When arborists agree

[Stumpsprouts]

I'm still new at this, especially at the estimating part, but one time I think I did it perfectly. I was asked to bid a BIG job (for me) - four removals, 24" dbh and 30" red maples, 36" black walnut, and 64" silver maple. Only a few branches were over a shop. Silver maple roots were lifting and cracking the concrete floor of the shop. Anyway, I was trying a new method of walking around, estimating hours for each tree, putting the numbers together, and I gave the homeowners a price before I left the property. $4500. They looked a little surprised and asked if that was really my price. A few days later I called to find out if they made a decision. They said a large tree company, before I came, had given them the price of $4400. I felt highly affirmed that day. Good bid! (And the job was probably too big for me anyway, would have had to rent a skidsteer.)

I love that- knowing you’re batting just about right- gives you confidence to keep doing what you’re doing and not think you’re taking crazy pills when you come up with a number.

 

[Undeciduous]

I also now work for a Tree Care specific software company that makes it very easy to create estimates for your clients on the spot. The platform generates satellite image of the property and you can pin each tree and price each tree out separately and have the client pick and choose the trees they want and the price automatically updates for them. Its pretty sweet. When I was doing estimates for the tree care company i worked for prior to this job, I used this platform and it made creating proposals on the spot and giving to the customer soooo much easier which ultimately won me more jobs.

I read a stat that said "82% of people accept the first proposal they get" - this wasnt tied to the tree industry but just as a whole which i thought was interesting.

 

[Mick Dempsey]

Clients often have a budget in mind.
If you come in, and they believe you are competent enough to do the job, they don’t hate you and you come in under or around their budget. You’re in with more than a shout.