What do i get for a Consultation?

TrevMcRev · 14th May 2007, 07:27 PM

Ok, When you give an Arboricultural Consultation, how far do you go?

Strictly Verbal. Give them an invoice for "consultation" with no referance to what it entailed.

Verbal with a summary of your findings on the invoice. For their referance and yours.

Written. Give them a basic report.

A few times i've been asked to write down what ive said so they can show husband/wife whatever but am wary of them trying to use it as a "report".

I'd be embarrassed if they forwarded this on to a council or solicitor and tried to pass it off as an "Arborist Report".

Sean Freeman · 14th May 2007, 09:32 PM

There's no easy answer to this Trev, its very market orientated, if I was down on the Gold Coast or Melbourne I'd be earning a lot more $s for my conultation, but then again you could argue I'd be spending more on living etc (there's really great beers in Victoria!!!)
I don't charge for verbal advice-consultation, maybe that will change in time but I doubt it. If someone wants to phone me and ask Ill answer their questions and help as much as I can, if they ask me to go round so long as they're in the local area I will for nix. However if they want something written down then they have to pay for that, the standard rate for a consulting Arb starts around $80 per hour but as I've already said its market dependant.
hat I tend to do is base the price on how much work is envovled, so simple single property report 1/4 acre block is pretty cheap, its also a pretty simple report...goes right up to major subdivisions with 1000 trees.

All the written work I do has clearly defined caveats and disclaimers one of which relates to taking parts of what is written out of context (which is a real problem) You can't do a lot more than that, if things do end up in land or development court you will be able to fall back on the clearly defined disclaimers believe mme the commissioners of these courts are no fools they know what goes on and how property owners try to bend the rules.

The key thing I have learnt from unfortunate personal experience is be very clear and precise on what you will do, will cover and will examine in your report. You can if the situation warrents it state what the report is not going to cover as well. Always make sure you understand what your client needs (rather than wants!) from your report, know your local laws, regulations and take the time to (if you can) read others reports to see how they have tried to meet the various demands.

We have and understanding of the biology and biomechanics of trees that few other people have, and after a little experience with building/development sites you will quickly see how your skills can fit into the crucial intial planning and concept stage of every development around you for the betterment of all envolved. Buy this book its my bible for trees and construction "Trees and developmen: A technical guide to preservation of trees during land development" Matheny and Clark ISBN 1-881956-20-2

Ekka · 15th May 2007, 02:49 AM

Quotes a free advice is not.

If you want a price on removing a tree or limb that's totally different to "what's wrong with my tree."

What other profession devalues their credentials and works for free? who's paying for your fuel, vehicle, time etc?

In a verbal consultation I'll just jot down the continued remedies ... if they want written docs then it's a report and there has to be a "scope" ... in other words what exactly is it you want to know?

Dont work for free, that's just not on, I give away far too much of my time already ... you can also quote the work and offer a discount for the consultation. Then again, they could get their "advice" from some tree lopper hack too.

TrevMcRev · 15th May 2007, 03:28 AM

Yeah im not talking about true reports here. I do plenty of that and charge accordingly, towards/at the high end of the market even as i struggle to find the time for them.

This is more about Consultation. Different to a quote. When doing a quote im happy to help advise them towards the best solution for their problem, no worries. But i wont go for an hour drive round trip and spend an hour with someone coz they were wondering how their tree is doing. My consultations are $80 - $110 depending on how close they are. I often credit it back towards any recommended work if done by us. I also charge a fee when asked to quote at a property someone is thinking of buying or for companies wanting to price the tree component so they can tender for an overall project.

Ive had a client i did a consult for. When i do i give them a page from my quote book with the description "Arboricultural Consultation on Genus species"
She wanted me to note down on there what i said. Basically the tree was senescent and had died back beyond what i thought worth saving. Recommended removal & replacement. Fortunately she lost her copy. But is now hassling us for another copy, which would be ok, except she wants to give it to the council because they asked for a report for approval.
Ive tried explaining that its not a report by any means, that would be a much more complex document in a recognised format and would cost more. Now because she didnt get what she wants she blames us for the suposed foundation damage caused to her house because the tree hasnt been removed yet.

So i guess now a consultation is strictly verbal.
Anything on paper can be no less than a full report. As boa pointed out, then you at least have all your caveats to cover your butt.

Ekka · 15th May 2007, 03:34 AM

Just another gold digger who cant take responsibility for their own actions.

Verbal consults are just that.

Want something more formal, it's a report.

I have written some letters which sound similar to what she had. Just a general topographic site inspection style letter, usually based more on what's there as far as species go and size. No recommendations etc just goes in with the building application so the council gets an idea of what's on the land.

