Here is the "Profit-First Bidding Blueprint" for 2026. Most new owners bid based on what they think the customer wants to pay. That is a fast track to bankruptcy. In 2026, with insurance rates and labor costs rising, you must bid based on what the business needs to earn. You can post this directly to your Skool community as a "Masterclass" resource. 📉 The "Guessing Game" vs. The Formula Stop looking at a tree and saying, "That looks like $500." Your eyes lie. The math doesn't. In 2026, the industry standard target for a 2-man crew (Climber + Groundie) is $2,200 - $2,800 per day. If you aren't hitting that, you aren't building a business; you're just a busy volunteer. 🧮 The 2026 Bidding Formula Price = (Labor Rate) + (Equipment Costs) + (Disposal) + (The "P.I.T.A." Tax) 1. The Labor Rate (Your Time) You need to know your "Daily Nut"—the amount of money you must make to keep the lights on. * Solo Operator Target: $125 - $150 per hour (on site). * 2-Man Crew Target: $225 - $300 per hour (on site). * Note: This isn't what you pay yourself. This covers insurance, taxes, fuel, wear-and-tear, and profit. 2. Equipment Costs (The "Rental" Rule) In the "No-Chipper" model, you don't amortize; you charge direct. * If you own it: Charge a daily "usage fee" (e.g., Chainsaw/Gear fee: $50/day). * If you rent it: The customer pays 100% of the rental cost + 20% markup. * Example: Mini-skid rental is $350. You charge the client $420. You make $70 just for making the phone call. 3. Disposal (The Hidden Killer) Never guess on dump fees. * Chip Dump: Know your local fee (e.g., $20/load). * Wood Dump: Know the weight. A trailer of oak is heavy. * The "Smoken Logs" Strategy: Discount the job by $200 if they keep the wood. It saves you $100 in dump fees and $100 in labor/fuel. You actually make more profit by charging less. 4. The "P.I.T.A." Tax (Pain In The...) Not all trees are equal. Add percentage multipliers for difficulty: * Hazard Tree (Rotten/Dead): +20% (High risk)

I’m currently in a committed relationship with my coffee mug until further notice. ☕️✨ ​How many cups does it take to get your brain to 100% today? I’m currently at 45% and climbing... 📈 ​Drop your 'morning mood' in an emoji! 👇"

Welcome to all the new members appreciate the join. We hope you enjoy the group as much as we do. Here we hope to build a complete community of tree people. Close network of professional and aspiring arborists alike. Some of us are climbers some owner's some ground hands. We all are tree people in the same industry trying to feed ourselves or our families. I want to provide a place that may help some one do this the proper way. Also with the support of a community that has each other's best interest in mind. Feel free to let me know any thing you would like to see posted. Enjoy the courses for learning sharing and chat to connect. Will be sending out stickers in a week to any one interested to show appreciation to our members.

Myth 1: "Topping a tree makes it safer." ​The Hook: "Why 'topping' your tree actually creates a ticking time bomb." ​The Myth: Homeowners often think cutting the top off a tall tree reduces the wind sail and makes it safer. ​The Truth: Topping causes "water sprouts"—weakly attached, rapid growth that is far more likely to snap in a storm than the original top. It also opens the tree to massive decay. ​Visual Idea: Show a photo of a topped tree with ugly, broom-like regrowth vs. a properly reduction-pruned canopy.