Rick2517

Thanks Paul, That sounds about right with regards to the moaning guy, try to do a good dead and people take advantage!! We do have a 4x4 so I think tacticle work planning is the key. Also taking grit to site sounds like a good plan to.

Haha thanks for that mate il give it some thought! Hang on I had to pick you up, does this mean I pay you half

Hi mate thanks allot, it took allot of hard work to get this. To be honest I can't remember if there was anything in the back, I think not because I took the pics just after getting the graphics sorted. But yes it does sit low, and handles like a cruise ship when fully loaded, however careful driving is the key and the prose definitely out way the cons. I have been meaning to get the truck to our mechanic and get helper springs installed I think this along with trying hard not to overload will help allot. Cheers Rich

Hi guys, Seams like a logical time to ask this question as I'm sure there are many employers out there trying to keep things going throughout the bad weather were currently having. I currently have 3 guys on the books on full time contracts, I also use labor only sub contractors, I tend to be rather good at keeping things going and everyone busy but the one spanner in my works is "snow days" We try very hard not to let the weather get the better of us but it seams the snow is the only thing that stops us getting out there and completing the work. I do keep a stock of un processed hard wood that two guys can go on logging to cover there income and the third tends to do odd jobs and admin in the office. However this can only keep us going for a few days. I've also considered investing into some snow plough and gritting gear but when looking into the figures I'm finding it hard to justify spending so much money on kit that may not get used for a hole year! So how do you get around this issue?? Do you lay the guys off?, take the chance and send the guys out?..... Any advice will be greatly appreciated Many thanks Rich

Hi mate, I had this 110 hi cap built for us this time last year by marks team at the defender centre. Firstly I've found the defender such a versatile and appropriate tool for our work I have just ordered an brand new 130 which will be coming in April. We carry out mainly domestic work so having the smaller vehicle has been great for the bad access jobs and There has been a fair few jobs that we simply would not have won without its capabilities. Now il be honest and say that I found the communication with mark to be a little slow at times however we did always get there in the end. The standard of work is on par with what you pay for! What I mean by this is we had our transit converted by a company near us and the standard of work is noticeably better and more durable however there price for conversion was about £3k more!! Also what I must add is we did get an oil leak problem within the warrantee period and they paid for the work to be sorted without fuss. My honest opinion depending on you're financial position is to by new and don't scrimp on anything. This way you're have an outstanding vehicle that will pay for its self over and over and potentially last a life time if looked after!, also I've been informed that the defender (as we know it) will be going out of service within the next few years so for me it's seems like the last chance to buy new.

Diameter is 1000 mm and yes it is a stand alone......... To be honest I'm just trying to find out a little about exploratory trenches. This situation is from a tree survey and plans I looked at on the net and wanted to learn about exploratory trenches etc. Cheers Sean

Hi....the above post is from me arb talk member Sean. I didn't realise the computer I am using was still logged in under a different member. If a moderator could please change this thread to Sean's thread if possible it would be appreciated. Cheers Sean

This situation is purely hyperthetical as I am trying to expand my tree knowledge and move 'underground' as the tree root system is an area I have neglected somewhat. A TPO'd oak tree with an RPA of 452m2. There is a proposed development which will encroach into the RPA by 2 to 3 mtrs. Assuming the presence of roots which is very likely, exploratory trenches are to be dug to explore the practicality of extension within the RPA whilst ensuring the continued health of the tree. The canopy spread is approx 4 mtrs from the stem. What dimensions generally should the trench be dug? or should an airspade be used if possible to avoid too much unnecessary damage to roots which I presume would only be at a depth of approx 30 cm at this distance from the stem. Anyway any help/info would be appreciated. Regards Sean

I'm forever tying to get rid of my coni logs, personally I think there under rated. We've been giving lots to a few guys for the last 3 years and its all they burn, it keeps the house warm and its free. I don't know why it's so hard to give away free fuel!

Another big incentive for me was when my accountant told me I can claim back all VAT on purchases for the last 2 years (not 100% sure if it was 2, maybe more)

I fought against the VAT fresh hold for a wile and one day it hit me that I was actually holding my business back and stoping it reaching its full potential because I was scared to become VAT registered as I thought I would loose all of my work. So I just put my head down and went for it and told myself that I would never me scared of doing whatever it takes to grow. that was 18 months ago and since then my business has tripled its work load and 90% of it is domestic running Ive just found that by being honest and providing a great service (and working like a dog) pays off. My advice is see going VAT registered as a celebration at it means you are going in the right direction. good luck mate

Of course you need to earn a living and have a quality of life. Everyone wants different things from there business some want to get rich some are happy taking less and sharing more out, im just agreeing with the guys outlook on his business. Of course not everyone will have the same feelings about it. After all its a bloody hard industry to work in yet alone run a business in so why shouldn't the financial benefits pay off!! As life goes on my feelings may change but right now thats how im looking at it.

sounds like you have a great business model there mate. You dont have to be earning big bucks to be successful in business. I would prefer to earn less then my employees and have a fantastic efficient business that has great team moral, top of the range equipment, steady growth and the ability to run its self without the constant managing by the owner. In my eyes these are all the things a business must have before you even think about taking money from it and I get more satisfaction from running a business in this way then any amount of money will give me and im glad im not alone....

