What would you pay for good workers?

MTS247 · 8th May 2008, 02:22 AM

Just currious of what you would pay for a good climber or groundy wage and suby? just ball park.

Firstly i would like to know what pay is like in other countries?

Secondly i am having trouble keeping an excelent groundy, as there are industrys around that pay 25+ wages or 35+ suby rates, for minimaly trained hard workers.

the highest rate for a good climber i have come across latley is 25 P/H wages

I run a business and believe tree companys should charge more and climbers should be payed more for dangerous work, dont get me wrong im a business owner and i like making money, but iv climbed for wages for a long time and i think its dangerous under paid work.

Ekka · 8th May 2008, 02:26 AM

Where abouts you are matters too, how saturated the market, types of trees etc.

treestyle · 8th May 2008, 03:53 AM

i am a weekend warrior (and proud of it!).

i like to pay $25 per hour for a bloke who's got his chainsaw ticket and can work hard all day, with some minor experience but willingness and aptitude to learn more. someone who wont get killed or kill others! more for a groundie with their own climbing gear and abillity to aerial rescue. ($28 - $30).

minimum of $35 hour for a climber with own climbing gear. this is a "suby" flat rate, they pay super and tax. i provide work cover. ? i don't know if the super part is legal?

i have hardly any overheads, so for the most part if i quote properly it is a win, win, win situation.

letigre · 8th May 2008, 04:00 AM

ah yes the pay debate. well i know im not getting the best deal. im an employee climber on 22/h. ive been climbing for three years now and consider myself a "good" climber in comparison to some "excellent" climbers.

guns or "excellent" climbers in the syd area can get 25 to 28 upwards depending on there agreement with there boss as a employee. my boss pays for my gear to be replaced and my training and other expenses. another thing that changes the rate is other skills such as truck driving bucket tickets etc. subbys are paid anywhere from 35 to 65 again depending on there level of expertise.

MTS247 · 8th May 2008, 04:34 AM

We are in a medium welth area, we do all size trees masive to tiny, i dont "Aim" for any market, that said we dont work for nothing, so by doing that i guess we aim for the higher end of the market.

I dont really understand when people say we aim for "lower end" or "higher end" if i go to a simple removal quote, my price is what i want to get for doing the job! its that simple.

A lopper hacking trees can still get lots of high end work if he gives the customer what they want.

To me aiming for the high end means, getting lots of calls so we can quote high and afford to lose a few. aiming for low end means bugger all phone calls so we need to get all the jobs we quote

TreeDimensional · 8th May 2008, 08:18 AM

Has anyone considered paying their employee (s) a percentage of the gross. Call it profit sharing with benefits! The industry is full of regulations that state who needs what training, and this varies from country to country. There are also Workers compensation requirements for MOST operations.

Here I am assuming the the tree company does ALL it's pricing by-the-job. Why I added "with benefits" is that if the employees are paid for working hard on a percentage basis, they would work efficiently, so they could get to the next job. This also helps keep employees from abusing the equipment (in most cases it is your equipment).

One more benefit to this scheme is that employee retention would be higher. If they perceive that they are being paid for efficient performance, they will be happier. A happy employee, tends to stay around longer, doesn't consider jumping ship to another company, and probably won't become your competitor.

There are a few problems with this senario though. First this probably wouldn't work for large employers. Secondly the owner would probably have to be willing to let the employees look at all the invoices (books).

Therrin · 8th May 2008, 01:16 PM

my completely untrained groundies start off at $10/hr.
The new-guy is getting a raise to $12/hr after just a week though. It depends on their work ethic and aptitude.

I'd start a climber out at about $25/hr.

But the workcover for my insurance is absolutely killer, so that puts things into perspective.

a_lopa · 8th May 2008, 01:22 PM

You get paid what your worth,If your worth it...

newguy18 · 8th May 2008, 07:24 PM

They get paid depending on how hard and safe they work,i've had a couple people who stood under the trees i was working in.

Ekka · 9th May 2008, 04:39 PM

Well, times must be tough in Canada when you get fired over 16 cents.

Woman fired for giving 16-cent treat to toddler - Yahoo!7 News

Quote:

Friday May 9, 02:46 AM
Woman fired for giving 16-cent treat to toddler

TORONTO (Reuters) - An attendant at a Canadian restaurant who was sacked for giving a bite-sized doughnut, worth 16 cents, to an agitated toddler was given her job back on Thursday after the case received wide media attention.

