What do you do when you go to give and estimate to a new customer? What are things that you look for in the tree? About how much do you add on to a tree if it is in a backyard rather than the front? If you have a new piece of equipment do you tell the homeoner that. For example a loader that won't tear up their lawn? What is your method?
Job Estimates.
- Thread starter dhuffnmu
- Start date
NickfromWI
Participating member
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
I wouldn't break things up by backyard/frontyard. It's hours. You sorta have to do it all in your head pretty quick. Find out what they want done, figure out what you're really going to do, then figure out what it would take to get it done.
Heck yeah tell them if you aren't going to tear up their yard. "Our bid might be a little higher than others you've asked, but....." and you fill in the rest- then you sure as heck better fulfill. I'd be a bit upset if you told me that the yard would go unscathed, then you left tire marks everywhere!
And don't expect the guys to get the job done superfast if you tell them, "leave no trace."
love
nick
Heck yeah tell them if you aren't going to tear up their yard. "Our bid might be a little higher than others you've asked, but....." and you fill in the rest- then you sure as heck better fulfill. I'd be a bit upset if you told me that the yard would go unscathed, then you left tire marks everywhere!
And don't expect the guys to get the job done superfast if you tell them, "leave no trace."
love
nick
- Location
- New Fairfield, CT
I tell the client a little bit about myself. As far as looking at the job goes, I look at the tree(s) I am actually there for, and then at other areas of the property to see what the overall picture is. As far as tearing up the yard goes, and all that stuff, yeah I would definately tell them. One key piece of information I get out of them though if I am going to be moving large weights around is "where is your septic?"
It all comes to how much time is going to be spent there.
I think the estimater has to be or have been a climber.
When looking at a removal, I piece the thing out in my mind. Look to see if it can be felled, look to see what can be dropped and what has to be lowered and where are my lowering points. I figure up my time. I pride myself in being very accurate on removal times, usually in the summer, I find that I'm right on with my time estimate or only a half hour off (and this is with big or multiple removals).
Placement of the tree, front/back all goes into time too.
I have an hourly price I keep to myself, for one climber and one groundman or one climber and two groundmen, etc...
Also, if I use special equipment, like a skidloader to remove logs from a backyard, I have a price for that also.
Then if you use a crane, you have to figure up what their bill will be (if you don't have your own), if you have your own, figure up close to what a crane service would be.
Guys that just take a quick look of the size of the tree and make an estimate from that, without piecing it out in their mind is stupid I think.
Also, I don't understand guys putting in a scare factor higher price. If they are scared and are unsure about doing it, don't even bid. What, a $1000 price jack-up is going to mean anything if you are dead or paralyzed cause it was out of your league. But your higher bids, do make me look better, so go ahead.
Also I have noticed that if it's a backyard tree that they can't get a bucket truck to and your crew is good at climbing and rigging, you can risk to be on the higher side (price wise) cause the other companies that rutinely use bucket trucks tend to be really high on those trees.
I think the estimater has to be or have been a climber.
When looking at a removal, I piece the thing out in my mind. Look to see if it can be felled, look to see what can be dropped and what has to be lowered and where are my lowering points. I figure up my time. I pride myself in being very accurate on removal times, usually in the summer, I find that I'm right on with my time estimate or only a half hour off (and this is with big or multiple removals).
Placement of the tree, front/back all goes into time too.
I have an hourly price I keep to myself, for one climber and one groundman or one climber and two groundmen, etc...
Also, if I use special equipment, like a skidloader to remove logs from a backyard, I have a price for that also.
Then if you use a crane, you have to figure up what their bill will be (if you don't have your own), if you have your own, figure up close to what a crane service would be.
Guys that just take a quick look of the size of the tree and make an estimate from that, without piecing it out in their mind is stupid I think.
Also, I don't understand guys putting in a scare factor higher price. If they are scared and are unsure about doing it, don't even bid. What, a $1000 price jack-up is going to mean anything if you are dead or paralyzed cause it was out of your league. But your higher bids, do make me look better, so go ahead.
Also I have noticed that if it's a backyard tree that they can't get a bucket truck to and your crew is good at climbing and rigging, you can risk to be on the higher side (price wise) cause the other companies that rutinely use bucket trucks tend to be really high on those trees.
and yes, brag about the lawn care if you are good at that. I DO (I like lighter chip trucks, tandem axle chippers and I use a high floatation rubber track "skidloader")Also, on multiple and large removals, I do tell them that in all reality; there is a massive amount of heavy material(wood) that is going to be taken out of your yard. There will be sod damage and dents. We will fix the dents, holes and re-seed, but it won't be perfect at first and may take a fews months to look totally green again.
Hey X,
Thanks for that info. Your method which is basically like mine is really good logical one. That was some good info. It always helps to hear it from someone else. I just didn't know if it was appropriate to tell them about how you have this piece of equipment that will do alot less damage to a yard. But I guess that isn't a bad thing to mention.
Thanks again X for the reply. Good info.
Thanks for that info. Your method which is basically like mine is really good logical one. That was some good info. It always helps to hear it from someone else. I just didn't know if it was appropriate to tell them about how you have this piece of equipment that will do alot less damage to a yard. But I guess that isn't a bad thing to mention.
Thanks again X for the reply. Good info.
Treespotter
New member
- Location
- Houten, The Netherlands
It is not the price per hour that counts when jou are a pro.
Never tell a customer your price per hour, it might be a lot higher than the other treedude. It's the price below the line that counts.
Never tell a customer your price per hour, it might be a lot higher than the other treedude. It's the price below the line that counts.
- Location
- Home of the New Jersey Devils
I agree with treespotter. (and X too), but not Nick /forum/images/graemlins/avid.gif
I don't like to give a price/hr for anything except brush piles. Mainly because they ALWAYS grow after you estimate them.
We may have a higher $/hr/man than most in our area, but we get jobs based on referrals, professional appeal and knowledge. Our price is never the lowest bid, but in the middle-higher range. (not usually the higest either). However, we get the jobs because we are very efficient. That is what spotter is saying too. Why give a $100/hr bid against a $50/hr bid when you will do the job in 6 hrs. and the other company will take 26 hrs and make more money?
Bidding isn't easy. It takes alot of skill and foresight to satisfy everyone and get the job. Good salesman are hard to come by.
$125/hr for a three man crew is way under for our area.
I don't like to give a price/hr for anything except brush piles. Mainly because they ALWAYS grow after you estimate them.
We may have a higher $/hr/man than most in our area, but we get jobs based on referrals, professional appeal and knowledge. Our price is never the lowest bid, but in the middle-higher range. (not usually the higest either). However, we get the jobs because we are very efficient. That is what spotter is saying too. Why give a $100/hr bid against a $50/hr bid when you will do the job in 6 hrs. and the other company will take 26 hrs and make more money?
Bidding isn't easy. It takes alot of skill and foresight to satisfy everyone and get the job. Good salesman are hard to come by.
$125/hr for a three man crew is way under for our area.
- Location
- Macon Georgia, USA
What would you guys say is a fair salary for a ground man with some
experience in rigging and just a little climbing?
experience in rigging and just a little climbing?
- Location
- Home of the New Jersey Devils
Do you need him to climb, or just ground?
- Location
- Macon Georgia, USA
Ground with very little if any climbing
- Location
- Home of the New Jersey Devils
That "some experience" in your statemnet makes me think that they are on the lower end of things and need to progress. That being said, probably 14-17/hr.
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