I guess I need a waiver of liability

[flushcut]

If it bothers you that much why not become a legitimate tree service? Instead of Hi, my names Daryl I have a chainsaw and a waiver. Can I cut your limbs because I want to?

Doesn’t (Hi, my names Daryl with Winchman Tree Service I am fully insured and have the skill and knowledge to care for your trees. Would you like an estimate for removal of that hazard limb over the playground?) sound better?

Obviously you are passionate about the work but do it the right way.

 

[Mike H]

If you would charge just $100 per climb, you could easily afford a general liability insurance payment. You are doing real tree work and potential clients would consider you legitimate.

 

[southsoundtree]

I wonder if you can more economically form a non-profit.
This would put you in a better position to receive donations (organizations can donate to you, and businesses can deduct from their taxes, too).


A couple thousand dollars will get you insurance, bonding, licensing, and accounting.

 

[CutHighnLetFly]

@Winchman around $1000 will get you the general liability insurance you need to cover you (assuming your state laws are similar to mine) to do the sort of work you're talking about. A $150 minimum and you're covering the cost that will get you the security your potential clients need.
As mentioned clearly you're passionate about the climbing and providing the service to your community. I say invest in the opportunity and see where it brings you!
Either way, best of luck with what you are doing and have fun out there.

 

[27RMT0N]

Yep, general liability and forming a business is cheaper than people realize, the biggest expenses (in my experience at least) come from L&I related to employees and commercial vehicle insurance.

What if you formed a legit business, charged like $100 a job to cover your insurance, and donated any 'profit' to some kind of charity? You'd be in the same place financially as you are now, just with extra protection and legitimacy.

 

[Winchman]

The Waiver of Liability was good enough to get me permission to climb the big oak that got hit by lightning, so I'll try it on the other projects. I'd like to keep this as simple as possible, and the neighbor helping neighbor approach works best for me.