How do I schedule tree crews so I lose less time driving?

Drive time and idle time eat profit. A few habits help.

Group by area: if two customers live close together, book them on the same day when you can. Tell customers you are saving travel, and be honest about the window.

Group by work type: put chipper jobs together and crane or lift jobs together, so you move big equipment less often.

Build in slack: jobs often run long. A schedule with no room breaks the whole day. Plan a buffer, and decide in advance which small job can move if a big one runs late.

Plan the night before: confirm the address, access, gate codes and tools, and load the truck. Check the forecast for wind and rain.

Write down actual times: after each job, note how long it really took. After a few weeks you will plan much better.

Our crew schedule planner lets you try ideas with your own numbers.