There aren’t many things that you can count on in life, as you know. So, how about starting a business, which is founded on one thing that we all know will be needed? Yes, we are talking about a tree care service!
Every tree you see in the area where you live will need to be pruned or cut down sooner or later and you can be the one to provide that service. Still, it’s not something that should be taken lightly, since there are many things to consider and do before you actually roll up your sleeves and start looking after trees. Let’s take a look at the most important elements involved.
Necessary qualifications and skills
You’d need to have experience working for a reputable tree trimming company for at least three years and be a good, certified climber who knows a lot about knots and who is familiar with tree rescue techniques.
It’s also expected of you to be able to deal with hazardous trees and be well versed in pressure cutting, including chainsaw usage and maintenance. Finally, you have to know exactly how to get rid of wood and brush and follow the rules regulating this activity.
Business plan
No serious enterprise can exist without a business plan, which outlines the basic principles of how you want your company to run. In case you don’t know how to write one, take a look at some tutorials or consult experts to help you with this important element.
Trademark your name
Make sure you choose a name for your company that is not already in use. If you trademark your company, you can be sure that no other company will be entitled to ever use your name. This “protection” comes at a price, but consider it an investment, rather than an expenditure.
Register your company
The procedure might differ, depending on where you live and work, but make sure you check all local and state requirements for registering a tree care service. It’s vital that you obtain all the necessary licenses so that you have the legal right to provide tree care service.
Get insured
It’s vital that you purchase insurance to protect you from liability should any damage occur to you, your workers, the client, or their property. This is a very smart move since even a single incident can seriously jeopardize your business if you’re not insured. Not only will you be protected, but having the right insurance will also help you get more clients, since people who hire you like to know that you take both your job and clients quite seriously.
Get the right crew
It’s unrealistic to believe that you can do everything without any help. Therefore, it’s vital you find skilled and qualified people to help your business develop. If you have already worked for another company, you probably have some contacts with people who’d be interested in working with you. Another benefit of reuniting with former colleagues is that you know what you can expect, and you probably won’t need to spend a lot of time training them.
On the other hand, if you have little or no experience, you’ll probably have to rely on recommendations from trusted sources or you’ll have to resort to placing an ad. This isn’t necessarily bad, but you have to be very careful when it comes to recruiting.
Get the right equipment
This is probably the most expensive part of starting a tree care business, and the fact that you have to buy everything you need before you start making any money makes the situation even more difficult. Still, that’s an unavoidable expenditure and you can only make sure that you buy quality equipment without breaking the bank.
The list of things you’re going to need is quite a long one, and it includes, among other things, the following: climbing ropes, protective clothes and equipment, tree climbing and cutting equipment, as well as appropriate maintenance tools. Luckily, you can save some money by opting for items such as a multi-purpose telehandler, which will allow you to use various attachments and work in limited-access areas.
Promote your business
There’s no point in starting a business if prospective clients don’t know about your company and the services it offers. That’s why you need to advertise your business from the very beginning. You may choose posters or leaflets that you can distribute in the area where you live, but make sure you are also visible on social media since most people now respond to digital advertising campaigns much better.
The aim is to create a positive word of mouth circulating and you can only achieve that by providing excellent service at an affordable price. Remember that this is the cheapest and most efficient way to promote your business, but even one negative experience someone might have with you can seriously affect your chances of landing future jobs. So, you should never provide a service that is below the expected standards.
Use business leads
You might want to consider hiring a company that can provide you with leads, especially if your network is still in the early stage of development. The importance of having a wide network is of utmost importance to every line of business and tree care is definitely not an exception.
Another useful tip is to find professionals in a similar field, such as lawn care, and ask them to recommend you for tree care service. Similarly, you would recommend them to your clients who need someone to take care of their lawn.
Selling wood
If you have enough space to pile up wood that you had to remove, you might make some extra cash by selling it before the winter months. This could be an additional service you provide to your existing clients or something that might bring you some new clients in the future.
As you can see, running a tree care business is not easy, but if you play your cards right, it could be profitable. However, you need to be able to consistently deliver service of excellent quality at prices people can afford. Only then can you expect your business to thrive.
