ecotreecare
-
Posts
333 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Classifieds
Tip Site Directory
Blogs
Articles
News
Arborist Reviews
Arbtalk Knot Guide
Gallery
Store
Freelancers directory
Everything posted by ecotreecare
-
Crushed the end of my finger taking the 6" off the truck this morning. Five hours in A&E, six stitches and a bit of glue later to be told I'm not allowed to work for 4 weeks...... Like that's going to happen (just don't tell the wife!) Thenk god it wasn't the 9"
-
I am currently trying to get on a approved contractor database for our regional council. We have only been operating for a couple of years so this has been overlooked. I and my staff are all fully trained and experienced. Does anyone have any idea where i can locate one specific to arb?
-
Very tidy job. What size bags are they?
-
Up to now I write out a quote, post it and if the customer accepts you go and do the job. The problem is twice last year I got screwed over by customers. The old “you said this” and “you didn’t say that”. I remind them that the quote is what was quoted but it doesn’t seem to wash. With a $200 its not too bad but both jobs were over $5000 and it stings a bit! My idea is to get some quoting sheets made up. I’ve seen them with carbon copies where you write out the quote, the customer signs it and keeps the top one and sends the other two back. Does anyone use these? Are they any good… but also what terms and conditions do you have on the back of them? Does anyone know where I can get a list of terms and conditions of trade specific to tree work?
-
We have a 13t Isuzu FTR as our main truck. It holds about 13-14 cube of chip. Really good to have a big truck on big jobs, some days we can fill it three or four times. For the smaller jobs its good also as we don't need to tip off as often. The only problem is loading logs by hand as its quite high. On bigger jobs there's usally is a digger or loader around so its not all bad.
-
Very old Macrocarpa tree with severe internal storm damage and decay. Was about 10 meters from the customers property. Luckily the neighbouring farmer let us fell it in one into has paddock. Biggest tree I’ve felled in one hit!
-
-
From the album: Big Macro Fell
-
From the album: Big Macro Fell
-
From the album: Big Macro Fell
-
From the album: Big Macro Fell
-
From the album: Big Macro Fell
-
What do you guys do for your staff at Christmas? A bonus? Few beers at the yard? A party and into town? Not looking for advice or anything....... Just interested!
-
He’s a good keen lad. Has a good head on his shoulders, works hard, doesn’t complain. Had a word with him today, need to look after yourself the jobs hard enough as it is. Still not sure if I’m going to pay him for the full day yet. Oh and FYI we do get a few hot days down here, not as many as the guys up north but we don’t spend all the time sunning ourselves!
-
Last week we had a newly qualified guy help us for a few days, on the third day it got quite warm (30 degrees +) and he ended up lying in the shade most of the afternoon. I think he got sun stroke, he insisted on working topless (which I don’t really like) and didn’t put any sun screen on. He did look quite sick and ended up throwing up. Guess what I would like to know is, would you pay him for the day or just for the morning as he wasn’t no good for 5h in the aft? Your opinion please
-
It depends on the job and the dog. If we're at the yard he comes along, if we're working in the Botanic Gardens he doesn't. Have to be well behaved too, my Huntaway is more than happy to sleep in the truck. We're working by a beech today clearing scrub so he can come along! He loves it!
-
Starting up a business .... ??
ecotreecare replied to abigail.waddecar's topic in Business Management
I think most people will start by doing the odd job here and there, subbing for people along with doing a bit for themselves. I started this way in the UK. A lot of hard work but it can be done. I have a company in NZ now, wasn't going to start from scratch again! Borrowed some money against the house for a 9" chipper and then a bit later bought a 13t truck. It is a bit more of a risk but if you get the work in it's a hell of a lot easier! -
I'm not sure why guys are so keen to start up. We employ a guy, he earns more than i do, works less hours, no stress, doesn't have to deal with customers and when he leaves work that’s it. No looking at jobs, doing paperwork, mending broken gear. Its not all fun and games!
-
I had a 90 when i did tree work/ firewood in the UK. As much as i like them they are a tad unreliable. I’m now doing the same kind of work in NZ. Have Hi-Lux (single cab Ute) Its great, comfortable to drive good off road and have a 2 cubic meter deck on the back.
