Knowing when to turn down a job?

[climbingmonkey24]

As someone who is new to owning his own tree business, I of course find myself faced with jobs that sometimes I rather just not take on. Like today for instance, I went and looked at a tree that I felt would be safer and more efficient to work in with a bucket as opposed to trying to climb. I don't like turning something down and I always welcome a challenge, but I also feel it's important to be real with myself and know what I can handle and when it would be best to move on to the next thing. Any business owners ever be in this situation, especially starting out when maybe you don't have as much equipment?

I think as climbers (I climb for my business) it's vital that we be able to assess the situation and not let ego get in the way. Sure we want to do something, but in some situations if you're not confident or unsure about something I usually like to take a step back or ask an opinion of someone else. Likewise as a business owner, obviously we want to take on every job we get offered but if you're not feeling it one hundred percent or you're not sure how it's going to work out with the equipment you have, when do you draw that line between taking on a challenge and passing up on the opportunity because safety and being able to get it done confidently become a bigger issue.

 

[TheNewGuy14]

I'm in the same boat. I have a small tree business that is a side job. I turn down jobs all the time because it's just more than I am capable of handling. I push the limits a little every now and then and learn or evolve but I'm not scared turn a job down.

Better to make some money rather than work for free and come out of pocket to repair something... Plus, you'll look like a jackass too.


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[monkeylove]

You can't be afraid to turn jobs down. However you also need to network and see who else in your area is willing to work with you. There are still lots of jobs that are just to big for me to do but there are also a lot that do get done by knowing who to call for help. Remember when you need help to pay them fairly or they won't be there next time. Also remember that if your help is doing most of the work or bringing most of the equipment then they should get most of the money for the job. It's not about getting rich on those jobs, it's about taking care of the guy who made it possible for you to even quote that job.

 

[Yimboob]

Is there any way you could just sell it as a crane job if it seems too dangerous to rig off of? I dont know where you're from but typically if you rent a crane you can get more money on the job.

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[JeffGu]

I either rent a lift or turn the job down. But I do give them a list of bigger tree services who have the necessary equipment. Frank's advice is dead on.

 

[Jem4417]

Yea just give a ridiculous price and if they bite just rent what you need

 

[JD3000]

Will it be profitable, possible, and positive.

 

[evo]

I turn work down all the time. In fact I just got my first and only google review from some crotchety old man. My spidey senses went off when he wanted me to finish a tree that was limbed and topped. Told him I was too busy to finish others work, and gave Jim some names of others. He then let go on me, as I got back into the truck to get outta there. So I do guess there can be some negative repercussions, but most the time they are happy with the line "I might not be the most cost effective"

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

There is a difference between not being cost effective and not being safe. I rarely turn down an opportunity to look at work. Quite often the "economics" come into my conversation when it comes to 45 min of travel (or more) both ways. But seldom when I'm honest about the economics does the customer turn down the proposal. I have on occasion tried to turn work down after seeing it, for safety reasons, but each time it's been emergency storm work and everyone else has walked away from it. With a client with no other options I normally start to think way outside our typical tool box. We did one last year, cut 4 trees manually just to position two 36 ton cranes so we could safely pick a split tulip poplar apart. And it all came down to @monkeylove 's point knowing who to call to get the equipment needed to complete the job safely.
That being said I don't out right turn work down. If it's something I don't want to do I price it to be worth the effort. No need for ego to become involved in any part of tree work. Network with guys with equipment and work with them as needed to grow your business.

 

[Jem4417]

There is a difference between not being cost effective and not being safe. I rarely turn down an opportunity to look at work. Quite often the "economics" come into my conversation when it comes to 45 min of travel (or more) both ways. But seldom when I'm honest about the economics does the customer turn down the proposal. I have on occasion tried to turn work down after seeing it, for safety reasons, but each time it's been emergency storm work and everyone else has walked away from it. With a client with no other options I normally start to think way outside our typical tool box. We did one last year, cut 4 trees manually just to position two 36 ton cranes so we could safely pick a split tulip poplar apart. And it all came down to @monkeylove 's point knowing who to call to get the equipment needed to complete the job safely.
That being said I don't out right turn work down. If it's something I don't want to do I price it to be worth the effort. No need for ego to become involved in any part of tree work. Network with guys with equipment and work with them as needed to grow your business.

Were you there with the crane operator Phil running swirsdings crane at lift big stuff with Jake , Glenn riggs my buddy Todd on the ground from giroud , thigpen and acouple other subs around the Philly suburbs? I heard that was a sight to see

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

Were you there with the crane operator Phil running swirsdings crane at lift big stuff with Jake , Glenn riggs my buddy Todd on the ground from giroud , thigpen and acouple other subs around the Philly suburbs? I heard that was a sight to see

No didn't see that one. Actually didn't even hear about it. Ours was down in Bear De with Ryan and Angelo from Crane Man myself and a sub I work with on occasion.
It's important to note if you think hard enough and have enough equipment available at your disposal anything can be done safely. In this case we almost couldn't get the cranes.