I feel like im starting to get burnt out. I contract climb for different companies and im booked for the next two weeks of solid climbing. The more and more trees I do the scaryier they feel to me, it use to be alot of fun. And now its all about how fast I can get things done, the more trees I do even if the bark is split just a lil bit I use that as an excuse to not have to climb it. I feel like im lossing it! haha.....I feel like I just need to take a week off and get my head back in the game....because im proud of the huge trees and messed up jobs ive got done for people...thats why they call me! Im also sick of companies paying me hourly to just drop stuff and they dont have to clean up and have them make more money than me, you would think just a drop and flop they would just hand over to me.....like I do for chipping jobs to them!?! I havent seen someone else climb in like 3 years....hard for me to stay confident when I dont know what I could be doing better, or what im doing wrong. I think time off is key....any advice from anyone whos hit a wall like this before would be great...or just tell me to grow up would work too I guess lol then i would cry myself to sleep!! hahaha Thanks.....
Getting burnt out>>>>help please!
- Thread starter Boogie
- Start date
- Location
- NJ
Yea, get an hourly job, or start your own, contract anit your cup of tea. If they contract you it's cuase you are better than what they got or atlest thats the goods you've sold. You supposed to be the guy to show and teach them. Though I admit i do learn some cool tricks flipping from job to job. Even the smallest thing as to say away to run something, or a different way to set something up, this helps me keep my new ideas rolling.
Well most companies are like that and love to have me teach them rigging etc... but a couple I have in mind will try to stop me in half cut and try to tell me im doing it wrong or want me to go up 30 ft and just top it, because its the fastest. They know I can climb and they cant but just like any other old timer ill never notch something correctly. And other companies I love to work with, I honestly couldnt ask for a better working relationship with them, most of them tell me to raise my rates to 75hr, and my crane guy is the same way. Id love to book work for 3 months with those guys! I just feel that if a hack has a tree for me to do then by nature I think the tree is dangerous. I sometimes want to turn those jobs down because I shouldnt help them stay in bussiness....like you said maybe contract climbing isnt for me! Maybe ill just raise my rates for those guys! lol Thanks for your input!
Being a contract climber is doing something someone else doesn't want to do for one reason or another. Most people that hire you just want the job done and they really don't care much about you. I have worked for some that don't even think you should come down for lunch. It's like you are the Tom Horn of tree guys. Dangerous crap and the like are what we get, that's the nature of the job. Man check them out and do what you're comfortable with, don't let pride or anything make you do something that doesn't feel right.
I don't think we loose our nerve, I think the jobs just get worse and worse the better we become.
Don't be so hard on yourself, take a weekend off, climb a big ole monkey tree and remember why we climb.
Good luck.
I don't think we loose our nerve, I think the jobs just get worse and worse the better we become.
Don't be so hard on yourself, take a weekend off, climb a big ole monkey tree and remember why we climb.
Good luck.
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
If you're good make sure that you get rewarded. Anyone can walk on the ground and give suggestions. Dealing with sidewalk engineers is always a challenge.
It sounds like you're going through a growth spurt. This will be a challenge but you'll make it!
Raise your prices!
Bowlegs got it right, hear him.
It sounds like you're going through a growth spurt. This will be a challenge but you'll make it!
Raise your prices!
Bowlegs got it right, hear him.
rfwoodvt
New member
- Location
- This side of eternity.
If you are a contract climber do you have them sign a contract?
As a contract climber you are technically a sub contractor ergo, they pay you to to accomplish a "job."
You can do it Time & Materials or fixed rate. But the important thing is that you control what the technique is, how many cuts to make, and where you make the cuts. If you screw up it is your hide and insurance.
If they want to direct your work from the ground, fine, charge them a higher rate!
Most importantly, just because they want to contract you, doesn't mean you want (or have) to contract with them. You don't have to accept every job.
Usually burn out occurs because we lose control of our situation and we loose what few marbles we have left.
Take some time, a few days, a few weeks. Re-evaluate what you are doing and why you are doing it. also look to see if it is in line with where you are going in this journey we call life.
As a contract climber you are technically a sub contractor ergo, they pay you to to accomplish a "job."
You can do it Time & Materials or fixed rate. But the important thing is that you control what the technique is, how many cuts to make, and where you make the cuts. If you screw up it is your hide and insurance.
If they want to direct your work from the ground, fine, charge them a higher rate!
Most importantly, just because they want to contract you, doesn't mean you want (or have) to contract with them. You don't have to accept every job.
Usually burn out occurs because we lose control of our situation and we loose what few marbles we have left.
