How to get a contract

[Warners]

Be fully insured and trained, have a transparent H & S poilcy and working system. Once you've done all that ring your local councils and try to speak to the procurement department. If you do manage to get thro and then get on to their supplier list then well done.

 

Councils are all about paperwork/regulations.

 

You'll find that councils already have working relationships with approved Tree Surgeons and breaking on to that market might be tough...

[ReubenHayes]

Most Councils will run a tern contract (Borough, London, City councils). This will be to carryout all the tree works for a set term. In order to win these contracts you will need to have finances over 3-5 years and show a turnover of a set amount (I know that the bigger the contracts the bigger the turnover). This means that many of the contracts will require a turnover of £1m for 3-5 previous years.

 

Where some Councils go is through a preferred contractor, this is where local tree surgeons submit a schedule of rates and the Council will then cherry pick the costs and give different works to different contractors. This usually means you will only win the cheaper works (i.e. don't put down £200.00 to fell a large tree on the hope that you will also get a crown lifting op at £400.00! just an example!)

 

The preferred bidder is easier to get into and will help you grow in to the contract world. It is also noting that most Councils/Schools/Construction will also require AA contractor approval. This is something you should also look at getting.

[_tc]

Sorry for the hijack but great advice guys. I too have been trying for years to gain a regular bread and butter contract and hoped to lump in the bigger one off jobs too but struggle to get going ie my foot in the door.

[hamdogg]

Sorry for the hijack but great advice guys. I too have been trying for years to gain a regular bread and butter contract and hoped to lump in the bigger one off jobs too but struggle to get going ie my foot in the door.

 

 

Same boat pal

[Scott Walker]

Its usually about not what you know but who you know!

[_tc]

yes too true. a mate started less than a year ago and has 5 guys on his books already flying along! he knows plenty of contacts.

[treequip]

Its usually about not what you know but who you know!

 

Nope, its usually what you know about who you know:laugh1:

[Scott Walker]

Nope, its usually what you know about who you know:laugh1:

 

Sneaky