Questions during Sales/Estimates

Tr33Climb3r

Tr33Climb3r

Participating member
Location
Wisconsin
So thought I would start a thread to a question I got a couple weeks ago. Finished a pruning job I did for a client then when I came down and was all cleaned up the neighbor walks over and the first thing they ask is "Are you expensive" or something along the lines of that.

Looking you a humerus response as well as a serious one.

Thanks

Others may post their more difficult questions they have encountered.
 
"If you have to ask you can't afford me!"

But seriously, our price is competitive but not necessarily the cheapest. Then I'll ask an open ended question to get them talking so I can qualify them as a potential client.
 
Are you expensive? "Yep. I am sure that you can get a better price from one of the guys that goes door to door if you catch them at a time where they don't have gas money." Make sure you are being genuine when you say it.

or if you are in the mood...

"Questions are free, I just charge for answers."
 
An associated question is, "Is it expensive to take down a tree?" To which I usually reply, "That depends on the tree and the attitude of the owner" with a huge smile!

Other than that I don't have anything approaching humorous.

We just tell them that we probably won't be the lowest bidder.

The long-winded version is this (as it appears in our brochure):

Bidding tree work is fairly straight forward and it might seem that all bids should be the same, but not all companies are alike.

Each company has it's own set of skills, tricks-of-the-trade and unique overhead expenses. They have different ways of approaching the project, different tools and equipment. They also have different levels of care, knowledge and concern for your needs.

Training, Education, Knowledge, Safety Equipment, Insurance and Taxes all contribute to the price of your job.

You should always be suspicious of low bids. Low bidders frequently do not carry liability or workers compensation insurance, often don't pay their employees' Social Security or Medicare taxes, cut corners on safety, aren't trained in proper tree work or will be careless around your property.

We understand that price plays a large role in whether or not you will hire us to do your work. We want you to know that even though we might not happen to be the lowest bidder, we will be an Honest Bidder. We promise to give you our best price the first time!
 
[ QUOTE ]
An associated question is, "Is it expensive to take down a tree?" To which I usually reply, "That depends on the tree and the attitude of the owner" with a huge smile!

Other than that I don't have anything approaching humorous.

We just tell them that we probably won't be the lowest bidder.

The long-winded version is this (as it appears in our brochure):

Bidding tree work is fairly straight forward and it might seem that all bids should be the same, but not all companies are alike.

Each company has it's own set of skills, tricks-of-the-trade and unique overhead expenses. They have different ways of approaching the project, different tools and equipment. They also have different levels of care, knowledge and concern for your needs.

Training, Education, Knowledge, Safety Equipment, Insurance and Taxes all contribute to the price of your job.

You should always be suspicious of low bids. Low bidders frequently do not carry liability or workers compensation insurance, often don't pay their employees' Social Security or Medicare taxes, cut corners on safety, aren't trained in proper tree work or will be careless around your property.

We understand that price plays a large role in whether or not you will hire us to do your work. We want you to know that even though we might not happen to be the lowest bidder, we will be an Honest Bidder. We promise to give you our best price the first time!

[/ QUOTE ]

I really like how this is worded. Thanks for sharing.

[ QUOTE ]
Price is only a consideration if value is not.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is great. Can I use this?
 
I tell them, "you'll probably find that our prices are little more expensive than the guys that will beat any estimate...but you are getting certified arborists that are providing tree care and not just tree cutting."

Sometimes I'll throw in, "because we prune the right way and don't encourage topping, your trees won't need to be pruned as often if you go with us, so up front we cost more, but those guys will be back next year charging the same price again."
 
[ QUOTE ]
Tr33climb3r, go right ahead.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks man

So I have another one. A guy wants to clear his entire lot because he doesn't like tall trees. Let's say the trees are of decent structure and provide so much for the property (shading house for cooling as one example).

Do you clear cut...or explain what they do for his property and refuse to cut them down?
 
If they ask you that I tend to think they were impressed. they would pay whatever you charged if they had the budget for it.

People assume tree work is expensive because to them, it is. Technically it's usually not considering all things but it's still a big chunk of money to lay down all at once.

I use the old, 'I ain't the most expensive and I ain't the cheapest, but I am fair and reasonable'.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Tr33climb3r, go right ahead.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks man

So I have another one. A guy wants to clear his entire lot because he doesn't like tall trees. Let's say the trees are of decent structure and provide so much for the property (shading house for cooling as one example).

Do you clear cut...or explain what they do for his property and refuse to cut them down?

[/ QUOTE ]

Something I've picked up from my instructor, give them a pdf from a reputable organization with the facts outlining the value of the trees. You can say simply are you aware of this and if not here's the info as found in a study. I believe it was Boulder, Co that did the comprehensive evaluation but there are many other unbiased sources that you could use.

You could ask what it is about tall trees that he doesn't like to get to the real issue then offer services to assess the trees and the potential of his fears being realized. Do a quick cost benefit analysis, i.e., cost of removal, plus loss in property value, stormwater management costs, increase in utility costs, etc... vs. cost of effectively managing them.

If the reason is because he's short and doesn't like tall things, then cut 'em down!
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Tr33climb3r, go right ahead.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks man

So I have another one. A guy wants to clear his entire lot because he doesn't like tall trees. Let's say the trees are of decent structure and provide so much for the property (shading house for cooling as one example).

Do you clear cut...or explain what they do for his property and refuse to cut them down?

[/ QUOTE ]


If the reason is because he's short and doesn't like tall things, then cut 'em down!

[/ QUOTE ]

Great information. Would you happen to have some links?

Love this last part!
 
Here's a quote from the Boulder report and you can google it. Boulder, co. tree study.

Boulder’s municipal tree resource is a valuable
asset, providing approximately $2 million or
$56 per tree ($19 per capita) in net annual ben-
efits to the community. Over the years, Boul-
der has invested millions in its municipal for-
est. Citizens are now receiving a substantial
return on their investment: $3.64 in benefits
for every $1 spent on tree care. Boulder’s ben-
efit–cost ratio of 3.64 exceeds those reported
for Bismarck, ND (3.09), Glendale, AZ (2.41),
Fort Collins (2.18), Cheyenne, WY (2.09), and
Berkeley, CA (1.37). As Boulder’s urban forest
matures, continued investment in management
is critical to insuring that residents receive a
high return on their investment in the future.


Here's a link to the trees are good website. They have a brochure of this as well. http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/tree_benefits.aspx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom