Freelance knowhow??

[Arran Turner]

It is doable mate. I freelance climb for quite a few different companies in the area. I am busy 5-6 days a week. I have no interest in setting up with a truck and chipper. Freelance climbing is just a case of finding someone or multiple someones who require the skillset you have.

 

It could be due to the timeframe I have been freelancing, but doing a good job and being able to fit in with different crews is a major part of it. It could also be the reason why I have been so busy in recent years.

 

I currently have 3-4 days left to fill in January. So as a freelancer running at just under 2 months booking's is not too bad.

 

Good luck and be honest about your skills.

 

Brilliant, this shows me that there is a full time career to be had.

Im happy to work hard and fast, ill keep my head in books, do my tickets and get lots of exprience. One day ill get there

 

Arran

[Rich Rule]

If you are good and fast then lots of money but watch the VAT level, if you are very good it would pay to have long holidays or consider working the uk summer in Australia when its there winter and cool.

 

You must be or know extremely expensive freelance staff. A lot of companies don't reach the VAT threshold never mind climbers.

[Mark Bolam]

Too right Rich! You'll be wanting £300/day too then?

[Stephen Blair]

its only £185 a day, for a 7 day week with 2 weeks off at Chrimbo to be on the vat level.

I only ever worked until the tree was on the deck, took my day rate and left to another job.

David Beckham doesnt pick the litter from under the bleachers:laugh1:, neither should a good climber humf timber and sweep sawdust, thats just to keep the groundies happy.

[Stephen Blair]

Too right Rich! You'll be wanting £300/day too then?

 

i would expect to pay Rich that

[Rich Rule]

i would expect to pay Rich that

:thumbup1: Plus Diesel??

[Stephen Blair]

:thumbup1: Plus Diesel??

 

no probs,

[arbogrunt]

'its a tough job but you wont make anywhere near the same money as an employed climber or groundsman'

 

..by that I assume you mean you will earn MORE than an employed climber or groundie?!

 

I've been a freelance climber for about the last 8 or 9 years. Its not much different from being on the cards really. Yes, you get a better day rate, but take off your insurance, PPE, tools, vehicle and no holiday or sick pay and its not much more of an earner than an employed climber.

That said, I couldn't work for the same firm day in day out, it would drive me nuts!. You can earn good money if your reliable, quick and your work is to a high standard. People do take the pee sometimes..I often do a day and a halfs work in one day to get a job done for someone and don't even expect a 'drink'...you won't get one!.

Get your tools squared away and some experience under your belt, charge a fair rate and don't try and do jobs above your ability level and you'll do alright.

[Rich Rule]

'its a tough job but you wont make anywhere near the same money as an employed climber or groundsman'

 

..by that I assume you mean you will earn MORE than an employed climber or groundie?!

 

I've been a freelance climber for about the last 8 or 9 years. Its not much different from being on the cards really. Yes, you get a better day rate, but take off your insurance, PPE, tools, vehicle and no holiday or sick pay and its not much more of an earner than an employed climber.

That said, I couldn't work for the same firm day in day out, it would drive me nuts!. You can earn good money if your reliable, quick and your work is to a high standard. People do take the pee sometimes..I often do a day and a halfs work in one day to get a job done for someone and don't even expect a 'drink'...you won't get one!.

Get your tools squared away and some experience under your belt, charge a fair rate and don't try and do jobs above your ability level and you'll do alright.

 

That is about the most important part for me.

[Mike Hill]

Okey, I underrstand that it would be hard to book a full week as its as and when your called, so a side business would be in order. So as a freelance climber you had a set price per day?

 

Sounds like im hooked on money im not i just want to know the ins and outs lol

 

Thank You !

 

Arran

 

You can start out as self employed and being subbed in to a firm a few days a week.just doing normal stuff.Then fill in the extra days by calling round all the Tree firms in your area and asking.Or doing a bit of what ever to pay the bills.I used to call round the firms if I wanted a bit of Saturday work.

 

I used to charge £120 for a Sat and £150 for a Sunday.This was over ten years ago and was Cash.

 

You could provide the option of bringing your own Ground Saws,maybe a Pickup and even a Chipper.Just depends on who your market is.

 

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