France calling...

[Robbair]

Bonjour from the South West (47)

 

I run a mobile sawmill and firewood business down here. I leave the aerial work to those that want it. I can offer advice on registering trailers (patience required in spades). Its a good life in a nice area .....simples; Rob

[volvo]

At least you guys dont have the same paperwork to do out there compared to the UK?

[Mark Bolam]

The amount of paperwork done in the UK is a fair bit less than the amount that is meant to be done.

 

Anyone who says they always complete a written RA and MS for a 10' apple in Mrs. Miggins garden is talking merde.

[Ty Korrigan]

No pertaining to H+S, no LOLA, no conservation or tree protection shoite.

However...

If I want to employ some-one I must pay the state 90% of the employees salary in charges so with other hidden stuff that pops its head up now and then, accounting fees, kit, breakages, bosses time off due to stress, payment to employee when you want to curtail a contract you can budget for 25euros per hour per employee.

So one man must be charged out at 200euros per day or around £170.

I get around this by employing other self employed lads from 100-150euros per day.

They supply their kit but I supply lunch and saws etc.

100 for a rake technician cum branch dragger 150 for a competent saw man 200-300 for a climber.

Saturday today and I must drag my aching body out to grind stumps to boost my xmas fund...

Ty

[volvo]

Im just going on with what my son in law has said compared to the uk rules and regs.

Thats why he likes it plus its better weather most of the time.

[NFG]

Im just going on with what my son in law has said compared to the uk rules and regs.

Thats why he likes it plus its better weather most of the time.

 

Hi

 

I agree, less rules and regs which dont seem to be enforced with the same vigour as in Angleterre.

 

Et tres beau temps!

 

N

[Ty Korrigan]

I use the French version of 'Vigour'

But only to clean my drains...

[normandylumberjack]

No pertaining to H+S, no LOLA, no conservation or tree protection shoite.

However...

If I want to employ some-one I must pay the state 90% of the employees salary in charges so with other hidden stuff that pops its head up now and then, accounting fees, kit, breakages, bosses time off due to stress, payment to employee when you want to curtail a contract you can budget for 25euros per hour per employee.

So one man must be charged out at 200euros per day or around £170.

I get around this by employing other self employed lads from 100-150euros per day.

They supply their kit but I supply lunch and saws etc.

100 for a rake technician cum branch dragger 150 for a competent saw man 200-300 for a climber.

Saturday today and I must drag my aching body out to grind stumps to boost my xmas fund...

Ty

 

You said it, do you find your customer base to be mostley ex pats or french? I have found the french, or parisian to be more exact, to be more inclined to offer work. One of my regular clients owns a timber wholsale bussiness, and is reasured to see me wearing ppe, as the local boys wont. it just looks professional..... if nothing else!

[Ty Korrigan]

Hello,

We've got approx 50-50 split between Frogs and Roast Beefs.

The Ex-pats all seem a good drive away but the natives all mostly local.

I always demand that every-one sports good condition PPE (no tears in trousers and washed regularly) and when possible one of our orange T'shirts with a our brand upon it.

However our in house arb expert, a former and retired London Borough tree officer insists on sporting a green felt flat cap and an assortment of old jackets when visiting clients which that makes him look like an old lag released after serving 30years for burglary:blushing:

He talks the talk but I do worry he will frighten people especially when he is 'between beards'...

Ty

[normandylumberjack]

Most ex-pats in my area look like they have done a stretch, or are avoiding one by hiding in manche!

Did you have ant problems when you registered? I had to go to the department of work, and sit infront of a pannel of 6 officials and justify my wanting to be a forestry worker in france, my 15 years of experience, College certificates and ability to work sober didn't impress! this was after I had paid my cottistation, so when I was told 3 months later that I couldn't work in the industry, I asked for my dosh back. Later that week i had a phone call to say carry on working. c'est la vie. Not had any bother since.