So you want to start a tree service business??

5 tips for anyone thinking of starting a tree service business.

[@treesavages]

You are definitely NOT an employee of the homeowner. That mindset will let the customers set the standard. Which is the complete opposite of what you want to do as a business. WE as the the business owners should be setting the standard. That’s why we’re the service provider.

[@In-The-Trees]

We're providing a service to accomplish a goal that the home owner can't accomplish. I can guide the home owner with my professional knowledge and what is best for their property. Ultimately it's their property and decision, it's my job to meet the contract that they employ me to do.

[@treesavages]

@@In-The-Trees I agree with everything but that last part. They are not employing you to do the task. They are contracting you to do the task. Unless of course they are employing you in which case you don’t have a business, you are an employee.

[@robbyfisher2598]

It dont matter what you call yourself😂 these commenters are worried about the wrong things. Just do good, honest work and take care of the customers

[@In-The-Trees]

@@robbyfisher2598 100%

[@leonmills4545]

Technically you do work for the homeowner but they cant force you to butcher their tree but if that’s what they want and know what’s the potential outcome then hey, fire on aslong as the pay is on time and the customers happy with what you’ve done them mission success 💁 yeah they ain’t your employer but they have employed your company to work for them so 😂💁

[@jubalcalif9100]

Thanks for the useful info ! When I was a kid I wanted to be a tree surgeon but gave up the idea when I found out I faint at the sight of sap. I was hoping to be successful enough to open a branch office. I think I'd be the type of guy who'd go out on a limb for my customers.

[@In-The-Trees]

It's an easy trade to fell into

[@jubalcalif9100]

@@In-The-Trees Ha ! That's rich ! 🙂

[@hespheastusbrazen8702]

I suggest you Humboldt yourself

[@SJ_ArbGM]

You gave up ? Why my friend get back out there never give u0

[@litewatefitr]

I've found a lot of tree work on the nextdoor app. It's been a huge tool for my side business cutting trees

[@In-The-Trees]

Awesome man! That's a great idea!

[@ZFKATNBADGER40]

I’m going to look into that

[@zachbrebaugh4992]

Good to see this video on here. Thank you for that. Ive been climbing going on 12 years and recently started my own business. Sound advice.

[@In-The-Trees]

Hey man, glad it resonated with you! I'm excited for you and your new business, it's going to be an adventure!

[@zachbrebaugh4992]

@In-The-Trees- thanks man. Stay safe out there.

[@TreeClimbersSWMI]

Sometimes you make more on the smaller ones. Quality advice here, keep on keeping on brother

[@In-The-Trees]

Absolutely true! Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it!

[@fullhousebuckin]

I agree with everything except number 2. YOU are the business owner not the homeowner. You start doing that then you let THEM set the standard. I will saythis though im 2 years into it and still only doing it on the weekends and fridays now. The hardest one by far is #5. There have been MANY days i wake up and im like you know what **** this, its to hard its not working its ALOT of work. It is an unbielieable amount of work. the whole nine. But you HAVE to keep pushing because if you give up youll regret it forever. Success is failure. You CAN NOT succeed first without failing. Accept that and LEARN from it. Awsome advice my friend. Im actually having one of these days so this little video and its contents helped me, so thank you for that.

[@In-The-Trees]

Glad it helped man!

[@4.0gpa44]

Don't do under the table cash deals. I tell my clients it's the same price check or cash, and I remind them that I pay my taxes. Definitely get worker's comp as soon as you have any employees, even a friend for a half-day job. It's a legal requirement in almost all states, and even in Texas, where it's not legally required, you're still on the hook for injuries if you don't have worker's comp, and that realized liability can lead to bankruptcy. And get a payroll service to handle all the withholdings.

[@Victor-sg6wc]

Thanks for your advice I recommend everyone to knock on doors I been doing that for 4 years moving on to my own thing soon Good luck to everyone let’s go hustle and stay motivated at all times 💪🌲

[@In-The-Trees]

I'm excited for you! 💪💪

[@prestongarvey7014]

What if you live in a place where that isn’t really an option? Where I live everything is really far away and houses are spread out

[@TerrellWillams]

This is almost the exact same advice I would give because it’s what I have done!

[@In-The-Trees]

Great stuff!

[@yabuddy90210]

having good credit and knowing how to spend and what to spend on helps..

[@In-The-Trees]

Very true

[@ttvilaxell2742]

i would just like to add you need a "license" occupational at the least, you also will need a tree removal liability policy and most important workers compensation.... if someone gets killed on your jobsite you will end up in prison don't ask me how i no. outside of that great video.

[@julianalderson3938]

Yer some wisdom there. Cheers

[@VeteranTreeService]

Dang dude, you got 20k views on this video. That's awesome.

