Subcontracting Spider Lift Rate

[Nickvandervelde]

I recently purchased an Easy Lift spider lift. I have been approached by several other tree companies about doing some sub work. I was curious if anyone else is subbing out their spider lift and at what hourly rate? I was thinking of $150/hr for lift and myself and $200/hr if I need to bring a groundsman for rigging.

 

[RyTheTreeGuy]

That seems a little low to me. Granted I am not an owner of a spider jack, but it is a specialized and expensive piece of equipment. You are also a skilled operator and tree worker. On top of that you are responsible for the maintenance and floating of the equipment. I assume since they are subing the work to you it will fall under your responsability if something ever went wrong and you are assuming the liability. Remember the tree company is not paying for your services they are making money from them...Your equipment is special and expensive. If it wasn't the company would already have one. No shame in calling a spade a spade. Also I would set an hourly limit. 4 hours seems to be the minimum around here. Good luck. Cheers

 

[Jehinten]

I have nothing to base the price off of except for the rental rates from the local Vermeer dealer. They recently started carrying tuepen (spelling?)

Their 70' is $3500/week and the 92' is $3800/week.

Of course at these prices there is no operator or transportation for the equipment to the job such as you will be providing

 

[Merle Nelson]

@oceans might have one informed opinion.

 

[Fivepoints]

I recently purchased an Easy Lift spider lift. I have been approached by several other tree companies about doing some sub work. I was curious if anyone else is subbing out their spider lift and at what hourly rate? I was thinking of $150/hr for lift and myself and $200/hr if I need to bring a groundsman for rigging.

That seems Bout right to me for our market. Remember, prices are a local thing. In our area you can sub a 40 ton crane for $165/hr with a 4 hour minimum. Transport time comes out of that 4 hr. It comes with a skilled operator. Cranes are more expensive than spiderlifts.

 

[flushcut]

$150 with you and lift is a friendly rate IMO and that is what I charge but you do need to establish a minimum like $500 or a four hour minimum. With you, the lift, and a rope man I would go higher $250-300 hr just because there is more liability involved and expense i.e. work comp, payroll......
Now there are a few guys in the area that it's a $1000 cash up front before it even leaves the trailer with a $1000 minimum. Read into that, un-friendly rate.

 

[littlenick]

I rent out a 72’ arborist lift around Cincinnati for $650 per day with no operator. I find that any amount over that it’s cheaper to rent a crane of try and use a towable lift. It goes out 7-10 days a month right now but I have only tried it for 6 months.

 

[Nickvandervelde]

I rent out a 72’ arborist lift around Cincinnati for $650 per day with no operator. I find that any amount over that it’s cheaper to rent a crane of try and use a towable lift. It goes out 7-10 days a month right now but I have only tried it for 6 months.

Does the $650 include a trailer for transportation?

 

[Reach]

Around here, we can rent a 72’ Arborist for $750/day. That does include a tilt deck trailer to move it with, but does not include an operator.

 

[Treetopflyer]

I do one day a week for other companies, while my crew plays catch up or maintenance day ...1300 to 1500 a day minimum from now on ...I was less starting out and realized I'm doing nasty technical, and dead trees a crane cant get, so wheres the reward for a piece that enables like that for production? 700 for 4 hours and I dont care if I'm there for 4 3 2 or 1 hour I still get the minimum 700 .. anything over 4 is full rate.. I tried other ways and it's not worth it I've found..I've found usually they think its gonna take longer and its knocked out early, so this entices them to do the full day and stack up the work.. never had a bad experience yet , just thank yous

 

[deevo]

I recently purchased an Easy Lift spider lift. I have been approached by several other tree companies about doing some sub work. I was curious if anyone else is subbing out their spider lift and at what hourly rate? I was thinking of $150/hr for lift and myself and $200/hr if I need to bring a groundsman for rigging.

I have an easy lift and I charge $200 an hour 4 hour min, plus travel is in that 4 hour min whatever it is to get there and back to my yard. I do loft work for 15 companies

 

[oceans]

@Nickvandervelde

You could try an introductory rate and see how it flies. Just remember that you’ve invested in a specialty piece of equipment and you can’t be giving yourself away.

