Winter work worries!

[Quercus-90]

Hi All!

 

So this year I've gone all out in perusing my dream of running my own Arb firm,

So far I've sorted all insurances, a truck, a chipper, full time member of staff and much more!

Feel like I'm finally getting somewhere.... But! Now I'm concerned that with winter approaching, this will be my first winter with new much higher overheads. Also will be my first winter focusing on mainly tree work.

 

Any of the wise men of arbtalk got any tips for keeping us going through winter?

I'm going to continue advertising in my local magazines which have proved useful over the busy season.

 

Thanks everyone

 

 

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[roseyweb]

Just keep plodding on, something always comes in.

 

Failing that book a snow boarding trip so you have something to look forward to in winter

[onyx landscaping/fencing]

although im landscaping/fencing im in the same boat as you! this is my first winter of being sett up on my own. spent most of the summer building a good rep and getting my name known now we are booked up till the end of feb with just the odd week spare for odds and sods and the last week the phone didn't stop ringing with quotes! im off out this avo to price up 4 more jobs. I know that's not much help to you but what im trying to say is keep on plodding away building your reputation and the rest will follow!

 

good luck fella!

[Robert_S]

Hi All!

 

So this year I've gone all out in perusing my dream of running my own Arb firm,

So far I've sorted all insurances, a truck, a chipper, full time member of staff and much more!

Feel like I'm finally getting somewhere.... But! Now I'm concerned that with winter approaching, this will be my first winter with new much higher overheads. Also will be my first winter focusing on mainly tree work.

 

Any of the wise men of arbtalk got any tips for keeping us going through winter?

I'm going to continue advertising in my local magazines which have proved useful over the busy season.

 

Thanks everyone

 

 

Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

 

i mostly have the winter off.

 

When i use to work all winter, What i use to do is when i was busy was pick a couple of bigger tree jobs and tell the client it would be 10% cheaper at the turn of the year when the leafs were off, that way you were putting work in your diary.

[Old Mill Tree Care]

If you've set yourself up with overheads ahead of a slow season, in a saturated market and at a time when the USA is declaring bankruptcy, I think you are brave or something else.

 

Knowing what I now know about the Arb business, I wouldn't set up a new business.

 

Sorry, I know that's not helpful.

[Samuel]

could you just not employ some one on a self employed basis instead?

Edited October 12, 2013 by Samuel

[Quercus-90]

Well as things are at the mo were fully booked untill December ish, I have planned to take at least 2 weeks of in jan as I haven't stopped all year!

 

Old mill, I don't blame you for thinking I'm fool hardy for going into this with what I guess could be viewed as a running before I can walk type of attitude, but I believe that no risk means no gain, and if I want to get where I want to be, maybe pushing forward while others hold back could give me an edge..... Or send me bankrupt!

 

Just looking for any methods people use to attract work over the quiet months, don't really want to go as far as nocking on doors !

 

 

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[Quercus-90]

could you just not employ some one on a self employed basis instead? then you dont have to pay out for wages when you have no work?

 

My guy is on a 0 hours as and when type of understanding, and I've been open with him from the off that there may not be 5-6days a week for him over winter.

 

 

 

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[White Noise]

Why not contact all your local Golf Course's . I did this over 15 years ago and boy did it work . I offered a realistic day rate with all waste chipped and left on site . I am still getting calls from members who have seen me at work . So now I still do the Golf Course maintenance and the members trees

 

Had a deal with a Garden centre a few years back . They recommended me for Tree Work and all the Replanting / Landscaping work I passed on to them

 

I always ask new customers if I can improve my service's and if they have any ideas how as I would love to hear them . Most of the Ideas are tat but some have been very helpful

[WillTimberlake]

Instead of working 5/6 day weeks now, why don't you work 4 and book some work in for the future. Understandably some people want it done within a couple of days/weeks and others don't mind waiting. If you work four day weeks now you won't be as better off now but if you have no work in jan/feb you will have at least something to fall back on.