I am going to break this down and respond as best I can:
I think its out of your league Andy, and for these guys to give you advice as how to do it safely and efficiently based on a few pictures is ill advised IMO. Fact is, you have too many questions about the job and your abilities, if it werent out of your league you would know what you need to do and how.
You are right on. I think it's out of my league as well. I am VERY limited in my abilities, training and knowledge. This is why I post questions here. You will be honest and real in the answers you give. And I have seen the work you all do so this is the best resource I have.
My apologies, but it is inexperienced weekend warriors and guys who "have run a saw" such as yourself who drive our comp rates up and god forbid get injured or killed trying to make a few extra bucks.
Yes, I am all of those, but I am trying to learn, and have been trying to learn this field. Yes, my mainstay may be cutting firewood, but I have done more than just that. Not really sure what else to add to that without being a dick, and I don't want to do that.
I'll give you props for asking the questions, but come on, really? Your gonna take advice over the internet on how to tackle one of the most dangerous jobs in the nation, which most of us here have been doing for years and are still learning?
Again, YES! This has been one of my greatest resources. Anytime I hear or read of someone trying to learn this themselves I discourage it all I can! I know how hard and dangerous it is learning this solo.
This group of people has been nothing but helpful along my journey. They laugh at me a lot I am sure, but if I were to watch myself I probably would laugh as well.
ANY opportunity I get to work with someone I do it for free just to add to my knowledge base. These opportunities are few and far between unfortunately.
Dont take what I say personally, but your on your way to becoming an arborist's arch enemy. A low balling, inexperienced, unskilled, uninsured wood tick.
Now this I take offense to! No, I am not insured and all that wonderful stuff. I don't do enough, hell I don't make enough right now to survive without unemployment let alone have enough to pay for insurance. I would love to though! I do not ever want to be the guy you just described! If I can't make money on it, I won't go. I don't even bid climbing to remove one branch for less than $200. If I go up the tree it has to be worth my time!
This is a huge job for me. I've never looked at anything this size. Hell I don't even know if my fat ass can hang in the tree for for hours! But I think the bid he got was outrageous, I have the opportunity, and I believe, the people to throw at it and do it safely, cleanly and walk away. And at this point $2500 is as low as I would do it. Is that a low ball bid? Hell if Dave wasn't so busy I'd throw this at him as he also has a female Hedge he at least wants trimmed and it's all Spider lift!
Sorry for my rant, I just will never be "that guy". I've had to go rip out the concrete "that guy" put down and re-pour it. Mom and dad hired "that guy" to do some tree work years ago, three weeks later a six hour job was done!
I waned to climb this one, I waned to rig it and learn. It's not worth it, I can bring in a good climber and there will be no problems there.