Hi there! I’ve 10 years experience in both the UK and AUS - I used to be a staffed climber and crew leader, which overall was great… However after years of trying to get a fair wage for my experience and expecting reasonable working hours I gave up. Now I’m a contractor. I’m paid well and my days/weeks aren’t so long that I’m not crippled at the end of the week! My personal experience is that most companies who hire full time staff pay as little as possible and expect very long days. Life is too short for that!
Totally right friend. Overall the business should just pay more. I'm a contractor as well and doing fine. In Holland. But the difference between a staffed Treeworker and a contractor is just ridiculous and still treework as a contractor pays less then an average electricien contractor. Look at all the risks we're taking dude. I noticed especially guys that start families get out of the business. So that should tell you all you need to know. Apparently the risk is not worth the effort. Or just being crippled at the end of the week like you said. The work is an expertise and should pay as such so one can take their time and be a pro about it. We're too passionate i guess and somehow allow ourselves to be pushed constantly in making numbers. One can take that for longer with good pay and less stress.
Hi, I’m a subby in the midlands UK and do quite well, I’ve never earned so much money but also never been so skint! I’ve just signed a contract for a company in Australia as a team leader/climber and hopefully will be heading out with my family soon. I’ll be taking a pay cut and I guess won’t be getting any early finishes over there but with your experience do you think I am making a good choice?
Quite simply no one can live off the wage. Employers in Melbourne seem to think that paying people as little as possible is enough to get by. Most people on a tree industry wage live week to week and most would be barely keeping their head above water being able to do not much else throughout the years. Look at so many other trades why the fuck would anyone stick around when you can live a lot more comfortably doing something else? Financial stress of employees is the real elephant in the room that no one talks about for employees in the industry. The industry deserves to be where it is now, if we want to remedy the situation change has to happen. It’s the age old saying that can apply anywhere, Pay peanuts get monkeys
Undervalued and under appreciated as tradespeople. I’ve been doing tree work for 6 years on and off. Have all my own gear, insurance, climbed, ran buckets, skidsteers, whatever. could do huge side jobs. became extremely proficient at my company and was basically capped at 35. Started an apprenticeship with no experience doing carpentry for the same rate starting with way more room to grow and to learn a much more applicable skill to navigating the economy, seemed like a no brainer. Still miss flopping tops though and dealing with live wood. Yeah i wanna learn to build a house but it isnt nearly as fun. Wish it paid more
Here in the uk in the south it’s only in the last few years that wages have begun to increase. Pay and work load are the 2 main reasons for staff turn over. The third being bosses. I’ve been doing this almost 20 years now and hear it time and time again. The only way to make more money is to set up your own company, this in turn increases competition and decreases the pool of workers. When people get paid considerably better, less will leave to set up on there own.
Im just a one man band in Scotland. I have a young lad that had qualifications but hardly any experience. He works 2 days a week for me as a contractor. After leaving and coming back he hasn't gone back to his cousin's company but back to me as its much more relaxed and we are not trying to bash out 3 jobs a day! I share my experience and knowledge and he is learning. I couldn't take on an apprentice as i couldn't afford to train them but a contractor who you can mentor and teach whilst not trying to physically drain them of every drop of energy seems to work for me. Respect both ways is essential yes you might earn more as the boss but you have all the big equipment and it took me 7 years to buy and pay for mist of what i want or need! As a contractor you dont have the debt you need to pay every month, the quotes to arrange and go to, the paperwork, organising everything and then doing the cleaning because everyone has gone home! I love it and i think its a passion that flows through our sap (blood 😁) that keeps us at it. Its a statistically dangerous job and totally brutal on your body. However even if I won the lottery id still do it just maybe not the rubbish jobs. Thanks Dan and keep them coming 😁
All Of the comments you say Dan I’ve been in the industry since 1989 there are great companies and garbage mixed with all types there is a huge amount of talent/hate for the industry and the fact that our industry is seen as ignorant from the average person I could talk for hours about this but you have covered it well. Joe from California
Hello! My name is Jordan and I am the only Arborist with a RUclips Channel in Bulgaria. The problem is the same here. Only something else is being observed. I get calls all the time from people who want to become Arborists and have companies, but no one wants to do the rest of the work. Only BOSSES ;). Greetings and good health!!
