consistent work (ish) advice please

[Boy English]

Hi there, im hoping some advice might help me out a little.. ive just completed my first year trading and seem to be having a bit of trouble with work consitency, a relationship breakup earlyier in the year means my household bills etc have doubled from what they were when i first setup but in one form or another ive managed to stay afloat.. all my gears paid for so i havent got any monthly payments it that sence just the usual costs such as advertising, insurance etc, i have no yard to try and keep costs low.

 

ill give you an idea of how i currently operate, i have a 6"chipper / big grinder / and a decent veichle mounted mewp..

 

I generally do the ground work - one employe (no set hours) who deals with the mewp and also acts as a groundy for a climber who works with us as and when needed.. I run two adverts in the local glossy mags covering roughly 30miles in most directions (about 40,000 copies in circulation)

 

I get a reasnable return from the ads, i am happy with how they look and even do some subby work for other local chaps on larger grinding jobs or with the mewp.. i get around 8/10 quotes accepted and make sure the customer is always happy.. sometimes i ask how my price compared with others just to keep an eye on my pricing..

 

My problem is far to often i seem to have nothing for weeks on end then a manic spell, and when it comes im purely playing catch up on bills, i hate the feeling that in truth i might be one sizeable breakdown or another bad fortnight from going tits up, not only that but the stress isnt doing me any favours either..

 

Is it time to start hunting down commercial works as in trying to become an approved contactor wherever i can or is that likely to just lead to more stress involved with paperwork than its worth ?

 

Sorry for ranting on abit but hopefully somone may have been in a simular situation and could offer me a little advise

[AlvinD]

Over here in Northern Ireland the majority of all tree firms have utility contracts as their main line of work and work private jobs around that. It does generate a stable workload.

 

Maybe expand your business? Take on a climber full time and apply for utility tenders?

Your MEWP would certainly come in handy and quicken things up regarding electrical work.