[@In-The-Trees]

Haha thanks man! Definitely my top performer.

[@rayhernandez6502]

Tip number 5 is so important .

[@In-The-Trees]

Absolutely agree!

[@Marfa6k]

I’m a 17 yea roof and I’ve recently been putting lots of thought into tree trimming and cutting. I’m great with chainsaws and such and I’m not afraid of heights. Only problem is I have no clue where to start. Knocking on doors and placing signs seems to be the only ideas I have currently but I don’t have anything fancy to rig or anything. I think I could maybe try to start with smaller jobs that could be done with a ladder and saw or even pole saw but I don’t want to turn down a bunch of jobs either. Not sure if people are too stingy on the way things are done cuz I could easily climb a tree with a harness and drop a large branch to the ground without rigs but I don’t know if people tend to do that or not. I don’t have a whole lot to work with but I think I have enough to make it work on a small level for now. I have lots of saws, chainsaws or pole saws at my disposal but is that enough to knock on doors or actually get something going? Since I’m still in school I don’t think a loan for anything huge will happen but I can sure use my dads truck and trailer for hauling and such. I’m very excited to finally start if I can get all the proper accolades.

[@In-The-Trees]

I love the ambition and drive of wanting to start your own business! But honestly man I think the best place to start for you is to get a job in the field for 1 or 2 years and just learn as much as possible and save as much of your paychecks as you can! Be as involved as possible, always volunteer for extra work and maybe even try to get involved in climbing comps! You've got plenty of time to make this happen man, go learn how to quote, climb safely and what a proper clean up looks like and you'll be able to build something awesome with that knowledge.

[@Marfa6k]

@@In-The-Trees sounds like a plan!

[@jamailsills5989]

Great advice!!

[@In-The-Trees]

Thank you! :)

[@thecookandthecookie3593]

Definitely interested in starting. Great info 🇺🇲

[@In-The-Trees]

It's definitely worth it! Start small and do it on the weekends till you have the clients!

[@thecookandthecookie3593]

@@In-The-Trees Thanks man, I appreciate the advice!!

[@julianalderson3938]

You an ya bro are good. But be carefull goin in with others rarely works.

[@truthbtold6118]

You are awesome ! thank you so much .May my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ bless you greatly and draw you to Himself soon.

[@In-The-Trees]

Thank you!

[@RazorRestorations]

Great Video! Do you need any licenses, certifications or permits in order to cut trees? Or does it go state by state? Thanks!

[@In-The-Trees]

just an LLC, insurance and a business licenses! glad you enjoyed the video!

[@groundpounder24365]

Excellent video and advice

[@In-The-Trees]

Thanks!

[@darrelljohnson4658]

45 years u gotta love lt

[@In-The-Trees]

Best job in the world

[@BryanThiemann]

Thank you :)

[@In-The-Trees]

Appreciate you!

[@jamesdurstine8892]

Work on Saturdays everyone is home to watch your magic

[@user-tv3sd2pe5e]

Customer is a customer not a boss

[@In-The-Trees]

I disagree.

[@alotl1kevegas860]

I disagree also. Customers are paying your bills. Without them, you have no business, or income.

[@Jay-lr3me]

​@alotl1kevegas860 you can say that about any customers for any business ever lol. Still doesn't mean a customer should tell you how you should do your job. That's what a boss does

[@wilhelmsteinert4733]

How do you like the fixed avant grapple.

[@In-The-Trees]

I love them for the size of our Avant they work perfectly. If I did have a bigger machine, I'd probably want the timber grab.

[@masonboyd9548]

How is the avant- holding up?

[@In-The-Trees]

Love it! Thing is absolutely amazing!

[@user-nv4np5xl6v]

i know many people they have isa certification they dont not how to cut a branch

[@angeloreyes707]

Were the Facebook ads worth it?

[@In-The-Trees]

Honestly we got most of our jobs threw Word of mouth and our website. But I do live in a city where demand is high.

[@angeloreyes707]

@@In-The-Trees hmmm so you think FB ads weren’t as worth it?

[@jonbarnhard3681]

Did you or Darren have experience in the industry priar to starting the business? From some of your other videos I see you recently just got your ISA certification. How did not having the ISA certification affect appealing to customers at the start? How did experience level and not having ISA certification affect getting insurance and/or business license? I'm in South Western Ontario Canada, and in city of London they have a heritage tree bylaw for trees over 20 inch diameter that requires a permit for any work done including dead tree removal. An arborist to file the permit is defined by the bylaw as ISA or TCIA certified or member of Ontario college of trades, which is completion of an apprenticeship. In rural/ small town municipalities there isn't such a bylaw though. Have you came across something of the sort in your area? I'm thinking of possibly starting a side business. Can't afford to give up my $30/ hr job that I hate to start as a grounds person at $17/ hr in order to get into the industry. I have completed 2 training courses through arboriculture Canada, and was thinking of taking more courses if I start a business. Also I have a few years managing trees on my family's farm properties. Lots of questions, and I appreciate you taking the time to make your video.

