Day rate for groundie?

[PSP]

Can anyone advise on the current going day rate/pay for a groundie on an arb/tree surgery job? 

 

Does a groundie normally need to bring their own chainsaw, or does that role not normally involve sawing? Or even is occasional, frequent or constant use of a chainsaw that is already on site ever feasible? (I have got chainsaw & other machinery qualifications and own PPE, just don't own a chainsaw/other equipment as I used to use employer's ones, working in Forestry)

 

Can anyone link to a current official info sheet with such industry pay rates (if there is one)?

 

Also does this tend to differ at all depending on whereabouts in the UK the job is? (I'm based in Scotland Central Belt)

 

Many thanks in advance for any helpful information.

Edited September 16 by PSP
Added 2 words to further clarify content

[doobin]

Depends entirely upon your skills, motivation, and whether you're self employed or on the books.

[pie eater pete]

As Too Doobin mentions, are you talking about self-employed or salaried?

[PSP]

I'd like to know both. I'd likely be initially doing self employed though. 

 

Basically I want to know what to say when I am asked what my rate is, so I need some information first.

 

(Brief bit of background: I worked full time in Forestry (Assistant Forest Worker on an estate then Forest Craftsperson with Forestry England) for 2.5 years, and before that worked in practical environmental conservation. I have many machinery tickets, the most relevant probably being small fell, breakdown of a crown, pole pruner, chipper. I've also done a bit of self employed work with a landscaping contractor. I am now looking for occasional/as-and-when days of work, rather than a full time permanent contract.)

Edited September 17 by PSP
Added a sentence

[Dan Maynard]

Its tricky starting out because everyone will ask what's your day rate, when you don't really have one yet.

 

Own PPE is pretty essential, own saw less so. Depends what sort of firm you sub to and what jobs going on, some days you could be clearing and dragging all day, some days on the saw all day. If you don't bring one you're at the mercy of someone else's saw, sharpening, etc so nicer to bring your own.

 

The nearest to an industry sheet I know is find a freelancer

https://arbtalk.co.uk/find-a-freelancer/#close

 

More climbers than groundies, but you can see rates vary by area on there. Subbie climbing rates reflect the gear needed, rough guess groundies half to two thirds climbing rate. All depends though.

 

Last thing, if you have machinery tickets that could be you find a fairly mechanised firm and become more machine operator than groundie - then your rate could be much better.

[PSP]

Dan Maynard that's a helpful reply, thank you for taking the time to write it.

[eggsarascal]

I’m not in your trade but my advice is, concentrate on your machine work, a good machine driver is worth their weight in gold. From what I’ve read here over the years, less so for a ground person.

[Will C]

Round this way it’s 100 upwards for a good groundy, there is one I will happily pay climbers money to on a big rigging job, he is good at it and I don’t have to worry what’s happening on the other end of the line! Others are only just worth (on a good day) £80-£100 to drag brash, any further instructions and you can see there tiny brains explode! 
if you want to earn decent money turn up on time, be useful and always have your dinner and sharp saw to hand. 
some places would rather you use there’s others prefer you to take your own, this is usually reflected in the day rate. 

Another thing is to treat the company’s kit with the same respect as your own or you won’t be with them long. 
 

[Donnie]

On 18/09/2024 at 08:52, Dan Maynard said:

Its tricky starting out because everyone will ask what's your day rate, when you don't really have one yet.

 

Own PPE is pretty essential, own saw less so. Depends what sort of firm you sub to and what jobs going on, some days you could be clearing and dragging all day, some days on the saw all day. If you don't bring one you're at the mercy of someone else's saw, sharpening, etc so nicer to bring your own.

 

The nearest to an industry sheet I know is find a freelancer

https://arbtalk.co.uk/find-a-freelancer/#close

 

More climbers than groundies, but you can see rates vary by area on there. Subbie climbing rates reflect the gear needed, rough guess groundies half to two thirds climbing rate. All depends though.

 

Last thing, if you have machinery tickets that could be you find a fairly mechanised firm and become more machine operator than groundie - then your rate could be much better.

 

On 17/09/2024 at 10:23, PSP said:

I'd like to know both. I'd likely be initially doing self employed though. 

 

Basically I want to know what to say when I am asked what my rate is, so I need some information first.

 

(Brief bit of background: I worked full time in Forestry (Assistant Forest Worker on an estate then Forest Craftsperson with Forestry England) for 2.5 years, and before that worked in practical environmental conservation. I have many machinery tickets, the most relevant probably being small fell, breakdown of a crown, pole pruner, chipper. I've also done a bit of self employed work with a landscaping contractor. I am now looking for occasional/as-and-when days of work, rather than a full time permanent contract.)

Psp. I’ve a Scottish whatsapp group for forestry and tree surgeon malarky. 
 

I can send the link on pm. 
 

They post shifts there too

[SussexHarry]

I’m still in the process of switching careers, however when I went about getting work experience with various companies (with no tickets) at the start of the year I was on £100 a day. When I got my chainsaw, cross cut and small fell tickets, I was offered a PAYE job with a local firm at £110 a day. Keep in mind at this point I had only worked about 10 days total in the industry all during my time off from the day job… I had my own PPE but no equipment. 

 

Work ethic speaks volumes. Simply being someone who can be relied upon to get to work on time, not bring any dramas, and do the job without complaining, are all invaluable - even more so is recognising these qualities in yourself and marketing them to employers. 
 

It so turned out that I never took up tree work full time, but I am soon going to complete my aerial rescue course, at which point I may start looking for full time work as a trainee climber. Haven’t yet explored what I might be able to negotiate for that.

 

So to answer your question: £100 is what I’d be after minimum, as someone who simply shows up willing to learn and be useful on site. Four companies were willing to pay this for a few trial shifts and one offered it for a full time position. With some tickets, experience, and PPE I’d expect £110 a day. One firm offered to start me on £80 a day which, compared to other companies local to me, fell far short of the mark. For someone who is perhaps not very reliable or brings baggage to work (drug user, questionable work ethic/professionalism, lack of enthusiasm etc) then perhaps £80 a day is reasonable, but if you’re serious about the job and got your head screwed on you should be aiming for more than this, even if you’re just dragging brash. 

Edited September 20 by SussexHarry