My experience in Ireland has been that the industry is mainly comprised of very small businesses all competing for jobs with a few big companies at the top. The result being that unless you're with a big company, the work is harder than neccesary, days long and often a lot of rushing to squeeze in extra jobs at the end of the day..which can make accidents and mistakes more likely. Also a lot of companies have to take on lads and let them go regularly.. Nevermind that you will have to front enough money to pay for all your training, gear, upkeep etc to even get started. In comparison to other trades that is not ideal and could be prohibitivly expenisive for people trying to enter the industry.Theres very few apprenctiships or clear pathways for people here too. Also, there just seems to not be enough money from the customer base to support a thriving industry...People will pay through the nose for a Sparks, but nearly fall over when they hear a quote for a tree..I've always thought we need a union...but we need a functioning industry first I guess. Not tryin to be negative..Love the trade but I can see why theres not many of us.
It’s physically demanding work that has a lot of seasonal employment for those who are just starting out. With more seasonal type of work comes less benefits. Other trades that are not as seasonally affected eventually look more attractive.
I got started in this urban industry like 3 years ago? Now I'm a supervisor and crew lead. Most of the issues that we have stem from worker attitude. My boss pays me extremely well, but it's hard to find people who are motivated to work. It's either no drive to work, or an ego that rivals oceans. It's ridiculous. I love my job, I strive to learn more, but it makes coming to work hard when no one else seems to want to be there or take responsibility for their actions.
A thing I think contributes is the cost of all the tickets and gear you need to pay for. It’s a big initial out lay. I have been lucky enough to get in with a large company who have provided me all the gear and tickets and I have no intention of leaving. We’ve just taken on 2 young nippers who are really good and keen. I live on an island so there isn’t much in the way of opportunities so that always helps with retaining staff.
I’ve recently just decided to career change to this industry! Can’t wait to get started. One problem is probably from a older person is the cost and the pay cut to start again really
Ideally, for the good apples you want to treat them right. Give them opportunities to upscale and mentor new candidates. Ideally, as you said, it's $$$. You want good comradery and positive challenges. As a hiring manager before, I found that the best candidates are the ones that want to learn and progress in the trade. It might be a freshman out of highschool or someone changing careers. You want those people that are self motivated and want to learn and grow. In my experience, I find that new recruits with 0% tend to excel people who are very knowledgeable on the field but are burnout from switch companies so many times. Myself, I changed careers in my 30s. I used to work in the office for over 14 years with a decent pay. Now I'm much happier and enjoying everyday I'm at work. There are definitely wet & cold days. But I will take any wet day on the field than staying in the office for years on end. Cheers
Honestly, Im one of the few that wanted to keep learning this trade after starting out 3 years ago with some buddies. At first, it was just a seasonal gig for me to get a workout and some money out of it lol. Now Im a climber but struggling cause if I want to earn more I have to move north, but wineter comes and the snow slows down work. And I cant afford to have a starting wage in another trade right now. I think this job is for those who are passionate about it. It'snot just a job for us
Yes! It is very hard to find help. Less and less people want to work outside with their hands. Tree work is physically demanding and dangerous. Also people are expecting a higher wage with benefits . Smaller companies have a hard time meeting dose demands.
It was money for me. Underpaid, overbid jobs, but never saw the benefit working for a larger company (started with a D, B, S, or A). Went back to private sector, safety wasn’t a priority and thought I was gonna die there due to negligence amongst the old guard team and new guys that had no experience. Contract climbing is almost 3x as much pay with 1/2 the hours. That’s being said, I’m with a new crew of groundies every so often not knowledgeable with how to run ropes and it’s dangerous (sometimes). Have to find the sweet medium between safety-production-money. This trade will always be there, the machines being made no matter what will have to have an experienced climber flying on a ball, or climbing. If the chance to gain experiences dissipates we will have problems. Every kid climbs trees.
The pay sucks. I paid my groundie $35/hour. He got a full time job with a company doing same and gets $20. That's what you make at a fast food place. IMHO the company owners are greedy and paying the price.
Tree work seems a better side gig then anything now a days. So many people in my areas are low balling work. No one cares if your a certified arborist anymore....the lowest buck gets the work.
