tree trimmers- economy can't be too bad

[KurtG]

I can't seem to get anyone interested in about $1000 worth of tree work (removing 3 small maples). I called 3 companies which said they would provide an estimate. Only one followed through with an estimate and they have had no response to me requesting they schedule the work.

 

[eaglejim]

Re: tree trimmers- economy can't be too bad

They probably laid off people like everyone else and now do not have the man power to keep up

 

[dlngr]

Re: tree trimmers- economy can't be too bad

It takes a big juicy insurance claim to make it worth their while. Much less profit in working on 'private' jobs.

 

[ziggy]

Re: tree trimmers- economy can't be too bad

I can't seem to get anyone interested in about $1000 worth of tree work

i hear ya. i had 2 trees that were in need myself. had me a customer that was a tree trimmer. i ask him to come out and he never even called me back... so i called 3 tree trimmers myself. not the customer. he had his chance. so of the three i called. one never came out. another came out and himhaahed about whether he was interested in doing it. he never returned a call with a estimate. the third guy got the job. 2K for removing 1 tree + trimming up the second one real good.
my tree was huge. 5' dia. base perhaps. overhanging 2 houses. they had 4 men on reg. duty. up to 7 men towards the end. equipment was a bucket truck, a chopper, a flatbed, a pickup w/ davit for smaller logs, a bobcat. a guy to drop my lines to my house... 1.5 days to remove one tree.
amazing though that i only had that one guy interested in the job.. good luck..

 

[Don S]

Re: tree trimmers- economy can't be too bad

the third guy got the job. 2K for removing 1 tree + trimming up the second one real good.
my tree was huge. 5' dia. base perhaps. overhanging 2 houses. they had 4 men on reg. duty. up to 7 men towards the end. equipment was a bucket truck, a chopper, a flatbed, a pickup w/ davit for smaller logs, a bobcat. a guy to drop my lines to my house... 1.5 days to remove one tree

You got all that for 2K, not bad. Just using your example ziggy, everyone just get out their calculators and start adding up the costs.
What does it cost per hour to operatate each one of those machines? Cost of machine, maintenance & repairs, etc.
Then look at the labor costs for 1.5 days = 1-8 hour day and 1-4hour day. 12 hours for an average of 6 people working for X dollars per hour. Then there is managment and owners that expect to make some profit anyway, then look at insurance and the rent for their brick and morter building. Then there are all the smaller tools, chain saws, ropes, gloves, and other safety items provided by the employer. Tack on to that the cost of insurance to do that type work.
How did they do that job for only 2K ????????

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: tree trimmers- economy can't be too bad

I can't seem to get anyone interested in about $1000 worth of tree work (removing 3 small maples). I called 3 companies which said they would provide an estimate. Only one followed through with an estimate and they have had no response to me requesting they schedule the work.

I have a mixed answer. Any burnable hardwood will be dropped in a heartbeat here in VT.

The majority of the tree companies up here are actually working full bore on the damaged areas in southern VT and NY State from the ice storm this season. Right now they are doing the important before they get to the "pretty" work.

Just curious what do you consider a small maple? Here anything 9" and up is firewood and most small maples are up to about 2' diameter. If they are sugar maples over 9" they are worth big money on the wood market (if they have never been tappped.... tapping a sugar maple causes streaking inside the wood). If they are soft maple they are firewood (not the best but it does burn).

 

[mthieme]

Re: tree trimmers- economy can't be too bad

Right after the high winds last week - go figure.
Here's a couple people I've used in the past...

1. TRAC
2. Randy Wolford