frets1

the dids probably say they are vat registered and get 20% more cash!!

I don't see how being vat registered means you are legit?! it just reflects you are registered. ive worked for big firms who do bad recommendations, rubbish ppe, 1 man climbing crew with numptys on the ground etc. ive worked for 1 man bands who strive to do a good and legal job. perhaps somehow getting customers to ask for tickets, insurance, tax number, etc would be a better approach? they never ask me, well never ask for proof. I agree a more level playing field would be good though.

I am not vat registered, but have tickets, insurance, dispose of waste properly etc. I also live in a house. just because my business doesn't turn over the same as yours, I am, as best as I can be, legit.

seems a fair price for a good climber. if you do go self employed, get kit!! bit by bit. you will need it, can get a better day rate and when doing firewood, you have saws etc.

being the master of your own time and destiny.... got to be better.

come to the same cross roads!! been in trees since 1995 climbing since 1997, and running my very small business, doing only arb work, since 2002. still climb with a rope and two loops!! I am fed up with either too much work and worrying if they will wait, how to get it all done etc, to the phone not ringing for a few weeks and work getting thin, the rent, insurance, advertising etc to pay. something less intense and steady is what I am after. loler looks good as I couldn't find a local inspector and phoned other tree company's (who were very helpful) and they had inspectors coming from miles around. I looked at instructing/ assessing but from what I have read on here you need the local centre to say there is enough demand and the wait was quite long. I looked at firewood but unless you get your own timber, i.e. still doing tree work, when you buy it in you need to turn over a vast amount to make a living. all that said I have not written off any ideas and a combination of them all might work. I to still love tree work!! just a few more grey hairs and aches and pains. just my thoughts on the subject. I free-lanced for a while as a subbie, good fun to work with different people with different ideas and methods. good luck with the ventures, keep us posted.

good point, thanks:001_smile:

don't spend all day sharpening your most hated saw!! if he is keen to learn and you want to keep him, why not teach him to sharpen? its not too hard. good luck!!!

I've often wondered what happened to those jobs where they accept a verbal quote, you follow up with a written one, do the tpo application and here no more.....now I know. not my cup of tea, as mentioned I prefer to get on with others. I have worked for or with most of them over the years. back to the topic though, its tough, people will be people and it will probably happen again. about 5 years ago a regular client had to have his trees done asap. The only day I could do was a couple of days after my sons first op to correct a cleft lip and pallet. I had had a few weeks off and needed the money. I left the hospital at 5 in the morning, he had his mum with him, but it was hard. I went to yard and got chipper etc and drove to his house to meet my colleague. When I got there, he was out and the trees had been done. To say I was angry was a understatement. I rang his mobile, no answer, even more angry. I rang on my friends mobile he answered. I explained where I had just come from to do his trees and was not blessed pleased. Did you not get my message he said, if I did I would not be here I explained. He said there will be more tree work to come but I suggested politely he uses his new tree company. Lesson learnt, but I was angry for a while, got me no where though. move on and find more loyal clients, good luck. p.s if a tree company has made an application, get over the fact you weren't asked to quote and let them do it!!

that was damn close. nice one. I am sure you have but I would move as much kit as possible. this will always happen until the deterrent, a long stay in a proper prison, might put a few people off. I would put them in the stocks, in the high street for 48 hours, with a sign saying thief!! glad your ok, good luck

great footage, look forward to more. could you use it to get to a anchor point?!

how long do you wait for a good builder?....3 months? why not a good tree surgeon? I would be concerned if someone could do it tomorrow. why no work in front off them?

true, but being over 40 I need to save my knees for work!! never had a go, but in my prime, I don't think I would be anywhere near any of them:blushing: would be good to see members of the public have a go....

Will try to get some pics over the weekend. not good on computer so may take time, but will do. space great, had my mum in the back moving furniture. bit difficult getting in and out. love her to bits but she is no spring chicken. she was happy. took the kids camping, again no problem. 6yr in back on small booster seat. 3yr in armchair in the front. his seat does fit in back though. have not used it for work yet as no tow bar or tipper. spent all budget on truck:blushing: the bottom part of the seats in the back come out and there is space for jack etc. can fit all kit back. i.e 20, kit, blower, etc. my only gripe, and to me its a big one, no head rests in back. an adults head would hit the back glass. I have thought of putting foam across the lower back part of the glass. sorry to derail thread, get a hilux:001_tt2:, I love it to bits, more space than I thought. hope this helps.

the old tipper or the new extra cab?

thanks ian, good vid. shame more people cant have a go at the pole.

I know its not the same, but got a hilux tipper. wouldn't be without one now, 4x4, for me, is a god send. tip chip anywhere, over lawns to bottom of tree etc. as far as kit goes, just got 09 extra cab and the bed is only 1ft shorter than 97 single cab. all kit inside now. would love a landy, but pick up is easier to drive, the heater works, don't have to put something on peoples driveway to catch oil etc. off road they cant be beaten though, and they do look good. get a 3.5t one though.

might be worth putting down weed matting before chips. we give all our chips away, lots go on paths, stables and allotments as mentioned earlier.

from what I can remember was all plastic

good points. I think the saw would go straight through. I also wonder what it would look like in 5 yrs time, its not as if arb trucks get an easy life. but good idea to get weight down. the national trust have a walk/bridge made of plastic at winkworth arboretum, has weathered ok.

was that the one with large tool boxes? if so, yes I like to. get more chip and logs in.

nice set up:thumbup: I would love to do billets, but all my arb waste is small and knotty! smaller bundles makes sense I guess. piles should be more stable to. ibc containers for me next I think. keep the pics coming....great ideas. good luck, thanks for sharing.

I have a tp150 light. 6 inch, tow behind. 2008. love it to bits!! did go from a gravity fed entec though. but used many different chippers over the years and tp seem to make a good, solid product. ask for a demo, free chipping:thumbup: after support/parts seem good to. got mine a few tears old so don't know about warranty etc. good luck.

they look nice:thumbup1: whatever the cost, do you think we will see a pick up like that here? why no rhd land cruiser? is it me or do we lack a selection of good load carrying 4x4? mog, bedford or tractor!! what about one in between pick up and 'lorry' how much was that sprinter??!!