Im a contractor but i schedule mywelf like im an employee. Work for the same two companies every week, with room for the occasional third. So i know the teams well and their processes. Was the truck driver for a while too so i was usually the first on the job and the last to leave. To me this is the ideal arrangement but i can see it not working for everyone.
There’s no school for arborist here in San Diego county or riverside county where I live. You have to get with a company to learn, nobody has the time to earn $18 for a year or two while you wait to get trained. Also there’s people that charge dirt cheap to climb and trim. So I’m assuming people look elsewhere for a job.
1) Lack of a steady job, tree work is sporatic , same guy can drive a truck 5 or 6 days a week with benifits. 2) why risk your life for low wages. 3 ) work conditons suck, its cold & wet or burning hot. 4) its dangerous AF. 5) You watch the owner boss make thousands while You make hourly wage.
I worked as a Commercial Diver (hard hat diver not scuba) before becoming an Arborist and both have turnover and lack of qualified candidates, in particular the climbers. It’s because both are highly specialized fields that are dangerous and technical. In diving the phobia of claustrophobia and working in the dark eliminate most candidates. In climbing you have the heights issue. Both fields require a good knowledge of rigging which can be challenging to some.
I have 7 great employees and 6 of them climb. Treat people well and you will have all the best employees. Everyone else around me is struggling because I have all the good guys😎
Too true look after your workers, train them adequately and respect the training period without yelling and having doubts from the worker, some jobs can be daunting some jobs a lot of us are willing to do but dont get the chance or opportunity.
@@RobertSieben1990 Having a team of veterans who are excited to teach others and offer helpful ways to get comfortable is a great environment. I have one guy who has been climbing a little over a year and he is savage now.
@GDCC if you are an estimator for a trade, like me, you will absolutely make more money than a Joyrneyman who works 10 hrs OT every single week, probably starting pay. Some of the foreman make quite good money, but 20 years in a trade at the same company probably isn't worth it. That is just the way it is, office staff generally make more than the tradesman do. Especially if they are Estimator, PM, Inspector etc.
@@jeffshackleford3152that's awesome to hear. I totally see your point. However, on this side of the world (Vancouver, BC) some jobs can pay you $150k without much overtime. Heavy duty mechanics, powerline technicians, welders are some examples. Obviously it depends on the trade and company. Unlike someone going through school and spending thousands to just make minimum wage income, in the trades you can start making a decent coin right off the bat. Again, everything depends on where you are located, what you do, and who you are working for. In general, arboriculture is a very unique ability and there are not many people out there filling those jobs. Therefore, limited availability and increase on demand will make the price for the job jump. This is all based on my experience from Vancouver BC.
The rise of the contract climber can be directly tied to the rise of bucket trucks and lifts. It's never been easier to have a tree service that doesn't climb anything. As such you get companies and individuals that specialize in climbing. Even at locations that still have a decent amount of climbing, the really difficult technical stuff is getting done with cranes instead of old school tree skills. I would expect in the next 20 years to see a large decline indusry wide in technical rigging skills as grapple saws and cranes continue to become more integrated in tree work. As for finding employees, it is way easier to find someone with little skills, but lots of interest, and a hobby in a related field (rock climbing, bonsai, collecting house plants, hiking and camping, etc) that likes being outdoors and bringing them up to speed vs finding someone on a short time scale with skills... All of the top tier, really good tree climbers have found somewhere that they are happy at and aren't moving short of major life changes, so looking for someone with skills you're likely getting second tier at best, and likely someone that is trying to make a name for themselves out of the shadow of that lead climber. It leads to a lot of "fake it til you make it" climbers coming around during interviews, also lots of people that are only chasing a dollar and don't have long term loyalty and while they may be good employees, training from within has much better results
Good opinions all around ^^. I would add that I don't think it's quite as simple re lifts etc: Imo the broad proliferation of lifts and similar tech on the part of "big treework" is intentionally to be able to function without skilled climbers. This then has had the effect of rapidly accelerating the deterioration of their (skilled) workforce.
@@matiascamprubi-soms7719 AB5 law is for all contract work, not just climbing. There are exemptions, might be able to be a independent contractor for a landscaper but need ur own business license and all that jazz. Purpose of the law was to get more people collecting benefits.
