Is there a standard formula for tree removal estimates?

[barker]

Is there a standard formula for tree removal estimates?

 

[Treeman14]

No.

 

[Stumper]

My standard formula is: Gotta climb that, rope these down=X hours. then gotta fell here buck the wood=X hours, then chip the brush and rake=x hours. That will be Y total dollars. Get job. Perform work. Look at time spent and degree of difficulty in performing work. Dang! that wasn't enough money.

 

[TREETX]

yes it is simple (hours x risk factor)+kaos factor=price


idiot factor of the customer can apply
backlog of work is also a factor

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Hours includes difficulty of extraction and amount of work the customer wants to take on.

I usualy want to get the brush out of my way, so I will jump at the chance to leave the logs where they lay and/or fine raking. Loggs too big for thier chainsaw, extra to cut to firewood length.

Tree work is very subjective to the workers methods and willingness to damage property. You may get a real lowball offer, but these guys will leaves huge divots and tracks from thier skid stears. Unless the soil is bone dry, there will be some sort of marks. Driving a truck on the turf is another one...

In low impact operations, if the tree is near the road or drive and the limbs can be rigged right to the infeed of the chipper...

Then when you look from region to reggion, workmans comp can be from 20 to as high as 40% of gross payroll!!!!

idiot factor of the customer can apply

My buddy had a customer who wanted the firewood, he gave a good price, we show up for work and the guy wants stuff to 1 inch!!!!

 

[Reed]

"Idiot factor of customer"

Dang Tex, thought I was the only one factoring that element.

 

[treeclimber165]

If the customer supervises the job, it's an extra 20%. If the customer HELPS, it's an extra 50%.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Take a lok at this discussion. What we're talking bout here is the same tune jsut different words.

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Figuring_labor_and_overhead.html

 

[TREETX]

Wow Tom, I am no where near that analytical about the whole process. Maybe that is my problem. Great info though. I miss academia at times.

Nate

 

[barker]

Ok, thanks guys

 

[geofore]

price?

How many of you factored in the price of wear and tear on equipment? Sure, a write off for taxes but how do you pay for new toys??? Don't you add 1% or 2% for the new toy fund or do you stick the next customer for the whole bill for that new saw or truck?
Tom ,I liked the woodbin sites approach to pricing. Makes me think I didn't bid enough.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I have a new toy fund that I escrow money in. When i get better cash flow I plan on the company buying the equipment back from me, then having the company pay interest on the loans from the escrow account. Right now I'm keeping about 5-10k ahead of my toatal spending.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Speaking of cars...most salesmen will look at the car the homeowner drives. It best represents the guys current economic status.
So a 4 hour job gets bid like this:

2002 Mercedes Benz - $220 per crew hour

2002 Chevy Lumina -$185 per crew hour

1989 Ford Escort - $125 per crew hour

1989 Ford Escort, coat hanger antenna - $85 per hour

 

[DDM]

If hes Riding a Moped Just walk away.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Hey, Vespas cost 6 grand!

 

[Reed]

Yeah, and the wealthiest person I know drives a '73 Chevy 1/2 ton!

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

You know you are a red neck when your richest relative asks you to come over and help change the tires on their house.

 

[Stumper]

I never got the hang of treating people differently based on their financial status. Personal observations though. 4 cars in the driveway-nobody is home. Two new/nice cars and homeowner's under 40-no money- it all goes to house and car payments. Nice car and older pickup-practical working folks who understand work and don't begrudge paying for yours. Moped and young owner, tech worker with eco- concsiousness = money to spend IF they are convinced that you are going to save the earth and its denizens(specifically their little piece thereof.)