Saw a guy post on Facebook about a pine tree he wanted removed after it came down in a storm so I stopped by and gave him an estimate which he later accepted. Got to it today with one helper. First we hauled all of the limbs to my moms (10 minutes away) in one load in my dump truck. Then we took the truck and cleaned up. Owner was very happy as was I because it put $250 in my pocket for a little under 2 hours of work plus I have this pine now sitting by my wood boiler.
Nice work! I made out well with the storm myself. Easier than making firewood. Nice that you had a place to dump it. Is there a dump where you could bring it?
Can't beat that!!! I'd think with how busy tree companies are, a guy with a saw could make some decent cash offering tree cleanups. For some reason people around here are super cheap. "But you're getting the wood for free!"
Very true. I did a few, some for regulars as well. Still a few quotes out. Almost felt criminal as i enjoyed doing it so much. Lots of brush runs but didnt bother me much.
I check the wanted ads on CL. Usually for a good laugh. Most of them dictate how long it should take, and what you'll get paid. Usually the words "easy", "1 hr. job", "shouldn't take long" etc are used. Big surprise they cant get a contractor through normal means. If I could get free cordwood AND get paid 200-300 hundred dollars cash to work for a half day id be tickled.
Ain't that the truth. They act like they are paying your heating bill. Anybody carry around a wavier saying you won't sue if you get hurt cutting on their property? I would try to do more cleanups if most didn't require insurance.
There is definitely a market for a guy with a chainsaw, and small chipper. Tree companies can often be too busy or too expensive for a small job. Especially one that is already on the ground. Having insurance is nice, but good luck getting people to pay high enough rates to cover those costs. I fought that battle for YEARS doing carpentry, roofing, siding, windows, etc. But I can get my brothers buddy from work to do it for $15/hr. So glad those days are over.
I think much of what they want protection for is fear of damage caused by falling trees or limbs. Like the damage of a tree landing on a building.
There is a place about 10 minutes further than my moms but I didn’t feel like paying. Probably would have cost $60-70
There is a waiver form you can print off of here Hookedup24. Ive used it once. Heres the link. Liability Wavier 2014-08-18 I dont carry a copy of it with me, but if a potential customer asks about liability, i offer to get a copy and sign in front of them.
No and yes! My license still has my old hometown so its residents dump for free. All my brush goes there. Got to be in real good with the new guy whos company runs it. They took over the contract last Fall. He finally questioned me about how much i was bringing in last week and i asked so a heaping F150 load is $20. And i mean heaping. This wasnt full yet. The back ladder rack opens up and i have the butt ends at the tailboard (open) as the limbs go diagonal then to almost vertical i close it and it packs them tight. Luckily the dump was less than ten minutes away and no interstate! Logs are more but ill bury them underneath and no one checks when you unload. One job was a couple good sized pine limbs. Sticky as hell. Have a spruce to take down tomorrow three towns over and its going there as well. Supposed to be in town only. Shhhhhh!
I understand where a home owner is coming from in that scenario. The couple times I asked if people wanted downed limbs removed they didn't want a chainsaw running on their property in less you had insurance. Limbs were too large to move by hand so I had to pass. We live in a sue happy society so I understand why people are hesitant.
Thanks BuZZ. I may have to put that to use. I was planning to be busying processing tops after my uncle has his land timbered, but the two man outfit both got COVID and now the start date is in limbo.
Its kind of silly when you think about it. How many homeowners ask for proof of insurance when they hire a lawn person, a house painter, roofer, sider, driveway sealer, snowplower, etc. Some do, but many do not, and these people are charging money. The guy taking away wood for free though is expected to provide it. Before people jump up and say those other services you listed do show proof of insurance, no...no they often do not. I bid many, many, many jobs and lost to these types of people due to price. A drive by reveals a bunch of illegals doing the work with you guessed it...no permit. No lettering on the van, no CSL, no speak english, I'm sure they carry liability and workers comp though.... Bwhahaha...... It'd be like asking little Tommy Higgins the kid from down the street to provide POI before he rakes your leaves, or shovels your sidewalk People hire companies all the time due to price, and never check that things are in order. Guys 30' up in the air on your roof with no harness, no safety rope, no netting, etc. Heaven forbid a guy with a helmet, safety glasses, and chaps makes a cut with a chainsaw though.