Take some time, a few days, a few weeks. Re-evaluate what you are doing and why you are doing it. also look to see if it is in line with where you are going in this journey we call life.
- Location
- Longmont, CO
I think the first thing is to raise your rates to only attract people who won't use you. And I think $75/hr. is reasonable. After all, you gotta set aside money for the tough times...
Then, take a break. Go fishing!
Then, take a break. Go fishing!
- Location
- MKE, WI
Don't book work just because there is a day empty. Quite often i work Mon/Tue & Thr/Fri. If I do anything on Wed then it is a short day or easy climb.
Raising rates can be tricky, even the guys who tell you to do so may have second thoughts later.
I've dropped productive clients because they are PITA's, I've overbooked higher paying guys who change their mind after several months, or did not tell me that they were just using me to fill while they search for a new guy. In doing so i burned bridges with regular clients.
You end up finding your niche, there are jobs you will not do for some, but will for others. As time goes on the sicker jobs just are not worth it. Why should we literally risk life and limb for $300-400? Most of my regulars will send me pictures, or ask me to look at a tree; if it is hairy they ask what I want to do it so they can bid it in.
If you are beat-tired when you get up in the morning, you're not working safe. You need to pace your self. I can remeber the days when I would take Sunday off and still be hurting on monday morning, even though i did not do any partying over the weekend.
Like some above said, takes some time off. Work hard one or two weeks, then take a long weekend in between.
Raising rates can be tricky, even the guys who tell you to do so may have second thoughts later.
I've dropped productive clients because they are PITA's, I've overbooked higher paying guys who change their mind after several months, or did not tell me that they were just using me to fill while they search for a new guy. In doing so i burned bridges with regular clients.
You end up finding your niche, there are jobs you will not do for some, but will for others. As time goes on the sicker jobs just are not worth it. Why should we literally risk life and limb for $300-400? Most of my regulars will send me pictures, or ask me to look at a tree; if it is hairy they ask what I want to do it so they can bid it in.
If you are beat-tired when you get up in the morning, you're not working safe. You need to pace your self. I can remeber the days when I would take Sunday off and still be hurting on monday morning, even though i did not do any partying over the weekend.
Like some above said, takes some time off. Work hard one or two weeks, then take a long weekend in between.
- Location
- MKE, WI
on the other issue of get it in the ground: when you have a client who takes advantage of you, expecting you to show up for a very short day. You need a minimum fee, never do a day rate where they will try to keep you on the job for 12 hours, build a travel rate into the contract. I do 1 hr travel flat, so there is no arguing over 10-15 min, and i will eat 15-20 min over if it does not happen too often.
- Location
- NJ
I guess I have gotten pretty lucky so far on who I get to work for. Most of the guys I climb for are just small time operations who appreciate someone who can do things faster and easier then them or just happy to have someone knowledgable on the crew working with them. I work for one larger company who use to give me lip on how to do things and such from the ground. But I made it clear to him, I am a sub and it is my insurance if things go wrong so I am doing things my way. Then after I got my own workers comp. he has given me free range, especially concidering the fact I have never turned down a job even some maybe I should have but not like there was anyone else able or willing to do it.
On really sketchy things just concider it a learning expierence that is while keeping your own safety in mind. I know my mind, and sure yours as well, just plays tricks on you about things even though you thought the job through on how to safety to do what you need to. Doesn't matter what any1 else says about a job, but to work safety and effeceintly I need to feel confident in what I am doing.
But yeah definitly take some time off to clear your head and let your body recover. It is what I am doing myself. 6 days a week since the end of febuary is finally wearing on me as well.
On really sketchy things just concider it a learning expierence that is while keeping your own safety in mind. I know my mind, and sure yours as well, just plays tricks on you about things even though you thought the job through on how to safety to do what you need to. Doesn't matter what any1 else says about a job, but to work safety and effeceintly I need to feel confident in what I am doing.
But yeah definitly take some time off to clear your head and let your body recover. It is what I am doing myself. 6 days a week since the end of febuary is finally wearing on me as well.
treehumper
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Ridgefield, NJ
If you're in demand then you'll have some leverage. Move your rate upward and establish your own schedule. Learn to say "No" and "let me check my schedule and confirm what day I can fit you in". Keep a day of rest available at the least.
Have you established with these companies who is in charge when you're climbing? As the expert on site then that is you. Discuss your approach to the removal with your client while the two of you are on the ground. Allow them some input and come to an agreement with a caveat that it may all change once you're in the tree and determine there are mitigating circumstances.