With all the things that I being learning from August hunikie I will paid money just to work around that man! He have the people that he have because he is e great lider, money is important, but when someone like him teach you something every day! That is gold. For people who knows what to do with the information.
I closed down my tree service and went back to driving truck to make a 100k.A year. No. Hassle no insurance no problems. And no downtime where you spend six months waiting for the economy to pick back up
I think many folks don't even realize that it's an exciting option much better than a fast food job, office, truck driver or any of the everyday jobs we see people doing everywhere we go. The rope climbing and zip lining makes it even better. The equipment is crazy expensive to get started though! Sawing limbs from a bucket got me hooked on the subject.😃
im a 61 year old 1 man tree service i have one on call 45 year old buddy i trained who never fails to show up. He likes the physical challenge & can spend the money he makes on anything not bills because he doesnt need the money. His wife makes $100,000 a year after taxes. if i need a young expert tree climber i call in the local climber. This is a Biden economy reccesson so work has virtualy stopped. 10:53
I agree, this economy is crap.. I'm in a completely different industry and just come here to get pointers on climbing/ pruning my own trees on my property ( one big silver maple).
Hi there! I’ve 10 years experience in both the UK and AUS - I used to be a staffed climber and crew leader, which overall was great… However after years of trying to get a fair wage for my experience and expecting reasonable working hours I gave up. Now I’m a contractor. I’m paid well and my days/weeks aren’t so long that I’m not crippled at the end of the week!
My personal experience is that most companies who hire full time staff pay as little as possible and expect very long days. Life is too short for that!
Totally right friend. Overall the business should just pay more. I'm a contractor as well and doing fine. In Holland. But the difference between a staffed Treeworker and a contractor is just ridiculous and still treework as a contractor pays less then an average electricien contractor. Look at all the risks we're taking dude.
I noticed especially guys that start families get out of the business. So that should tell you all you need to know. Apparently the risk is not worth the effort. Or just being crippled at the end of the week like you said. The work is an expertise and should pay as such so one can take their time and be a pro about it. We're too passionate i guess and somehow allow ourselves to be pushed constantly in making numbers. One can take that for longer with good pay and less stress.
Hi, I’m a subby in the midlands UK and do quite well, I’ve never earned so much money but also never been so skint! I’ve just signed a contract for a company in Australia as a team leader/climber and hopefully will be heading out with my family soon. I’ll be taking a pay cut and I guess won’t be getting any early finishes over there but with your experience do you think I am making a good choice?
Quite simply no one can live off the wage. Employers in Melbourne seem to think that paying people as little as possible is enough to get by. Most people on a tree industry wage live week to week and most would be barely keeping their head above water being able to do not much else throughout the years.
Look at so many other trades why the fuck would anyone stick around when you can live a lot more comfortably doing something else?
Financial stress of employees is the real elephant in the room that no one talks about for employees in the industry.
The industry deserves to be where it is now, if we want to remedy the situation change has to happen.
It’s the age old saying that can apply anywhere, Pay peanuts get
monkeys
@@richardhollis2530can I ask what company?
Undervalued and under appreciated as tradespeople. I’ve been doing tree work for 6 years on and off. Have all my own gear, insurance, climbed, ran buckets, skidsteers, whatever. could do huge side jobs. became extremely proficient at my company and was basically capped at 35. Started an apprenticeship with no experience doing carpentry for the same rate starting with way more room to grow and to learn a much more applicable skill to navigating the economy, seemed like a no brainer. Still miss flopping tops though and dealing with live wood. Yeah i wanna learn to build a house but it isnt nearly as fun. Wish it paid more
I appreciate you updating the site. There really is a need for this form of networking in our industry. Thanks man!
Here in the uk in the south it’s only in the last few years that wages have begun to increase. Pay and work load are the 2 main reasons for staff turn over. The third being bosses. I’ve been doing this almost 20 years now and hear it time and time again. The only way to make more money is to set up your own company, this in turn increases competition and decreases the pool of workers. When people get paid considerably better, less will leave to set up on there own.
