"So what's your other job?"

Therrin · 31st December 2007, 03:25 AM

Asplundh and Tip Top are the only tree services I know of in this county. Haven't met any other climbers. Even up in the actual forested areas, not just the city. Guess if I'm one of two or three one-man banders in the entire area, that isn't so bad

How does one get a start out where you guys are? Do most of you end up learning from having been or being in some type of tree company? I haven't heard much good about either of the local services, so if I'm doin quality work then it lets my sense of propriety rest easy concerning any jobs they're losing due to me.

bigshea13 · 31st December 2007, 01:48 PM

if your into treework here chances are you started out in utility line clearence. most of the time they hire idiots to drag and chip brush who later fill vacant bucket spots. very few actually climb and when they do they are small solo trees. ive worked in almost if not every county in ny and its the same in every one. these people would rather cut a road to get in skidder bucket rather than climb 20-30 trees. when i get certified ill have to stay out of ny if i want to work, somewhere they value thier trees more.

DBS · 31st December 2007, 02:42 PM

1) Owner/Operator of a full service Building and Remodeling Co.

2) Owner Operator of a full service Landscape Co.

3) pretty much anything else too... not much i dont do. When I cant do something i am the 1st to back off and have whomever is qualified to do what needs to get done.

-Daryl

Quintrex · 31st December 2007, 09:40 PM

Quecus,
It seems to be the story all around the world about people caring more about price than quality for tree care, with some exceptions.

Oddly, landscape contractors in NSW, Aust, need to be licenced, but anyone can do tree work here????????????

Steve

newguy18 · 31st December 2007, 09:43 PM

Same here if you are a handyman and you are licensed you can do anything including treework excluding line clearance.

shaggs · 1st January 2008, 07:51 PM

Sound like most guys here are smaller scale operators like me. (Forgive me if I'm wrong).

Some big tree companies think (not all) that bigger is; more professional, better, cooler, more experienced etc etc. As Ekka said, chippers become a p1ssing competition to alot rather than right chipper for the area/jobs.

I often get "never heard of you" from tree guys...which I like. I dont pay huge amounts for advertising as we're flat out usually anyway. Word of mouth always wins. For you guys who have expressed your opinion above, your passion is obvious. And if your work quality reflects your passion then good referrals follow.....People talk.

How many of you guys when quoting get the "xyz tree co did this...). If the customer has told you they have told alot of other people!

My best assets are my small but relaible, very experienced and loyal crew. They work with not the biggest chipper, not the biggest truck and a company that hardly anyone has heard about. We are all good mates and they are rewarded for their loyalty and skills and we love what we do.

Let the hacks be "hacks" and the big guys look down on you. Its a good game and those who are good at it seem to stick around for a long time!!!

newguy18 · 1st January 2008, 07:54 PM

I have had people ask me why I don't use gaffs on trees that i prune for them and I simply say because I care about your tree and treat it like my own.So far so good.

JohN Dee · 1st January 2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaggs

I often get "never heard of you" from tree guys...which I like.

You know what I get told all the time (mainly by bullshitting builders). "Oh that's right I've seen your trucks around town" Considering I havn't lettered/logo'd my trucks!

newguy18 · 1st January 2008, 09:29 PM

Another faq I get is where is your saftey gear and I freak them out and say I brought my harness.

Scares them everytime.

shaggs · 1st January 2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohN Dee

You know what I get told all the time (mainly by bullshitting builders). "Oh that's right I've seen your trucks around town" Considering I havn't lettered/logo'd my trucks!

LOL John....
That's when the boys start talking out loud..."Geez I hope he doesn't wreck the house like the last job!"

At least it makes them watch you and the skills required for the work.

shaggs · 1st January 2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohN Dee

You know what I get told all the time (mainly by bullshitting builders). "Oh that's right I've seen your trucks around town" Considering I havn't lettered/logo'd my trucks!

Is that after they say "Yeah, thats easy...I could do that but.......". And just before they say..."Surely it wont cost that much...I'm in the wrong game"

Quintrex · 1st January 2008, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaggs

Is that after they say "Yeah, thats easy...I could do that but.......". And just before they say..."Surely it wont cost that much...I'm in the wrong game"

OR- If I knew it was that easy, I'da done it meself

arborcraft · 2nd January 2008, 02:02 PM

Hi Quintrex,
Getting off topic I know, but why don't you share some of your stories about customers taking a discount when they pay?

newguy18 · 2nd January 2008, 02:09 PM

how about when they say I can buy some gear and do it myself?Then you show them a catalogue.

bigshea13 · 2nd January 2008, 02:35 PM

let em do it .. hopefully they fall and break something . then you can go back and give em an even higher price.
unless he has his brother do it cause of course,"he does trees too"

quercus · 3rd January 2008, 01:41 PM

To this day three people, whom I made an estimate for and finally did it themselves, got fatally injured. 2 of them died trying to top and fell a big pinus sylvestris, wich was under heavy tension, with a ladder. The other one got thrown from the top out of a big beech he was trying to rig for pulling.(This tree is still standing today.) Also due to working on a ladder, though... Sad to learn something like that after I call them back to hear what they think of the estimate. There are also others whom got permanently injured (1 wheelchair and 1 leg amputated) and also some minor injuries (broken bones and crushes fingers). In fact I only wanna shout through the mouthpiece "I told you so!!!!" but even that doesn't quite say it, now does it.