Since purchasing my Lift in late ‘17, I’ve done a good amount of sub work for other tree services. It seems now that most of those companies simply refer a new client directly to me. If it’s a repeat client of theirs, the bill goes to the contractor. I’ve also had the contractor work along with me, but they ask the client to pay my compensation directly to me at the end of the day.

One of the nice things is when you build a nice relationship with a contractor and they allow you to decide if you want to do sub work with them or your own crew. In many cases, they can continue with their regularly scheduled program knowing the job is in good hands.

I have also learned that market pricing can vary quite a bit throughout a given region. It can be hard to set one price and stick with it across the board. Try dynamic pricing if you have to, or stress an introductory rate that you’ll eventually raise after they see your capabilities. Also, try not to give up too much travel time (compensation one way, etc...).

I can’t speak for all markets, but somewhere in the realm you indicated in your first post sounds fair. Best of luck to you, and welcome to the simple inside community!

 

[Treetopflyer]

@Nickvandervelde

You could try an introductory rate and see how it flies. Just remember that you’ve invested in a specialty piece of equipment and you can’t be giving yourself away.

Since purchasing my Lift in late ‘17, I’ve done a good amount of sub work for other tree services. It seems now that most of those companies simply refer a new client directly to me. If it’s a repeat client of theirs, the bill goes to the contractor. I’ve also had the contractor work along with me, but they ask the client to pay my compensation directly to me at the end of the day.

One of the nice things is when you build a nice relationship with a contractor and they allow you to decide if you want to do sub work with them or your own crew. In many cases, they can continue with their regularly scheduled program knowing the job is in good hands.

I have also learned that market pricing can vary quite a bit throughout a given region. It can be hard to set one price and stick with it across the board. Try dynamic pricing if you have to, or stress an introductory rate that you’ll eventually raise after they see your capabilities. Also, try not to give up too much travel time (compensation one way, etc...).

I can’t speak for all markets, but somewhere in the realm you indicated in your first post sounds fair. Best of luck to you, and welcome to the simple inside community!

You so thoughtful and eloquent, my friend.

 

[Nickvandervelde]

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies. I'm going to stick with my $150/hr rate but implement a $500 minimum. If I can build a steady subcontractor clientele then i will slowly raise my rates. I do enjoy not having to deal with the cleanup or clients. Thanks again!

 

[oceans]

You so thoughtful and eloquent, my friend.

How’s everything working out with your machine??? Lovin’ it???

 

[Treetopflyer]

How’s everything working out with your machine??? Lovin’ it???

Very impressive unit! pound for pound it maybe the greatest lift ever ! Up Equip is aces to work with, as you know and when I call them being a dummy with my lift I get straightened out because they really are simple inside.
I will say I've yearned for 40 something foot of side reach more times than I'd like to tell Alain because he warned me go with the 87 and darn it some times hes right .. I will say, the places I've tracked into and setup in make me believe it was a great purchase so far, some tight turns I do t think something any bigger could go. I can always buy an 87 one day as well right?

 

[oceans]

Very impressive unit! pound for pound it maybe the greatest lift ever ! Up Equip is aces to work with, as you know and when I call them being a dummy with my lift I get straightened out because they really are simple inside.
I will say I've yearned for 40 something foot of side reach more times than I'd like to tell Alain because he warned me go with the 87 and darn it some times hes right .. I will say, the places I've tracked into and setup in make me believe it was a great purchase so far, some tight turns I do t think something any bigger could go. I can always buy an 87 one day as well right?

Got any photogs of your setup? I remember you talking about a Trailer Armageddon thing...

 

[littlenick]

Does the $650 include a trailer for transportation?

Yes it does, it’s this setup.

 

[SumoClimber]

Yes it does, it’s this setup.

Nice looking setup. Kinda curious, what's the weight of trailer with the lift? Been looking at lifts for a while, haven't bit the bullet yet. Intrigued by the flatbed/lift combo, but will probably still go normal truck with trailer et al.

 

[oceans]

Nice looking setup. Kinda curious, what's the weight of trailer with the lift? Been looking at lifts for a while, haven't bit the bullet yet. Intrigued by the flatbed/lift combo, but will probably still go normal truck with trailer et al.

If you can swing it, find a way to set up the lift on a dedicated chassis. In my experience, there’s no better way to get all your equipment to and from a site. Especially if you can source a good used cab/chassis for not much more $ than a brand new trailer.