Business Start up Advise please.

[Jonny69]

On 02/10/2021 at 09:28, Lumberjock said:

Hi, any advise would be greatly appreciated. 

 

I’m looking to start up a new business. 
 

I currently work as a forester with Cs30/31 qualifications. 
 

I would like to get back into private arborist work more close to home. I used to be a Groundsman for a short time. I do not and have no intention of climbing as I am over 40. 
 

I had the idea of purchasing an Arb Truck and chipper and advertising as Van, man and chipper for hire to arborists who do not have these. Charge a daily rate for my services. 
 

Would this be a good idea? Any pro’s and con’s you can think of?

 

Thanks
 

 

Problem is with this plan, almost everyone has a truck and chipper already. You would be better off buying a machine that's a bit specialist and subbing to people that way. 

 

With basic work tools and maybe a tracked chipper, cherry picker, skid steer/loader, excavator with tree attachments.

 

There is always work for diggers and cherry pickers even if its not just related to cutting trees.

[Lumberjock]

43 minutes ago, Jonny69 said:

Problem is with this plan, almost everyone has a truck and chipper already. You would be better off buying a machine that's a bit specialist and subbing to people that way. 

 

With basic work tools and maybe a tracked chipper, cherry picker, skid steer/loader, excavator with tree attachments.

 

There is always work for diggers and cherry pickers even if its not just related to cutting trees.

Great advice. Thanks

[doobin]

On 02/10/2021 at 16:42, Mr. Squirrel said:

To my mind, if you can’t climb and have no intention of climbing I’d just stop right there.

I can’t climb and have no intention of doing so. But it doesn’t stop me taking your work 🤣

[JaySmith]

No reason why it couldn’t work in theory. I know of at least one guy who is similar to you and employees climbers whilst he stays on the ground. I also used to climb for a guy who had his own firm and would just employ climbers to climb and provide his own groundies. He was making a very good living out of it. Downside is climbers are in short supply at the moment so finding a decent one will be difficult depending on your region. For me I wouldn’t want to rely on a climber because if they don’t turn up or drop you then you can’t go to work (depending on the job). Also the climber will be the dearest of your labour costs.

If for example you were say £600 for a two man crew (region dependant) paying £160 - £200 for a climber still leaves you with a decent slice of the pie for your efforts.

Personally would sub myself to home owners and chip their crap, they will be the cheapest possible price brigade and likely to kill your equipment for a tenner!

Adding other ground based operations to your business such as stump grinding, hedging etc will also bring in money and keep you busy.

[hamilton32]

On 02/10/2021 at 16:46, Lumberjock said:

I would have intentions to climb if the start up was to start a tree surgery company. But the idea was to hire my services as man,van and chipper. 
it looks like it’s a non starter tbh
thanks for advise. 

Where are you based ? I'm setting up a business and am a freelance climber but I don't yet have a truck and chipper. Your set up would be useful to me and I imagine I would also be useful to you?