Storm Damage Work

L

LilRed

Location
Portland, Or
I live out here on the west coast and business gets pretty slow during the winter. I have been considering heading out towards the east coast next winter during a big storm(s) (hopefully it doesn't happen). To chase down some work and help keep money coming in during the winter.

Does anyone have any thoughts they can share about this plan?

I'm just scratching the surface on this idea. I am a member of TCIA and I believe they have a Storm Emergency List or something of the same nature for this as well.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I wonder how pay typically works for subs on storms. It's a lot different work than typical contract climbing.

[/ QUOTE ]

$30-$90/hr. ime
 
Don't chase it. It'll come to your town eventually.

I'm on the Sioux Falls ice storm right now and I can tell you the overall experience sucks.

The pay is good to great, but you'll be away from home for an extended period, bunking with the work crew, working looooong hours in any weather.

If you do go on storm work be sure to get all your ducks in a row before you even leave. A signed contract is a must for peace of mind. There are city licenses to obtain as well as registering for state sales tax. If the storm was real bad there will be no bar oil or saw chains to be found. Maybe not even electric and drinking water. Bring all your own tools. Secure lodging before you leave home or prepare to sleep in the truck.

The town will quickly fill with "tree guys" of all shapes and sizes - your competition if you don't have a contract.

I had to save a homeowner from certain death today, played arbo-cop. As I was leaving my jobsite at dusk I happened to see this guy on his roof (in the rain) doing his best to whittle away at a 12" dia lead from his neighbors Ash tree with a jigsaw! With his wife and kid underneath to catch him or the limb I guess. Told him to call a pro, should be about $50 to get it on the ground, he says he had a bid for $300! (gougers everywhere). Convinced him to stop, helped him get down the slippery ladder, and gave him a number for a buddy coming in tomorrow. Don't dog me on the pricing please - it's gonna be only 15 minutes with a rope and saddle and chainsaw - no more than $50 for me or most any pro.

Anyway, I don't recommend it, unless you want to see mangled trees, tons of gouging tree hacks, and homeowners doing the dumbest things to save their cash.
 
Raven is spot on.
I was in Tuscaloosa, AL, subbing for a contractor, under the Army Corp of Engineers, working as a 'Safety Officer', after the tornadoes of April 2011, for almost 7 weeks.
95% of the tree work was hack. 12-15 hour days, 7 days a week. Most of them storm chasers, and had no clue how to properly rig or fell.
 
Well welcome to ALABAMA Norm. You experienced the normal rather than the exception here. Not to say there aren't qualified people here, just not many!
 
I try to get around in the winter to get away from the monotony of tree work here. Usually squirrel away a couple hawaii contracts and work in the valley doing big deciduous pruning jobs and climbing big firs.
Hopefully in the next year or so, I can make it to the east coast. Have always wanted to work in RI, MA, CT (anywhere around there). I went into this industry wanting to care for trees and the opportunities over there, it seems, are right up my alley. Give me mature, spreading deciduous trees to climb and prune all day, everyday and I will be a happy man.
sorry slight derail, but I get super psyched thinking about the next time I can climb and care for a big decurrent!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I try to get around in the winter to get away from the monotony of tree work here. Usually squirrel away a couple hawaii contracts and work in the valley doing big deciduous pruning jobs and climbing big firs.
Hopefully in the next year or so, I can make it to the east coast. Have always wanted to work in RI, MA, CT (anywhere around there). I went into this industry wanting to care for trees and the opportunities over there, it seems, are right up my alley. Give me mature, spreading deciduous trees to climb and prune all day, everyday and I will be a happy man.
sorry slight derail, but I get super psyched thinking about the next time I can climb and care for a big decurrent!

[/ QUOTE ]

Simply - Exactly where I am coming from! Although climbing firs, etc. is kinda old :( How does one go about getting a contract in Hawaii? I have family I could stay with out there :)

If there are so many hacks that means my work should be that much better right?

It is always great to help people out and I take pride in it, no doubt, I will give someone the shirt off my back. However this idea is stimulated with the idea to make some money over the winter. I can deal with hacks, and some time away from home living in less than ideal environment as long as the bills are being paid.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom