hamilton32

I spoke to Mark at tree surgeon insurance. PL,EL and plant. They seem good/ the price was all good. I havnt claimed so can't comment on that...

 I only just saw this. I'm assuming it's gone now but I am based in Cheltenham and have a small chainsaw mill(panther 36). Contact me if you need anything else. 

I just got a panther mill and have already milled a few boards. I really need to sort my storage area out. I need to buy a load of the spacers for drying my slabs. Where is the best place to get a wholesale amount of the 1inch sticks? my fencing supplier doesn't stock any. I'm based in Cheltenham

Cheers 

On 07/01/2021 at 21:40, Clutchy said:

We use a marketing agency, pay around £1k per month, you select the area you want to work (nice rich one ideally) and 2 days into the phone starts ringing. 

 

Still going strong in winter. We were subbing work to fill gaps in the calender previous to this and now we turn away so much (crap) work. 

 

Our calander is full of enjoyable, profitable work. 

 

£1k a month seems to generate approx £30k of quotes of which we tend to win 30-40% 

 

Has allowed us to average £1200 plus vat a day for a 3 man crew this year. Finish by 2pm 90% of the time too. 

 

Inbox me if you want their details, depending on what area you are from. If you're near me, I'm not telling!

Hi Clutchy, I have a new business in the Cheltenham area and am still having to freelance climb alot more than I hoped to keep my income  up. Please can you let me know the name of this marketing agency as I currently use mybuilder and bark which is generating very few poor quality leads. Cheers

Hi, I was searching to see if anyone had posted about the ego saws and this was the only post that came up.

Do you have any feedback about the ego saw? Which saw did you get, has it lasted well and how does it compare to a two stroke? Can you cut fairly quickly through hardwood still?! I have carpel tunnel and need to get some battery saws. I have the ego kombi set which is great and so have batteries already.

Cheers 

I dont have a stump grinder for my buisness yet i only started trading this year. I get asked about stump grinding surprisingly often and subby it all out. The smaller stumps with crap access I'm thinking of taking on myself with a small machine.

Are these Terminator stump grinder attachments for 66/88 any good? I guess it wouldn't take too long for it to pay for itself but are they limited to tiny stumps and small shrubs or could they ( with perseverance) tackle a hardwood stump from a medium sized tree? Is it best to just splash out on a Predator 360? I dont really want to take on more debt right now... 

I need quotes for stump grinding these: 1 horse chestnut, 2 walnuts and 1 apple. Size 9 foot for scale. Good access.

email me [email protected]

Looking for a self employed groundy/2nd climber £100-150 depending on what you have to offer.

We're a new buisness and just need someone on occasional days in Glos/ Cotswolds/ south worcs area. Message me or email CV to [email protected] 

cheers

Thanks for your feedback everyone. I will work out a plan with the owner and see exactly what volume we are working with over what time frame.

I messaged the FCO but after specifically asking about ash dieback, they didn't actually mention it at all or answer me. I got this response....

"

While I cannot advise specifically on this case, I have linked our guide on instances where a felling licence is required:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/876642/Tree_Felling_-_Getting_Permission_-_web_version.pdf

You will need a felling licence if you wish to thin the woodland, as I assume this would be taking out more than 5m3. There are no restocking conditions needed for thinning licences as you are only permitted to remove up to 30% of the canopy cover. Anything greater than a thinning, i.e. Regeneration Fell or Clear Fell, will come with enforceable restocking conditions that the applicant and the Forestry Commission agree on." 
 

They basically told me everything I already know and nothing about the rules for felling ash with dieback... nvm. 

A client has asked me to look at what they have told me is a small (1-2 acre) semi ancient woodland and advise them on the best way to manage the ash dieback and suggest other management ideas. Apparently there are a lot of mature ash in there.

But i wanted to check what legislation i might need to be aware of that isn't usually part of arboriculture jobs I'm more familiar with.

They have a footpath through the woodland so 'managing' ash dieback is about making trees within striking distance of the path safe and then replanting with something suitable. 

Do we need a felling license to take a number of ash down or is it exempt because of dieback? Would I need any other permissions to do thinning/felling/planting work in the woodland? I'm assuming we don't need to do an environmental impact assessment?

Once I know exactly what's there I'll probably be back for management suggestions.

Help and advice much appreciated thankyou.

I am a sole trader with 10 years experience, climbing and rigging kit, saws and a transit dcab tipper(not sign written). L3 Extended diploma in forestry and arb. Rigging kit and my own insurance and h&s systems in place. 

Available for the odd day as a freelance climber in and around Gloucestershire 

I can also provide a 2 or 3 man team with a chipper for subcontracting work. Message me or email [email protected]  or call 07934782915

Ok thanks for all the feedback. I'm leaning towards a mitsi l200 double cab now

So I'm a sole trader starting a new buisness, I recently bought a transit tipper but iv just been asked about woodland work... so thinking I need to sell my current small van that I was using for freelance climbing and the family car and either buy a pickup(probably a ranger 28mpg) or a 4wd SUV(probably VW Tiguan 40mpg) 

Is it right that a pickup is tax deductible but a 4wd car wouldn't be ? 

