gibbon

They look at everything, then finish the day with the cough test.

Unless you get approved and get to quote for all those jobs that just go to aaac's.

I guess those problems arise when a firm wins a big contract then needs to employ a load of halfwits to get it done. Its tricky, if you stay small you can control quality of work but will you ever earn enough to back survive right through to 65? If you develop your business bigger it must get harder to keep on top of those things. Perhaps some just give up on quality and get greedy for the cash.

Because I am in an area where there are already 3 other AAAC firms within 10 miles. When I became self employed 4 years ago I was pricing against these firms and about 3 or 4 who were not aaac. The other firms were shonky on h&s and shonky on quality of work and still are. If you are a new name in the domestic market you need to be cheap to get the work in the first place to build the reputation. I was pricing against the shonky cutters and it bothered me. My LA approached me, as did the national trust, as I knew them through my previous employment. They both wanted to use me personally but encouraged me to get approaved to meet internal pressuresd to use approaved firms. I hear what your saying about why have someone tell you your good. If I wasn't aaac I would still be turning out good work, but I did learn a lot from the process. My employees benifit the most as they get more training and a more secure job. The whole assesment process demostrated to them that I was serious about training them up well and helping them progress their own careers.

I tried steves willy on reccomendation but it wasn't for me. I tried him once but he didn't return my call, I felt used.

I'm a member of AA and have been AAAC for 1 year. I am still unsure as to whether or not its really going to make a difference long term, but I hope so. What I do know is that currently the AAAC scheme is the only such assesment that asseses every part of your company. It is rigourous and there is a load of bol***ks involved but if you believe that you are doing good work to a high standard why would you not want some kind of recognition for it? It is the only thing that sets you appart from all those shonky cutters out there. Lets face it anyone can get an nptc and insurance but very few have what it takes to reach aaac. If you can do it then why not. I reckon it cost me less than a grand and a whole lot of hours work. The referrals I get from it pay for the annual fee.

As a 3 man company its possible. Thats what we are and we got through it last year. PM me if you want a hand.

What insurance would be required?

I did mine about six weeks ago, only really suffered for about 10 days. Good luck

When my kind friends send some over this stuff is the nectar. Best rum and coke in the world

I had 6 years experience under my belt before I did an FdSc. I found it extremely usefull. Don't knock a qualification if you havent got it yourself as you won't appreciate the work the graduate did to acheive it.

Thanks Steve. . They did try to put me through to my local office who were less than useless. I will try your willy again this week.

I was never a fan of Maccy's until we visited Monterey Bay, California.

Relax and forget they are there

Nice photos. I used to do work for the NT around Clovelly. The head warden shaped my surfboards so it was always half a days work then surf the rest of the day. Good times!

NFU refused to give me a quote cos I don't already have any insurance with them. Hardly good business sense

Just what I was thinking

Where in the SW are you? Have you tried some of the smaller firms for sub-contracted work? Highline are always taking staff on if you are looking for kine cutting.

Hello VOSA!

I have been thinking of using db rope instead of slings as attachments for crane work? What I was thinking was 4 x 3or4m 16mm ropes, 1 or 2 on each chain. It would be cheaper than slings and more versitile allowing various combinations of knots and half hitches to balance brash. I always switch to chains for big lumps of timber. Anyone use ropes like this instead of slings? Any pros or cons?

I've got a dead 357 in the shed if you are looking for a 2nd hand one

Felled a crack head in San Isidro. Does that count?

Just sent you a pm