Pricing guides
The method behind the calculators, one topic at a time. Written for owners who bid their own work.
How Much to Charge for Tree Removal: A Pricing Guide for Owners
What tree removal actually costs a crew by tree size and site, and how to turn that into a quote with a real margin. Written for tree service owners, not homeowners.
Tree ServiceLabor Burden for Tree Services: What a $25 Climber Really Costs
Payroll tax, workers comp, liability insurance and unbillable hours turn a $25 wage into a $45 cost. How to calculate your loaded labor rate for tree work.
Tree ServiceWhat a Chipper and Bucket Truck Really Cost per Hour
Ownership and operating cost per hour for a chipper, chip truck, bucket truck and stump grinder, with a formula you can apply to your own iron.
Tree ServiceWhat a Tree Service Estimate Should Include (and What to Leave Out)
The line items, exclusions and terms that belong on a tree removal estimate, and why a clean one-page quote wins more jobs than a low number.
Pricing BasicsMarkup vs. Margin: The Mistake That Costs Contractors a Quarter of Their Profit
Adding 30% to cost is not a 30% margin. The formula, a worked table, and how to set prices so the margin you want is the margin you get.
Junk RemovalHow to Build a Junk Removal Price List, From Minimum Load to Full Truck
How to set a junk removal price card by fraction of truck, with the cost math behind each tier, surcharges, and what to do about heavy material.
Junk RemovalWhat a Junk Removal Truck Costs per Hour (Not Just Fuel)
Ownership, insurance, interest, maintenance and fuel turn a $48,000 dump truck into a $26-an-hour cost. The formula and a worked example for hauling businesses.
Junk RemovalHow to Price a Garage Cleanout (With a Worked Example)
A one-car and two-car garage cleanout from walkthrough to quote: cubic yards, loads, hours, disposal, and the range to give the customer.
Junk RemovalLandfill Tipping Fees Explained: Per Ton, Minimums, Surcharges and the Drive
How transfer stations and landfills charge haulers: per-ton fees, minimum trip charges, item surcharges, weight tickets, and how to compare sites on true cost per ton.
Pricing BasicsHow to Calculate Your Overhead Rate per Billable Hour
What counts as overhead in a trade business, how to spread it across billable hours, and why the owner's unbilled time is the line everyone forgets.