a good guy they can trust to run a crew effectively.
BTW. We are seeking more contract climbers! Send availability, rates, skill level, etc via PM

Couldn't agree more!!
 
Apropos of Jake's post on staying local (respect to the Riggs clan), and because it seems like a lot of the participants in this thread are in or around the Philadelphia market, I wonder if a new thread here or maybe a google doc for our little corner of the world is in order? Limbcontrol just booked me for a few more days over the next two weeks, but one of the reasons I'm enjoying my new life as a contract tree worker is the same reason I enjoy tree work in the first place: variety. Working with different people and seeing different ways of doing things is pretty awesome. If I'm not careful, I might learn something.
 
Can we get a moderator to comment on the feasibility of making a subsection in the jobs section?
It wouldn't be ideal but it could definitely get the train rolling.
Tom?
Mark?

Yeah maybe something where climbers can just list their ability, experience, location, and availability. Then someone who is interested in hiring a climber can search through that section to find a suitable contract climber. I like that!
 

New threads New posts

Kask Stihl NORTHEASTERN Arborists Wesspur TreeStuff.com Teufelberger Westminster X-Rigging Teufelberger
Back
Top Bottom