13d • 💰 Strategy and growth
Here is the "Profit-First Bidding Blueprint" for 2026.
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)
* Obstacles (Fence/Greenhouse/Power Drop): +15% (Slows you down)
* Bad Access (Uphill drag/No truck access): +30% (Back-breaking labor)
* The "Watcher" (Client hovers): +10% (Distraction tax)
📝 Example Bid: The "Backyard Maple"
Scenario: 50ft Silver Maple, medium rigging, tight gate (no skid steer), homeowner wants wood removed.
Bad Bid: "I'll do it for $1,200." (You lose money).
The Formula Bid:
* Labor: 6 hours x $250/hr (2-man rate) = $1,500
* Equipment: Mini-skid rental (to fit gate) = $450 (w/ markup)
* Disposal: 2 trailer loads x $50 (fuel/fees) = $100
* PITA Tax: Tight gate/Manual dragging = +15% on labor ($225)
Total Bid: $2,275
Deposit Required: 30% ($680) to book.
🧠 The Psychology of the Bid
* Never give a round number.
* $1,200 sounds like a guess.
* $1,275 sounds calculated.
* Offer Options:
* Option A (Full Service): $2,275 (We take everything).
* Option B (Budget Saver): $1,650 (We drop safely, you clean up the mess).
* Result: 60% of people take Option B. You make $1,650 for 3 hours of climbing and leave before the hard work starts.
Would you like me to write a template for a "Quote Terms & Conditions" sheet that protects you (e.g., "We are not responsible for lawn ruts")?
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Here is the "Profit-First Bidding Blueprint" for 2026.
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