Rant: A client in Portland argued my oak removal quote was too high because his neighbor said it was easy

I was giving an estimate on a big, sick pin oak in his backyard, and my quote was $2,800 for the full removal. He pointed to his fence and said, "My neighbor Jim told me he'd do it for a case of beer and a Saturday." It stuck with me because it showed how little some folks understand the risk and gear needed. Has anyone else had a client try to use a buddy's casual offer to talk down a professional price?

2 comments

2 Comments

harperc7910d ago

That pin oak removal for $2,800 sounds completely fair to me. Honestly, a case of beer for a big, sick tree? His neighbor Jim is either lying or planning to get himself killed. The insurance and gear alone for that job cost more than a six-pack.

miles_jackson99d ago

Yeah and even if Jim somehow does it himself, what about the cleanup? That's half the job right there. I mean, you're left with a huge pile of wood and branches that needs to be cut up and hauled off. Unless he's got a wood chipper and a truck just sitting around, that beer deal is looking real bad. Plus, if he drops it wrong and it hits something, that's a whole other bill he's on the hook for.