Im just a one man band in Scotland. I have a young lad that had qualifications but hardly any experience. He works 2 days a week for me as a contractor. After leaving and coming back he hasn't gone back to his cousin's company but back to me as its much more relaxed and we are not trying to bash out 3 jobs a day! I share my experience and knowledge and he is learning. I couldn't take on an apprentice as i couldn't afford to train them but a contractor who you can mentor and teach whilst not trying to physically drain them of every drop of energy seems to work for me. Respect both ways is essential yes you might earn more as the boss but you have all the big equipment and it took me 7 years to buy and pay for mist of what i want or need! As a contractor you dont have the debt you need to pay every month, the quotes to arrange and go to, the paperwork, organising everything and then doing the cleaning because everyone has gone home! I love it and i think its a passion that flows through our sap (blood 😁) that keeps us at it.
Its a statistically dangerous job and totally brutal on your body. However even if I won the lottery id still do it just maybe not the rubbish jobs.
Thanks Dan and keep them coming 😁
All Of the comments you say Dan I’ve been in the industry since 1989 there are great companies and garbage mixed with all types there is a huge amount of talent/hate for the industry and the fact that our industry is seen as ignorant from the average person I could talk for hours about this but you have covered it well.
Joe from California
Hello! My name is Jordan and I am the only Arborist with a RUclips Channel in Bulgaria. The problem is the same here. Only something else is being observed. I get calls all the time from people who want to become Arborists and have companies, but no one wants to do the rest of the work. Only BOSSES ;). Greetings and good health!!
I really want to get into climbing/aborist work. Unfortunately climbers are hard to find in my area. Bucket trucks and cranes here.
My experience in Ireland has been that the industry is mainly comprised of very small businesses all competing for jobs with a few big companies at the top. The result being that unless you're with a big company, the work is harder than neccesary, days long and often a lot of rushing to squeeze in extra jobs at the end of the day..which can make accidents and mistakes more likely. Also a lot of companies have to take on lads and let them go regularly.. Nevermind that you will have to front enough money to pay for all your training, gear, upkeep etc to even get started. In comparison to other trades that is not ideal and could be prohibitivly expenisive for people trying to enter the industry.Theres very few apprenctiships or clear pathways for people here too. Also, there just seems to not be enough money from the customer base to support a thriving industry...People will pay through the nose for a Sparks, but nearly fall over when they hear a quote for a tree..I've always thought we need a union...but we need a functioning industry first I guess. Not tryin to be negative..Love the trade but I can see why theres not many of us.
It’s physically demanding work that has a lot of seasonal employment for those who are just starting out. With more seasonal type of work comes less benefits. Other trades that are not as seasonally affected eventually look more attractive.
Does depend where you are. In the south east we work all winter. Get rained off a few days in the winter but not many. It can be a bit grim though
I got started in this urban industry like 3 years ago? Now I'm a supervisor and crew lead. Most of the issues that we have stem from worker attitude. My boss pays me extremely well, but it's hard to find people who are motivated to work. It's either no drive to work, or an ego that rivals oceans. It's ridiculous. I love my job, I strive to learn more, but it makes coming to work hard when no one else seems to want to be there or take responsibility for their actions.
its because the ones who truly love it end up moving to the forest to properly live among the trees, away from humans hahaha
A thing I think contributes is the cost of all the tickets and gear you need to pay for. It’s a big initial out lay. I have been lucky enough to get in with a large company who have provided me all the gear and tickets and I have no intention of leaving. We’ve just taken on 2 young nippers who are really good and keen. I live on an island so there isn’t much in the way of opportunities so that always helps with retaining staff.
I’ve recently just decided to career change to this industry! Can’t wait to get started. One problem is probably from a older person is the cost and the pay cut to start again really
Ideally, for the good apples you want to treat them right. Give them opportunities to upscale and mentor new candidates. Ideally, as you said, it's $$$. You want good comradery and positive challenges.
As a hiring manager before, I found that the best candidates are the ones that want to learn and progress in the trade. It might be a freshman out of highschool or someone changing careers. You want those people that are self motivated and want to learn and grow. In my experience, I find that new recruits with 0% tend to excel people who are very knowledgeable on the field but are burnout from switch companies so many times.
Myself, I changed careers in my 30s. I used to work in the office for over 14 years with a decent pay. Now I'm much happier and enjoying everyday I'm at work. There are definitely wet & cold days. But I will take any wet day on the field than staying in the office for years on end.
