Being home sick pays off!
I had this tree in the back yard that had cracked and was posing a threat to the life and property of my neighbor. It was hung up against another tree, and I was fearful that the next big wind storm, ice storm, or heavy snow would send that sucker crashing through her roof.
I called the insurance company, but they wouldn't help out because it hadn't actually destroyed anything yet. The neighbors insurance wouldn't do anything because it was my tree. On top of that, the power lines ran right through the center of it.
The lowest quote I got from any of the local tree services was $2000. Until today.
There was a bucket truck and crew scouring the area looking for work. I caught them out on the street and asked how much it would cost to take that tree down.
$350.
I couldn't pass it up. So I ran to the bank to get cash, but my cash card would only let me pull $300. That's my daily limit, and I didn't have the check book. I ran back to the house and the guys were already loping off limbs. I stopped the foreman and told him I didn't have the full amount, so stop at the $300 mark. So now I have 10 feet of tree sticking out of the ground that is safe, and the money I saved bought me a new lap top!
At least that's how I'm justifing it.
New lap top? Yup. I bought a mid-line Compaq. I've been happy with the Compaq I have, and the wife uses on for work that she likes, so go with what you know.
I called the insurance company, but they wouldn't help out because it hadn't actually destroyed anything yet. The neighbors insurance wouldn't do anything because it was my tree. On top of that, the power lines ran right through the center of it.
The lowest quote I got from any of the local tree services was $2000. Until today.
There was a bucket truck and crew scouring the area looking for work. I caught them out on the street and asked how much it would cost to take that tree down.
$350.
I couldn't pass it up. So I ran to the bank to get cash, but my cash card would only let me pull $300. That's my daily limit, and I didn't have the check book. I ran back to the house and the guys were already loping off limbs. I stopped the foreman and told him I didn't have the full amount, so stop at the $300 mark. So now I have 10 feet of tree sticking out of the ground that is safe, and the money I saved bought me a new lap top!
At least that's how I'm justifing it.
New lap top? Yup. I bought a mid-line Compaq. I've been happy with the Compaq I have, and the wife uses on for work that she likes, so go with what you know.
Posted by Surly Dave on
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
We had a similar situation a few years back; a couple of 60 ft dead trees propped up by Arbor Vitae near our curb, threatening houses and traffic. Called the tree specialists and got mega-bids. Then, one day the "roaming bucket truck" came by. I never heard of a "roaming bucket truck" before; are they like the ice-cream man? Instead of jingly music do they just play the sound of chainsaws?
Whatever, high marks for entrepreneurship, and for only costing me $250!