Self-Employed tree climber and pruner

Established tree surgery firms needing extra climbers, plus homeowners and gardeners wanting pruning or small tree work.

Day rate when subcontracting, or a quoted price per job for your own small clients.

• Climbing and rigging
• Chainsaw handling
• Fitness and head for heights
• Dependable and good with teams

• Insurance that covers your own work and any sub-contracting, check what firms expect
• Check employment status with HMRC and the firm so you are genuinely self-employed
• Check Tree Preservation Orders, conservation areas and protected wildlife before work
• Physically demanding and risky work, build in rest and never climb without a trained ground partner
• Work can slow in winter or bad weather, so plan for quieter weeks

Startup costs are typically around £2,500 to £8,000, depending on your climbing kit, saws, hand tools and insurance. You can hire or borrow bigger kit like chippers when needed, which keeps costs down.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £5,000, depending on how much work you take from tree firms and private clients. Work can slow in winter or bad weather, so plan for quieter weeks.

Check your insurance covers your own work and any sub-contracting, and what firms expect. Check your employment status with HMRC and the firm. Also check Tree Preservation Orders, conservation areas and protected wildlife before any work.