- Location
- NW Indiana
We have also eliminated most of the pia customers by charging for estimates.
Warning signs of potential bad customers
- Thread starter frans
- Start date
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
I would give discounts to clients who kept firewood, did the final rakeup...anyway they wanted to work out the deal. I have no problem offering the deal to them ala carte. Separating the cleanup is no different than identifying the size of the deadwood that is going to be removed from the crown. I would set a diameter size for the wood and a percentage of the crown that I would work. Typically the inner 3/4 of the canopy and down to one inch diameter deadwood.
Given this spec would I be considered unprofessional because I didn't clean the whole canopy? Not in my mind...anymore than not doing 100% of the cleanup.
Given this spec would I be considered unprofessional because I didn't clean the whole canopy? Not in my mind...anymore than not doing 100% of the cleanup.
boreality
New member
- Location
- boreal forest
Hey, nice deer treemann, as you know we got some beauts in Saskatchewan. My favorite customer is the husband/wife with differing opinions, next favorite the 10pm phone calls arguing my ability to do a resurrection of a tree in decline. I worry more about my competitors poor work practices and giving the trade a bad name though.
- Location
- Longmont, CO
Brian: How much do you charge for an estimate? I have been wondering about that myself.
- Location
- NW Indiana
If the customer says I want a price on whatever we charge $25 and if they hire us to do the work it is rebated back at the time of billing.
If they call and want a basic opinion or diagnosis it is $65 and that cost is not rebated back.
If they call and want a basic opinion or diagnosis it is $65 and that cost is not rebated back.
easyphloem
Branched out member
- Location
- Louisville, KY
Treereaper,
Your screen name suggests that you are a thoughtful, tree-loving individual.
I look forward to reading one of your posts before they get deleted.
SZ
Your screen name suggests that you are a thoughtful, tree-loving individual.
I look forward to reading one of your posts before they get deleted.
SZ
- Location
- NW Indiana
We don't keep track of the percentage of calls that request an estimate after learning of a charge. WE currently have 93 requests for estimates and one of them is out of our normal work area where the estimate charge is going to be $100 per hour portal to portal.
Also we get work orders on about 85% of the estimates we give and we are backlogged for 2 months of work for 13 employees.
Also we get work orders on about 85% of the estimates we give and we are backlogged for 2 months of work for 13 employees.
southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
[ QUOTE ]
The best one I'm sure we have all had,
RE: Three 70 ft Pine trees
(little ole lady calling) You mean if I give you all the wood you won't do the work for free?
[/ QUOTE ]
Tell them that as a tree service, free wood is like snow to an eskimo.
The best one I'm sure we have all had,
RE: Three 70 ft Pine trees
(little ole lady calling) You mean if I give you all the wood you won't do the work for free?
[/ QUOTE ]
Tell them that as a tree service, free wood is like snow to an eskimo.
rfwoodvt
New member
- Location
- This side of eternity.
Had one recently,
Caller: "Do you give free estimates?"
Me: "If you know exactly what you want done we can prepare a cost estimate for that work at no charge. If you want or need a plan, opinion, diagnostics or discussion of options then we consider that a service call/consultation and we bill $70/ hour for those."
Caller: "I don't understand why you would charge for your opinion..."
Me:"Any time we render an opinion or create a plan that can be implemented by another service provider, or if we can be held liable for, then we must bill accordingly for it."
Caller:"But I don't understand, if we like your plan and your bid there won't be any other service provider..."
Me:"Are you presently seeking bids from other tree companies and are you going to take the best bid?"
Caller:"Yes."
Me:"I think you will find that the other companies will be better able to meet your needs. Thank you for calling!"
CLICK!
Caller: "Do you give free estimates?"
Me: "If you know exactly what you want done we can prepare a cost estimate for that work at no charge. If you want or need a plan, opinion, diagnostics or discussion of options then we consider that a service call/consultation and we bill $70/ hour for those."
