Thesnarlingbadger

Cheers, it's appreciated. As it's only a small job taking pics of everything on every job would have been too time consuming (or maybe not). I think the issue is I don't really agree with the customer but am panicking a bit that I'll get a bad rep. The lad I was working with thinks she may be playing the old fragile lady card to through her weight about. Live and learn I guess. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

I've asked then to talk but the customer won't even speak to them, she hates the kid and I don't think she understands what autism actually is (she just thinks the kid is load and a nasty piece of work). I think you may be right about building him a den, I may just be a soft touch. I just feel awful about upsetting this lad so much. Thanks for the input it's appreciated. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

I get what your saying and in most cases it would not have been an issue. The customer even said I have never been back there so how would I know, isn't it obvious that you should cut this back. It was as I thought as straight forward as work can get. The quote was not the issue, she just decided that that was going to be done and that was that :-/. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

I have recently done a job I which there were some over hanging branches into next door. Now the quote was to reduce the height of said Laurel and trim back customers side, all nice and straight forward (or so I thought). On the day of the job there was a kid playing next door, this child is extremely autistic and uses the area where the branches were hanging over as a den. While we were carting out the job the kids carer asked if we were cutting any of the overhanging branches off to which the reply was no (as this was not quoted for and it wouldn't affect the aesthetics of the job). Later on my customer (an old lady) asked to see what they wanted kept, so I showed her. She then said she wanted them all cut back so the kid couldn't play on them as she was worried he might hurt himself and sue. I explained that this would cost more and she started to cry and make me out to be a bit of a nasty person. So I agreed to cut it all back for free as I didn't want the hassle, so we did. However I explained to her that a couple of branches were left on as on was supporting some steps and the kids den and another as holding a hammock up. The kid was devastated and before we actually cut the branches back I spoke to his mother to apologise, who has enough on her plate without this added stress, she thanked me for speaking to her first and for leaving just a couple of branches. The next day I revived an email from the customer externally angry with a picture showing what was left, she wants the branches off no questions. I don't want to do it but also do not want the bad press at this early stage in my business and she seams like a woman that will go all out to write bad reviews. So I'm fought between a rock and shard place. I've agreed to do it but have said I will speak to the autistic boys mother first. Now this whole situation has got me stressed out and upset as it is going to really upset this young lad but I'm just wondering if maybe some kind of peace offering may help the situation. I thought I may build him a little den or get a tree for him to plant and watch grow. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I feel like a horrible person. I'm just trying to keep the peace and am kinda confused how I ended up in this whole situation in the first place. Thanks people. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

The previous companies I have worked for I have always brought in my own kit and had it replaced by the company when items get worn out. If it's a Newby then surely as said you wouldn't have them using a saw so just some general steel toe boots and a lid will do fine. If you can see they are going to be happy with the work they think about supplying them with more expensive kit. As for not being able to reuse nearly new kit that's just ridiculous. When they ban on about waste but they want you to fork out for new trousers even though there are a perfectly adequate pair already. I can't image anyone kicking up a fuss about some trousers that have only been used a handful of times. If they do just said your more likely to get a disease from the amount of dog crap in some of these customers gardens :-/. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Was this issue solved? I'm still unable to watch video's. That's on iPhone. I can always use the laptop so not really a problem. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Ditto. All on the latest version as well. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Yeah spread the cost over a couple of years on the bigger items. But you want to essentially be earning 11k ish for the first year so you use up your tax free earnings. Then keeping what expenses you can to carry over to keep next years tax down as much as possible. Hope this makes sense. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

What about rigging some motor up to one of those fold up washing lines and making sure everything is clipped on tight, then giving it 3000rpm. Dry in no time and it'll look cool. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

I thought it may come in handy for some people. Yeah those bracelet things were a pain in the arse. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Ooops I didn't realise that, I may get an ear full for that one. Haha Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

I just thought I'd pop this up so people knew about it. I found out about this app a few weeks back and decided it's worth doing, it's an 'in case of emergency' app and it's so you can pop all your medical bits that the paramedics may need on your lock screen on your phone. Things like alleges, blood type etc. Because most phones are password protected paramedics can't get to any vital info, so this puts it in plain sight. The app is called 'ICE' naturally and you tap in all your info and it and pic your background and it makes one up for you in your pictures that you then pick for your lock screen background. Like this.... Don't know my blood type but am going to find out soon. Could save a life. Keep safe Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Always good to be prepared mate. I always go with if it looks Heavy get the groundy to let it run. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

No mate. It's soon on the list, been so wrapped up sorting other stuff out recently but want to do it to keep all my tickets updated soon. Also as you said it'll be good for insurance purposes. Have you got a big rigging job in the pipeline then? Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Hey mate. Hope your well, I'd second the art and science of practical rigging. It's got a pretty useful table in the back for most species we cover think the table works on a ft cubed piece or something. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Good work mate. Give those typing fingers a rest and have a drink. No luck for me this year but happy to contribute. Congratulations to all those that won. :-)

Had a mate get a caught speeding, 130mph in a company vehicle with a limiter on it (68mph or around that). All it took was a trip to the garage to prove the van he was driving could no way in hell be doing the speed they said he was and all charges where dropped. Think it took some faffing about with sending copy's of paper work etc off but that's about it. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

With all this amazing and cheep stuff coming from Aldi's bargain bins, I'm surprised they haven't opened a couple of stores that solely carter for these weird and wonderful items. It would probably loose its charm a bit but whenever I go in to Aldi I always come out with a set of Spanner's or some gloves and usually forget what I originally went in for. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Been sold to some lucky bugger now it seems. I wonder what the insurance on a £65k chipper is haha Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Why the hell is it on 35k (no VAT at least) lol Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Wow I'm truly impressed no one ended up in A&E there. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Agreed, the original quote the OP mentioned was ridiculous unless there is something we don't know about. If it is a clean run once up on the bank no piles of bricks everywhere then your looking at £400-£500 (give or take) for a days grinding. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

No there not accident free granted but they are subject to lowler, where as a tree is always a calculated guess. I'm not a fan of MEWPs in the slightest, feel to wavy after being in one all day. But that's not to say they don't have a place in tree work. I've never had an accident and have climbed crappy trees in the past (hoping to carry on this way if possible). But you can't say MEWP's aren't sometimes a safer option as it's simply not true. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Ok maybe not quicker (depending on the drop zone). But i think it is more professional to use a MEWP when a tree is in a state. It's safer and there for more professional. We have plenty of knackered trees which that don't have MEWP access that we have to climb, why increase the risk of an accident when you have the opportunity to use one. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Sound advice. You don't want to be the final nail in the coffin. If you can get a MEWP get one. Quicker, safer and more professional. If you had to climb it. I would definitely only go light rigging but as others have said we haven't seen the tree the OP has. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk