SouthSoundTree
Treehouser
I am wanting to start work at 7am. I have a limited daylight in the winter, and would like to avoid some heat in the summer.
I generally hope to do vehicle checks, last minute job-specific gear loading, etc in the morning (by employee, as much as possible) while I return phone calls/ emails/ etc.
I generally don't split out a full maintenance day. I try to keep everything up and running right. I don't have a stable full of saws, I just like the one's I have to be kept sharp and clean. A guy I used to work for would have us load and unload everyday into his shop, ALL the tools, sledge hammer (wedge pounder), rakes, etc. We'd take about 4-5 MS250 ground saws because nobody else could file a chain (bench grinder only, trying to get 4 sharpenings out of a chain), just grab a sharp one and dump the other dull saw in a pile of gear on the bucket truck deck, or whatever.
Bids are time-sensitive, and hard to plan for how much time to allot.
I am going to get a wristwatch to monitor my time better, along with having a emailed document for people to start what will become the Scope of Work part of the bid. So often it will take 30-45 minutes to walk around a property and look at a bunch of trees, suss out impact levels, material disposal, etc, then people ask 'how much?'. I say I just have found out what they want, now I have to figure out what it will take with the big picture developed.
I probably take too long at bids, I know. End of the day is rough, as I'm tired. Beginning of the day is rough as I'm trying to get us to the job and working.
This will be a fillable Google doc that will be able to be sent back and automatically go into Google Drive as a spreadsheet.
Tree #1 evergreen by front door, canopy raise off house
Tree #2 maple removal, 16" firewood, chips on site
Tree#3 don't know what kind, by rear door, 16" firewood, chips on site.
This will be a tool to weed out tire kickers, and give me more info before showing up, and forcing the decision makers to think about things in advance (where is my septic?, do I want to save that bush/ tree/ portion of lawn or can it get flattened? Where is my gas line buried? Oh yeah electric lines exist).
If they're not email savvy or resistant, then I feel like I should charge them to fill out a basic form of their demographic info, and basic things that I will have to ask them on the phone or onsite. Doctor's offices require you to send in your info in advance, or time to fill out the forms at the office before taking up the doctor's time.
By having the form, I can save us both time during our busy days, so its a plus to HO and me.
The other day, I was out for a roof clearance pruning bid. Turns out the guy needs 5 Large doug-firs craned out between the neighbor (just cut a lot of big roots near the trunk down one side of the row for his sidewalk, and HO just built a huge fancy house on the water under these trees. I spent half an hour with him, so he could understand the implications of construction damage.
Maybe 15' between houses.
Thoughts, comments, experiences, jokes...
I generally hope to do vehicle checks, last minute job-specific gear loading, etc in the morning (by employee, as much as possible) while I return phone calls/ emails/ etc.
I generally don't split out a full maintenance day. I try to keep everything up and running right. I don't have a stable full of saws, I just like the one's I have to be kept sharp and clean. A guy I used to work for would have us load and unload everyday into his shop, ALL the tools, sledge hammer (wedge pounder), rakes, etc. We'd take about 4-5 MS250 ground saws because nobody else could file a chain (bench grinder only, trying to get 4 sharpenings out of a chain), just grab a sharp one and dump the other dull saw in a pile of gear on the bucket truck deck, or whatever.
Bids are time-sensitive, and hard to plan for how much time to allot.
I am going to get a wristwatch to monitor my time better, along with having a emailed document for people to start what will become the Scope of Work part of the bid. So often it will take 30-45 minutes to walk around a property and look at a bunch of trees, suss out impact levels, material disposal, etc, then people ask 'how much?'. I say I just have found out what they want, now I have to figure out what it will take with the big picture developed.
I probably take too long at bids, I know. End of the day is rough, as I'm tired. Beginning of the day is rough as I'm trying to get us to the job and working.
This will be a fillable Google doc that will be able to be sent back and automatically go into Google Drive as a spreadsheet.
Tree #1 evergreen by front door, canopy raise off house
Tree #2 maple removal, 16" firewood, chips on site
Tree#3 don't know what kind, by rear door, 16" firewood, chips on site.
This will be a tool to weed out tire kickers, and give me more info before showing up, and forcing the decision makers to think about things in advance (where is my septic?, do I want to save that bush/ tree/ portion of lawn or can it get flattened? Where is my gas line buried? Oh yeah electric lines exist).
If they're not email savvy or resistant, then I feel like I should charge them to fill out a basic form of their demographic info, and basic things that I will have to ask them on the phone or onsite. Doctor's offices require you to send in your info in advance, or time to fill out the forms at the office before taking up the doctor's time.
By having the form, I can save us both time during our busy days, so its a plus to HO and me.
The other day, I was out for a roof clearance pruning bid. Turns out the guy needs 5 Large doug-firs craned out between the neighbor (just cut a lot of big roots near the trunk down one side of the row for his sidewalk, and HO just built a huge fancy house on the water under these trees. I spent half an hour with him, so he could understand the implications of construction damage.
Maybe 15' between houses.
Thoughts, comments, experiences, jokes...