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Tree Work. (Resolution.)

84Bravo184Bravo1 Member Posts: 10,461 ✭✭
edited September 2018 in General Discussion
I knew specialized tree work was expensive, but Holy Smokes.

I've posted here before about the Power Company re-routing the lines in our enclave. They have been doing extensive tree work for months in here. Quite a bit of the work with a hot rodded Loach, with one crazy * pilot. Amazing to watch.

Anyway, they've been gone for quite a few weeks, I was beginning to think they had forgotten me. Nope. They were downing and chipping trees just down from me. I stopped down to speak to the Foreman.

A couple hours later the two Guys in charge were up on my back deck knocking on the door. They are going to (sometime between tomorrow and next Wed.) going to drop 5-6 very large trees that are overhanging my house. We discussed in detail what needed to happen.

I stated several times, how appreciative I was that they were going to tackle this job for me. (I've interacted with them and the Crew quite a bit the last few months when they have dropped a fair # of trees on my property. They commented how easy, (compared to most they encouter.) I was.

Anyway, after talking for about a half an hour with the two Guys in charge. The head Foreman turned to me and said "You know if you were going to contract this job out, I'd estimate you would be looking at $10K." I again repeatedly told them how appreciative I was that were going to tackle this.


Lucking out big time. Not only taking them down but chipping anything smaller than wrist size and up, leaving the logs for me to take to the Mill, (worth about $4-5K I'm told. Very large straight White Oaks.) and tons of firewood for next year and the year after.

I'm feeling very fortunate and appreciative.


$10K? Holy Smokes!!

Comments

  • Chief ShawayChief Shaway Member, Moderator Posts: 6,289 ******
    edited November -1
    I had one really big maple and a decent size pine taken down for my garage build.
    $1000 for the trees and $300 for the stump grinding.
  • buddybbuddyb Member Posts: 5,393 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I learned a long time ago tree work near buildings or anything of value needs to be left to people that know what they are doing.People that know what they are doing don't work cheap.
  • 84Bravo184Bravo1 Member Posts: 10,461 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by mrmike08075
    You should buy your buddy - canine companion a girlfriend or set him up on a date...

    Somebody should get laid out of this.

    Mike





    Yeah,.............................Me!! I'm tired of getting screwed, not laid. [:D]


    I'm told the one largest White oak log ,straight as a arrow for 25-30' is "$2800 all day long."
  • mmppresmmppres Member Posts: 3,196 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think that crew needs to be bought a nice lunch when there done working as a thank you for helping you out.
  • redneckandyredneckandy Member Posts: 9,716 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Now is the time to sell. Walnut is way up there and White oak is close behind. I'm currently getting bids to log some of my farm out.
  • 84Bravo184Bravo1 Member Posts: 10,461 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by mmppres
    I think that crew needs to be bought a nice lunch when there done working as a thank you for helping you out.



    Believe me, I've been wondering what I can do for this Crew, without getting them in trouble. I'd hand them each a $100 Bill, if I thought they would take it, not get in trouble over it.

    I've told them many times since day one a month or two ago, how appreciative I was over this. The extent there are quite large overhanging limbs extending way over my house, and the necessity of limbing them prior to dropping them, no way was I going to attenpt it. A Professionals job for sure.


    Lucking out for sure.
  • mmppresmmppres Member Posts: 3,196 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A good lunch or dinner goes a long way especially when its a home made one.If you cant due that then get some one to help you out. I have watched some good construction crews get fed by grateful customers an there work always shows there thanks. No boss or owner will say much about a free meal, money they frown upon. From my experience.
  • 84Bravo184Bravo1 Member Posts: 10,461 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Problem is, I will most likely not be here when the work is done. I was playing Hookie today, (got tired of the endless 6 day work weeks.)