31st December 2007, 03:25 AM	#26 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,273	Re: "So what's your other job?" Asplundh and Tip Top are the only tree services I know of in this county. Haven't met any other climbers. Even up in the actual forested areas, not just the city. Guess if I'm one of two or three one-man banders in the entire area, that isn't so bad How does one get a start out where you guys are? Do most of you end up learning from having been or being in some type of tree company? I haven't heard much good about either of the local services, so if I'm doin quality work then it lets my sense of propriety rest easy concerning any jobs they're losing due to me. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

31st December 2007, 01:48 PM	#27 (permalink)
bigshea13 Mature tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: hiding Posts: 378	Re: "So what's your other job?" if your into treework here chances are you started out in utility line clearence. most of the time they hire idiots to drag and chip brush who later fill vacant bucket spots. very few actually climb and when they do they are small solo trees. ive worked in almost if not every county in ny and its the same in every one. these people would rather cut a road to get in skidder bucket rather than climb 20-30 trees. when i get certified ill have to stay out of ny if i want to work, somewhere they value thier trees more.

31st December 2007, 02:42 PM	#28 (permalink)
DBS Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: CT USA Posts: 205	Re: "So what's your other job?" 1) Owner/Operator of a full service Building and Remodeling Co. 2) Owner Operator of a full service Landscape Co. 3) pretty much anything else too... not much i dont do. When I cant do something i am the 1st to back off and have whomever is qualified to do what needs to get done. -Daryl __________________ Stihl MS 200T Stihl MS 361

31st December 2007, 09:40 PM	#29 (permalink)
Quintrex Mature tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 464	Re: "So what's your other job?" Quecus, It seems to be the story all around the world about people caring more about price than quality for tree care, with some exceptions. Oddly, landscape contractors in NSW, Aust, need to be licenced, but anyone can do tree work here???????????? Steve __________________ Heightmaster

31st December 2007, 09:43 PM	#30 (permalink)
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,683	Re: "So what's your other job?" Same here if you are a handyman and you are licensed you can do anything including treework excluding line clearance. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

1st January 2008, 07:51 PM	#31 (permalink)
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 462	Re: "So what's your other job?" Sound like most guys here are smaller scale operators like me. (Forgive me if I'm wrong). Some big tree companies think (not all) that bigger is; more professional, better, cooler, more experienced etc etc. As Ekka said, chippers become a p1ssing competition to alot rather than right chipper for the area/jobs. I often get "never heard of you" from tree guys...which I like. I dont pay huge amounts for advertising as we're flat out usually anyway. Word of mouth always wins. For you guys who have expressed your opinion above, your passion is obvious. And if your work quality reflects your passion then good referrals follow.....People talk. How many of you guys when quoting get the "xyz tree co did this...). If the customer has told you they have told alot of other people! My best assets are my small but relaible, very experienced and loyal crew. They work with not the biggest chipper, not the biggest truck and a company that hardly anyone has heard about. We are all good mates and they are rewarded for their loyalty and skills and we love what we do. Let the hacks be "hacks" and the big guys look down on you. Its a good game and those who are good at it seem to stick around for a long time!!!

1st January 2008, 07:54 PM	#32 (permalink)
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,683	Re: "So what's your other job?" I have had people ask me why I don't use gaffs on trees that i prune for them and I simply say because I care about your tree and treat it like my own.So far so good. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

1st January 2008, 09:29 PM	#34 (permalink)
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,683	Re: "So what's your other job?" Another faq I get is where is your saftey gear and I freak them out and say I brought my harness.Scares them everytime. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

2nd January 2008, 02:02 PM	#38 (permalink)
arborcraft Sappling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 18	Re: "So what's your other job?" Hi Quintrex, Getting off topic I know, but why don't you share some of your stories about customers taking a discount when they pay?

2nd January 2008, 02:09 PM	#39 (permalink)
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,683	Re: "So what's your other job?" how about when they say I can buy some gear and do it myself?Then you show them a catalogue. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

2nd January 2008, 02:35 PM	#40 (permalink)
bigshea13 Mature tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: hiding Posts: 378	Re: "So what's your other job?" let em do it .. hopefully they fall and break something . then you can go back and give em an even higher price. unless he has his brother do it cause of course,"he does trees too"

3rd January 2008, 01:41 PM	#41 (permalink)
quercus Mature tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: belgium Posts: 428	Re: "So what's your other job?" To this day three people, whom I made an estimate for and finally did it themselves, got fatally injured. 2 of them died trying to top and fell a big pinus sylvestris, wich was under heavy tension, with a ladder. The other one got thrown from the top out of a big beech he was trying to rig for pulling.(This tree is still standing today.) Also due to working on a ladder, though... Sad to learn something like that after I call them back to hear what they think of the estimate. There are also others whom got permanently injured (1 wheelchair and 1 leg amputated) and also some minor injuries (broken bones and crushes fingers). In fact I only wanna shout through the mouthpiece "I told you so!!!!" but even that doesn't quite say it, now does it.