Are we all rubbish?

[Matthew Storrs]

It always seems from posts on Arbtalk, Devon and Cornwall = crap money!

[mendiplogs]

You never mentioned a chipper for the climber you quoted.

 

How much would climbing kit and saws cost to go and do a days work for a climber? Labour only. I bet it's not three to four grand.

 

HI EGGS a climber will get £125/200 a day thanks his kit cost £2k plus thanks jon

[Matthew Storrs]

A basic climbing kit is a grand, top and ground saw £1200, rigging kit basic one £600, ppe for climber £500, that's 3k right of.

[Gareth Dalzell]

He will charge the client for all parts, cable , fittings etc, and he will make 20-30% on all of them if he's any brains. As for his tools, a few grand, compared to the bare minimum setup for a tree gang its nothing, try buying 2 climbing kits, saws and a chipper for £3k.

 

This is another key point - most trades make a margin on the product they supply on top of their labour input. Tree surgeons don't really have that option.

[Woodworks]

It always seems from posts on Arbtalk, Devon and Cornwall = crap money!

 

Ha ha dam right whatever the trade.

 

My trade probably 30k worth of kit 25 years experience plus free design. Charge the customer £15 per hour. Ah well I will die poor but happy.....ish

[Ty Korrigan]

I won't tell you what I'm charging out at these days but I have just bought a new tractor, flail, stone burier, log splitter with 2400m2 of land and buildings due to sign for.

Oh, I make pricing errors all the time BUT in general I'm winning.

I think a key thing is to run smart keen kit and turn it around regular to reduce down time and not worry too much about what the others are charging as some clients like to shop up market even with tree work.

Ken Shabby Tree Lopping running a 20year old Tramshoite and KrapChip combo but may price cheap but also look cheap and like he hasn't got a days work in him.

Clients don't always go for the least expensive quote.

Communicate, re-contact, offer to negotiate even but not by much, don't devalue your services.

I'm aiming high and it seems to be working alright.

Regards

Ty

[Mark Bolam]

The problem I have is separating work from my private life.

The only stuff I really enjoy spending money is is new work gear, to make my life easier and more comfortable.

I consider servicing saws in the workshop as a recreational activity. Decent tunes, a can or two, I love it!

 

About time I got a bit of separation in there I think.

[tractorboy1]

This is another key point - most trades make a margin on the product they supply on top of their labour input. Tree surgeons don't really have that option.

 

Yes but they make a mint on the wood they take away and sell as logs

[skyhuck]

Very true however if in subbing I get £120 a day,

If Its "my job"

I bill £150 for myself

£150 for second climber he will get paid £120

And or £130for a groundsman and pay him £80

 

So really if it's "my" own job I'm on more like £170 - £200

Plus the chipper profit,

I can't see how you can get away with charging more down around here,

Yes it would be nice £200 per man £100 fit chipper but there's no chance I would get £500 a day every day

 

Josh

 

What about truck, fuel, insurance, etc, etc, etc,???

[eggsarascal]

HI EGGS a climber will get £125/200 a day thanks his kit cost £2k plus thanks jon

 

If what you are saying is right Jon, a climber can get more money than a sparky and not have as much kit on the job.

 

And I take it when you say a climber this is someone that comes in does the job then goes home. Not the person that got the job in the first place.