Hiring A Sub?

chris_girard

chris_girard

Branched out member
Location
Gilmanton, N.H.
So I'm bidding a job that's just too large for my small company and was going to hire another tree company to come in and do the work while I basically work for them on the ground that day.

They have a crane, their own climber, chipper, truck and log loader.

The job will run about $4,000. and they want to give me $200 out of the whole job. That's 5% which doesn't seem a lot for a job that size.

What do you guys think? What percentage would you want for a job that you basically give to someone?
 
no way period. its your job you pay them what you think is fair. if they don't agree then hire a crane service and call a local debris removal company and get a couple of guys from the local day labor hall for dragging brush. rent a bobcat from a local equipment shop. bottom line, you should net a third of the job.
 
So they want to give you $200 before taxes and insurance for landing the job and working on the ground, too. Is that with or without lube?

Did they propose $3800 for their end, knowing the bid at $4k, or did they say they'd give you a $200 finders/ work fee?



What makes it too large for you to handle, specifically, if you don't mind the question? Crane experience? Technical nature? load loading? Does the customer want one day service?
 
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What makes it too large for you to handle, specifically, if you don't mind the question? Crane experience? Technical nature? load loading? Does the customer want one day service?

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Don't mind you asking at all Sean. I don't have the crane experience to do this particular job. I need to start to get some, but this job is pretty tight quarters with tricky picks.

I knew that I was getting the shaft when they gave me that price.
 
I think that you should get at least 10% finders and you should not touch a thing. They being a tree service should use their equipment and their ground dudes. I think that would be fair. If you have to work they should get less like you should be In the 20% range. That's me I don't know if I am right but I think that is right.
 
You sold the job, that's 5% to 10%. The customer pays you so technaically you're responsible and must supervise, that's 10% to 20%.

I did a job like that last year and it was a pleasure. I stood around and watched while five brothers from El Salvador and one guy running a bobcat took down a bunch of pines. Great climbing and ground work, really fast... it was just fun. Total selling price was $3800, I got $1200. I wish I could do those all the time.

Selling the job is BIG. The customer is YOURS. The sub could wreck your reputation if he screws up, never mind the hassle. Five percent ain't worth talking about.
 
no probs man :) I agree fully with the guys as well.

when I was just getting into this, there was a job that i bid on, it was a bit too daunting for me at the time, so i got the guy who was "mentoring" me...( I look back and think now that all he mentored me in was what NOT to do in treework!)

It was 1200 bucks, so i called him in, he climbed it, struggled it down, wanted the whole 1200!!!!! i told him, no, we would split it, he said he charged 130 per hour to climb, he was 4 hours, so i gave him 600, more than fair..he wanted all of it..LOL well he wanted to give me 100 bucks as a finder fee...i told him to take the 600 or take nuthin'...i quit working with him that day and went solo :)
 
Yeah, guys like that piss me off when they try to take advantage of someone.

I have no problem helping a fellow tree worker out who is a friend without charging them an arm and a leg, but for one company to try and stick it to another one just doesn't settle right with me.
 
Do the job yourself. Rent a crane, and get someone to come and help you work with it. Pick up a couple more guys to haul or whatever.
 
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Don't take on more than you can handle! Leave it to the real professionals.

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Having a crane and chipper does not make you a real professional. It sometimes means that you have enough money to look like you know what you are doing.

This is very evident in some of the landscaping companies here in NH that have tried to get into the tree care business by buying a crane, and then they do crappy work.

Then it really does looks like we live in Cow Hampshire. I am a real professional, but I also know my limitations.
 
real professionals??? nice statement TJ...
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chris is right, I don't own a chipper or a crane, but I still think I'm a pro...or at least I try to be one...
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I have not used a crane yet either...but the key word is "yet".
 
I just had the opposite experience. I bid some ash tree removals for 1200 and I hired a crane from another tree service. they showed up, i was ready to set the straps and everything. But the crane guy happened to come with a climber who wanted experience. All I did was chip the sticks. They only charged me for the 250 crane rental charge. that also included loading my trailer with logs. I barely lifted a finger. It was awesome and they basically did the whole job. It took three hours, they were there for two.

I would say that you find a good crane guy and dive in. A crane guy that does tree work. Call around and get references from other local arborists.

Crane jobs are intimidating. I used to think they were for the big league only. But really, they are way easier than any conventional rigging. You'll start getting a crane every chance you can. Spend an evening reading through the crane forum and then go do it yourself. You have a GRCS right? I feel like i've read you writing about it. I think that would give you more than enough experience working with a crane.

the big thing about renting cranes is being tight on logistics. You have to have everything ready to go and be able to get to work the second they come. It can wreck a job if they show up and there is a BMW parked under where you have to fly the picks over and you cant find the owner to move it. It is real painful to watch the crane sitting there on the clock as your running around beating on doors.
 
Kevin, what crane company did you have come out that had a new climber? I am just wondering if I know them or not. Great deal regardless.
 
It was Dittman Tree. Actually I dont know if he was a new climber or not, he was just eager to set the straps. Cant remember his name. It was a simple job, tall, skinny dead ashes, set the straps and cut them from the ground. I just did my first crane job like six months ago and have been hooked ever since.
 
Yes, I do own a GRCS and I'm proficient in its use, which will certainly help when I start doing crane work.

I've given away too many crane jobs and its time that I dive in and start doing them.
 
i recently just sold a job of my own for $700 (50ft pine and a 40ft water oak) i talked to the guy i work for full time and for $250 he is going to bring his chipper and truck. I can use all of his gear. The only thing i need of my own is my climbing gear which is in his truck but he is even going to be my ground man.

I say if the sub can be reasonable use them and if not (seems to be the case) take it on yourself. I would love to do my first crane job!!

Good luck either way and keep us posted.

Jay
 
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