Cheers
Honestly, Im one of the few that wanted to keep learning this trade after starting out 3 years ago with some buddies. At first, it was just a seasonal gig for me to get a workout and some money out of it lol. Now Im a climber but struggling cause if I want to earn more I have to move north, but wineter comes and the snow slows down work. And I cant afford to have a starting wage in another trade right now.
I think this job is for those who are passionate about it. It'snot just a job for us
Yes! It is very hard to find help. Less and less people want to work outside with their hands. Tree work is physically demanding and dangerous. Also people are expecting a higher wage with benefits . Smaller companies have a hard time meeting dose demands.
It was money for me.
Underpaid, overbid jobs, but never saw the benefit working for a larger company (started with a D, B, S, or A).
Went back to private sector, safety wasn’t a priority and thought I was gonna die there due to negligence amongst the old guard team and new guys that had no experience.
Contract climbing is almost 3x as much pay with 1/2 the hours. That’s being said, I’m with a new crew of groundies every so often not knowledgeable with how to run ropes and it’s dangerous (sometimes).
Have to find the sweet medium between safety-production-money.
This trade will always be there, the machines being made no matter what will have to have an experienced climber flying on a ball, or climbing. If the chance to gain experiences dissipates we will have problems.
Every kid climbs trees.
Let's all pray for Bino 🙏
The pay sucks. I paid my groundie $35/hour. He got a full time job with a company doing same and gets $20. That's what you make at a fast food place. IMHO the company owners are greedy and paying the price.
Tree work seems a better side gig then anything now a days. So many people in my areas are low balling work. No one cares if your a certified arborist anymore....the lowest buck gets the work.
Im a contractor but i schedule mywelf like im an employee. Work for the same two companies every week, with room for the occasional third.
So i know the teams well and their processes. Was the truck driver for a while too so i was usually the first on the job and the last to leave.
To me this is the ideal arrangement but i can see it not working for everyone.
In The US, It always been like that. Been 32 years in the business..
There’s no school for arborist here in San Diego county or riverside county where I live. You have to get with a company to learn, nobody has the time to earn $18 for a year or two while you wait to get trained. Also there’s people that charge dirt cheap to climb and trim. So I’m assuming people look elsewhere for a job.
1) Lack of a steady job, tree work is sporatic , same guy can drive a truck 5 or 6 days a week with benifits. 2) why risk your life for low wages. 3 ) work conditons suck, its cold & wet or burning hot. 4) its dangerous AF. 5) You watch the owner boss make thousands while You make hourly wage.
I worked as a Commercial Diver (hard hat diver not scuba) before becoming an Arborist and both have turnover and lack of qualified candidates, in particular the climbers. It’s because both are highly specialized fields that are dangerous and technical. In diving the phobia of claustrophobia and working in the dark eliminate most candidates. In climbing you have the heights issue. Both fields require a good knowledge of rigging which can be challenging to some.
Pay peanuts, get monkeys. Probably the most appropriate phrase for Arboriculture.
People in vancouver island were getting paid $30 an hour to climb. Terrible wage for the island
With the price of gas and groceries out west I feel for you guys
I have 7 great employees and 6 of them climb. Treat people well and you will have all the best employees. Everyone else around me is struggling because I have all the good guys😎
Too true look after your workers, train them adequately and respect the training period without yelling and having doubts from the worker, some jobs can be daunting some jobs a lot of us are willing to do but dont get the chance or opportunity.
@@RobertSieben1990 Having a team of veterans who are excited to teach others and offer helpful ways to get comfortable is a great environment. I have one guy who has been climbing a little over a year and he is savage now.
Staffing is hard everywhere. Especially in the trades.
I was a tradesman at one point.
Then I got paid 2x in the office for a way easier job, so...
They really only have themselves to blame at this point
@jeffshackleford3152 depends on the trade.
@GDCC if you are an estimator for a trade, like me, you will absolutely make more money than a Joyrneyman who works 10 hrs OT every single week, probably starting pay.
Some of the foreman make quite good money, but 20 years in a trade at the same company probably isn't worth it.
That is just the way it is, office staff generally make more than the tradesman do. Especially if they are Estimator, PM, Inspector etc.
