Billy

I can't remover exactly what I pay but I had to add it on last year and it was quite steep about £50 for the last month of policy

I've got 110 tipper, as above they are great for getting into places you wouldn't get other tippers to winching out stumps etc, but like all cat B vehicles the payload isn't enough. WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

Mitsubishi canter is lightest in class the isuzu grafter is similar the S&B canter is only 2350kg as a chassis cab iirc. So potential for 4t payload with light body and few passengers. I've applied for a no license recently it was £1200 all in including getting someone to do it all for me. Also I'm 25 and paying for myself and slightly you get employee to gain all licenses, I still think it will be a very good move and bring efficiency to another level. WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

Where are you based ? WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

I got a quote off NFU for £700 for a grafter 7.5 for two 25 year olds, that seems steep unless you're younger? WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

Whoever you change to you should be able to have your number porter over with the PUK ( or maybe PUC?) code.

In the UK we even have a chipper qualification !

He's not showing off you are just jealous. It wouldn't be accurate if he posted faked pictures of a clapped out corsa and pink and whites for lunch as he actually drives a nice defender a Porsche and eats well. There are plenty of pictures of good tree work in here, far more than those of personal belongings etc. I like the thread always interesting to see what Chris is up to and how someone else develops their business etc. Instead of being bitter about it why not look at the material side of what's shown here and use it as inspiration to go far in this industry as you've now seen what it can buy you ! WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

Could you post some pics of your truck please Peter, sounds great. Is it that bob tailed Iveco from a few years ago? I don't recall seeing it with a chip box on though. Who buys conifer cord? WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

271494940651 This DAF looks a nice bit of kit and a 5t payload even with that hefty body on it. WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

Mitsubishi do a 4x4 Canter in 7.5t there was one on ebay a while ago. Also there's plenty of 10/12/16t 4x4 tipper lorries about on there if that's what you require. But IMO for any serious off road work a lorry either won't fit or it's shear weight and or lack of ground clearance will likely get it stuck anyway so the landy would be the best tool for that. I totally agree with Bob, once I realised how much time we wasted messing about emptying small trucks and trailers and start to add it all up waiting for my O-license application to be processed is extremely frustrating! WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

But when/if I buy myself an artic I'd probably be able to do the driving myself having to train every driver you have to that level is a costly and time consuming process. WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

Furthermore you can train for C1+E in a 5t mwb daily with a small trailer which should be easy for anyone with B+E

I'm in a similar position to you curt early emptying my landy 3-4 times a day or more on larger jobs but most average days we'll fill it twice. The main problems with going over 7.5t that I see are if you want a proper chipper (750kg+) you and your employees will need C+ E which means training and test to drive a artic although in reality you'll only be driving a very small 16t. And if your guys aren't all ace drivers the training for this could run Into a lot of time and money. 2nd problem although a large rigid lorry with crane etc would be awesome for capacity and cutting down on manual handling the benefits will be void if you can't fit it in the driveway or the customer won't let you put it on the driveway, then having to use a tiny landy instead would e even more frustrating. I'm applying for a 3 vehicle o license and first truck will be a canter or isuzu 7.5t big payload but small I size 4 landy loads oaf into one load will save hours of time wasted driving during each day . The bigger toys can come later as on the right job they can be excellent but IMO shouldn't be a companies sole vehicle.

How do you define big, not so big and small? WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

Always in my pocket as has been said first to answer gets the job fairly often. Peter what Bluetooth earpiece do you use to fit under your ear defenders? WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

I would go for a slightly cheaper truck, single cab as I mentioned above and stretch to a bigger/better chipper WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

Charge what you're worth, as an employer I'd happily pay the top end of the scale for someone who will come and get a big job done in good time, rather than signing claiming it's not feasible in the time etc etc. I had a guy last year who would kick off when presented with a half decent sized tree/job, it's a real pain and when you've had to get harness on too finish the job I begrudge paying the rate! WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

That's fine, if you don't need the work but I presume you wouldn't have started this thread if that wasn't an issue WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

Nice defender! They do a 75 Daily now too. Also the isuzu NQRhas a mega payload and5.2L engine better than the Ivecos if a little more expensive. WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

Seems strange so many are keen to pay accountant rates for book keeping , if your unable or don't want to put the effort into creating a spreadsheet or cash book plenty of people will so it for less than an accountant.

I see, but surely as a sole trader if your making 30k profit on one return and 30k on another your still one person making 60k and would incur the relevant taxes and only have one tax free allowance etc. unless one or both are a Ltd company I don't see how that could work. VAT threshold is £81k this year. WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

I am employ one guy alongside various sub contractors, having dependable labour everyday is invaluable costs seem fine to me if your paying him employed rates I.e not whatever you were paying SE then swallowing all the NICs and income tax yourself. WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

Would you care to elaborate on why splitting the company into two is more tax efficient? Is it to avoid hitting the VAT threshold ? WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk

Seems an odd way to do it, if you took 3 groundsmen 4 of you could probably do it In a day with them clearing as you cut, providing you can climb fast enough to keep them dragging. WM Tree Services http://www.bestkenttreesurgeons.co.uk