Still, you have to pay for that.

justoon · 15th May 2007, 11:33 PM

A sOLICITOR once told that to get good advice you have to pay for it

Sean Freeman · 15th May 2007, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justoon

A sOLICITOR once told that to get good advice you have to pay for it

Thet're like a bull thats been stung on the arse......they'll charge you big time

14th May 2007, 07:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
TrevMcRev Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 875	What do i get for a Consultation? Ok, When you give an Arboricultural Consultation, how far do you go? Strictly Verbal. Give them an invoice for "consultation" with no referance to what it entailed. Verbal with a summary of your findings on the invoice. For their referance and yours. Written. Give them a basic report. A few times i've been asked to write down what ive said so they can show husband/wife whatever but am wary of them trying to use it as a "report". I'd be embarrassed if they forwarded this on to a council or solicitor and tried to pass it off as an "Arborist Report". __________________ Total Tree Care- Melbourne Arborist Reports & Consulting,Tree Pruning & Removal www.treegear.com.au Tree Climbing Gear, Arborist Supplies

14th May 2007, 09:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,795	There's no easy answer to this Trev, its very market orientated, if I was down on the Gold Coast or Melbourne I'd be earning a lot more $s for my conultation, but then again you could argue I'd be spending more on living etc (there's really great beers in Victoria!!!) I don't charge for verbal advice-consultation, maybe that will change in time but I doubt it. If someone wants to phone me and ask Ill answer their questions and help as much as I can, if they ask me to go round so long as they're in the local area I will for nix. However if they want something written down then they have to pay for that, the standard rate for a consulting Arb starts around $80 per hour but as I've already said its market dependant. hat I tend to do is base the price on how much work is envovled, so simple single property report 1/4 acre block is pretty cheap, its also a pretty simple report...goes right up to major subdivisions with 1000 trees. All the written work I do has clearly defined caveats and disclaimers one of which relates to taking parts of what is written out of context (which is a real problem) You can't do a lot more than that, if things do end up in land or development court you will be able to fall back on the clearly defined disclaimers believe mme the commissioners of these courts are no fools they know what goes on and how property owners try to bend the rules. The key thing I have learnt from unfortunate personal experience is be very clear and precise on what you will do, will cover and will examine in your report. You can if the situation warrents it state what the report is not going to cover as well. Always make sure you understand what your client needs (rather than wants!) from your report, know your local laws, regulations and take the time to (if you can) read others reports to see how they have tried to meet the various demands. We have and understanding of the biology and biomechanics of trees that few other people have, and after a little experience with building/development sites you will quickly see how your skills can fit into the crucial intial planning and concept stage of every development around you for the betterment of all envolved. Buy this book its my bible for trees and construction "Trees and developmen: A technical guide to preservation of trees during land development" Matheny and Clark ISBN 1-881956-20-2 __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

15th May 2007, 02:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 8,009	Quotes a free advice is not. If you want a price on removing a tree or limb that's totally different to "what's wrong with my tree." What other profession devalues their credentials and works for free? who's paying for your fuel, vehicle, time etc? In a verbal consultation I'll just jot down the continued remedies ... if they want written docs then it's a report and there has to be a "scope" ... in other words what exactly is it you want to know? Dont work for free, that's just not on, I give away far too much of my time already ... you can also quote the work and offer a discount for the consultation. Then again, they could get their "advice" from some tree lopper hack too. __________________ Tree World Legal Fighting Fund\| Protect Your Rights to Freedom Of Speech\| Pledge Today Tree World Picture Competition\| $300 of Prizes Up for Grabs Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

15th May 2007, 03:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
TrevMcRev Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 875	Yeah im not talking about true reports here. I do plenty of that and charge accordingly, towards/at the high end of the market even as i struggle to find the time for them. This is more about Consultation. Different to a quote. When doing a quote im happy to help advise them towards the best solution for their problem, no worries. But i wont go for an hour drive round trip and spend an hour with someone coz they were wondering how their tree is doing. My consultations are $80 - $110 depending on how close they are. I often credit it back towards any recommended work if done by us. I also charge a fee when asked to quote at a property someone is thinking of buying or for companies wanting to price the tree component so they can tender for an overall project. Ive had a client i did a consult for. When i do i give them a page from my quote book with the description "Arboricultural Consultation on Genus species" She wanted me to note down on there what i said. Basically the tree was senescent and had died back beyond what i thought worth saving. Recommended removal & replacement. Fortunately she lost her copy. But is now hassling us for another copy, which would be ok, except she wants to give it to the council because they asked for a report for approval. Ive tried explaining that its not a report by any means, that would be a much more complex document in a recognised format and would cost more. Now because she didnt get what she wants she blames us for the suposed foundation damage caused to her house because the tree hasnt been removed yet. So i guess now a consultation is strictly verbal. Anything on paper can be no less than a full report. As boa pointed out, then you at least have all your caveats to cover your butt. __________________ Total Tree Care- Melbourne Arborist Reports & Consulting,Tree Pruning & Removal www.treegear.com.au Tree Climbing Gear, Arborist Supplies

15th May 2007, 03:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 8,009	Just another gold digger who cant take responsibility for their own actions. Verbal consults are just that. Want something more formal, it's a report. I have written some letters which sound similar to what she had. Just a general topographic site inspection style letter, usually based more on what's there as far as species go and size. No recommendations etc just goes in with the building application so the council gets an idea of what's on the land. Still, you have to pay for that. __________________ Tree World Legal Fighting Fund\| Protect Your Rights to Freedom Of Speech\| Pledge Today Tree World Picture Competition\| $300 of Prizes Up for Grabs Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

15th May 2007, 11:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
justoon Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boyne Island Posts: 63	A sOLICITOR once told that to get good advice you have to pay for it

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