Going freelance

[Steve Bullman]

Don't totally agree.

 

Its possible to make good coin as a freelancer, so long as you market yourself properly.

 

You don't have to just set a day rate, you could give a price for each job, thus maximizing your earning potential.

 

In these tight times, firms are looking for GOOD people they can use WHEN they NEED them, instead of have a lot of permanent staff.

 

how are you going to give a price without going to view the jobs beforehand? thats one of the reasons i prefer being freelance, i dont waste valuable time looking at work

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I think maybe if i market myself right I could start off slow just me a landy with a winch, climbing kit saws and rigging, maybe a small petrol timberwolf for towing in on eco jobs.

 

get chummy with a grounder, maybe a gowing side line to my full time job till it goes off

[combined tree services]

I think maybe if i market myself right I could start off slow just me a landy with a winch, climbing kit saws and rigging, maybe a small petrol timberwolf for towing in on eco jobs.

 

get chummy with a grounder, maybe a gowing side line to my full time job till it goes off

 

sounds like a plan to me mate

[skyhuck]

how are you going to give a price without going to view the jobs beforehand? thats one of the reasons i prefer being freelance, i dont waste valuable time looking at work

 

When I used to be a freelancer, I had a day rate for most stuff, but would look at some jobs and give a price.

 

Often I would look at a job for someone whist doing a day job for them, so effectively in their time.

 

Each to their own, but its worth having different options open to your potential clients in my view.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Could even do VTA assesments with the right insurance, got my VTA practitioners certificate but im told i need the LANTRA 3 day job too.

 

anybody doing tree assesments out there got any advice on this front?

[combined tree services]

i wish i had known about arb forums back in 2005 when i went freelance !!!

[Lee Winger]

I think maybe if i market myself right I could start off slow just me a landy with a winch, climbing kit saws and rigging, maybe a small petrol timberwolf for towing in on eco jobs.

 

get chummy with a grounder, maybe a gowing side line to my full time job till it goes off

 

All you need mate, if you're going freelance is a vehicle, climbing/rigging gear, a few saws and that's it.......

 

Contractors should be insured and have all the bigger plant as well as staff/groundie's...........

 

I used to run my own tree firm, and used freelancer quite a bit

Edited December 25, 2009 by Lee Winger

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

So you think most firms are happy insuring you as a freelance?

 

sounds a bit sticky to me, what if the worst happens you do some damage and they decide to have you for it?

[combined tree services]

So you think most firms are happy insuring you as a freelance?

 

sounds a bit sticky to me, what if the worst happens you do some damage and they decide to have you for it?

 

i had a chap down here with a stump gringing and tree surgery firm get im in as a free lance climber to take down an awkward job , to cut a long storey shor i was lowering a section of timber down on his light lovering line which he insisted i use , as i cut through the section of timber he let it drop to much and the section of timber went strait through a fence pannel and i was expected to pay !! WTF?? so i had it out with him at lunch time and his reasoning was that his insurance did not cover me and it was my fault that he did it because i should have told him what to do as i had much more experience !!!!! and to be honest i could not not pay him as he was clearly not going to pay me for doing the job and providing a chipper

[Lee Winger]

So you think most firms are happy insuring you as a freelance?

 

sounds a bit sticky to me, what if the worst happens you do some damage and they decide to have you for it?

 

They have no choice its the law.........