I may be wrong but I'm not sure it is a legal must to pay employees sick pay! I do but I know of a few that does not and I don't blame them!!

Sounds like you're situation is perfect for what you are trying to achieve, I would love to have a nice bit of land that I could use as a yard.

Only worry/thing to look into if it was me is what the complications of housing the work shop you have will be, is it a garage attached to the house in a residential area? do you have or will you be able to get change of use and if so what would the business rates and overheads be? If you where to bring in timber and build something from it and then sell it there I think you may come under industrial use!! I'm no expert and this maybe something you have looked into. Also take time to write a good business plan (if not already done so) there are loads of free templates online or I can send you one if you wish. Good luck rich

I also get the feeling that you may be the type of guy who sees "obstacles" as un passable brick walls! Every time you hit an obstacle make it you're challenge to find the way to get passed it and not just turn away from it. I mite have you wrong and it's hard to say by going on the posts you have made so please don't be offended if I'm wrong. I think it would be a really good idea to post all of you're achievements on here at the end of every day up until you get a job: today I rang 2 companies and said this and today I bought myself a push bike so I'm now mobile..... That sort of thing. it will be great learning material for others in the same situation and also it will give you the drive to get things done knowing that if you slide into a sorry state of negative thinking then people on here will give you stick for it!! All negatives have a hidden positive an example in ure situation is: negative= I live bloody miles away and have no car Positive= I cycle 40 miles a day to carry out my daily work which means I am highly motivated, willing to do what it takes to get things done and as fit as a fiddle. Negative= I live in a antisocial village where it's every man for himself and know body wants to help me. Positive: I have been brought up in a non urban environment where work is tough and I have learnt to get by by graft and survival of the fittest, I do not spend my time drinking my evenings away in the local boozer with the village idiots as instead I spend my time in the evening when it is to dark to be out looking for work on the Internet researching and looking for the advise I need to get my feet back on the ground and into work... Good luck mate and il be looking out for you're posts to see how youre getting on.

Is there not a friend that will lend you a push bike in the village ?

I wouldn't ring any employer for reasons that have already been said by others. I'm an employer and to be honest I very rarely take up guys who ring up asking for work unless the timing is lucky and at that moment I had just been let down or needed a hand for a big upcoming job I've just booked in. But if someone was to get my address from the yellow pages, get on there push bike, ride 20 miles in the rain and knock on my door to tell me there story and say that they would be more then happy doing it every day if its what it takes to get on the ladder then that paints a completely different story. It wouldn't matter to me what qualifications you did or did not have, because you would have ticked the most important box for an employer...... Just a thought!! P.s please don't cycle to my house tonight and bang on my door. I'm going to bed :-)

Hi mate, I've got a company in bristol and I'm keen to help ex service guys out as much as I can. If you need any advice or was up for straying as far as bristol for some work/experience then get in touch: 07825046597 Tree Arborist and Tree Surgeon Bristol: Commercial and Residential Tree Surgery, Stump Removal,Tree Removal,Hedge Trimming in Bristol, Bath and surrounding areas Rich

This is my first year of doing logs, my first potential customer wouldn't let me deliver on the Tuesday the following week as he looked at the weather forecast and it said it will be raining and as I refused to promiss that the timber will not get wet he didn't want the order!! Customers don't understand the essentials and practice needs of firewood, instead of stressing about it I went to the local saw mill and believe it or not struck a really good deal with them to take all the processed hard wood we could produce. Not as much profit for me but stress free and allows me to concentrate on what where good at, "cutting trees". I do feel you're pain mate but I think you will have many more interesting customers to come so stock up on that cizer "as we say in the south west"

Lol I'm so glad that there is such a difference of opinion on this as I'm the tree surgeon who is next to the poster and I really struggled to guess what it was! I was leaning towards Sitka with sum pop and willow mixed in there "and the odd off cut of palet wood" it was a real shoddy sale and the seller should be ashamed and the bad quality and quantity of wood supplied. Also I did a moisture reading and it came in at an average of 28%

I have an electric Ryco a12 splitter. We use it all day long usually 1 day per week to split knotty arb waist, I am yet to find a bad thing to say about it. Can't comment on petral but we did use a pto one at first and the noise all day long was horrible!

I use shipping containers, I have an alarm system installed that directly alerts the police if it is activated. I've had one fouls alarm and the police where there in 4minutes!! A way that I considered combating the gas axes was to fill bulk bags with woodchip and use them to completely cover all sides and top of the container and then park the van (also alarmed) in front of the doors. Make shore everything inside is chained and locked. The key to security is not to try and stop them because you never will but slow them down as much as possible so they ether give up, take the easier option or get caught. Another tip is to leave a few old saws on a shelf, this will give them something to take and think they've got there money's worth, and leave with a bunch of old battered saws that isn't going to send you're company under. But most importantly GET INSURENCE!!!

I would give it a good go! Ask the neighbour for evidence and give him 4 weeks to reply, if nothing comes back then send him the bill and wait another 4 weeks if no reply fill out a small claims court summons form on line (pay £25) and add that to the bill!! This is Just how I would go about it, weather it would stick or not is down to the people involved but I'm pretty sure from my experience that sooner or later somebody will pay.