Since it's impossible to be completely partial.........one has to decide what they are doing. If the Arboricultural industry gets slow does it make sense that I start doing plastic surgery on the side? This may seem like a ridiculous comparison but hear me out. To be a professional in this industry you need several distinct attributes.
1. A good work ethic. If you have a good work ethic why do you need side work? Couldn't you do more of what you currently do to make more money? This would avoid having to learn or master a new skill set. With a good work ethic and professional experience you could get a similar job that pays more from someone in your field that has a higher wage and less work ethic. Lets pretend you have a good work ethic and you just want a challenge (i.e. change).
2. Knowledge in what your doing. This isn't a general knowledge (I can mix two cycle fuel) but an in depth knowledge of tree species and physiology, physics, climbing and biology/chemistry related to tree work. Remember were striving to be professionals, just knowing is "some kind of a Maple" doesn't cut it.
3. Equipment. This isn't the bare minimum equipment to make a mess with, but the necessary equipment to perform tree work. This is Ropes (more than 2), climbing gear, saws (more than 2, we're pro's remember), a chipper, trucks (more than one), rakes, blowers, etc. This is a lot of money to spend for a weekend job.
4. Business basics. This includes insurance, advertising, accounting, estimate forms, uniforms, etc. The real aspects of a business not just the skeleton. We are trying to be professionals, still.
5. A tolerance for risk. You have to pay the bills in the summer and the winter. You need to spend money on advertising for jobs you don't have yet. You need to buy and repair equipment that you haven't paid for yet.
I know a lot of people would say this isn't necessary.........well I guess I can say that a medical degree and a hospital isn't necessary to be a doctor. You would say that puts lives at risk. I would relate that to doing tree work without the proper knowledge and/or equipment. You may say that one isn't as serious as the other.........I would say your not a professional.
I believe my job is as important, skilled, necessary and difficult as any other job and more than most. Most jobs don't require people to make decisions that determine the life or death of living organisms that are at times hundreds of years old. Most jobs don't place the workers lives in harms way on a daily basis if poor decisions are made. Most jobs don't require years of experience to be considered competent among their peers. Most jobs don't have a huge glut of uneducated people saying they can do them.
NEWS FLASH:
THIS AIN'T MOST JOBS!
The very idea that you can watch a couple of episodes of Axmen, go an buy a chainsaw and perform the same work I do is ridiculous. The neighbors paid the kid next door to paint their shed......that doesn't make him Picasso.
If you really sit down and figure out what it takes to be successful in this business most will find they need to concentrate on what they currently do. Most (90%) of guys who do work on the side are low ballers. They don't realize that the $2500 job they are doing really should pay $6000. What do you do if you get hurt on a side job? You can't collect workers comp and you can't go to work. I'm all for guys working in this industry just take it serious and do it full time. It's the part timers mistakes that drive up everyone's insurance rates.
If you not willing to put forth the effort and bear the risk of what it takes to be a professional, then I don't want you to associate yourself with those that do. You can't ask for respect.......you need to earn it. In this industry that is done through accomplishment. If you don't have the prerequisite accomplishment then don't get mad if you aren't respected on this forum.
Lawnsite was created for a reason.
Tod