[@In-The-Trees]

Awesome man! Definitely keep taking those courses. I 9 years when we started and Darin had 2. It's been a journey, very rewarding! If you have zero experience just stick with small Removals and low risk pruning until you get comfortable. In the States I've never ran into any problems without having an isa certification prior to getting mine but the states is pretty relaxed on arboriculture as a whole I feel like. The city I live in does require an arborist for City work but home owners are free to hire who they want. Hope this helps!

[@jonbarnhard3681]

@@In-The-Trees Thanks for the reply.

[@jonbarnhard3681]

@@In-The-Trees What are your thoughts of subcontracting someone else to be a consulting arborist to do the permit to get around the bylaw? From my understanding of the bylaw, it is trees on private property as well as public. I don't think at the start I would want to do removals that big, but for dead wooding or trimming for clearance I am definitely comfortable with my skill level in regards to climbing. Been climbing for 2 and a half years now.

[@In-The-Trees]

@@jonbarnhard3681 you would have to make sure that's legal. If it is I say go for it! This is a great industry to be in.

[@julianalderson3938]

Shit yer if moneys ok hire out a grane or a climber if gets it done. Dont be to proud. All just get it done easy n make some.

[@theperfectfix6124]

Can you suggest a good rope for rigging for starters?

[@In-The-Trees]

You can get a lot done with a ring, 5/8" rigging line and a porter wrap.

[@jakubowiczfarms2709]

What about insurance? is it a must for starting out?

[@In-The-Trees]

I would say absolutely. Not only is it the number one question I'm asked by customers, and you want to be honest with your customers. You mainly have to protect yourself from accidents.

[@UnblockedOne2]

I use Three Insurance. One thing an insurance company will ask is how high you plan on working. So, be prepared for that.

[@wolverinebear5357]

@@UnblockedOne2 what do you mean by "how high you plan on working". So ive just invested about 3k into starting up a tree service, i have never started a business an have no clue what iam supposed to do, like who do i contact for a "business license" i guess an how much is the insurance?

[@UnblockedOne2]

@@wolverinebear5357 They just ask how high you plan on working. It's not how about how tall the tree is. It's just your personal self. Insurance rate will probably higher if you climb higher. I know it's something they're picky about. Where I live there isn't any license requirements that I'm aware of, to do tree work. I've talked with several climbes, they all say the same. People say they're licensed, but it also could simply mean that they have an arborist license.

[@UnblockedOne2]

@@wolverinebear5357 my insurance is $200 a month. Mine comes with $10k theft insurance. I primarily do lawn service. I have someone that climbs for me if I need it. I personally don't climb. I use Three insurance by Berkshire Hathaway. They have a real simple online quote tool you can go through.

[@julianalderson3938]

Sorry crane but yer ok to get fullas help on big jobs i rekon.

[@theperfectfix6124]

Do you need arborists license?

[@In-The-Trees]

I believe you do if you're in Europe. If you're in the states, depending on the state you live in you'll need a business license.

[@theperfectfix6124]

@@In-The-Trees I live in Connecticut.

[@darinkiefer4809]

Looks like you’re a tree service to me

[@norryellzy3455]

I understand but you do need a bucket truck safety comes first period

[@In-The-Trees]

You can 100% climb safely.

[@norryellzy3455]

Brother we are not in the jungle we are not Tarzan if God give you the technology to get in a bucket truck then do so or else one day you know what I'm talking about. I just feel that I'm all about safety period and I'm not here to try to tell you what to do but I feel that it's safer that way and I care even if I don't know you if you fall I care!!!!

[@norryellzy3455]

And yes I'm a country black boy I've cut down plenty of trees build my own house from ground-up with God that's just me different strokes for different I will be praying for you if you keep climbing them trees lol God bless.

[@nightfighter7452]

​@@norryellzy3455I'm a black climber and bucket trucks make me want to vomit😂

[@colinsimons]

First bit of advice should be. Know what your doing ie experience 😂 try not to become a👻

[@CatDaddySteve]

START SMALL MY ASS. A nice pickup & trailer is NOT small

[@PremiumFuelOnly]

What do you consider small? A Prius?

[@ethanbaker5987]

Alot of guys just have trucks anyway, I know I do.

[@graystonegardens1642]

You didn't mention insurance at all...

[@In-The-Trees]

definitely want that.

[@ethanbaker5987]

You didn’t watch the end?