Doug Blease

Just apply along with your other application. Not only will you get it in writing, but you are TOTALLY covered either way.

Steve, I bought my canopy for my pick up from Proppa. Nightmare for geting it delivered. But I did manage to haggle. The sales desk people are on targets. So ring last thing of the day and be cheeky. Someone might be desperate to clinch a deal. Got over £100 and free cheapo ladder rack. The fittings were crap though. Had to get it drilled and bolted.

Was that not just a height restriction in Europe for rope and harness work?

A good place to start would be to find out which qualifications you require for the type of work you need to undertake. Contact your training centre, they will tell you if there is presently funding available. You can apply for business grants through business gateway I think. But you may have to prove that you are creating additional employment, or that the tax payer is getting value for money for their investment in you. Have you considered employing someone who is already qualified?

Hamadryad, It is possible as a business owner to employ a fully experienced fencer. Then your business is the master of two skills.

I dont think it looks TOO bad had that been the spec, at least the shape is uniform. You probably had a few options there. If all the instructions you had were "cut it back as hard as you can". Then that would have been some kind of awful pollard. Its up to you to educate your clients as to the arboricultural options. If it were me (hindisight I know) I think a crown lift and thin plus your work on the neighbours side would have left a much more natural tree. The quote would probably have been the same, less climbing, happier customer, probably back to work on the tree again in three-five years, happier tree. I think you might end up with clumps of bushy growth around your pruning cuts. Which wont look good in years to come. Dont get me wrong. I have done this to Beech trees also, but only when full crown reductions were on the job sheet. Not being employed anymore, I tend to try and sell a reduction by thinning out the larger/mishapen limbs altogether and encouraging good structural growth in the medium sized canopy. This way, aethetically you still have a tree, not a shrub. Its smaller, less sail and generally the passers by do not even realise the tree has been worked on. But the job is complete and the objective of reducing the canopy is achieved. Just a bit of customer communication errors mate. Thats all.

Hi all, My cousin is currently looking for work in the above area for this year. He has no UK arb/tree experience, but has been working in horticulture in Austrailia until recently. I can assure that he is intelligent (physics degree), physically extremely fit, has a clean driving license, will work hard, be reliable and open minded. I believe he is basically looking for work to raise some money before returning to Austrailia. Therefore will not be demanding a high wage or putting pressure for formal training. Just providing good labour for an appropriate wage. He hasnt asked me to post this, but thought I might try and help him out. I wish I had remained abroad when I had the chance and dont want to see his chance fail because of a lack of employment. If anyone can help, please let me know and I will pass on a phone number. Cheers

I am watching this thread with interest as I am struggling with a decision. Whether to remain in the industry after my degree has finished, or to look into new sectors and become employed. Personally, I feel I am qualified to diversify greatly if I remain in business. I am enthusiastic about the industry and would like to create employment in my area.

On my recent LOLER course we were told that engraving along the spine is acceptable. Some peoples ID numbers are quite long and wouldnt fit on the barrell.

Get someone to come and veteranise the remainding damaged trees. That will change the view from the Sanbanks properties. I used to windusrf in Poole harbour regularly. I loved it. Shame to populate it with such uncaring people.

I have had an amazing amount of calls for logs, despite not really doing firewood commercially and plenty of people selling it round here. Seriously thinking of doing it on a bigger scale.

Choose your retailer. They should all have one/get one for you.

Thats interesting, thanks Matt.

That makes sense. Sorry, I didnt make the connection with the attachment points. Alway use three way, kwicklock style crabs. I dont own a snap lock style attachment. Thanks DB

Amazing workmanship. Someday I would love to do that.

Why would WCFL not be suitable for a second system when general climbing? I do the same as you Tom. Ideal work postioning for my type of climbing.

Genset Steve, I understand what your saying. I am in the same position really. Not tens of thousands of assets to protect. So the benefits for me will perhaps be tax, how clients perceive my business and a simultaneous introduction to the VAT system. Credit check is such a standard thing these days, if you have a good score then there should be no problem in people checking it out. DB

Ha ha, thanks Matt. That sounds like a decent price for all that accountancy. Not sure if you actually needed a plumber or if you had attempted some accountancy yourself! But I know what you mean. Thats all great info guys. I will let you know what the accountant is saying regards this. But it sounds like the way to go for the future. Thanks again. Doug

Was it a pain when you turned VAT registered and LTD from a sole trader Matt?

Do you then pay VAT on the sales for those 2/3 years?

Hi SWB, Never in an overdraft. Making a profit but not 25K, but have only been on a three day week since 2007. I guessed the accountant would give me a bigger bill for kmore work, but thats fair enough. Are you still LTD?

Oh god dillsue your losing me a bit. Sounds good though. I have written that down in my notes to ask about a Flat Rate Scheme.

Matt, thanks. Seems to be some confusion here about whether or not I could claim VAT on previous purchases. But I will find out asap from the accountant. I was going to go voluntary VAT registered if that makes any difference. Thanks Dave also. Starting to get the picture now.

Thanks, Not world domination. Whats has happened is that I downscaled from small business owner, to employee four/five years ago. (Wanted to move back to Scotland/got a senior arborist job to facilitate the move). Then decided to complete some education which the full time job wouldnt support. Therefore I left and became "Mr Freelance Aberdeen 2007". This has worked out really well with the help of my wonderful arb colleagues. Now I am nearing the end of my degree and there is nothing I would like more than to use my new range of skills alongside my Arb exp and interest in sustainable forestry. Demand for my services is increasing with no advertising, so I am planning to go for it at the moment. I certainly dont want to dominate anything, but more partnership working with forward thinking companies/organisations. It makes sense to me that if I become a larger business, then LTD should be the way forward. Scheduling another meeting with the accountant soon. Thanks a million guys. Any other advice is readily accepted.

Thanks guys, this is all good info. Keep it coming.