Nicole Lilliman, a single mother, said she was dismissed from a London, Ontario, outlet of the Tim Hortons coffee and doughnut chain after video cameras captured the 27-year-old giving a Timbit to a toddler.

"It was just out of my heart, she (the toddler) was pointing and going 'ah, ah...' I should have gone to my purse and got the change, but it was busy," Lilliman told the Toronto Star newspaper.

Tim Hortons said on Thursday that the firing was a mistake.

"It was the unfortunate action of one manager who unfortunately made an overzealous decision, and thankfully we were able to rectify the situation," said company spokeswoman Rachel Douglas.

Douglas said the company, a Canadian icon with stores on virtually every high street across the country, told Lilliman that she could have her job back, and Lilliman had accepted.

A single Timbit sells for 16 Canadian cents (16 U.S. cents), but most shoppers buy boxes of 10, 20 or 40 of the deep-fried goodies, which come in a variety of flavors.

Douglas said Tim Hortons had received a number of complaints. "Thankfully we're able to go back to them and say we were able to fix the situation," she said.

(Reporting by Claire Sibonney; editing by Janet Guttsman and Peter Galloway)

TrevMcRev · 9th May 2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeDimensional

Has anyone considered paying their employee (s) a percentage of the gross. Call it profit sharing with benefits! .

A share of the gross is NOT profit sharing! Its takings sharing. No good sharing that if there isnt any profit left after all expenses.

Profit only begins after Break Even Point. You need to pay them, yourself, all expenses plus include a budget for breakdowns and upgrades to equipment, tax obligations then meet profit goals for the company and then whats made after all that you can share a percentage of.

Dont be afraid to show them the invoices. They always think you make more money than you actually do. Then show them all the bills.

Bermy · 10th May 2008, 05:23 AM

If the climber is getting $20-25, what is he being billed out for?

Therrin · 10th May 2008, 09:10 PM

Well as a rule I typically don't bill by the hour, I set it as a price for the job.

And..... I don't have a climber besides my self. (workin on that one though)

Not only could I not let myself pay a guy min/wage to do the climbing, but I probably couldn't find anyone around here to do it for that rate who actually speaks english either.

newguy18 · 10th May 2008, 09:27 PM

Whats with the bandana in your avatar?

Therrin · 10th May 2008, 09:32 PM

Um... well, it's pretty windy in that area, and no matter where I stood I was managing to get a face full of wood chip and dust.

Found that it allows me to breathe easily without getting a mouth full of gack.

And it looks cool... c'mon now =)

The second day when I took the guys up there, I offered one to the groundies and they both declined. Then 10 mins later they were asking for them. <shrugs> Just works well for that area.

newguy18 · 10th May 2008, 09:34 PM

ahh for a minute i thought you were the tree cutting bandit.

8th May 2008, 02:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
MTS247 Gettin' motoring Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 25	What would you pay for good workers? Just currious of what you would pay for a good climber or groundy wage and suby? just ball park. Firstly i would like to know what pay is like in other countries? Secondly i am having trouble keeping an excelent groundy, as there are industrys around that pay 25+ wages or 35+ suby rates, for minimaly trained hard workers. the highest rate for a good climber i have come across latley is 25 P/H wages I run a business and believe tree companys should charge more and climbers should be payed more for dangerous work, dont get me wrong im a business owner and i like making money, but iv climbed for wages for a long time and i think its dangerous under paid work.

8th May 2008, 02:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 5,663	Re: What would you pay for good workers? Where abouts you are matters too, how saturated the market, types of trees etc. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

8th May 2008, 03:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
treestyle Fly'n Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Brisbane Posts: 119	Re: What would you pay for good workers? i am a weekend warrior (and proud of it!). i like to pay $25 per hour for a bloke who's got his chainsaw ticket and can work hard all day, with some minor experience but willingness and aptitude to learn more. someone who wont get killed or kill others! more for a groundie with their own climbing gear and abillity to aerial rescue. ($28 - $30). minimum of $35 hour for a climber with own climbing gear. this is a "suby" flat rate, they pay super and tax. i provide work cover. ? i don't know if the super part is legal? i have hardly any overheads, so for the most part if i quote properly it is a win, win, win situation.

