£38K is the current UK average wage, are business owners working for less??

[Big J]

It would seem unwise to draw a salary of that size from the business. If I didn't keep buying new kit then I could, but each new machine I buy improves my efficiency and increases my output. There are so many tax deductible perks of self employment, I'm not sure why you would put yourself in a position to have a substantial tax bill. That being said, if I start making millions, I'll happily pay the tax bill and take my holiday in the Maldives!

[swinny]

It would seem unwise to draw a salary of that size from the business. If I didn't keep buying new kit then I could, but each new machine I buy improves my efficiency and increases my output. There are so many tax deductible perks of self employment, I'm not sure why you would put yourself in a position to have a substantial tax bill. That being said, if I start making millions, I'll happily pay the tax bill and take my holiday in the Maldives!

 

[nailer]

I'm not talking millions.. I'm talking £50k+. If we need kit I buy it, but once you have climbing kit, saws, truck and chipper what else do you need? Timber milling, stump grinding or log processing etc. are different lines of work that only distract from the most profitable part of the business, and that's pruning and felling trees for private customers in the £250 - £1,200 price range. That's only the way we work and it's clearly not for everyone... if you want loads of different kit and variety of work then that's not for you. But if you love climbing and want more income, less business complications to deal with, and without having to finance all manner of different kit, then specialising in one skill will help.

[oldwoodcutter]

yep, a decent firm... as in a crew that know what they're doing and work well as a team.. like loads on this forum. Nothing exceptional needed. I'm just saying the marketing is what makes the difference in making better money and £50k+ should be a target for any tree company owner. Takes a lot of time and hard work but definitely do-able. A good climber on 180 a day doing 5 days a week, 2 weeks off in the summer and 2 weeks off at Christmas would make £43k and that's with no hassles of running a firm.

 

To draw £50k in wages for yourself out of the business, I suspect there is either a blinking lot of tree work to do in your area, or that you have little competition. These are figures I can only dream about,and I reckon I'm not alone on here. Fair play to you to achieve that.

[Rob D]

yep, a decent firm... as in a crew that know what they're doing and work well as a team.. like loads on this forum. Nothing exceptional needed. I'm just saying the marketing is what makes the difference in making better money and £50k+ should be a target for any tree company owner. Takes a lot of time and hard work but definitely do-able. A good climber on 180 a day doing 5 days a week, 2 weeks off in the summer and 2 weeks off at Christmas would make £43k and that's with no hassles of running a firm.

 

 

 

I totally agree - it's not the sausage you're selling it's the sizzle! Smart work clothes, professionally sign written and branded company, smart quotes on headed paper, good local advertising using all mediums ie local fairs/newspapers/websites etc. Good manners towards customers from all staff - taking the time to talk and build up a good relationship with a customer... People are prepared to pay more.

 

 

I always regret my dashing around madly and scratching out quotes on whatever paper was floating round the truck at the time - never had time in the evenings... never seemed to ever have any time...

 

 

 

 

[Ty Korrigan]

Personally, I think a 50k gross salary is a pipe dream for most running a small U.K tree firm with 2-3 staff.

Here in France it's purist fantasy.

Ty

[Johny Walker]

Personally, I think a 50k gross salary is a pipe dream for most running a small U.K tree firm with 2-3 staff.

Here in France it's purist fantasy.

Ty

 

some will need that to fund there life style ,big morgage,flash car ,expencive hols, big tv,, etc,etc !!

[Mick Dempsey]

some will need that to fund there life style ,big morgage,flash car ,expencive hols, big tv,, etc,etc !!

 

Is there something wrong with using your hard earned money to pay for those things?

[Johny Walker]

Is there something wrong with using your hard earned money to pay for those things?

 

not @ all,

[Stephen Blair]

I totally agree with Nailer, you need to look the part, have a good squad and then just hit the ground running.

People will see you are good, everyone feels good and things just flow.

All it takes though is a bad customer, a bad employee or something else to distract you and within a couple of months you can be back to scratch and it's very hard to get back up there trust me I know!

Consistency,confidence and cash flow.