Dadatwins
Addicted to ArboristSite
Had a call to price a job a job today, potential was recommended by a former customer who was very happy with our prior work. This new potential customer wanted 2 trees removed, a pine and and a gum, in front of the house. They have been shopping prices and told me that price was most important detail of job. After looking at trees they both had to be climbed and rigged due to landscaping below, probably a 3-4 hour job climbing, 1/2 that with a bucket. Not a real hard or tricky job, but a lot of material to remove, all trash wood, and just time consuming. I gave a price that I thought was fair and would have paid for my help and disposal cost. My price on this job was $800.00 I am also paying for state and county license and insurance. I also considered that this was recommendation and hoped to get more calls from this client. After giving the price the potential tells me that I am double the lowest price that they have received so far. I told the potential that I would not consider doing the job for the suggested price, and wished them good luck. I told them to call me if the contractor was unable to do the work. Of course I and every one has been underbid before, but by 1/2 ????. I am scratching my head trying to figure out how someone could do a job so cheap and make $$$ Even using a pickup truck and no chipper, this job would take 1-2 hours of climbing and 3 loads or debris to a dump, which would take an additional 3-4 hours of travel time. I have no intention of lowering my price which I consider to be fair and continue to offer quality work, but it is aggravating that people can come in and 1/2 bid a price.
Shame on them. Thanks for letting me blow some steam.
Shame on them. Thanks for letting me blow some steam.