How much should a Foreman earn?

[john p]

Hello all many different opinions which is all well and good. I’m from rural Suffolk obviously, but I’m now based in Oxfordshire although i have worked all over the east, south east and as far west as Wiltshire as a subbie.

 

I’m currently working within the High Wycome area just down the road from Burnham Beeches where you’re based.

 

I think people need to understand in Suffolk you could rent a period listed cottage for the same price as a room in Oxford, South central is EXPENCIVE!

 

I’ve been climbing now six and a half years and would consider myself to be a competent climber that will tackle most not blowing my own little trumpet but you have to be ok to get the work in.

 

Beechwood your offer is fair and you seem to care about keeping your staff happy with their kit and all the rest of it which is more than some do!

 

It the point you said yourself I charge anything from £120 to £150 I’m not greedy and it keeps me busy, but I can take time off when I want within reason normally working hard to cover the rent haha.

 

I build up my own kit new contacts and have a sense of pride from doing that. I normally end up organising the team as any lead climber would but I don’t oversee maintenance of chippers nor am I really responsible for staff and all their issues and let’s face it we all have them.

 

Yes I have the pressure to get the job done on time but that also comes from me out of a sense of pride and the drive to keep the contract haha.

 

If subbies are busy and earning that much building up their own little show why would they chuck it to go on the books……… I mean TAX!!

 

As for the comment about being ready for that position in a month it’s not real worth me commenting on that, but he does have a point! It is serious money but you have to really go for it to bring that home in a year and a subbie rarely works a solid year of 5 days a week and if you have you will be trashed.

 

There does seem to be a large gap in skill level from the new college kids to top climbers, no offence some new college lads are great and will do very well for themselves but there are more useless ones. Most experienced climbers want independence and it is possible in Arb that’s why this industry is so great!

 

A lot of experienced climbers would love a chance to do the AA Tech and other higher learning but they are too ****** at the end of the day to study THAT’S YOUR ROUTE BECCHES development!! We can’t keep climbing forever (sell it) and up the wage by a ten quid. Give a top climber a chance to develop further in the industry and they will come. (**** me sorry for the rant never comment normally)

 

 

Some very good points in your post, there are tons of passable climbers, quite a few good climbers and a minority of dogs Bollox climbers, IME 95% of the real good uns are either running their own show or picking and choosing who to sub for and when, which is well deserved when you've spent years and much dosh honing your skills.

[grumpydavesmith]

Why does your foreman have to be the lead climber? Why not an excellent foreman and an excellent climber? Richard Branson doesn't fly his own planes does he? Personally I think your offering an excellent package!

[skyhuck]

Why does your foreman have to be the lead climber? Why not an excellent foreman and an excellent climber? Richard Branson doesn't fly his own planes does he? Personally I think your offering an excellent package!

 

Personally I would not want to be asking any one to do something I could not do myself, I know plenty of team leaders/Forman who when challenged by other climbers on the team, who have not wanted to carry out the task required, have got up there and shown them how its done.

 

Leading by example is aways best, IMO.

[grumpydavesmith]

It's not about not being able to do it. Just because someone is an ace climber doesn't mean they can lead a team does it? Being a leader doesn't mean you have to be the best climber in the world does it? If you have a good dedicated climber then the foreman doesn't have to do it dies he? There is also a damn site more to tree work than being a climber.

[Mountain man]

the climber is the boss on any job. Unless the real "boss" is there. ie the guy whose name is on the vans and the cheques.

[skyhuck]

It's not about not being able to do it. Just because someone is an ace climber doesn't mean they can lead a team does it? Being a leader doesn't mean you have to be the best climber in the world does it? If you have a good dedicated climber then the foreman doesn't have to do it dies he? There is also a damn site more to tree work than being a climber.

 

 

Here we go!!

 

Of cause there is more to tree work than climbing, BUT the good climber can do ALL aspects of the work, they wouldn't be asking anyone to do anything they could not do themselves.

 

As stated in my earlier post and in my signature this is simply my personal opinion

[grumpydavesmith]

I'm not saying he can't do the work! Ok for example, your on a big job traffic lights etc couple of trees done at same time! Where would your foreman be? up a tree? You can't 100% lead and be in control of a job if ur 60ft up a tree can you? If there was an accident first thing Hse would say is why is foreman 60ft up a tree. I'm not saying foreman shouldn't climb at all! But the foreman is in charge of the job! He's not fully in charge up a tree is he?

 

If your a small outfit then chances are the lead climber is the foreman! But in large companies such as one I work for this is definitely not the case at all! A lot of our teams have excellent climbers that climb and foreman that take charge of the job.

[skyhuck]

I'm not saying he can't do the work! Ok for example, your on a big job traffic lights etc couple of trees done at same time! Where would your foreman be? up a tree? You can't 100% lead and be in control of a job if ur 60ft up a tree can you? If there was an accident first thing Hse would say is why is foreman 60ft up a tree. I'm not saying foreman shouldn't climb at all! But the foreman is in charge of the job! He's not fully in charge up a tree is he?

If your a small outfit then chances are the lead climber is the foreman! But in large companies such as one I work for this is definitely not the case at all! A lot of our teams have excellent climbers that climb and foreman that take charge of the job.

 

I've managed it for 20 years

[Mark Bolam]

I'm inclined to agree with Grumpy Dave.

My groundie Stevo basically acts as foreman while I climb, he is better placed than me to deal with public, boss brash draggers, set the pace of the job so it gets done as quickly and efficiently as possible etc.

Leaves me to concentrate on climbing.

 

I know what you're saying though, Huck.

A good foreman should ideally be an experienced climber as well.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[Joe Newton]

Sooo, how much should a foreman earn?

 

I agree with the above though, a good climber doesn't necessarily make a good team leader, and vice versa. I consider myself a reasonable climber, no more or less, and I'm pretty good with sharing the little I know with newer climbers. I'm a poor team leader though, and seem to be more pally with the newer guys, rather than being harsh when it's needed.