    If I'm here when it happens, (doubtful) I will most definately bring everybody Mike's BBQ Platters.
  • asopasop Member Posts: 9,020 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You guys are scaring me. We have a 150 year old "double" red or black oak that is so high unless its a clear day you can't see the top of it[:0]. Georges tree. Cabled it 10 years ago but, one of these days to prevent fall damage I'm going to have to bit the bullet.
  • remingtonoaksremingtonoaks Member Posts: 26,245 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Did you ever think that they're pulling your leg??? I had three big cottonwood trees (45'+) to my place along with having the stumps ground for $1400, that included the removal of all the wood and branches if I wanted them to take it away

    Either that or they do nothing but government contracts, and we all know how much more the government pays for things to get done then in the private sector
  • 84Bravo184Bravo1 Member Posts: 10,461 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by remingtonoaks
    Did you ever think that they're pulling your leg??? I had three big cottonwood trees removed to my place along with having the stumps ground for $1400

    Either that or they do nothing but government contracts, and we all know how much more the government pays for things to get done then in the private sector



    You would Have to see these trees, and the situation/terrain involved in order to fully appreciate the difficulty of the job. I would not even think of attempting it. It will require a 4WD extended boom lift in order to access the overhanging limbs needing to be swung away from the house, prior to dropping the trees. The trees will need to be cable attached to a large Truck/Skid loader in order to insure they go in the proper (limited) drop zone.

    It is a complicated job, with white Oaks, much larger than you can put your arms around. I would have done this a few years ago, but I knew it would cost a left nut. (As I have said,) I have totally lucked out, the Power Company is re-routing the lines, and realize I would never be able to drop these trees with the new line in place.

    Very, very lucky indeed.
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,497 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'd take those days off and fire up the grill for the crew. Have a big ice chest with soft drinks and water. Table and chairs instead of a squat-down lunch will more than gratify them.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • hillbillehillbille Member Posts: 14,459 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    if not money give em a gift card $50-100 for local restraunt chain, I'm sure they eat out a lot, course you may wanna wait and see if they drop one through the roof or not
  • 84Bravo184Bravo1 Member Posts: 10,461 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
    I'd take those days off and fire up the grill for the crew. Have a big ice chest with soft drinks and water. Table and chairs instead of a squat-down lunch will more than gratify them.




    I'd be more than happy to. Unfortunately, they can not pin it down any closer that anywhere from "tomorrow to next Wed."

    I'd LOVE to be here and Observe/Cater to them when it happens.
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,497 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just give your boss notice that you have to be there while they're working, for obvious reasons. And that you might not get a lot of advance warning.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • 84Bravo184Bravo1 Member Posts: 10,461 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
    Just give your boss notice that you have to be there while they're working, for obvious reasons. And that you might not get a lot of advance warning.



    My Job/Workplace does not operate like that at all. If you are out, for any reason (Other than scheduled Vacation days.) It's a point. 15 points in a year, no matter how good an Employee you are, you are gone. I've seen People who have been there 15 years "walked out," for "Points Violation."

    Sucks, but there it is.
  • TrinityScrimshawTrinityScrimshaw Member Posts: 9,350 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This past Spring we had to have an extreamly large Sugar Maple taken down in our front yard.

    A professional tree service charged me $1400 to take in down, chip the limbs, and grind the stump (which was 67? across).

    I had them dump the load of chips out behind the barn, and move all the useful wood (which there was a ton of) to the side of the barn so I could cut it for future fire wood.

    They esitimated the tree to be over 200 years old, and 75? to 80? tall...[:0]

    Trinity +++
  • kimikimi Member Posts: 44,719 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It all depends on how hungry they are. I've gotten screaming deals and paid top dollar more than once.
    What's next?
  • 84Bravo184Bravo1 Member Posts: 10,461 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Got home this afternoon at 3:30 PM. They had two trees down, were limbing 4-6 more. 4 smaller (18-24" diameter?) were already beanpoled. Got home sat on the back deck and watched them. A very professional crew. 8 guys. Two large boom lift trucks, with chippers. A very specialized 4WD extended Boom lift, the main guy was working from, WAY up there. They were roping off 6-8' sections, cutting them off, and swinging them away from the house.


    Had a good dialog with them, again telling numerous times how appreciative I was. Asked for all their names, told their Foreman I wanted to do something special for the Crew.

    I've arranged to have two deluxe Subway Party platters, with a side of deluxe toppings, XL fountain drinks on ice, (Mtn Dew, and Coke.) Etc etc. Delivered to them about 1/2 hour before their lunch break. ($110, least I can do for them.)


    Most appreciative of their efforts on my behalf.


