Man hours/team size/numbers

[Ty Korrigan]

Hello,

I recently spoke to a fellow arb who informed me he was fully booked some 2 months ahead of our lead time.

My jaw dropped until I understood that he works alone most of the time and that I run a team of 3 some 50% of the time and growing.

Effectively, we are working many more hours than the single man.

Its also makes life far smoother and safer with 3, one climber with a second climber/groundy operating the chipper and a third highly competant older arb capable of anticipating the jobs that need doing and getting on with it.

Next year we are going to take on a work experience youngster who will probally work a week on/off or longer periods with spells in college (or correctional institution ):001_tongue:

Next year we hope to have 2 teams out regularly.

5 of us, 2 chippers, 2 trucks/vans etc

One team with the wee chipper and another with the new road tow.

I don't think I can handle more than that for now.

With 2 teams of 2 and one boss fella to float between, mend stuff, price up, prospect for work etc.

2 business partners (the climbers), 2 groundies and a spotty.

Its all going forward and I just wanted to share things with you guys and generate a chat about expanding without too much stress.

regards

Ty

[likeitorlumpit]

Expanding without too much stress:laugh1:

It's not that so much as being able to cope when the inevitable stress occurs

Get a hobby/sport- anything to get your mind away from work and you will find stress easier to deal with- I know- not easy when you are trying to develop a business. But- it is very important and don't overlook it.

Try to keep weekends free always and only use saturday as a day extra if things go pete tong

Have flexibility in the system and don't price up too tight hours wise- the weather will always play a part in the profitability of any job

Be prepared to walk away- thats from jobs and from people who just grate on you.

Above all be prepared to say NO!

[Timbermcpherson]

I run 2x 2 man crews including myself most of the time, I have another climber starting in a couple weeks as I have a months backlog and just not getting it smaller. Its nice on the bigger jobs to throw 4 of us at if its needed.

 

I prefer 2 men to 3 on 90% of our jobs as theres all to often one guy waiting for stuff to happen, and the truck with a 5 cube bin is just a little stretched carrying an extra kitbag, top handle and that extra amount of much and wood created in a day.

 

Expansions a tough one. If I get much bigger it means getting off the tools full time. inevitable but I dont want to be a ute arborist.

[Tom D]

i wouldn't worry too much about the size of your team, its more important making more money. If you do lots of small jobs having 2 2man teams may make sense, but if you do more larger jobs having 3 men and a machine for moving timber may be more profitable.

 

I bought a wee tractor and loader a few years ago, it cost £16k, it has made me loads of money, on the right job it does the work of 4 men, and is a hell of a lot cheaper, 1 man would cost more than 16k in 1 year.

 

i would try and make sure that your turnover per man is in the £35-50k range, pereferably nearer 50.

[Le Sanglier]

i wouldn't worry too much about the size of your team, its more important making more money. If you do lots of small jobs having 2 2man teams may make sense, but if you do more larger jobs having 3 men and a machine for moving timber may be more profitable.

 

I bought a wee tractor and loader a few years ago, it cost £16k, it has made me loads of money, on the right job it does the work of 4 men, and is a hell of a lot cheaper, 1 man would cost more than 16k in 1 year.

 

i would try and make sure that your turnover per man is in the £35-50k range, pereferably nearer 50.

 

wise words

[VTS]

Does this mean you have stepped up to SARL or are there are a lots of you on auto- entrepeneur scheme?

 

i might give you a call to pick your brains if thats ok.

 

Darren

[Ty Korrigan]

Hi,

Going SARL (limited company) in the early New Year.

Laying the footings for that now.

Currently we are 2 autoentreprenures and 1 micro BIC (me) who is with the MSA.

Just too much investment in materials and turnover is too high to remain on a micro regime.

My new home number is not the one on the web site, that is Sebs and he parle frenchy seulment.

Its 02.99.68.43.46

Sunday, and I've just got back from a quote.

Ty

[Treeworld]

It's all about what life you really want to have, I know an excellent roofer who is an expert in old buildings and always has loads and loads of people asking him why not expand and run more teams as he is a 2 man set up. His philosophy is " I am more then happy with the house I live in, the family I have and my work/life balance. Why change it and add more stress?" A wise man and good advice if thats what boat you want to be in. If you have a larger company then I'm sure you will find these factors all being disturbed.

[White Noise]

It's all about what life you really want to have, I know an excellent roofer who is an expert in old buildings and always has loads and loads of people asking him why not expand and run more teams as he is a 2 man set up. His philosophy is " I am more then happy with the house I live in, the family I have and my work/life balance. Why change it and add more stress?" A wise man and good advice if thats what boat you want to be in. If you have a larger company then I'm sure you will find these factors all being disturbed.

 

A wiseman indeedy

[nick channer]

all depends what you do in a day.. guy i no is always booked up for at least 6 weeks... he has 3 man team inc himself.. but jobs i price and put one day on he'l put 2 on if not 3... and he'l make them last that long