Startup Advice

Wow, didn't expect so much great feedback! Thanks everyone! And so I guess I should say that I want to mainly specialize in pruning, small to medium size removals, treatment that does not require a spray rig, reductions, dead wooding, and some emergency/storm work. Sub out the super gnarly stuff to others that have the big guns. I'm friends with almost all the other Arborists in my area so that shouldn't be too awfully hard I'm hoping. I have already acquired my own chipper, truck, all my own climbing gear, saws, and most everything I really need as far as rigging gear goes as well. I climb well, cut well, and am a quite skilled rigger. The reason I say I want to stay small is because I just don't want to be totally consumed by what I do to make a lil bit of money. I climb and have learned about arboriculture because I love it, and trees. Not because I really need a lot of money to live the lifestyle I do. I live quite a simplistic life. Close to "off grid" as people call it, as I can right now. I like being able to enjoy my life while I have it, and not just spend all of it working or being tired from working haha. Also, I have spent a lot of time studying. On my own accord, safe work practices and proper ways of going about this field of work. And am quite a fan of doing things by standards set by those before me. That created these standards for a reason. For our safety, and for the benefit of the trees. And currently am unsatisfied having to do much of the things that I have to do, or be involved with under my current employer. I want also to try and educate people more on the importance of proper tree care/work through my work. Which is really the only reason I want to be ISA certified. So that I can reach a wider threshold of people. The ones who will listen to a person solely on their word of being knowledgeable, as well as the crowd who requires paperwork and credentials to "prove" such. As the days of honesty and integrity have past because of the amount of dishonest people that inhabit this place haha. Sad but true. Anyway. That's all I can think to say at the moment. Thanks for all the positive feedback so far, and please keep thoughts, opinions, and experience comments coming! Much appreciated. :)
 
Those are definitely the right reasons to go out on your own. It's hard, but can be incredibly rewarding. The only person who holds back your growth as an Arborist is you.
I hate hearing the guys who want to go out on their own because "they're tired of making someone else money". Those guys never make it because they think a business owner just kicks back and collects checks.


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Keep an income coming from someone else, while you build? Can you contract climb a bit to diversify income streams?

A mini is invaluable, and offers the ability to do other work beside tree work. I cleared a small field of huge, thorny blackberries in 45 minutes for a neighbor, so as to open the dropzone for crane picks. He was baffled. He was going to have to hire it out. Now I have what I want (dropzone) and a place to blow chips, and he is even more "Do what you gotta do!".

VistaPrint offers cheap and easy do it yourself marketing. The magnetic signs aren't as good as permanent, but a cheap start. Banners, business cards, Personalized hats/ shirts...all cheap. Sure there are lots of options. That one is an easy one to do at 11pm, when you're returning emails.

Don't do something for free than you're good at, and others aren't.

Steer your customers while pre-screening them. "Please give some thought in advance, along with your __________ (other decision maker, e.g. wife, husband, other property owner, neighbor) to what you will want for material processing (put on ground only, chip and buck, haul all, stump or no stump work), acceptable collateral impact (zero impact, divots, moonscape as its getting dug up for septic), time line, most important factors (money, tree health, able to be done in one day on a specific day, Lic/ Ins/ Bonded, wanting a CA). We will need to know about your septic, irrigation, utility locations."
 
I have been in business for a short 3 years, climbing for 15. My business is small...
1 groundie, myself, wood splitter, and F250.
The niche I have found within the competition is my climbing skill. (not that other co's don't have good climbers and CA's). Not a flashy name or huge showy trucks or expensive equipment, just safe, efficient, honest, professional tree work. None certified(Aspiring Arborist).
People get a price for a large tree with no access from a big company and its super high.
We go in, takedown and remove Big trees without all the ruts and destruction for a fair price.
No huge overhead
Greater profit margin
But, Hard work.

For now being a smallie is my only option to continue up the path of success.
Work hard, save a little, be happy.
It may take me a little longer then others to get there but im able to ride out the lulls in work, minor injurys, etc.. without having to come up with a huge payment each month.

Upon becoming a CA, I will most likely be thinking a bit bigger, but for now...IAG
 
People will cause as many problems as you let them. Sure some guys will never workout, but you don't have to be held hostage to them while they decide. If you state your expectations and the consequences of not meeting them, there's no real drama or surprises when they falter. You just hire slow and fire quick! :)
 
SWIFTYCLMBR said:
I have been in business for a short 3 years, climbing for 15. My business is small...
1 groundie, myself, wood splitter, and F250.
The niche I have found within the competition is my climbing skill. (not that other co's don't have good climbers and CA's). Not a flashy name or huge showy trucks or expensive equipment, just safe, efficient, honest, professional tree work. None certified(Aspiring Arborist).
People get a price for a large tree with no access from a big company and its super high.
We go in, takedown and remove Big trees without all the ruts and destruction for a fair price.
No huge overhead
Greater profit margin
But, Hard work.

For now being a smallie is my only option to continue up the path of success.
Work hard, save a little, be happy.
It may take me a little longer then others to get there but im able to ride out the lulls in work, minor injurys, etc.. without having to come up with a huge payment each month.

Upon becoming a CA, I will most likely be thinking a bit bigger, but for now...IAG
Click to expand...


It's great staying small. I've got a good paying construction job 9-5 then tree work on the side. It's me, my wife and my dog, a truck trailer and handful of saws and rope. No huge over head ( except for mama... What's mine is ours and what's hers is hers lol. Married guys know what i mean) yea I can do jobs cheap, but that's because I'm only paying me. However I can only take small-ish jobs... That's where selective bidding comes in as mentioned above. I'm just buying some time to build up a client base and rep before I go all in. Right now if the phones blows up either the customers can wait or they can't. Either way I have income from my day job or a two week out schedule.
 
Went from big to small and won't go back.. I've done pruning and cabling work out of a Ford Focus. Now an F150 makes more soil and root work possible. Most callers who want removals are open to preservation work, and that's what I sell.
I went on my own to avoid having to kill good trees just to eat. It was the right move, as is the transition to consulting when I turned 64. Rainy days I can work on reports, staying warm and dry.
 
guymayor said:
Went from big to small and won't go back.. I've done pruning and cabling work out of a Ford Focus. Now an F150 makes more soil and root work possible. Most callers who want removals are open to preservation work, and that's what I sell.
I went on my own to avoid having to kill good trees just to eat. It was the right move, as is the transition to consulting when I turned 64. Rainy days I can work on reports, staying warm and dry.
Click to expand...
How can I press the 'like' button 1,000 times?
 
guymayor said:
Went from big to small and won't go back.. I've done pruning and cabling work out of a Ford Focus. Now an F150 makes more soil and root work possible. Most callers who want removals are open to preservation work, and that's what I sell.
I went on my own to avoid having to kill good trees just to eat. It was the right move, as is the transition to consulting when I turned 64. Rainy days I can work on reports, staying warm and dry.
Click to expand...
You are now officially a hero of mine. Awesome man, just awesome!
 
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