@@jeffshackleford3152that's awesome to hear. I totally see your point. However, on this side of the world (Vancouver, BC) some jobs can pay you $150k without much overtime. Heavy duty mechanics, powerline technicians, welders are some examples. Obviously it depends on the trade and company. Unlike someone going through school and spending thousands to just make minimum wage income, in the trades you can start making a decent coin right off the bat.
Again, everything depends on where you are located, what you do, and who you are working for. In general, arboriculture is a very unique ability and there are not many people out there filling those jobs. Therefore, limited availability and increase on demand will make the price for the job jump.
This is all based on my experience from Vancouver BC.
@@jeffshackleford3152what is your job role? It's better paid for sure but I do love climbing. I'm still young, maybe when I'm older I'll do that.
The rise of the contract climber can be directly tied to the rise of bucket trucks and lifts. It's never been easier to have a tree service that doesn't climb anything. As such you get companies and individuals that specialize in climbing. Even at locations that still have a decent amount of climbing, the really difficult technical stuff is getting done with cranes instead of old school tree skills. I would expect in the next 20 years to see a large decline indusry wide in technical rigging skills as grapple saws and cranes continue to become more integrated in tree work.
As for finding employees, it is way easier to find someone with little skills, but lots of interest, and a hobby in a related field (rock climbing, bonsai, collecting house plants, hiking and camping, etc) that likes being outdoors and bringing them up to speed vs finding someone on a short time scale with skills... All of the top tier, really good tree climbers have found somewhere that they are happy at and aren't moving short of major life changes, so looking for someone with skills you're likely getting second tier at best, and likely someone that is trying to make a name for themselves out of the shadow of that lead climber. It leads to a lot of "fake it til you make it" climbers coming around during interviews, also lots of people that are only chasing a dollar and don't have long term loyalty and while they may be good employees, training from within has much better results
Good opinions all around ^^. I would add that I don't think it's quite as simple re lifts etc: Imo the broad proliferation of lifts and similar tech on the part of "big treework" is intentionally to be able to function without skilled climbers. This then has had the effect of rapidly accelerating the deterioration of their (skilled) workforce.
The climber has to be the owner. Groundies can have a higher turnoverrate.
FYI. Contract climbing got outlawed in California
wtf!? you got any links to more info?
ya we are gonna need a source on that.
@@matiascamprubi-soms7719 AB5 law is for all contract work, not just climbing. There are exemptions, might be able to be a independent contractor for a landscaper but need ur own business license and all that jazz. Purpose of the law was to get more people collecting benefits.
Im from.argentina. pay me the ticket and go to there to work
So why has August Hunikie had the same 4 guys for at least a decade ????
he hasnt
With all the things that I being learning from August hunikie I will paid money just to work around that man! He have the people that he have because he is e great lider, money is important, but when someone like him teach you something every day! That is gold. For people who knows what to do with the information.
The works extremely hard and the pay is rubbish. A lot of competition with idiots on Facebook that will do it for less.
I closed down my tree service and went back to driving truck to make a 100k.A year. No.
Hassle no insurance no problems.
And no downtime where you spend six months waiting for the economy to pick back up
I think many folks don't even realize that it's an exciting option much better than a fast food job, office, truck driver or any of the everyday jobs we see people doing everywhere we go.
The rope climbing and zip lining makes it even better.
The equipment is crazy expensive to get started though!
Sawing limbs from a bucket got me hooked on the subject.😃
You are asked to do a Heros job .
But get criminak wages.
Bottom line is this is a dying breed nobody wants to do physical work nomore an contractors don’t want to pay a good climber what it’s worth
im a 61 year old 1 man tree service i have one on call 45 year old buddy i trained who never fails to show up. He likes the physical challenge & can spend the money he makes on anything not bills because he doesnt need the money. His wife makes $100,000 a year after taxes. if i need a young expert tree climber i call in the local climber. This is a Biden economy reccesson so work has virtualy stopped. 10:53
so, do you think tariffs are gonna make things cheaper for regular people?
stocks all time high, employment nearly lowest its ever been, inflation for 2024 2.5%, if you cant make it in this economy thats 100% on you.
I agree, this economy is crap.. I'm in a completely different industry and just come here to get pointers on climbing/ pruning my own trees on my property ( one big silver maple).
wages/cost of living