Would you use a rent a clear up crew ???

[Treechopper36]

Id like to get opinions on something I've thinking about doing for a number of years but am unsure if there's the demand for it.

The basic concept is of a "one stop chipping service" Id be offering a large chipper and a truck with hiab facilities to remove chip and timber plus 2 men.

The idea is to assist the standard tree surgery outfit ie transit tipper and 6 inch chipper gangs on larger jobs where logistics of waste (chip & unwanted timber)

mean that they're unable to be competitive.

I'm interested to get some constructive feed back from business owners as to if this is something that would be a real workable solution also as this business would not be offering tree work at all so there's no problems with conflict of interest.

[richy_B]

Why not just offer tree work? You might get some interest but sub contractor rates will be lower and you might find you have to be very flexible (leading to quite a bit of down time).

[Billy]

I've considered this, didn't seem practical as 2 guys with a 9-18" chipper and 18t lorry must be worth £4-500 or so if put to work effectively. In many cases the people your wanting to hire you wont realise what you can shift in a day and and may not have a team used to getting gear down and out at a speed to make it all pay. Or they're losing the jobs where you could be of use to competitors with the kit and the knowledge to put it to work effectively, in the latter example it won't be competitive to outsource the service when quoting against firms with the kit as it doesn't cost much more to run than smaller stuff. So would be a tricky service to provide and make any money. Maybe just one man and the lorry would be better.

[richy_B]

I'd say one guy and chipper could be a good option. You could have a 2 hour minimum then half day and full day rate.

 

I'd probably target larger Grounds Maintenance contractors working on LA contracts. This could be useful to them.

[Mark Bolam]

I agree with Billy.

It might be a useful add-on service, but I doubt you'd make a living at it.

I run a typical Tranny and TW show, and look at bigger jobs and recommend bigger outfits who would slay me on price anyway.

I team up with lads with bigger stuff when it suits, but it's not often.

[Treechopper36]

Im viewing potential vehicles next week looking towards 18t with timber grab hiab as for chipper it will be a vermeer bc2100xl if figures are viable the operators licence is sorted as is an operating base with bulk storage for chip Id like to get this off the ground but the investment is stacking up

[Treechopper36]

I've got to go out so wont be replying but will greatly appreciate any input

[Billy]

Im viewing potential vehicles next week looking towards 18t with timber grab hiab as for chipper it will be a vermeer bc2100xl if figures are viable the operators licence is sorted as is an operating base with bulk storage for chip Id like to get this off the ground but the investment is stacking up

 

 

If your buying it all just to do it, I would think extremely carefully about it. Unless you're also going to use the gear for your own jobs or have lots of timber haulage work lined up between helping arbs its a bit dodgy....and an 18t won't be very competitive hauling timber.

[walkerboys]

What areas would you cover? do you have rates in mind?do you reduce your rates for good timber?do you charge extra when stuck with a massive conifer hedge?as said before I think it would be a good side line to a large tree company for landscapers and fencers

[jose]

its something i would consider in certain situations. i am a small set up without the bigger machinery so i would definitely use it if made logistical sense.

but as said if u were investing in the kit just for this then no.

As a side line yes, sole venture no.

 

Too many established firms existing that could do this already ( as already have the kit) but dont seem too. Must be a reason for that.