Rates for Self Employed Handcutters

[Timber Man]

There are a lot of cutters on £160 a day + now.

I have cut at £180 and on piece made considerably more than that.

[LeeWill]

My normal day rate is 125 for an 8 hour shift that includes my lunch break. During winter, when it's too cold to stop, I charge 135 per day. But that subjectual as I blast through 6 litre of fuel in less than 7 hours, and some contractors aren't happy that I show every one else up. During summer I'd much rather have an hourly rate of 17.50 -18 an hour.... but I'll eat on my time, not the bosses, and I'll go through 12 litres of fuel per day, or the equivalent of a 14 hour shift on the saw. You want a good rate? Put the effort in

[TheHungrySquirrel]

I only manage to charge acreage rate of £1600-2000 cutting chip & chestnut.

Very rarely get day rate but would be asking around £110 a day.

[Timber Man]

I only manage to charge acreage rate of £1600-2000 cutting chip & chestnut.

Very rarely get day rate but would be asking around £110 a day.

 

what would the 1600 - 2000 work out at as a tonnage rate roughly?

why 110 a day, is that how much you think you are worth ?

[TheHungrySquirrel]

Depending on the timber anything from 80-120 ton per acre.

 

Charge that if I am grounding for people as I do garden tree aswell and feel the works the same level of skill/hard work.

[Stubby]

No, I just made it up! Sure it's not a tcd original:laugh1:

 

I got it strait away . Basically coz that's the way it is .

[Stubby]

Been out of it so long now but I don't think many people can make a living cutting on tonnage now since harvesters got better . Over size and steep banks are not for me now coz I am old and fecked . Like a previous poster said get a hedge cutter and twiddle around posh housing estates .....

[Jimbo 76]

Cutting can make a good living.

But now you're not in completion with harvesters. You bring a different skill set that allows you to work alongside or infront and between you get the job done. A harvester can't do a windblown site and I can't cut as fast as one.

Also there is a degree of vocation about cutting full time.

As I've said before the apprenticeship can be hard and long but once you move past chestnut copice etc it can be rewarding and you most certainly won't be the worst paid on site quite the reverse.

But you do need all the skills and tickets. I realise these are not necessarily the same. I cut with a guy who has cut for 30 year plus and can do any tree but is stuck on 150 as he refuses to get more tickets.

Cheers,

James.

[TheHungrySquirrel]

I'm mainly stuck cutting chip and chestnut. Would love to get into some softwood but have no clue how to get into it down here in Kent.

[Jimbo 76]

Mr Squirrel,

 

Have you tried approaching your local National Trust estate or Woodland Trust site manager?

If you want to get into big soft wood you will have to buy the timber standing and all the associated risk and management. But although both these have "ticketed" employees they don't do wind blown and normally call in assistance. It's not the best soft wood it's good experience with little outlay. Just an idea.

Cheers,

James.