tree work in schools

[simonm]

Has anyone had any experience doin tree work in schools? A friend of mine works for the local council and they seem to do it all! How do u get into doing it or is their reasons why only the council do it?

[RobArb]

I've done school work for private contractors before now, couldn't tell you how he got the work though:confused1:

 

Sent from Rob's GalaxySII

[Tom D]

It varies from area to area, many of the modern PFI schools will have a facilities management company who will organise all their work from central heating repairs to winter gritting, some schools will use whoever they want, the head will decide. these are rare these days, most will be under the LA's control and so that is where you should start.

[Hodge]

I have done work in schools, I was approached by the school, some schools manage there own budgets and find there own contractors but some are managed by local authority.

[testcricket01]

i did some work for a school couple weeks back, i got asked to quote for it because i had worked for a women who was something to do with the school, word of mouth cant beat that. i gave them a price they had to get several quotes mine was cheapest simples

[Ian C]

I have done work in schools, I was approached by the school, some schools manage there own budgets and find there own contractors but some are managed by local authority.

 

Same here, done quite a few this year.

[simonm]

Think the best thing would be to knock on some doors and try speak to the head master

[testcricket01]

Think the best thing would be to knock on some doors and try speak to the head master

 

just say you will do it cheaper than everyone they will listen then

[Robert_S]

I do a few jobs for schools but as Tomd says its a management company that subs me in.

[WorcsWuss]

We do quite a bit of building work for schools, they're a peculiar thing.

There are various different types of school, some with more autonomy than others.

As an independent looking to work direct [which is far more preferable than tendering LA run schools projects if you're small and don't have time to produce huge quotes] you need to target specific types of schools.

 

The new academies control their own budget and spending. These are GOOD.

 

Foundation schools [ex grammars etc] are state schools which have some money of their own, might own the site and the council leases it back, that sort of thing]. These are GOOD.

 

Church schools sometimes have projects funded by the local diocese, so approach the school and / or the vicar at the attached church, depending on how closely they work.

 

Private schools can do what they like. Many are struggling a bit financially at the moment unless they have the facility to accept large numbers of foreig students. These are also GOOD.

 

PFI schools, usually called 'community college' or similar, are just rented space for teachers. As stated, all the maintenance is carried out by private contractors working for the PFI consortium's management company. These are OK but will screw you.

 

State schools, the traditional primary & high schools, have little control over their budgets and generally wouldn't bother spending what little they do have for themselves on something which they could throw back at the LA on safety grounds. You will struggle with these unless you can get on the council framework and become the go to guy for that small area. These are RUBBISH!

 

To find out what sort of school you're looking at, check their website or phone them up and ask. If they're worth chasing try to speak to the Business Manager, Site Manager or Head teacher.

 

Hope that helps...