I gotta ask because I just don't know

A

Alatamaha

Location
South Carolina
I gotta ask because I just don\'t know

Most of my experience with trees doesn't come from the business end of tree service so if I sound like an idiot here don't worry, I'll just file it with all the other idiotic questions I've asked in my 45 years.

I was bidding on this really nice job today, a 55" dbh longleaf Pine knocked over by a storm and hung up over a neighbors yard, fence and driveway. The homeowner told me that she had a bid from one of the big companies in the area and that they would do it for X dollars but they couldn't be responsible for any damage to the neighbor's driveway.

This just seems odd to me. Is it me? If it is just tell me to shut my piehole and I'll try to forget I asked.

Thanks,
Alatamaha
 
Re: I gotta ask because I just don\'t know

There have been times where I could not guarantee that further damage might not occur from the removal of storm damaged trees. Oddly enough, I'm doing one tomorrow. Large (14") birch lead pinned on a garage roof, no bucket access, crane would be overkill. A shingle or two could be dislodged, or a gutter could get bent in the removal process. I indicated that in my proposal to cover myself. This is rare, and I have only done this with storm damage work.

-Tom
 
Re: I gotta ask because I just don\'t know

[ QUOTE ]
... but they couldn't be responsible for any damage to the neighbor's driveway...

[/ QUOTE ]

This just means they are too lazy to bring plywood (or other mats) to prevent the driveway from cracking. If the potential customer knew better, they'd be able to determine that.

I personally don't like to be in the repair business for concrete... so I avoid cracking it in the first place.

It is nice to get a customer who doesn't care.
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But, 55"DBH wind thrown tree is friggin huge.

If you get the job, post some pics.
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Re: I gotta ask because I just don\'t know

"But, 55"DBH wind thrown tree is friggin huge."

"If you get the job, post some pics"

Yea, and there are tons of trees like this in the neighborhood. Take a look at the Pines at Augusta National, I could drive a ball into gate 4 from this tree.
 
Re: I gotta ask because I just don\'t know

I've bid X to disclaim responsibility for damage and Y to do the same job but accept responsibility. Time is money, and the client makes the call.

The best way out of this is to get tree work rolled into an insurance claim, where restoration of property damage belongs.
 
Re: I gotta ask because I just don\'t know

55"dbh Longleaf pine will have some serious weight. Just saying. Otherwise I agree with Tom and Jamin. The big company probably has a lot to do with the storm damage we had on Monday and this Lady isn't a regular client. They need to get in and out quickly and to H&** with the neighbor's property.
 
Re: I gotta ask because I just don\'t know

I thought it might be a X vs. Y kind of thing (later) although the homeowner did not say it was put that way. I was asked why my price was $700 more and said because I take responsibility if I damage something. In hindsight maybe this was wrong. The HO then said he had agreed to the big guys price but wanted me to do the job, nothing had been signed. Not in these words, I said I don't roll that way the big guy can name that tune.

Yes, I'm that kind of hard hitting, no holes barred kinda biness man.
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Re: I gotta ask because I just don\'t know

Serious weight? My nifty 'little green log weight chart' says only 875 lbs. per foot.

No, I didn't pull a tape on it, but I make it a point to (try to) not exaggerate. My buddy does all the time and it drives me crazy. He tries to pull me in on it all the time and I find myself standing there dead pan because I'm trying to figure out how much bigger, heaver and older the tree got since last time I heard him tell the story. We sure have done some amazing stuff.
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Re: I gotta ask because I just don\'t know

Didn't get to see the whole removal, but I did get to see: bucket truck with bobcat in tow, chip truck with chipper in tow, dump truck, crew cab with stump grinder in tow, 80 ton truck crane, six on the ground, one on the ball, one at the stick. I'm not sure but I think I heard "This is how we do it baby" playing in the background. Not sure how the driveway faired, Masters patrons parked all over it when I went back by.
 
Re: I gotta ask because I just don\'t know

So true, but every job I do do makes me love it even more. No matter what. I have been a gardener all my life and it always amazed me how much I liked other gardeners I met, just by default so to speak. The same seems to be true of People (PC) who make it their business to work on (and in) trees. When I meet someone who cares as much about their trees as I care about mine I have a hard time keeping my face straight. And on top of that I rarely where underwear, but when I do it's pretty wild.
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