I just started up not too long ago, I’m having a hard time finding those relaxing pruning jobs or cushy removals. At this point I only have a tilt trailer, my truck, and obviously my climbing gear, rigging stuff, and saws.
It seems like I only get calls for huge technical removals, or if I see something that is dead as hell, or extremely hazardous I stop and offer my services. (I really do like the hairy stuff, I just don’t want every job to be so crazy) And I usually get the job because I can give a lower bid due to the fact that I do almost all of the work by myself. I’ll hire a competent rope man and send him home when I don’t need anything else roped out. I proceed to load EVERYTHING by hand into my trailer.
It works out alright because if I bid a removal of a big tree for ~$2k and only have to put $500 at the most into it (lift rental maybe, gas, help for a day, I dump for free) and it takes me up to 4days to truck everything out, that’s still a pretty good for me yknow? Also I’m pricing as low as I can so I can get exposure and stuff.
It sucks because I don’t have enough work to justify getting a chipper, a couple groundsmen, a loader, and a big truck. Also, I’m trying to accrue as little debt as possible.
I wish I could line up more jobs that don’t require tons of wood being hauled off. It’s really taking its toll on me to work so damn hard and I’m only 27.
Do you have any advice on how to get jobs doing pruning or lighter work until I can afford the equipment needed for the big jobs? I feel like it’s a lot more socially acceptable to stop and door knock if I see a sketchy giant than to stop and say, “hey would you like me to remove those water sprouts for better curb appeal?”
Also, I feel like it’s easier for me to close the deal on a big job than the little stuff; I’ve been trying.
And as far as niche goes I want to be the go to guy for huge technical removals because I love them and I feel like there’s less competition in my market within that niche; but at this point in time it is not practical for me to pretty much only be doing that.
If anyone has any advice to a noob starting from scratch it’d be greatly appreciated.
As the slinging arborist stated, my niche was hazardous removals.
We have too many people here that call themselves tree services that can't handle removals of big nasty trees over houses etc.
They chew up all the lightwork because they are a dime a dozen.
I recognized this straight away and focused on hazardous removals only.
It's hard but it pays so much better.
I have taken down some the biggest most hazardous trees in my area. I like the achievement as well.
Hell, a couple years ago I was taking down a giant maple over a fece, house, driveway, and power service, with one guy. A six man crew was working up the street trimming one half of a tree over a house.
They had three trucks, a trailer and a chipper.
They were on it two days and had started before me. We were done about the same time. All in all I removed about 4x the mass they did in a tighter drop window.
They worked like employees, I worked like I was trying to buy me and my guy christmas presents for our kids.
Mission accomplised.
I don't know easy.
You give me an easy job and I will do it as hard and fast as I can.
"If your job is easy, rest assured you suck at it." This is a motto of mine.
I would like someone to tell me how to turn it off. I can't take a day off, (which is never off, bidding and maitenance etc) without feeling like I need to be hurrying and kicking ash.
I am very serious. It causes me big issues at home. Keeps me on edge.
I always have the thought of failure weight on my shoulders on days off. When working I am 100% applied and wound for sound. No room for worries about things like that.
I tell myself to relax and even pretend to, to those around me. I can't though.
They will never understand how hard I fought to get where I am. There were so many times I drove home cramping in my legs and arms so bad I had to pull off the road and wait for it to pass. So many times people tipped me an extra $100-$200 after seeing the hell I went through to get it done.
There were a few trees out there that took damn near all I had and the only way I could finish was to say, "You're gonna have to kill me, because I wont quit."
I have beaten that mentality into myself until I can tirn it on like a switch. I just cant turn it off though. Sounds stupid but it makes me impatient at anything not related to work. Anger just under the surface.
I have tomorrow off and dont want it.
