I have decided where I want to go with my business

Philtreeman#1

Philtreeman#1

New member
Hi everyone . I have finally decided where I want to go with my business. I looking for advice and suggestions.
We have been doing general tree trimming and removals for about five years now. I have been doing all climbing. We also do fruit tree pruning.
Most of the time it's me and one other guy.
We have been trying to compete with bucket truck outfits.
Awhile back I was looking at a bucket truck But was like; you know what I really don't want to be stuck in one all day and be stuck with the maintenance on one either. I want to keep climbing and keep my business small for now.
Moving forward I would like to specialize in the climbing. I envision us doing technical removals in areas where the buckets can't access and doing fine pruning. We would likely have to travel some to get enough work. We could also do jobs around here that the others don't do economically such as fruit trees. We are located in southern Idaho.
I am looking for advice and suggestions on marketing, networking, and other stuff.

I started out with landscaping and am trying to come up with a better name for a tree business. Suggestions? This is my current website.
treerenovation.com
 
"Begin with the end in mind"... I started out just like you. I work in an area where their were 10 cranes or so. I started my business based on pruning, climbing, and preservation work. I didn't want to be a removal company. I wanted to separate myself from that and be the preservation company. However, it was a very hard sell on my market. So, if you have the work and have the ability to keep yourself busy with that kind of work, I think that you will do just fine. Like you mentioned you will need to travel a little to get those jobs.
I think their is a market for the type of work your looking to do. But, you will have to say no to those jobs that you will be inefficient at. That was my mistake, I couldn't say no...and my wife supported me in using some of our life savings to purchase equipment that made me able to offer those services.
One thing to consider is contracting yourself out in your slow times. I know I could use a good, solid climber that is familiar with crane work and pruning large trees. Best of luck to you!!
 
Word up! Been at it for about 10 years now. Just figured out where I want to go in the next 15 in order to "mature". Got a family going on with a 3 and 6 year old who want to work with me as of now, or fly helicopters. Retirement does not even make sense to me, I love what I do and don't ever want to stop. Some time off and new equipment like grapple cutter drones and cranes might be in order when I get "old"...41 now.
I was just a climber for a few years, like never gonna buy a bucket guy...things change.
We have had our bucket now about 5 years. Gonna ditch the bucket (they suck to own!) and move on to a 70'+ tracked lift in the next year. Went from pick up, to 9", to 19" chipper, two mini skids.

The big deal is handling the work that starts to flow. $1k in advertising returned $10k in the beginning...then it was $1k turned into $100k. Last year we did not spend any and are pushing $200k. That's me and one other full time year round guy, some times in the summer we pull on another guy. I do spend a lot of quality time with my family, several vacations a year, lots of skiing (when it's good) plenty of jerking off and napping too! Life is good.

Last few years we pulled back to figure out how to handle 10x's the work. Bough a few properties, including a 10,000 square foot shop. Setting up "waste product reclamation operations" at our facilities. Office is going in as I type. Administrative assistant/ secretary/ has been hired and this year is going off the charts!

Advice...have a plan, have an open mind, change the plan constantly, mostly have fun! We are blessed!
 
We're kind of in the same boat mate. If you want to specialize in a lot of pruning, you will really have to go out and get it. Go to HOA meetings and work on educating people about what they need. People, especially in your area, have NO idea what they need or even want until it's brought before them. Also hit up property management companies and try to educate them about the importance of them not allowing landscapers to stub up their trees, and how they would benefit using your service. Maybe put together a presentation so it's ready to go to any meeting.
We recently had a little communication through here and it's nice to see someone on here so close. When it warms up a bit, id like to meet up and see what you're capable of so I can have someone to refer my removals to, if that's cool with you.
 
Well said @frashdog!! A agree with your perspective. One thing that you mentioned that is worth echoing again is "The big deal is handling the work that starts to flow" That is key and where you can get creative and maybe even do things you never thought possible or imagined. Once that phone starts ringing and you go look at a job and price it high, and get it. You will see that maybe more removals, or getting a track lift, log truck, bucket truck..etc, is in the cards. When you have a 3 month back log and you turning away good jobs things start to change in your mind.
 
TreeVB said:
We're kind of in the same boat mate. If you want to specialize in a lot of pruning, you will really have to go out and get it. Go to HOA meetings and work on educating people about what they need. People, especially in your area, have NO idea what they need or even want until it's brought before them. Also hit up property management companies and try to educate them about the importance of them not allowing landscapers to stub up their trees, and how they would benefit using your service. Maybe put together a presentation so it's ready to go to any meeting.
We recently had a little communication through here and it's nice to see someone on here so close. When it warms up a bit, id like to meet up and see what you're capable of so I can have someone to refer my removals to, if that's cool with you.
Click to expand...
I would like that.
 