    A Sheeitload of Firewood, all cut to length. About $3-5K worth of logs to got to the mill. Very happy.
  • mmppresmmppres Member Posts: 3,196 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    That sounds like a good deal for all.Now with those trees down you get to start working [:D]
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,497 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You solved the "can't miss work" problem with aplomb, good sir. Perfect solution - and a highly appropriate one. Kudos.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • 84Bravo184Bravo1 Member Posts: 10,461 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Got home just a bit ago. The Crews were done at my house, and were working just down from me. They flagged me down as I came around the very sharp 90* bend in the road.

    They were telling me my place was done, "your all set." Then pretty much all of them came over to the car, in order to tell me how much they appreciated the lunch spread [:D] it was a big hit. I told them "My pleasure, the least I could do for you guys. You did me a huge favor. I appreciate it."

    Came on up to my house, let the dog out, came out on the back deck. Awesome, no more overhanging dangerous trees. They cleared a little more than I would have liked. (But) I am not going to complain. They ended up taking down 13 trees. I've got firewood (for next year and the year after) easy.

    The guys had come up on my back deck and used my large picnic table, chairs etc. I was glad to see that.

    A few of them just walked up to where I am sitting on the back deck just now with my Tablet, to again tell me how much they appreciated the lunch spread. "People don't do that stuff for us very often." And to tell me how much they all liked my house and the setting. A good conversation with some fellow Working Guys, expressing mutual appreciation.

    I'm way happy I got them a good spread for them to enjoy, while working on my behalf.

    Now I have to contact a Logging Co. I used to load/unload for at the sawmill to come pick up some logs, and make both of us some $$. I plan on when I get a check, to send all 8 of these guys a $100 gift card of some sort, and a nice letter to their Co. I'd do cash but I'm afraid they'd get in trouble. I p,an on speaking to their Foreman to find out.

    These guys did me a Solid Favor.

    Very happy. [:D]
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,497 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For your more than generous extra tip, may I suggest a gift card from Duluth Trading Co?
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    rigged up a 74 dodge 300 bushel grain truck with an ALtec shooting boom ...took the steel sideboards off and cut 30" off the front of the steel bed and mounted the lift from a frame mount ..Onan power pack (elec and hyd) left and a 30 gallon fuel tank on the right side...left the bed hoist in place...i used primarily to service my irrigation systems and do some shorter tree work around here....works great and has been used to clean and paint the NAPA building in town...truck is gettin old... has an accurate total of 31,000 miles on it
  • 84Bravo184Bravo1 Member Posts: 10,461 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by spasmcreek
    rigged up a 74 dodge 300 bushel grain truck with an ALtec shooting boom ...took the steel sideboards off and cut 30" off the front of the steel bed and mounted the lift from a frame mount ..Onan power pack (elec and hyd) left and a 30 gallon fuel tank on the right side...left the bed hoist in place...i used primarily to service my irrigation systems and do some shorter tree work around here....works great and has been used to clean and paint the NAPA building in town...truck is gettin old... has an accurate total of 31,000 miles on it



    I believe They were using Altec booms if I am not mistaken.
  • mmppresmmppres Member Posts: 3,196 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    That food was a gift that them boys will remember,it will always work.
  • 84Bravo184Bravo1 Member Posts: 10,461 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by mmppres
    That food was a gift that them boys will remember,it will always work.



    Thanks Brother. I'm a Working Stiff myself. I know how much those little gestures mean. $110 to me, worth every Penny. Priceless to them. That's what it's all about.

    I still plan on hooking them up further. Just have to figure out how. Without getting them in trouble.
  • mmppresmmppres Member Posts: 3,196 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I learned that trick from driving a few Amish roofers around. Glad it worked out good
  • 84Bravo184Bravo1 Member Posts: 10,461 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Got stopped again, on the way in to my house this evening by the other Foreman and a couple of his guys. Wanted to tell me what a big hit the food delivery was for them. "Made our day, best thing anyone has done for us in a long time." Told them again, how it was my pleasure. Most appreciative of the work they did on my behalf.


    Glad the food was such a big hit ! [:D]
  • remingtonoaksremingtonoaks Member Posts: 26,245 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Now you have to decide what to build with all that wood...
  • 84Bravo184Bravo1 Member Posts: 10,461 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by remingtonoaks
    Now you have to decide what to build with all that wood...



    Logs to the Mill. ($$) Firewood to the woodstove, next year/year after. [:D]
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