A car would be cheaper and have much better mpg. The fuel saving over time might negate the tax saving anyway. Which as it would mostly be for the Mrs to drive around would be preferable... I just need to have an occasional 4wd option which could tow. 

What are peoples thoughts on this?

As a subby I wouldn't climb for hourly otherwise I'd be looking to be employed work. We set our prices because that's what we want to earn in a day to cover our costs and make self employment viable. Going home early with a full days wage is also an incentive to work your ass off and do a good job.

If you have two people being paid £25ph at different skill levels.  One is an insane climber, efficient and hardworking, not interested in long breaks and one is a a less confident, slower climber, likes a break, makes the job drag a bit. You will not only be paying the lesser climber more money but you are doing your buisness a disservice.

Interested to know if you invoice your clients a per hour rate? Or each job is priced? as I guess that would change things as you wouldn't know how much you're getting paid either!

There may already be a thread relating to this but I couldn't find it. 

I thought it might be useful to create a list of all legislation that business owners in the industry should be aware of.

As part of a business start up loan application I have been asked to name what laws, legislation and regulation I have considered for my industry.

I know there are plenty more but so far I've come up with these please post your suggestions and I can add them to the list.

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974,

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)

RIDDOR - Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013,

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

The Work at Height Regulations 2005,

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981,

Employment Rights Act 1996

National Minimum Wage Act 1998

Employment Relations Act 1999

The Maternity and Parental Leave etc. Regulations 1999

Part-Time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000

The Equality Act 2010

i didnt read the whole thread but wouldn't 4 employees be ideal for you? You could subby 2 guys in when needed or just regularly a couple of days a week to begin with and book more days in if it goes well.

Maybe get one good freelance climber and if your other TL is climbing on the other team then just a decent groundy would do?

 4 is actually really efficient. obviously with 4 you can have 2 up 2 down which is really good on big reductions or on jobs with lots of different things to do..

i worked for a company that did this when i started freelance climbing. it worked very well. when work went quiet in spring he just booked fewer days with me and the other guy without the pressure of needing more work for his employees. 

On 02/10/2021 at 16:46, Lumberjock said:

I would have intentions to climb if the start up was to start a tree surgery company. But the idea was to hire my services as man,van and chipper. 
it looks like it’s a non starter tbh
thanks for advise. 

Where are you based ? I'm setting up a business and am a freelance climber but I don't yet have a truck and chipper. Your set up would be useful to me and I imagine I would also be useful to you?

On 17/02/2021 at 18:33, Retired Climber said:

Just me, simple climbing kit and a couple of saws. I don't really get involved in anything that would need much in the way of rigging these days. 

Edit. I should have mentioned, the 384 includes VAT. 

Fair play that's unfathomable to me, double what I charge. I'm 160-180pd 8years ex, tickets Inc rigging, L3extended diploma, kit and saws... I don't see how a firm could afford 384 for a climber for a day?! Id be interested to know what the firm's you're working for are charging. Around 800 for a 3 man crew is standard where I am....

I've just recovered from an operation and returned from NZ. Currently living in Cheltenham area gloucestershire.

I'll travel up to around an hour and charge £180pd.

I have 8years experience, PPE,saws & kit, and a driving licence. 

I'm chilled out, reliable, work hard and treat every job like it's my own.

L3 Extended diploma in forestry and arb(distinction), lots of tickets including rigging.

I can send a CV/references on request. Contact me on 07934782915

Hi rupe,

I've just got back to winchcombe from managing a team in NZ. I've been off work for 5months after an operation. If you're still looking for help I'm ready as a freelance climber, got my own saws and kit.  I'm available potentially for a day or two a week. I'll update my CV and send it through later. Give me a call on 07934782915 if you would like a chat. Cheers, hamilton

Anyone know if I can just put the head on my wolf garten multitool of either skylaunch or big shot and it'll do the trick seems silly to have loads of poles when I already have a long pole? It's true, ask the mrs.

Have you got a very basic site risk assessment system that is simple and easy to fill out that then refers to a more in-depth one within your health and safety policy or do you just have a standard table that is filled out each job?

Did anyone think of a simple system that involves minimal writing?

We are trying to sort our system out and develop a succinct and simple to complete risk assessment sheet. I haven't got very far with it tbh.

If anyone cares to share a template or ideas of their own it would be appreciated!

Cheers

www.treeandforest.co.nz

we seriously need to add more/some HQ pictures

Hi Patrick,

I am already in Nelson in New Zealand. Do you have any part-time positions or options for self-employed workers? I am helping with my cousins business in forestry but still want to climb and do arb work! 

I have a 3-year essential skills visa, 5 years arb experience and a level 3 extended diploma in arboriculture, I am always looking to meet more arborists and tree firms to further develop my skills. 

If you think you might have a position for me id love to hear from you. 

You can contact me here or call me on 0212042836.

Cheers,

Hamilton

i bit the bullet and got a spiderjack3 you don't really notice the size or weight, its definately an improvement on the 2.1 id highly recommend it!