Freelance Climber tips please

[Gray git]

As a freelance climber it is likely that most of the jobs you will get called to do wont be the nice easy cut and drop nothing to worry about trees they will be they pig that there own staff don't want to or carnt do so having a decent rig kit is a big help but nothing to fancy or complicated as you don't want to waste time having to set up stuff and teach someone to use it, believe me it wont look good having to yell from the top of the tree how to do everything.

I have done quiet a few big dismantles for 1 company recently not because he could not do it but because non of his ground staff had the experience to run speedlines, twin lowering lines etc so I climb he grounds his lads drag, all of which have been in head scratching positions.

So like outher have said be honest about what you can do, lurn all you can from those you work with/for and if you come across something you aint got a clue how to do make something up fast and dont look scared even if your bricking it:blushing:

Edited May 5, 2012 by Gray git
Not making good english

[John Shutler]

turn up on time, do what your asked(within reason), dont smash anything and go home.

dont bitch or moan and do everything to the best of your ability. if its early starts to be onsite for a certain time then its ur descision to be there so dont moan about it, if you dont like it move on

and finally, enjoy it

[Bing!]

remember you are going to be given all the crap, saddle up and just get on with it. We have had the same subby on and off for the best part of 15 years, in fact he started his training with us. Ok, we know him, but he is a point and shoot type, "see that awful nightmare beech/ash/robinia etc etc, crack on", and away he goes without a grumble. Other subbys we have had have been a bit more vocal in what they willl and wont climb. We don't employ them anymore.

We don't take the p*ss but we get our monies worth, we only bring in subbys when we have to much work not because we can't do it, so if they get a bit miffed one of our own will hop up, it tends to make them rethink how they should have got there point across.

 

The point made about gardeners/landscapers etc building a buisness off of your skills, it can work to your advantage. As long as they have the insurence and a sensible groundy willing to learn, you could end up with a company who will come into plenty of tree work and know only one climber, you, who they know can "walk the walk".

 

Good luck.

 

Bing!

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I need say little here as gibbon has ( as would be expected) delivered solid advice.

 

IME, you will as is said get the brunt of the work on one else is man enough for, thats to YOUR advantage, bottle nothing (within reason), moan about nothing (unless they know you and you can have a joke whine!)

 

bring in your own kit, including a basic rigging kit (Capstan heavy and light ropes and a few slings and pulleys, have a medium saw as well as your lopper, even a spare lopper for unforeseen eventualities)

 

KNOW YOUR OWN WORTH, and dont let anyone take the michael out of you, they want your skills!

 

Look after yourself and your interests, no one will look after you better than you!

 

and enjoy it, welcome to freelancing

[swinny]

I need say little here as gibbon has ( as would be expected) delivered solid advice.

 

IME, you will as is said get the brunt of the work on one else is man enough for, thats to YOUR advantage, bottle nothing (within reason), moan about nothing (unless they know you and you can have a joke whine!)

 

bring in your own kit, including a basic rigging kit (Capstan heavy and light ropes and a few slings and pulleys, have a medium saw as well as your lopper, even a spare lopper for unforeseen eventualities)

 

KNOW YOUR OWN WORTH, and dont let anyone take the michael out of you, they want your skills!

 

Look after yourself and your interests, no one will look after you better than you!

 

and enjoy it, welcome to freelancing

 

I agree with this, but not for 100 a day like firms offer around here

[Gray git]

My wife would point out something (I still have to work on this 1) teach yourself not to sware as you never know who might be in ear shot the last thing you need is an amazing job ruined by a complaints about you clucking belling from the tree all day

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

My wife would point out something (I still have to work on this 1) teach yourself not to sware as you never know who might be in ear shot the last thing you need is an amazing job ruined by a complaints about you clucking belling from the tree all day

 

I certainly try but im awful, though not as bad as some.

 

it is a good point, hard when the stress kicks in!

 

[defenderjack]

i freelance to 3 companys and i think besides all the rigging kit bigger saws etc ,, 1 of the most important things is to just be able to get on with people ,hold small talk be polite until youve done enough to have a laugh and take the piss etc . 1 company gets me in to do reductions cos they know ive got more pateince with fine reductions so rigging kit is not needed , ive always got by with the basics and never had a problem i dont really think you should have to worry about building there company on your expertise because surely as a free lance climber you want them to get more work as your then get asked back ?so do every job like it was your own it will make you happy and much more satisfied at your abilitly:thumbup1:

[atree]

What about starting out freelancing?

 

Whats good saws to start with?

Is rigging kit essential when your starting out?

How and when do you bill companys?

What about using fuel?There's or yours?

 

Sorry just about to start myself.

[Gray git]

What about starting out freelancing?

 

Whats good saws to start with?

Is rigging kit essential when your starting out?

How and when do you bill companys?

What about using fuel?There's or yours?

 

Sorry just about to start myself.

 

ms200t (got two for sale if interested) and something like a 441 with a 16 and 24" bar.

 

Not the end of the world if you dont but a big help if you do .

 

Bill in writing or by email when the job is done be it 1 day or a week some may pay you at the end of the day but always send a invoice.

 

Use you're saw fuel in your saws there fuel in there saws and there chainoil in all..