8th May 2008, 04:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
letigre Gettin' motoring Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 29	Re: What would you pay for good workers? ah yes the pay debate. well i know im not getting the best deal. im an employee climber on 22/h. ive been climbing for three years now and consider myself a "good" climber in comparison to some "excellent" climbers. guns or "excellent" climbers in the syd area can get 25 to 28 upwards depending on there agreement with there boss as a employee. my boss pays for my gear to be replaced and my training and other expenses. another thing that changes the rate is other skills such as truck driving bucket tickets etc. subbys are paid anywhere from 35 to 65 again depending on there level of expertise.

8th May 2008, 04:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
MTS247 Gettin' motoring Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 25	Re: What would you pay for good workers? We are in a medium welth area, we do all size trees masive to tiny, i dont "Aim" for any market, that said we dont work for nothing, so by doing that i guess we aim for the higher end of the market. I dont really understand when people say we aim for "lower end" or "higher end" if i go to a simple removal quote, my price is what i want to get for doing the job! its that simple. A lopper hacking trees can still get lots of high end work if he gives the customer what they want. To me aiming for the high end means, getting lots of calls so we can quote high and afford to lose a few. aiming for low end means bugger all phone calls so we need to get all the jobs we quote

8th May 2008, 08:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
TreeDimensional Afterburner is shakin' Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 381	Re: What would you pay for good workers? Has anyone considered paying their employee (s) a percentage of the gross. Call it profit sharing with benefits! The industry is full of regulations that state who needs what training, and this varies from country to country. There are also Workers compensation requirements for MOST operations. Here I am assuming the the tree company does ALL it's pricing by-the-job. Why I added "with benefits" is that if the employees are paid for working hard on a percentage basis, they would work efficiently, so they could get to the next job. This also helps keep employees from abusing the equipment (in most cases it is your equipment). One more benefit to this scheme is that employee retention would be higher. If they perceive that they are being paid for efficient performance, they will be happier. A happy employee, tends to stay around longer, doesn't consider jumping ship to another company, and probably won't become your competitor. There are a few problems with this senario though. First this probably wouldn't work for large employers. Secondly the owner would probably have to be willing to let the employees look at all the invoices (books).

8th May 2008, 01:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,112	Re: What would you pay for good workers? my completely untrained groundies start off at $10/hr. The new-guy is getting a raise to $12/hr after just a week though. It depends on their work ethic and aptitude. I'd start a climber out at about $25/hr. But the workcover for my insurance is absolutely killer, so that puts things into perspective. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

8th May 2008, 01:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
a_lopa Astronaut Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Drouin Posts: 836	Re: What would you pay for good workers? You get paid what your worth,If your worth it... __________________ Free Tree Industry Link Directory Drouin tree lopping, land clearing and stump removals

8th May 2008, 07:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,185	Re: What would you pay for good workers? They get paid depending on how hard and safe they work,i've had a couple people who stood under the trees i was working in. __________________ 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

10th May 2008, 05:23 AM	#12 (permalink)
Bermy Cruisin' Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bermuda Posts: 65	Re: What would you pay for good workers? If the climber is getting $20-25, what is he being billed out for? __________________ Keep smiling, people will wonder what you are up to! (especially if you're gunning a chainsaw!)

10th May 2008, 09:10 PM	#13 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,112	Re: What would you pay for good workers? Well as a rule I typically don't bill by the hour, I set it as a price for the job. And..... I don't have a climber besides my self. (workin on that one though) Not only could I not let myself pay a guy min/wage to do the climbing, but I probably couldn't find anyone around here to do it for that rate who actually speaks english either. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

10th May 2008, 09:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,185	Re: What would you pay for good workers? Whats with the bandana in your avatar? __________________ 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

10th May 2008, 09:32 PM	#15 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,112	Re: What would you pay for good workers? Um... well, it's pretty windy in that area, and no matter where I stood I was managing to get a face full of wood chip and dust. Found that it allows me to breathe easily without getting a mouth full of gack. And it looks cool... c'mon now =) The second day when I took the guys up there, I offered one to the groundies and they both declined. Then 10 mins later they were asking for them. <shrugs> Just works well for that area. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

10th May 2008, 09:34 PM	#16 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,185	Re: What would you pay for good workers? ahh for a minute i thought you were the tree cutting bandit. __________________ 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