hold on there cowboy, that sounds like an awful big job for you to be getting into, especially considering it's one of your first tree jobs, no? Look if you're going to be up a tree twenty feet, especially forty feet, you need to have some basic training from someone with experience (maybe you have?).
I mean break it down anton, forty foot trees with ivy(big mess), no insurance, phone lines, expensive property, no training, and you are asking 1200 for the job; doesn't seem right. Do yourself a BIG favor, find the name of a reputable (or at least decent) climber in your area, tell him you'll give him majority of the money, but make sure he'll teach you, even take you up in the tree with him. You'll probably save a lot of money this way, because you won't have to pay for all the stuff you break along the way!
Sorry to be harsh Anton, am stoked you're into it, just be smart and take your time, don't jump into a big job. Good luck
jp