I am liking everything you guys have been saying. I am thinking that getting a spider lift for my right hand man later on when we start needing the tax deductions would be a good long term goal.
Ok for some questions. What is a good way to quote and manage work that is over an hour away? I would like to do some work as a subcontractor climber/tree service also. How do you price yourself for this? As you probably noticed my Business name is LANDSCAPE RENOVATION but that of course gives people the wrong impression of what we do. I have been thinking of changing it to TREE RENOVATIONS in some form but am not really settled on that yet. What do you think?
 
I work within 30min for 95% of my jobs. Only reason I travel up to and no further is a very wealthy lake area. Charge accordingly.

Basic business plan ideas are...figure out your costs and expenses. Then figure out the costs and expenses of a tree service doing the exact same thing, but with all new equipment. Imagine a new tree guy came into town and bought all new equipment and shop and office...they would have to charge accordingly. Don't think it can't happen. This lets you know where you are, versus where you should be. Look at other "mature" businesses like roofers in your area. Gonna see the smaller hacks charging half the price of the big guys, but the big guys keep getting work, from people who understand that quality/professional work costs more...even if the half price guy actually is as good.

Buddy of mine bought a local roto rooter off a guy who struggled to do more then $150k a year. The guy was stuck in owner operater mode thinking buying more equipment, hiring, marketing and advertising was not worth it. Within a year and a half my friend who bought it had the gross over $1million. He now has 50 employees and probably is in the$3-$4million range. He told me it's all marketing and advertising, if your service is good. I know there is 10x's the work in my area. I can't handle what I have at the current set up. Every tree guy around me is an owner operator and thinks there are only so many jobs to fight over, I laugh in my head when they say that.

My brother in law is a manager at landscape company in CT. With 40 guys they do $6million. They only do commercial accounts. Malls, plazas, shopping centers,.. He targets these places just driving around. He will go right into their offices and ask to speak with the property maintenance guy for an opportunity at bidding. These places have guys that is there job. Most tree guys around me don't even advertise, they have told me it is not worth it... on that note make sure you meet every tree guy around you. You will find out valuable intel and some guys might be able to help you in ways you never imagined.

Definitely ditch the landscaping, I have gotten jobs cause the point of contact did not believe the guy with landscape in his name was insured properly or was an expert in the trees.

How about treevenation? Treenevation? Tree Innovation?

Think years down the road. I'm thinking out to 15years at this point, as how long it will take for my operations to "mature". Only cause I can imagine where I want to be. Sad watching the 65 year old owner operator tree guy around me who can't retire and everyone thought was "the tree guy" only to find he can't get $150k for his business and all it's old beat up equipment.
 
Dont lose every aspect of the landscaping. Sure a name change may be appropriate but having the skills and knowledge isnt a bad thing.

Ask a room full of tree care folks how many trees they removed on jobs over the last year, and you'll get many responses.
Ask the same room how many trees they planted, you might hear crickets.

An arborist with good plant knowledge as well as some landscape design and install background can be a great asset.
 
frashdog said:
Word up! Been at it for about 10 years now. Just figured out where I want to go in the next 15 in order to "mature". Got a family going on with a 3 and 6 year old who want to work with me as of now, or fly helicopters. Retirement does not even make sense to me, I love what I do and don't ever want to stop. Some time off and new equipment like grapple cutter drones and cranes might be in order when I get "old"...41 now.
I was just a climber for a few years, like never gonna buy a bucket guy...things change.
We have had our bucket now about 5 years. Gonna ditch the bucket (they suck to own!) and move on to a 70'+ tracked lift in the next year. Went from pick up, to 9", to 19" chipper, two mini skids.

The big deal is handling the work that starts to flow. $1k in advertising returned $10k in the beginning...then it was $1k turned into $100k. Last year we did not spend any and are pushing $200k. That's me and one other full time year round guy, some times in the summer we pull on another guy. I do spend a lot of quality time with my family, several vacations a year, lots of skiing (when it's good) plenty of jerking off and napping too! Life is good.

Last few years we pulled back to figure out how to handle 10x's the work. Bough a few properties, including a 10,000 square foot shop. Setting up "waste product reclamation operations" at our facilities. Office is going in as I type. Administrative assistant/ secretary/ has been hired and this year is going off the charts!

Advice...have a plan, have an open mind, change the plan constantly, mostly have fun! We are blessed!
Click to expand...

This gave me a good laugh. Nothing beats skiing all day followed by a good jerk session.
 
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