Caller: "I don't understand why you would charge for your opinion..."
Me:"Any time we render an opinion or create a plan that can be implemented by another service provider, or if we can be held liable for, then we must bill accordingly for it."
Caller:"But I don't understand, if we like your plan and your bid there won't be any other service provider..."
Me:"Are you presently seeking bids from other tree companies and are you going to take the best bid?"
Caller:"Yes."
Me:"I think you will find that the other companies will be better able to meet your needs. Thank you for calling!"
CLICK!
I had a guy I gave a free estimate to back in July never heard anything from him then about 2 weeks after we got hit by the worse winds in at least 20 years he calls me up and wants me to come out and cut a broken branch that needs me "professional help" needless to say once I told him how long I was backed up and it would be a minimum of $150 just to show up and look at it he has yet to accept the proposal. Needless to say I'm really shook up about it.
treehumper
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Ridgefield, NJ
RF, I'd add what would constitute in their mind a good bid?
easyphloem
Branched out member
- Location
- Louisville, KY
[ QUOTE ]
RF, I'd add what would constitute in their mind a good bid?
[/ QUOTE ]
For some people, cheap always means good.
Fortunately, there are plenty of people in this world who equate value of a service not by the dollar amount, but the quality of service they receive.
The key is finding those people and cloning them.
SZ
RF, I'd add what would constitute in their mind a good bid?
[/ QUOTE ]
For some people, cheap always means good.
Fortunately, there are plenty of people in this world who equate value of a service not by the dollar amount, but the quality of service they receive.
The key is finding those people and cloning them.
SZ
treehumper
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Ridgefield, NJ
I try not to throw out a price without some education of the client of what's involved so they start to build in their own minds a sense of value.
I met an old friend of my wife the other night. She actually thought we must be costly to hire and understood the value of an arborist! Now that was refreshing.
I met an old friend of my wife the other night. She actually thought we must be costly to hire and understood the value of an arborist! Now that was refreshing.
- Location
- Northeast Ohio
Where to start?? When people as for a price over the phone I will tell them a range, then say it could be cheaper, might be a little more. For stumps I can quote a price fairly easy. Maples are always a red flag because of roots, but it help the customer know what a job SHOULD be worth. It always rules out the guy renting a machine and charging 400 dollars for a 20 inch pine. I then usully go and look, if not- they never call back. I get asked all the time to move or take wood. I tell them the same, split it deliver it, and I'll show you where to stack it. Another thing is " Do you have a saw with you?" Always answer "Yes, but I just hit dirt with it on my last job so my chain is dull. Why, what do you need done?" You look prepared, and can turn it down if its an ugly 4 foot Maple with five trunks and nails in it.
I had a lady one time who called me wanting an estimate. She had a bradford pear. I quoted her 35 dollars over the phone. thats my min, and she seemed like a nice old lady just trying to make it in this crazy world. Her response-" Well I was told you were reasonable. I'm completly dumbfounded- I politely told her to call around.
For people who dont pay- Start with a record of phone calls made to collect, then when that fails contact the homeowner and make them aware of the situation. If no payment is made, then I mail the homeowner a bill threating a lean on the property. This is normally when you get paid. No response- then have an attorney mail the letter. I've never had to go farther than this. I've never been cheated by a homeowner, just tree companies, and contractors. Another phrase I use is" this will grind more than just stumps" Altough I've never had the balls to grind the door off someones truck, but I've wanted to many times. Or remove someones entire landscaping while they are on vacation. haha
I had a lady one time who called me wanting an estimate. She had a bradford pear. I quoted her 35 dollars over the phone. thats my min, and she seemed like a nice old lady just trying to make it in this crazy world. Her response-" Well I was told you were reasonable. I'm completly dumbfounded- I politely told her to call around.
