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I was wondering how much it would cost to set up my own company. I have climbing kit and 1 saw how much am i looking at for the rest of the kit and insurance and things like that. What is the lowest possible price region I could do it for?

I doubt you will get a definitive answer on that one mate.
Could be between £0-50,000 depending on what setup you need which will obviously depend on what your market is. Btw 50,000 would probably be a conservative amount to what some have spent to aquire the gear they have.

For example a chipper could cost between a £1000 and £15,000 (assuming 6 inch)

I would suggest you find out what you can afford then work it back from there.

The minimum you could probaly spend on getting the basic setup of truck, chipper, few saws, hedgecutter would be about 10,000-15,000 but that would be really old kit. Then you need the space to store it so theres another cost on renting out a secure shed and site to get rid of all the waste and you will probaly need to employ someone so it all adds up.

i started with an 026,088 and climbing bag, had a car and got insurance. that was it. insurance will be under a grang and you can direct debit monthly, so say 80 quid. thats all you need mate. when you get jobs with stuff to come off site, just price in a chipper, hire a pick up. easy peasy. the secret is finding a place for the arisings, then buy the kit to suit.

Youve got the basics already mate. Now all you need is a pick up, a friendly farmer that will let you pay per load to tip and burn, an add in YP and a thirty day account with a forestry supplier so you can have tools for the work as it comes in, and then pay for them when you have been paid. And like SWB says insurance isnt expensive on a monthly basis. I reckon you could get started for a grand.

Very difficult time to be thinking about setting up your own business, been hit hard by the credit crunch here in N devon. Hope things pick up soon.
I do however understand people wanting to be there own boss, it's no walk in the park,
I spent about £15,000 truck, chipper, saws and bits and bobs. hope this helps. Oh ye always expect the unexpected.
Good luck Mick

It,s how I got started 14yrs ago, I,m not saying I only have a grands worth of kit now I think its all to easy to spend alot on gear when you dont need it. If you want to start cheap then just buy as and when needed and not before. It worked for me.

cheers guys this is really helping

ditto that mick

I totally agree mick i just hit the ground running and mannaged to get some big jobs straight away. If i hadn't had the kit i wouldn't have been able to have done the job.
Sorry for being negative i'm having the worst month since starting up with no decent work ahead, i carnt make people spend their money. I'm propper p*ssed off