jose

Just to add he wouldnt be doing all the admin side either. he would look at the job and make some notes but all calls, emails quote writing etc is done by the mother in law.

totally agree with the thought that they do have the carefree attitude that if they dont get it its no loss. Easier to price higher when if you get it or not your wage is still coming at the end of the month regardless. My guy knows i am away, hes been a good friend and worked with me for many years ( 5+). In the past he has priced for me when i was away for a few days. got a few jobs, others he was too steep. I have tried to sit down with him and find out the problem but to no joy. Ive just taken him on full time employee, given a 20% pay rise along with all the other benefits of been employed vs self employed. He knows that he is the foreman, if im not there he takes the lead. does sometime even if im there! i dont mind if its driving the job forward to a conclusion. tomorrow is day 9 of him sulking like a 16 year old! Hes 26. ive no idea if he is really bored or has other issue perhaps at home but for what ever reason he seems to be projecting his negativity towards me and its making the team ( i have another guy) a tense and unhappy place to be working in. Oh the joy of being the boss!

Thanks guys. Yes i would normally let my lead climber quote for me but for some reason he has taken a dive for the worse with regards to work. Says hes bored and is thinking of another career! Just what i dont want before i go away. Normally he would be spot on but lately hes been very hard work to work with and shows no sign of improving. Way hes going im not sure id want to risk asking him! But under normal circumstances i would ask him. if Anything he prices better then me! I am taking the family and dont want to waste it working. I am going to Cypress, never been before. A good friend is getting married out there hence the location but i do hear good things.

Yes proper one in 8 yrs! i really dont want to be checking emails as i know that this turns into a few hrs and if possible phone calls too to get things sorted! I think you got it spot on Daniel, i think that will be my basis for how i deal with it. Cheers guys

Hi there I am looking to find a climber for 2-3 days a week on a free lance basis to aid the flow of things. We cover the Bracknell , Wokingham, sandhurst Ascot and out towards reading areas. Experience required , i have one guy learning already thanks. Please pm me if interested. Cheers

cheers for the repleys guys. yes i think thats the way forward, change the answer phone and check the emails every day/otherday. Cheers

Quick question when you go on holiday what do you do regarding customers after quotes? I am going on a real holiday for the first time in like 8 yrs plus and unsure what to do with the pricing side of things. I have a couple of employees who will be working still but if they are working then they cant be pricing at the same time. Also i employ them as climbers/ workers and not to do admin side of things. i dont think they would like to be doing this after work (that pleasure is all mine as owner). Do you bosses out there change the answer phone to say you are unavailable for pricing for the next 2 weeks? Last thing i want to do is spend half my hols down in a internet cafe responding to email! Experiences/ advice very welcome ps i have plenty of work on to cover the time im away and then some after i get back. Many thanks

Thank you for the offer. I am always happy to give them to you, your sister or anybody else that may need them ( as long as its not to far away). Feel free to pm me or give me a buzz on 07867523823 Many thanks Jose

i would but unfortunately its quite far from the road. though i might see what i can do! Thanks

Job changed spec on me today and im left with about 4 transit loads of conifer logs that i need to dispose of tomorrow in Sunninghill, berks ( near Ascot race course). if close by i can drop off. Worse case ill have to pay to dispose but if anybody want them let me know. Cheers

Just wondering what if any shows were coming up this summer? Was planning to go to the APF for the first time only to find out its not on this year! im down south way so not going to travel to Scotland or such tbh but if its within a reasonable distance ill drop by. Cheers

Get well soon. Dare i ask what led the GP to look for it? ie signs to be aware off.

Hi all still on the look out is anybody may be free. cheers

Hi all I need a climber for the day on the 24th of June (wednesday). Got a couple of Oaks to lightly thin and dead wood. Anybody after a day? Job is in Farnborough, Hampshire. Please email me back or give me a call on 07867523823. Many thanks Jose

Keen to see the pics as thats exactly what i am planning to do. Was going to go the new route but started to get into silly money.

perhaps a bit random but if you have the necessary license ( up 7.5 ton i guessing) could you get this legally upgraded with regards to weight carrying? as i gather empty they are about 3 ton or so. but it would handle a tipper back and weight no problem.

I would like to clarify some things then. Run a 3.5 ton Vauxhall movano and a small chipper under 750 kg. as I underts it I am ok with the licenses but tachographs? We drive to work, notarise for a job. We are always local, maximum we go Is 20 miles. So driving normally is 20 minutes tops 95% of the time. We do tree work so we have non processed logs and clippings we remove from site but these I give away. I don't get any reward or payment for these ( please none of the " I sell all of mine all the time comments". If I could I would!). If I get heavy machinery in I hire this and have it delivered. Do I need a tacho? Many thanks

and i thought the current crop were all show boats. That thin is never going to see work, just posing!

Ducann ground works over in lightwater take it. £30 per van. Can be logs or chips. easy to get to from the m3.

love it. would have one but steering wheels on the wrong side:001_tongue: also would never fit in any parking space in the whole of the uk. and also for me its over weight before i even sat in it( they weigh someting silly like 3.6tonne or so) otherwise id be game on!

you've been dealt a hard set of cards there bud. Always remember that no matter the final outcome ( paralysed) which is a massive life changing event in its self and i dont want to make it sound anything less , you have you family there for you but also you are there for them! That is very important. your still a father , brother, son. if theres anything i can do let me know.

HI guys I am VAT registered and was charging a minimum of £600+VAT a day which i didnt think is/was too cheap. crappy thing is ive maintained my prices this year and i am not getting half the work i price. Even if i give keen prices i seem to be undercut to the point i think its just not worth it. I am not going to work just to keep working, i am in this game to earn a profit to pay for other things in my life (taxes most likely lol). Not thought about leasing, ive always normally bought outright and then look after it and keep it for as long as it earns its keep.

Hi guys Yes i checked and got my accountant to double check. Because its a 4x4 but all enclosed ( jeep commander) the tax man classed this as a car. I knew it when i bought it but i was going through a low after losing my brother and it was a bit of an impulse buy tbh but ive no regrets. Yes last year i had 8-10 weeks constant, and that was with a lot of saturdays too. When i got to 10 weeks i started telling people before coming out to quote as about 50% would say not to bother as they dont want to wait that long. Its good to be busy but that busy was getting stressful. Flip side is having anything less than 3 weeks i start to worry too. Cant really win lol.

Thanks for the replies guys. Yes I am financially doing well, last year was my best so far. This year is slow to get going but I'm doing well enough to pay the bills and have left over. I am ok at fixing things but don't have the space or time to do much. Definately not a mechanic but can get by with the smaller stuff. Bigger jobs I find garages have better set ups and by the time I've spent money and time on the tools they would have had me fixed and on the road again. 2nd truck would have been handy this week as my main truck was off for a warranty repair and had to hire s truck In (a damn ldv). I've been tossing and turning over this for ages but I think I will have to got for it! If I get a 4x4 truck I can then sell my 4x4 have have a cheaper smaller runabout whiich will save me quite a bit of £ because I can't claim business use as its a 4x4 which the tax man calls a car as opposed to a pick up. Cheers guys