How to Start a Tree Trimming Business

I you have ever done tree work for another tree care company, and have good climbing and safety skills, why not consider starting your own tree service? More entrepreneurs are created during a down economy, than any other time. Starting a tree care service is not an easy undertaking, but many people do it every day and find it to be a successful and prosperous venture.

A tree trimming business will include everything from trimming limbs, taking down trees, removing tree stump to planting trees. If you ever worked for another tree company or been a climber, it might be something worth consideration.

OK, you have done tree work for about five or more years for a reputable tree care service and are an A-1 climber. You are also well versed in knots, safety and tree rescue techniques, you understand pressure cuts, how to do hazardous trees and what chainsaws are best used for each job.

You work hard and risk your neck for other tree companies and you realized the financial potential if you could get your own tree work. Now you are thinking about starting your own small business. Granted, it is a big step from working on a tree crew and starting your own tree care service, so let’s look at the steps that need to be taken.

When you come up with a small business idea, you will want to draw up a business plan as this will be the road map instructions on how to write a business plan.

Before starting a small business, it will be advised to receive small business consulting help from the SBA/ Small Business Association.

The SBA can help you will all aspect of starting a new business and their site has video training that is very helpful. Take time to determine how you want to start you tree trimming business and where you want it to go.

With your county: Make sure to register your Tree care business name with your state. This does not take much time and is pretty inexpensive.

With your state: A business license gives you the legal right to work in your state. Many people will ask if you are a licensed tree care service when they are looking to hire you for work.

With the Government: Go on line or call the IRS to get an Employee Identification Number. You will use this number as your business identification number and will use it to open a business account at your local banking institution. You can register by phone and within a week to ten days, you will receive your certification in the main.

Purchase necessary business tools: You probably already have a chain saw or two, but you will need other equipment.

• Climbing rope
• Bull rope
• Climbing saddle
• Throwing ball
• Lanyards
• Bar Oil
• Chain Saw mix
• Safety Helmets
• Clips
• Climbing Boots
• Climbing saw
• Production saw
• Pole Saw
• Wedges
• Oil cans
• Water Cooler
• Ladders
• Truck (2 ton)
  

Purchase insurance: Life insurance will be necessary to protect you from liability in case of damage to yourself, workers and client’s property. The minimum insurance will cover you for about $1 million in damages.  You can also purchase insurance against you or you workers get injured.

Advertise your small business: If you have been doing tree work on the side, you probably have some clients already. Invest in professional business cards and printing out fliers to pass out.

You can also advertise your tree care services in your neighborhood penny saver for about $25.

Once the word gets out word of mouth will begin to spread through the community that you are available for tree work. Make sure that you have professional looking business cards to hand out to contacts when you meet.

Get your tree trimming business listed at Google Local Business Center, for free. There you can write a blurb about you company, create coupons and provide direction to your business.

Lead Service: There are services that provide business leads for your tree care company for a small fee. Service Magic is one of the companies that provide this service.

They also provide a profile of your business which prospective clients can view. So if you don’t have a lot of contacts this may be a consideration for a while. Service Magic will bill you at the end of each week.

Hire employees. Independent contractor: A skill and highly trained tree crew, will keep your business running smoothly, with little or no incidence of accidents.

If you have been doing tree work for a while, you will probably have friends in the business who are looking for extra work. I have found placing an ad in the “general labor” section of Craigslist very effective if finding people to do tree work.

Screen them and place them in the areas of their strength. Keep the workers that you work well with and are good hard workers. Eventually as you get enough work you will be able to employ your tree crew full time.

During the busy months of tree work, you may not think much about piling up wood, but during the winter months, selling wood can be a great way of making extra money at $150 a truck load of wood with stacking and cutting.

It is always good to keep a tally of clients who have fireplaces and may consider buying a half or whole truck load of wood for you.  If you don't have a wood splitter, consider partnering with someone who does and split the profits.  When you have a small tree trimming service it is important to always be networking with other people in the business.