How we bid jobs

spartek

I wanted to get some ideas from you other guys as to how you bid some of your jobs. I must admit that I have found that I tend to underestimate my larger jobs. Its pretty bad when the customer asks you if you're sure your bid was high enough. I bid $1250 for a day of pruning and he gave me $1500.Thanks guys

Therrin

We've actually had a couple threads which address that topic. See if you can find anything of value in these links:

over pricing jobs

http://www.treeworld.info/f9/how-do-...-you-4336.html

Pricing jobs-- flat price versus hourly rate plus materials

lets talk $$$$$$$$$$$$$$


CONSUMERS:- Arborists are a profession, see what others charge!

http://www.treeworld.info/f9/what-s-...worth-799.html

treejames64

I can still do that if the customer is standing there so what I do is walk it over with the customer and then. Pause tell him to give me about 10 min. to figure out the best way to complete the job and you will come and get him. This takes the pressure off. Then I bid each tree by itself for time. After I'm done I calculate how much debris. A 40 yard loader truck is 250.00 here. I write all this up and get the customer. After giving him the price, I wait a moment to see if he's o.k. with it. If he says that's a high etc. I usually tell him that if he does everything I can come down a little. If you bid the whole job together I've had cutomers say they will wait on the big tree and I find myself working for nothing on the trim stuff. If the job is dangerous or risky such as a large dead tree that has to be roped over a roof, I charge extra figuring I may end up with a limb shattering and breaking something. The best thing is to give your self a little time without the customer breathing down your neck.

Therrin

Do you have insurance Treejames64? (tree work insurance)

Or do you charge the customer extra, so that if something happens then you can use his money to pay to fix it? (like what you just mentioned)

treejames64

Exactly that. One company I worked for had a clause in their contracts that the company is not responsible for uncontrollable deadwood. I don't do that, however there is a greater risk involved so the customer pays for that unless they want to assume liability (Which they never do). Lately, the insurance for homeowners, apartments, and basically anyone living in Florida has doubled in the past year do to the hurricanes and a change in the laws so now people are leaving trees go until they are literally falling apart. I have no problem charging extra for these especially if I can't get equipment to them. I also charge extra for really large trees do to wear and tear on my equipment. ( I have 2million/1million yet have never made a claim on the insurance and don't plan to. If something broke off and knocked a hole in the roof I would probably pay for it out of pocket unless It was something that could cause continuing problems then I would let the insurance handle it.)