Timing / Pricing question (Oh no not again)

[The BJG]

Just wondering if I can get a couple of peoples thoughts.

 

Did a quote the other day for a customer, and I reckoned it was a full days work for two with chipper.

Everything to be removed off site.

Difficult access through the front but a wall at the back (where the tree is) led onto a private access road, Possible to set up chipper etc on that road and work away, but everything would have to go over the wall, as no gate.

 

The tree was around 40ft and the initial request was a quote to "trim back"

 

When I got there it was around 40 to 50ft quite large, so a lot of chip to dispose of. The tree was pretty much dead in all honesty, and I had real trouble identifying it too. It seemed to me to be like a very large hawthorn. but very very few leaves shooting and a lot of deadwood hanging in the tree. The bark was almost ash like. But no leaves out yet so it threw me a bit.

I didn't get any pictures unfortunately.

 

I advised the same, as it turns out, that everyone else who had seen it, to fell due to proximity to house and replace with something more suitable.

 

Anyway my question is this, how long would anyone else have allowed for this job? I am obviously newer to tree work than most of you guys on here so I am wondering how my workrate compares I guess.

 

Thanks

[arbclimber]

Just wondering if I can get a couple of peoples thoughts.

 

Did a quote the other day for a customer, and I reckoned it was a full days work for two with chipper.

Everything to be removed off site.

Difficult access through the front but a wall at the back (where the tree is) led onto a private access road, Possible to set up chipper etc on that road and work away, but everything would have to go over the wall, as no gate.

 

The tree was around 40ft and the initial request was a quote to "trim back"

 

When I got there it was around 40 to 50ft quite large, so a lot of chip to dispose of. The tree was pretty much dead in all honesty, and I had real trouble identifying it too. It seemed to me to be like a very large hawthorn. but very very few leaves shooting and a lot of deadwood hanging in the tree. The bark was almost ash like. But no leaves out yet so it threw me a bit.

I didn't get any pictures unfortunately.

 

I advised the same, as it turns out, that everyone else who had seen it, to fell due to proximity to house and replace with something more suitable.

 

Anyway my question is this, how long would anyone else have allowed for this job? I am obviously newer to tree work than most of you guys on here so I am wondering how my workrate compares I guess.

 

Thanks

 

Pretty much impossible to say without seeing it mate.

If its nearly dead, is it climbable? Much rigging involved? Easy drop zone? How many loads of chip?

[The BJG]

Yes could kick myself now for not getting a couple of pics.

It is climbable, Fairly easy drop zone, not a huge amount of rigging I wouldn't have said, although it would need to come down in sections due to location, (not the biggest garden I've ever seen).

 

2 to 3 loads of chip I would have said.

Edited April 23, 2010 by The BJG

[Ian Flatters]

So you say its going to take a day for 2? well start their and think how much profit you'd like to make from it? How much hassle too? £400 for 2 guys and a chipper for the day + 10% profit £40 + £100 hasssle. £540? Just an example tho.

[The BJG]

I've already priced it a couple of days ago and didn't get it.

 

I worked it out at two of us for a day plus chipper with tipping fees etc. I priced in at £350 for felling and removal with stump grinding as an optional extra if they wanted it at £100.

 

They got three quotes one from another fella at about £200 but in their words, "He didn't seem like he knew much about trees."

 

But the other quote, the one they are going with, was for £150. The only way I can see that being possible is doing the work in half a day, which I don't think I could have done. So am I working too slow, or have I just met someone working for peanuts?

 

I only ask as I have had 2 of these in quick succession. Virtually the same story on both.

[arbclimber]

I've already priced it a couple of days ago and didn't get it.

 

I worked it out at two of us for a day plus chipper with tipping fees etc. I priced in at £350 for felling and removal with stump grinding as an optional extra if they wanted it at £100.

 

They got three quotes one from another fella at about £200 but in their words, "He didn't seem like he knew much about trees."

 

But the other quote, the one they are going with, was for £150. The only way I can see that being possible is doing the work in half a day, which I don't think I could have done. So am I working too slow, or have I just met someone working for peanuts?

 

I only ask as I have had 2 of these in quick succession. Virtually the same story on both.

 

From what you have said I reckon your price was ok. I wouldn't do anything like the job you described for £ 150. Thinking the bloke they got to do it prob doesn't know much about trees either and may well end up working for a whole day for 150 quid.

 

50 ft is getting on for twice the size of an average house.

 

Are you sure its as big as you seem to think?

[josharb87]

2-3 loads of wood chip from a 40ft dead tree?? what on earth are you chipping into?

 

all you can do is stick youre price in for the time it will take you. no point in lowering youre price only to loose money

[The BJG]

It was a big tree!

 

They had a Euc in the other corner that was the same sort of size. From the top I reckon you'd have had a good view into the cricket ground over the stands behind the house.

 

I do mostly domestic work, and normally smaller stuff than this one to be honest. Using the baby Timberwolf chipper we work hard and steady. I wouldn't drop my price as I have plenty who pay it and are happy, and have had a few bung us a bit extra at the end too. So I know I'm not that far out with my prices, it was more the timing issue I wondered about. Would I / Should I have been able to do it in half a day.

[arbclimber]

Then I think your price was ok. Although as I said earlier, its almost impossible to tell from a description.

[Ian Flatters]

2-3 loads of wood chip from a 40ft dead tree?? what on earth are you chipping into?

 

all you can do is stick youre price in for the time it will take you. no point in lowering youre price only to loose money

 

A bedford rascal??:lol: