Tree Trimming Cost
What's It Really About?
Tree Trimming Cost
What's It Really About?
A lot of people now, when I go out for an estimate, act like they already know me. Often times they do, because I’ve done their trees before, of course. And other times, they got my name from someone they know.
They may have also found me on this web-site, which contains a pretty good sample of our style, and pics of our work. But anyway, a lot of the time, people seem fairly trusting, and I have an enjoyable time sharing my knowledge of what we do.
When it comes down to price, I try to keep it as low as I can, without shooting myself in the foot, of course.
Before and After Trimming Example
Before and After Trimming Example
Prices Got Realistic
As I Matured
Prices Got Realistic As I Matured
I will say that my ideas about what to charge for a job have evolved over time. I used to think that I HAD to get any job, and for some reason, I must charge only a thimble above bare starvation.
The problem with that method is that you have to work too long a day, just to get the proverbial head above water. In my youth, I would go out there and do unbelievable amount of work, at an unbelievably cheap price, sometimes killing everybody involved in the process.
But that was then. Now, I find I am more realistic about how long things take. My goal is to be as fair as possible, but that includes my company too. This is a way to work less stressed, and to feel good about the day. If you think about it in the right way, this definitely works in the customers favor overall as well.
I was just out on an estimate, and it was to trim a Modesto Ash Tree. When I gave the price, the guy, who has used us a few times now, winced a bit.
But he wants me to do the job. Because we have trimmed that tree before, and it still looks natural. So, we can somewhat ignore his pleas to “take a lot off,” and we can then make that tree look like something quite nice, but also take the weight out of the branches at the same time. I will try to put the pics of it here, after we do it.
People Look Comfortable When I Talk To Them
People Look Comfortable When I Talk To Them
I’m wondering if some of the people have looked at our work on our tree-trimming page (scroll down 1/2 way for before and after pics). And so, they know already what kind of work we do. And maybe that is why they look so comfortable when they talk to me now, for the most part.
The look I seem to see a lot is, “don’t KILL me on price, charge what you need, but I want YOU to trim this tree.” And I gotta say, I like that, that’s a good look.
See, you want to feel that way, when you hire someone to trim. I wrote a recent blog post about how permanent tree work is. Well not PERMANENT, but given how slow trees grow, it is pretty close.
Pine Tree Before And After
Pine Tree Before And After
Trimming (Good And Bad) Lasts Forever
Trimming (Good And Bad) Lasts Forever
And trimming is a special part of tree work that people will see forever. That’s different than removals, because once the tree is gone, well, it’s gone.
The point is, when you are hiring for tree work, and ESPECIALLY for trimming, make sure the company you use knows how to do it. It would be nice to have before and after pics of their work. It would be good if they were good at explaining things, and could tell you, in a way you can understand, how they will trim your trees and why.
Because of how long the effects last, for trimming (good or bad), it actually PAYS you well to make sure you have a company that knows HOW to trim, for THAT is the true cost. The cost is in YEARS down the line.
Anyway, that’s why I think people have that look on their face, most times. That guy I just did the estimate for, I noticed his look seemed like, “you used to work a lot cheaper, what happened?” And my look was, “we can’t do that anymore, we’re older now, and besides, you need US to do this. And tree-work, while never cheap, has gone through an inflationary thing, like everything else.” I think he understood.
To give an idea of what goes into the cost of trimming, let’s use his tree as an example. The thing about trimming that tree is that, like all trees, even though this one is a medium size, it takes time to clamber around it. To do it right means using a pole-pruner, and you doctor each little part of the tree with it.
Some Proper Tools For Tree Trimming
Some Proper Tools For Tree Trimming
It CAN be done quite a bit faster though. You just use a chainsaw and a pole-saw, and whip around the outside. I saw a crew of 3 climbers doing that at some apartments recently, and they got done in jig time. The problem with that method is that it isn’t proper trimming, and the tree can never come back well. It will never grow naturally again.
So, MY point is that, just like other trades, it pays when you find a person who can do the work properly, and who is fair in business. That’s what I try to be, and I think I can tell by looking at people’s faces that they understand that, and they like it.