Garden Labouring advice?

passatrider

I've recently done some voluntary work doing garden maintenance as part of my recovery while on Incapacity benefit. I've really got the bug to be honest and want to take it further.

I want to start up as a self-employed garden labourer doing basic tasks, such as mowing, weeding, pruning etc. Iam only offering my services as a labourer as I do not have a van or anything to transport equipment. I will just provide basic hand tools which I can move around easily either by bike or scooter.

What I want to know is am I expecting too much by expecting the customer to supply mowers/strimmers etc? I'm only doing it this way to start as I do not have the funds to buy a van which some people say is essential.

Any advice would be welcome?:)


NB: I've been self employed previously.

Premier_2

Why not get a job as a gardener? Then the employer will supply the tools of the trade.

If I phone a gardener, I expect them to come with the tools to do the job, just like if I call a plumber, electrician, etc.

Edit:

Actually supplying your own tools is one of the guiding principles to proving self employment
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/employment-status/index.htm#1

If you don't supply your own tools, then the person hiring you may well be your employer and need to comply with all employment legislation, and particularly pay you under PAYE
(There's no reason why you can't have more than one employer, even on the same day)

WLM21

As a start .. why not ask family and friends.

Where I live, there are many pensioners .. very probably most have tools etc but have now reached an age, where doing everything themselves in no longer practical.

A friendly local chap offering help may be jus the thing they need.

As you get more work, a small van may be a possibility, or a car withta trailer.

Good luck in your venture !

McKneff

Have a word with the job centre to see if there are any grants available to start your own business, you have nothing to lose.

Wishing you luck in your venture.

lincroft1710

Use other peoples' tools and you run two risks, they could be unsafe and you are injured or you could accidentally break them. You will need good insurance. Will your customer have the right tools for the job?

paulwf

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Use other peoples' tools and you run two risks, they could be unsafe and you are injured or you could accidentally break them. You will need good insurance. Will your customer have the right tools for the job?

Good point, and the customer may be like me having a £20 strimmer from Argos that is a pain to use but is good enough for me as my time isn't money and I know its quirks. I think you'd go mad using substandard tools, and the quality of the job and the time taken will be impacted.

Saying that I did know a gardener that transported a few hand tools in a cycle trailer and seemed to be happy. If it was me I would want a plan in place, by all means start small with a few hand tools but work out how you can progress to having a way to transport and obtain a proper range of tools.

squack

if the customer is happy for you to use their lawn mower etc then all well and good, this will be another saving for you in not having to get it serviced, the client is likely to be happy with this as they would expect to pay a lower hourly rate than to "professionals" who bring their own kit, the other downside of not having a van is that you won't be able to take away the debris, most people have a wheely bin or compost bin anyway, or if it's a larger garden a bonfire.

If you get yourself a few regular jobs like this then you will always have work ( a bit less to do in winter maybe)

NeverInDebt

There are other issues besides what been mentioned

Most people would expect any competent gardener to do all work and not pick and choose mearly because of inexperience and or lack of tools. Example cutting back large bushes or small trees simple enough job, but may involve decent equipment and or a pick-up to take the rubbish to the tip at a cost to you as its a business

It may be fine doing odd job weeding, clipping hedges etc but you will need transport if its more than just a few quid in back pocket

Also work will be scarce in Winter if not at all dried up. My friend did gardening as a business actually he still does it but has many jobs ie working for council part time, gardening, Aquariums, and even car mechanic

oldtoolie

If I was you I would just give it a go. You won't make as much money if you aren't a full fledged professional operation but you won't have the expenses either. If it works out you can become more professional.

passatrider

oldtoolie wrote: »

If I was you I would just give it a go. You won't make as much money if you aren't a full fledged professional operation but you won't have the expenses either. If it works out you can become more professional.

Iam going to follow your advice and just start off without a van and try and see where it takes me. If I can get a few clients to start then I can progress onto getting one later if it all works out.;)

jexygirl

Hi ya,
I think if you market yourself properly, and price accordingly - there is a definite gap in the market for someone who simply does "minor maintenance or garden labour" such as weeding, labouring,tending etc. Also offer basic prep services - say someone wants a fishpond - they would,( i know I would!) at the right price, pay someone to dig it out, even if I had to dispose of the soil, but most garden companies would want the whole sheebang of the project start to finish, and charge the earth (no pun intended )whereas you are happy to do the hard graft and let the client then go on to build the pond.
There is no need for a van to carry a spade to dig over a veg patch, or to weed and maintain. Yes I see that some will expect mowing or strimming or whatever, but as long as you make it clear that you are a labourer /tender, rather than full blown whistles and bells, and tho you don't do strimming and mowing, you do do tidying, weeding, edging, digging, maintaining, watering, advising, growing, etc.. - you have teh personal touch, and charge accordingly, I think you will do well.
I wish you all the best, and hope you do well
Jex