One of commonest jobs we are called upon to quote for is that of hedge cutting. Recognising that hedges come in many different shapes, sizes and species, there is no easy answer to the logic of producing a meaningful and precise quotation.
To explain that which may at first appear a paradox, I have been a landscape garden contractor since 1968, but have the added experience of six years as Head Gardener to a major private Estate (Goodwood House) so if I write in the first person or address my comments in the Royal ‘we’, it is because some of the information is based on solo working, and also as Team Leader working with others.
Because of my time at Goodwood (2001 – 2007) I hold a number of ‘tickets’ including Safe Ladder Working, Working at Height, Access Platform Lorry (26m lorry mounted cherry picker) plus three of the Chain saw certificates (safe handling, cross cutting etc), and I put these to good use in my business. Part of my work today is that of ‘Head Gardener’ to a small number of very large gardens/Stately Home properties, where I visit on a regular basis and organise their own staff and carry out some training.
My approach to quoting for the cutting of hedges depends on many factors, and these are all noted in a form of Method Statement, presented as part of the tender documentation. Very few hedges are the same, and I go through a process, first of all noting the nature and condition of the site.
If the ground upon which I have to work is sloping (towards the hedge/away from the hedge/angled to one side or another/close proximity to problems (overhead cables, roadway, public footpath etc), any rabbit or mole holes in which a ladder leg may disappear, – so many factors before I even examine the actual hedge. These factors need to be noted in your tender documents.
The dimensions are also noted, together with the amount of material to be removed – one side, both sides, half the top or all the top.
The most important tool at this stage – and beyond – is the extendable pole, either a lock and click version of the Wolf range of handles, or (my favourite), a triple extender Bahco pole saw pole. These are used to examine the width of the hedge, by passing the pole through from one side to the other and measuring the distance. It is often very surprising to note the actual width, and the pole acts as a very visual aid if shown to the client. That which appears narrow from their garden can be really quite wide.
The same pole is used to measure the height, with both height and width being calculated in two measurements – the dimensions of the hedge bed, and the average size of the hedge before cutting.
Taking the square metreage of the actual area to be cut – one side, both sides etc, then calculate the cubic capacity of the material to be disposed of – allow for bulking factors for different species, holly, beech, field maple and hornbeam being particularly difficult to crush into smaller piles (big – bags, wheelbarrows etc). This information is important when quoting, especially of you have to remove the arisings from site.
I use this pole as a height gauge, standing it against the hedge to monitor the required height during cutting works. It is also useful for levelling the top (if required). Simply attach a metre long spirit level to the pole with cable ties, and use it as a normal level – but with a much longer length.
All of these ‘tricks’ are good visual aspects of our trade, as the client can see that care is being taken to achieve the right results. It gives them the opportunity, before tendering, to agree the amount of material to be removed, so if they change their minds, the additional work is a genuine ‘extra’ subject to another quotation.
The hedge cutting machinery is a matter of personal choice, and I always recommend that each operative selects their own ‘machine of choice’, one which they are comfortable with, as this avoids any problems with complaints from workers who ‘cannot get along’ with a particular tool.
I use a Stihl electric 60cm bar machine for difficult areas, including cutting internal curves and high places, where my arms begin to ache quite quickly, and personally get along happily with a Stihl combi long reach double sided hedge cutter – even with a metre long extension bar – changing the blades (I have them professionally ground) on a regular basis. (It takes two people 15 minutes to change the blades, working on the back of a pick-up tailgate, but you do need practice!)
My quotation will include all dimensions, including the existing height and width, square metreage areas to be cut, dimensions of bed of the finished job, together with an assessment of the amount of rubbish to be disposed of. (Be careful of weight in some cases, with green or wet conifer waste being particularly heavy, and therefore problematic if your vehicle/trailer is subject to low weight carrying restrictions)
I have a variety of different methods of reaching the job, including a couple of sizes of the new generation lightweight tripod ladders with extendable legs (BRILLIANT!), a twelve foot fibreglass stepladder, a triple extender lightweight aluminium ladder, a 2m x 2m x 6m aluminium tower with full boards and safety rail. I also use a man cage on the front of a Manitou/Merlot All Terrain vehicle for a couple of very high Leylandii hedges in a field on one of my sites (use ground boards if necessary, and charge for them in your quote), plus the aforementioned cherry pickers for those jobs that permit (don’t forget the space for the outriggers, or to load some extra ground boards for the feet). I am also of the opinion that each individual should have their own safety harness, as PPE, and ensure that they use them at all times when working at height.
Ensure that your quote is time limited; if you quote in May, and the client accepts in September, the hedge has grown another six feet! If you take all of the above recommendations and include them, in one form or another, in your quotation, you should feel comfortable with your price. Do not be surprised at the final estimate – hedge cutting is one of the easiest projects to under price.
If you keep a record of the amount of waste produced on a few projects, you will quickly learn the formula for assessing the costs involved in clearing the site, in relation to the type of specie and areas involved.
The project shown here is a regular job I undertake on a price, and we now have the working practice on this particular project down to a fine art! Two people, one day’s work, with the client clearing up. Cost? Almost £1,000.00, using only step ladders and tower.