HELP - Part-time tree survey requirements

[Treesurveyor123]

Hi all, I currently work 5 days a week for a company as an arb surveyor/consultant. I am looking to earn some extra cash by carrying out some local surveys and providing reports on weekends for mostly risk assessments and tree management reports. I may end up doing some small BS5837 and subsidence reports but will mostly do these through work due to the complexity and other reasons. Are there any liability/insurance etc. issues I need to sort before I can get started? I am fully qualified with several years experience. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

[monkeybusiness]

6 minutes ago, Treesurveyor123 said:

Hi all, I currently work 5 days a week for a company as an arb surveyor/consultant. I am looking to earn some extra cash by carrying out some local surveys and providing reports on weekends for mostly risk assessments and tree management reports. I may end up doing some small BS5837 and subsidence reports but will mostly do these through work due to the complexity and other reasons. Are there any liability/insurance etc. issues I need to sort before I can get started? I am fully qualified with several years experience. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

You need professional indemnity insurance (and you have to maintain it into the future) but as an experienced consultant you’d obviously know that surely?! 
Does your employer not have an issue with this? I’d have thought it is something of a conflict of interests possibly. 

[Treesurveyor123]

Thanks for your reply. I have come across it but haven't looked into it in any detail - the several years experience comes from an arb college course, forestry degree and 2-3 years working as a consultant but not getting involved with any of the business management side. I do not live anywhere near my working range and the work will mostly be for family and family of friends etc. so I doubt it will be an issue, but is certainly a conversation I will be having with them to make sure!

[tonytree]

As said you need professional indemnity insurance for a fact.

I’m not sure if you need public liability but I’m certain of the indemnity insurance.

[daltontrees]

9 hours ago, tonytree said:

As said you need professional indemnity insurance for a fact.

I’m not sure if you need public liability but I’m certain of the indemnity insurance.

Not quite a 'fact', there is no legal requirement for PII. But a consultant would be crazy not to have it. And any client who uses an uninsured consultant would be just as crazy.

[Mick Dempsey]

Seems like a tree worker (climber/faller) might be able to get some weekend work for cash.

 

The idea of surveying for family/friends at the weekend seems an odd one.

Edited March 17, 2020 by Mick Dempsey

[Khriss]

Dempsey... I share yr concerns...?  K