If they are that critical then once the job is done, ask them if the job was completed on time though you did it different than they would have? Tell them in the future you'll discuss how the job is done first but after that it's your call, because you're in the tree.
Have you established with these companies who is in charge when you're climbing? As the expert on site then that is you. Discuss your approach to the removal with your client while the two of you are on the ground. Allow them some input and come to an agreement with a caveat that it may all change once you're in the tree and determine there are mitigating circumstances.
If they are that critical then once the job is done, ask them if the job was completed on time though you did it different than they would have? Tell them in the future you'll discuss how the job is done first but after that it's your call, because you're in the tree.
- Location
- Southern Vermont
... quite a bit of excellent advice posted ... very educational .... at a certain point in any climbers career the age card comes into play ... I'm looking at 50 .... a different perspective as well ....
treehumper
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Ridgefield, NJ
Yep, just hit that point too, I like to think I approach things like the "old bull" vs. the "young bull"....
- Location
- Southern Vermont
.... YOU are preachin' to the choir ...
- Location
- ma
i have been at it for a while ,, sharpening my saw, cleaning my climbing bag, making a new prussic, organizing my tool box , gettting a new rope, even a new sticker on something can change a whole week ,, if the climbing is frustrerating put your focus some where else,, remember when you learned how to sharpen your spikes? try something new,, it has always been one branch at a time, since day one ,, we think ten at a time, but sometimes its hard to see the big picture,,
- Location
- NJ
[ QUOTE ]
I work for one larger company who use to give me lip on how to do things and such from the ground. But I made it clear to him, I am a sub and it is my insurance if things go wrong so I am doing things my way. Then after I got my own workers comp. he has given me free range, especially concidering the fact I have never turned down a job even some maybe I should have but not like there was anyone else able or willing to do it.
[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry to say but you talk like a man with a paper arse hole. There is no need for workers comp in NJ for the fact as a contact climber you have no employees. In NJ workers comp does not cover the smuck that owns the company so why put the money out less your a fool. Two, others would do the job just not as cheap as you duh!!!!!!!
I work for one larger company who use to give me lip on how to do things and such from the ground. But I made it clear to him, I am a sub and it is my insurance if things go wrong so I am doing things my way. Then after I got my own workers comp. he has given me free range, especially concidering the fact I have never turned down a job even some maybe I should have but not like there was anyone else able or willing to do it.
[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry to say but you talk like a man with a paper arse hole. There is no need for workers comp in NJ for the fact as a contact climber you have no employees. In NJ workers comp does not cover the smuck that owns the company so why put the money out less your a fool. Two, others would do the job just not as cheap as you duh!!!!!!!
- Location
- NJ
Guess it matters which law you look at. Granted it states subs don't need workers comp to do business. But as stated in the NJ tree act all business engaged in providing tree care shall be registerd and provide proof or insurance and workers comp. http://njarboristsisa.com/pdf/LTE_Law_Explained.pdf Granted you don't know my rate, just be happy I don't do work in south jersey then.
- Location
- NJ
Re: Getting burnt out>>>>help please! *DELETED*
Post deleted by HÖLLENREICH
Post deleted by HÖLLENREICH
- Location
- NJ
Only thing I can say is if you want to be a contract guy than have balls of steel if not than buy a bucket and be a botch like the rest.
You sir sound like the bucket type to me. Just take a job some where, stop bsing and how much you charge, and please quit gripping on here. Ya piss me and many others off. Enough said.
You sir sound like the bucket type to me. Just take a job some where, stop bsing and how much you charge, and please quit gripping on here. Ya piss me and many others off. Enough said.
treewill
Participating member
- Location
- Everywhere and nowhere
A well respected climber 'round here who's been at it for over two decades straight was recently asked how he was doing. He replied "I hate trees and I hate people"
Take some time off, try to remember why you love treework. I for one don't think money is going to solve your problem. We all like to get paid well, but at least for me, money is not much of a motivator. I like getting a good paycheck as much as the next man, but what gets you up in the morning and excited when you show up to the jobsite?
If you're relying on money to do that, it'll never be enough.
I wish you all the best. I've been there too and it was no fun. If you can travel I'd recommend that; 6 months in Indonesia cured my blues for sure.
Take some time off, try to remember why you love treework. I for one don't think money is going to solve your problem. We all like to get paid well, but at least for me, money is not much of a motivator. I like getting a good paycheck as much as the next man, but what gets you up in the morning and excited when you show up to the jobsite?
If you're relying on money to do that, it'll never be enough.
I wish you all the best. I've been there too and it was no fun. If you can travel I'd recommend that; 6 months in Indonesia cured my blues for sure.