For people who dont pay- Start with a record of phone calls made to collect, then when that fails contact the homeowner and make them aware of the situation. If no payment is made, then I mail the homeowner a bill threating a lean on the property. This is normally when you get paid. No response- then have an attorney mail the letter. I've never had to go farther than this. I've never been cheated by a homeowner, just tree companies, and contractors. Another phrase I use is" this will grind more than just stumps" Altough I've never had the balls to grind the door off someones truck, but I've wanted to many times. Or remove someones entire landscaping while they are on vacation. haha
- Location
- Grand Marais, MN
Entire landscape? Make for a good video.
I mentioned a "hero" football/hockey team owner that owed me - drove a Rolls Royce convertable. I actually suited-up and preparedfor the climb into the oak over it but the law showed-up and encouraged me to exit, post haste. I was only going to drop a few hangers and a pile of ball moss into it...I think.
I mentioned a "hero" football/hockey team owner that owed me - drove a Rolls Royce convertable. I actually suited-up and preparedfor the climb into the oak over it but the law showed-up and encouraged me to exit, post haste. I was only going to drop a few hangers and a pile of ball moss into it...I think.
Major warning signs for my company:
1) They start "poor-mouthing" you from the time they call,
2) They ask "Do you charge for estimates?"
3) They say, "I'm getting prices from everybody in town." I love that one...sign of a cheaper who is not looking for quality and more than likely will hire a "jakeleg" anyways, with a chainsaw and pickup, calling himself a tree service (no insurance, license, pays workers in cash, no overhead, etc.)
4) Asks how much does it cost to cut down a tree. And gets angry when you will not quote a price over the phone.
5) Expects you to come out same day and give estimate, even though you told them it would probably be the following day. Calls constantly bugging you...
6) Asks "Now, which one are you?" when you come to give estimate...clear sign they are getting 10 bids on the crap.
I have to agree with people not paying for services rendered. My policy is payment is due upon satisfactory completion of services rendered as per agreed-upon scope of work. I do bill the customer and give them (30) days, but once an account has reached (60) days past-due, they are issued a notice of intent to file a contractor's lien against the property. This works sometimes, although recently, I had to have my attorney file suit against someone and I had put a lien on the property. This scared her and she finanlly paid & then I had to go through process of removing the said lien. I love the people that get mad at you, even though they are the ones who owe the money. I always say you don't commission work to be done that you know up-front you do not have the money to pay for and that you do not have nay intentions of paying for it.
1) They start "poor-mouthing" you from the time they call,
2) They ask "Do you charge for estimates?"
3) They say, "I'm getting prices from everybody in town." I love that one...sign of a cheaper who is not looking for quality and more than likely will hire a "jakeleg" anyways, with a chainsaw and pickup, calling himself a tree service (no insurance, license, pays workers in cash, no overhead, etc.)
4) Asks how much does it cost to cut down a tree. And gets angry when you will not quote a price over the phone.
5) Expects you to come out same day and give estimate, even though you told them it would probably be the following day. Calls constantly bugging you...
6) Asks "Now, which one are you?" when you come to give estimate...clear sign they are getting 10 bids on the crap.
I have to agree with people not paying for services rendered. My policy is payment is due upon satisfactory completion of services rendered as per agreed-upon scope of work. I do bill the customer and give them (30) days, but once an account has reached (60) days past-due, they are issued a notice of intent to file a contractor's lien against the property. This works sometimes, although recently, I had to have my attorney file suit against someone and I had put a lien on the property. This scared her and she finanlly paid & then I had to go through process of removing the said lien. I love the people that get mad at you, even though they are the ones who owe the money. I always say you don't commission work to be done that you know up-front you do not have the money to pay for and that you do not have nay intentions of paying for it.
- Location
- Keswick
I like it after the job has been completed and the bill has been delivered - then you get a call asking...." can you do something about this bill?" I usually reply with "what would you like me to do with it" I have had a few creative answers from customers about where they think I should put it
and so on and so forth. I remind them they agreed to the price and the work was completed as promised, usually they pay no problem.
