any advice to moving more into a more machinery based role in forestry coming from domestic arb and landscaping

[JLA1990]

2 hours ago, DJM Tree said:

perfect thanks for the input. ive currently got a tracked chipper thats not making enought money so i planning on selling that and using it as a deposit but maybe get rid hire stuff for a while see whats making money then buy. i was thinking of going larger than avant but im already pretty much set up for that  kind of work with a hilux and large trailer. probably a better starting place realistically to build from  

 

just out of intrest have you done this you self and who was your target client ? other firms or larger domestic stuff ?

 

 

As you've touched on start small, get a feel for what's needed in your area (unless you want to travel) and build from that. As the two guys above have mentioned its far easier to fill a week if you're flexible and can keep overheads low (trailering around your own kit etc) sourcing out to other contractors can work but because interest rates were so low everyone and their dog has kit now hence the 'find your own clients' comment. I have never worked in domestic, previously ran a company but stepped away end of last year and am now in the throws of deciding what i want to do (i have set up another company), its becoming very appealing to stay small and become an owner operator however i would likely buy a 14t excavator but i have an old client base i can turn to. i would really hold off with something like a wtc as some of the day rates I've been quoted recently I'm not sure how they're making money, plenty of margin for me to just pm jobs and subby everyone in at the current rates of larger machinery (food for thought)

[slack ma girdle]

The problem with larger machinery is moving it. Do you have access to lorry or tractor to move it?

Relying on other people is a pain and expensive

I would be weary speculating about possible work and outlaying large amounts of money with loans.

You would probably be better off mechanising what you know.

[doobin]

12 hours ago, JLA1990 said:

but because interest rates were so low everyone and their dog has kit now

Hey! I represent that comment! 😝

 

😂😂

[JLA1990]

8 hours ago, doobin said:

Hey! I represent that comment! 😝

 

😂😂

I love dogs! 
 

You could buy the new prinoth raptor 100, I think you’d get loads of work trading off the novelty alone (first & only one in the country).

[mitchel]

On 21/08/2023 at 17:52, DJM Tree said:

im seeing  if anyone's managed and has any pointers. ive been running my own business now for 8 years subbing abit for other firms but mainly been doing my own thing. ive got an level 3 forestry and arb. 2 years ago i hurt my back at the grand age of 24. compressed disk L4 L5 im since back at work but its never really been right since surgery. i was always aware this might not fully recover but im now always worrying about it.

 

so i was thinking about buying some bigger equipment  and going into forestry  /  biomass as an industry. 

has anyone made this change successfully and will it make enough money or  am i just pissing in the wind ?

 

any advice would be grate, i dont really want to leave the industry because i do really enjoy working with and around trees and not being stuck in a office.

 

 

 

 

 

what did you end up doing?

[DJM Tree]

Ive shrunk my business down a fair amount, just keeping some of my core clients on a garden maintenance contracts. 

and then started sub contracting for an old friend in forestry, a good mix of 360 work some tractor driving and some hand cutting when needed. 

 

super pleased i stayed in the tree work industry just away from the arb setting. will probably be looking to start a small contracting business in 2026 working long site my current firm im working with as the work load seems to growing for them year on year and they have no intention of growing the business anymore than it is and will probably be winding it down in a few years due to retirement.