Joe Newton

Fell and replace sooner rather than later. It could carry on for another decade or two, but then it's a much bigger tree with a compromised base, and your tree surgeon will roll his eyes when you ask why it's going to be more expensive.

Look who's back. Tick tock, Mr Wick

I've had a few pairs of salewas. Don't climb in them anymore as i like my arbpros, but they were great for pruning. Bit flimsy for spiking all day in.

Yeah your right. I chose financial instability and less money for the priveledge of dragging my sorry arse round an underquoted slimy tip reduction in the wind and rain for a day rate, while the pricks on the ground watched. Couldn't believe how much fun I was having. Still couldn't be employed though. The immense privilege of telling people to bugger off is an worth it.

Reckon your initial post was spot on. £400 if it's local, £500 if its a bit of a drive or you don't care. If they were getting other quotes they'd likely find someone cheaper, but at least that cheap person isn't you. Will it not flop?

Can you collect from site? Transport your loader? The price you pay will depend on if your local tree firm has to go through effort to deliver, or if you can save them work by collecting from site. Plenty of folk would let you collect for free if it saved them dealing with it and you left a tidy site.

Yes that's what it is.

Cheaper than a mewp though! I don't mind dying a few rigs when needed from a basket, but if its a full rig down I'd prefer to climb. If its a big tree that all needs rigging you're generally into crane territory anyway.

They're are loads of different options, you don't need a chest harness to connect the elastic to etc. Gotta find what works for you. The DMM Tendon does look a tidy solution though

Guessing you haven't climbed on SRT mate. Have a quick search on youtube, it'll show you a lot more.

I get what you're saying. My main point is that on most large removals, drop zones are usually limited at best which means parking a very expensive machine in harms way. Especially in urban scenarios where you're limited as to where you can set up the machine. Rigging can also be a right pain, having to position the basket close to the peice to make your cuts, and trying to move out the way before the swing back. I know i can move clear faster on spikes. If there's a nice clear drop zone and plenty of options to position the mewp then it's fine, but then i could probably climb and free fall the tree equally as quickly.

Yes. That's how maths works. You can't just take 20% from the sum total.

I'd get £1500 just for my little van if i did it.

Don't forget that you might've bought a new truck with vat added, chainsaws etc. Anything that's not classed as consumables can be backdated and claimed for retrospectively as Capital Expense. Goes back a few years if i recall correctly.

Those rules changed with IR35 IF I recall correctly. No issue these days working full time on a self employed basis.