Is it actually worth it anymore

[skyhuck]

Wheat from the chaff. We need some natural selection in this job and it's happening right now.

 

Not sure how that will work Mick.

 

For example, I looked at a job last week, 2 medium Sycamores to remove, I quoted £500+VAT, she said that was good, because she had been quoted £550 by a council lad as a cash weekend job, she said she wanted a proper firm and would be in touch....................week later I call to see if my quote was of any use, "oh hi, sorry I did not get back in touch, a local lad is doing it for £300 and thats a massive saving for us, sorry"

 

One of the problems with tree work is that a lot of people want to do it, they often have wives with good jobs or other sources of income, they often make nothing near a living wage, but don't even realise it.

[steve@black]

People keep on moaning about the market being at saturation point which it probobly was years ago there is so many people havng a go and lets face it the majority of tree work is a piece of cake.There is loads of companies gonig around my area mummy has brought them a chipper and there biggest saw is a 18 inch and they still keep on gonig. Alot of customers would not know a good tree job from a bad one and believe what the nice man that came and cut the trees told them and I think this also applies to some comercial clients also. Ge yourself a flashy website and your are off because of course everything on the internet is true. It would seem to me its all about the bs I was asked by an arb manager this year how you determine the the diference between a 20% and 25% reduction and he was serious he did not know.

As for the utility contracts the quality has dropped dramaticly since the new contracts around here a couple of years ago,the clearing up even roadside is shoddy to say the least and as for the sites you cant see some of them look like someone has crashed a tractor through the woods at 60 mph and yet when I pointed a site out to a surveyor who happened to come past there response was the lads need to get in and out as quickly as possible.

But what the heck I am on here on a Sunday lunchtime and after 20 years still love it and will keep going .

[Mick Stockbridge]

Not sure how that will work Mick.

 

For example, I looked at a job last week, 2 medium Sycamores to remove, I quoted £500+VAT, she said that was good, because she had been quoted £550 by a council lad as a cash weekend job, she said she wanted a proper firm and would be in touch....................week later I call to see if my quote was of any use, "oh hi, sorry I did not get back in touch, a local lad is doing it for £300 and thats a massive saving for us, sorry"

 

One of the problems with tree work is that a lot of people want to do it, they often have wives with good jobs or other sources of income, they often make nothing near a living wage, but don't even realise it.

 

Chancers mate. Leave em to it, they won't be around for the long haul like the likes of you n me.....

[skyhuck]

Chancers mate. Leave em to it, they won't be around for the long haul like the likes of you n me.....

 

The problem is there is a continual influx of these types, they come and they go, but there are aways new ones, they have always been there, but in these hard times people are more inclined to use them to save a few quid.

[TREE-SURGEON-ESSEX]

We could diversify into offering solar panel installations in tree tops

 

It will get to the point when the money will be crap the work will be crap and the arb industry will loose its apeal and reset itself.

 

Everthing goes full circle its the way of the universe from the smallest to the biggest and applys to everything.

 

Can you ride the slack wave ready for the tidal

 

There will always be much easy better ways of making more money fact, but you would always be in looking out

[will.morris]

I think there is some really interesting posts in this thread, Andy, your mentality and your attitude is just incredible given your situation, I take my hat off to you

 

There is also some really naff and IMO ignorant posts from people that have been lucky and are doing ok, good for you, but don't speak down to other members which may be as good as, or even better arborists than yourself but are just not getting the opportunities they need. NEED being the key word, peoples general view is they can't keep up with living costs, not that they can't afford a new sports car. It varies on so many different factors, its simply not a case of saying 'man up' ... that won't satisfy landlords, this is about DECENT people genuinely struggling to make a living from the trade, don't insult their intelligence by telling them to stop moaning.

 

From a college leavers point of view I can agree on just how hard it is just to get in with a company. But I also know people that qualified at the same time as me and are now on £80 a day climbing full time, I'd be more than happy with that but I got lucky in that I'm off to start my career properly in NZ this summer.

 

So to everyone that is struggling, try to hang in there, it is tough for a lot but a positive attitude may carry you through. Arbtalk should be a place for arborists to help each other, so come on guys, it could be you in their situation, treat others how you'd wish to be treated and have a heart!

[Pedroski]

Nice post Will

 

Lucky 'stard buggering off to NZ though. That was my dream..... but then I got married, hoped to take wife and kids with me, and in no uncertain terms she said she didn't want to move away while her Mum was still alive.... the dream was shattered Then with the earthquakes that hit Christchurch (which was where I was going to be with rellies) - well, she wants to go even less! Good luck to you

[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]

It would seem to me its all about the bs I was asked by an arb manager this year how you determine the the diference between a 20% and 25% reduction and he was serious he did not know.

 

Well percentages went out with the 2010 BS3998 for just that reason (i.e. too much confusion over their interpretation). I hope you referred the person specifying them to the current British Standard.

 

When I first started in this business there were only a few tree surgeons in my local Yellow Pages and now we have pages of them (and that's only the ones who choose to advertise with yellow pages). This industry is seen as an attractive option for people seeking a new career. I think the market will become even more saturated with the planned twenty percent defence cuts!

I believe the only way to survive is to give a professional service and build a good reputation, such that you always have work through referrals and repeat business. But setting the price level correctly is something I struggle with on a job to job basis. I would certainly welcome any advice on how to get this correct.

[will.morris]

Nice post Will

 

Lucky 'stard buggering off to NZ though. That was my dream..... but then I got married, hoped to take wife and kids with me, and in no uncertain terms she said she didn't want to move away while her Mum was still alive.... the dream was shattered Then with the earthquakes that hit Christchurch (which was where I was going to be with rellies) - well, she wants to go even less! Good luck to you

 

Thanks bud

 

Damn that must have been a kick where it hurts I've kept myself single for the last 2 years on the basis I did'nt want to get tied down as I did'nt know where I was going to be living after college in Newcastle.

[waz77]

So who is that foxy lady in your avatar Will??