Rates for Self Employed Handcutters

[Jimbo 76]

I'm in my 40's and be doing this for 20 years now . I don't need to do 7 days of £100 any more but I have done and still would if need be. I do a bit of everything, I don't work alongside harvesters I do my own stuff.

I was felling for 2 weeks for RSPB and by the time I pay for everything and wages I'll be about £100 a day and it's my contract, saw, insurance, vehicle and kit.

Is it ideal, no!

It was 10 days work in December and rill hopefully lead to other stuff.

 

Come on Stephen Christmas is over no need to be a Grinch all year.....

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but from your other posts and this your not a full time specialist cutter.

 

If you are you can make a decent living working 5 days a week.

 

And I get to wear £300 quid boots, trousers and a rediculously over priced Protos lid... Just because I like the colours !

 

Cheers,

James.

[daddyola50]

i have been felling 28 years and I still say you need 150 plus , you don't need or want to work seven days with a saw . yes what he will get and what he needs is different money wise but to say he should make do with 100 a day is not good , that's why nobody wants to do it anymore as it isn't enough money . if a young cutter got nearly a grand a week you would see more coming into the job . that's my take on it , and as for using a car for 200 to get you in a forest and home every day , not really usefull advise that is it guys . to the op keep cutting and don't give up just yet

Edited December 30, 2016 by daddyola50
mistake in post

[R5log]

i have been felling 28 years and I still say you need 150 plus , you don't need or want to work seven days with a saw . yes what he will get and what he needs is different money wise but to say he should make do with 100 a day is not good , that's why nobody wants to do it anymore as it isn't enough money . if a young cutter got nearly a grand a week you would see more coming into the job . that's my take on it , and as for using a car for 200 to get you in a forest and home every day , not really usefull advise that is it guys . to the op keep cutting and don't give up just yet

 

 

Some one said 14 hour days??

Really

[shavey]

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

 

What saws are you running and what timber you cutting at the moment it's true you gotta put the effort in

[eddystihl]

Wowww here in holland i charge € 37 a hour and then € 6,50 a hour for the chainsaw.

Horse logging i charge € 50 a hour al ex vat.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Arbtalk

[eggsarascal]

Wowww here in holland i charge € 37 a hour and then € 6,50 a hour for the chainsaw.

Horse logging i charge € 50 a hour al ex vat.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Arbtalk

 

I wouldn't take too much notice eddy. Anyone going out self employed for less than £150/day here is on a hiding to nothing. They will not last.

 

I had a quick look on the Government job centre website today, there were two jobs for arborists, I know it's not the same as working in the woods, both jobs were paying between £23-£26k/ year, with payed holidays and pension schemes. Why would anyone go out for £100/day?

[Timber Man]

What saws are you running and what timber you cutting at the moment it's true you gotta put the effort in

 

Good fallers are those that get a lot of timber down with as little effort as possible.

[daddyola50]

Some one said 14 hour days??

Really

 

again more sound advise for chainsaw use which will due to tiredness and fatige probably put you in hospital

[daddyola50]

12 litres of fuel . never done that ,couldn't do that .wouldn't do that and never met a good cutter that says he does that . the good cutters I know 70 and 60 are very modest about the ability they have . that's almost 3 gallons 20 odd fills at 30 or 45 mins a fill , I am struggling with that one , and its not the way to make over 100 a day . I do 4/6 fills a day 10 or 15 ton and I'm happy with that as I'm not stressed

[Stephen Blair]

Come on Stephen Christmas is over no need to be a Grinch all year.....

 

 

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but from your other posts and this your not a full time specialist cutter.

 

 

 

If you are you can make a decent living working 5 days a week.

 

 

 

And I get to wear £300 quid boots, trousers and a rediculously over priced Protos lid... Just because I like the colours !

 

 

 

Cheers,

 

James.

 

 

I don't really know what you would class as a specialist cutter.

I hate the word specialist anyway, words I could never say seriously if discussing chainsaw work that's for sure.

Today I made £100, I was pretty chuffed and got my lunch. Took me an hour but I'm getting older and my Groundie got a tenner so he was delighted!