Starting a gardening business?

paddyrg

Don't accept a cup of tea, take a flask! Homeowners feel obliged to offer, but would much rather you just did the job and left. If you can say 'No, it's OK, I always bring a flask', it's reassuring to them that you're professional and don't need entertaining on their clock. Don't use a customer's loo, unless you're there all day and absolutely must. Be completely reliable - someone is probably waiting in for you, and if you're late it's just not fair on them. If that means spacing your jobs properly to allow for bio breaks and travel, then space your jobs.

fewgroats

c-m wrote: »

Don't forget to register as a business with HMRC within the first three months. There's a potential fine if you don't.

Unless you employ people, aren't you a freelancer? When does "helping" people and getting paid become a business? Does it come down to the amount of time?

paddyrg

fewgroats wrote: »

Unless you employ people, aren't you a freelancer? When does "helping" people and getting paid become a business? Does it come down to the amount of time?

It's possible to be a freelancer and employ people, 'help' in exchange for money is always a business, surely?

fishybusiness

Have to say I do accept a cup of tea now and then, but don't really stop to drink it. It is more a slurp along the way while I am working.

Ha, the loo thing, what do you do, at a customers property 9 till 5, I don't know about other gardeners but I drink maybe 2l of water or juice in that time and sometimes you just have to go

paddyrg

Maybe if you're there all day without a cafe/shops break using the loo is a bit different, but many clients will be an hour or two, and not want trades (with mud and clippings and sweat) going upstairs, past the family photos and kids bedrooms, to use the bathroom. Some people are quite private about their homes, and may feel reassured by contractors respecting boundaries.

Do consider the thermos thing, though. It costs you maybe 20p to bring your own thermos of tea but the perception is that you don't need tending by the homeowner. It gives a good professional impression.

[Deleted User]

c-m wrote: »

Don't forget to register as a business with HMRC within the first three months. There's a potential fine if you don't.

This guide covers the basics of tax for side business. If it's your main income you'll need to look a bit further.

If you're only earning pocket money to start with then you may be able to use your personal account (depending on your bank), at least in the beginning. Once you've got more steady work you'll then want to open a business bank account. By then you'll have some financials to back it up.

Not correct - HMRC must be informed within six months of the end of the tax year in which the business commenced.

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/self-assessment-manual/sam100130

Savvy_Sue

My gardener charges £15 an hour and is with me for two hours. I make her a cuppa if I see her, but if neither DH nor I are in she knows she's welcome to come in and make one for herself, she has to come in to get the key for the shed for the lawnmower at that time of year. And as my loo is just inside the back door she's welcome to use that too.

I'd pay more ...

fishybusiness

My gardener charges £15 an hour and is with me for two hours.

That's about where I am at, although I quote per job and if I work faster and am finished sooner my effective hourly rate has increased.

That's where faster pro mowers come in handy OP, reduces your working time and bag emptying trips (larger capacity bags).

Pennywise

When NLW is £7.20 ph, anyone self employed should be charging at least double that to cover their downtime costs (travel, bad weather, buying supplies etc), their costs (repairs and maintenance, vehicle costs, etc), their overheads (bank charges, office supplies, insurance, accountancy etc), and to save towards insurances or time off (there's no sick pay or paid holidays etc for self employed). I'd say £15 per hour is the bare minimum. otherwise you'd be better off stacking shelves for someone else!

TBagpuss

sprucegs wrote: »

Hi all
I'm looking to start my own gardening business. Very small to start with, I plan to purchase a lawn mower, strummer and that's about it. I will get some business cards made up and deliver to properties. I already have been doing it for family and neighbours as a bit of pocket money, and using their equipment. I have now been made redundant and want to try and expand it.
I have never done anything like this before, in terms going self employed, and generally how to go about going it alone. any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou very much.

Good Luck!
- Be professional. Think about things such as your e-mail address, the message on your voicemail, to ensure that these are business-like.

- Respond promptly to enquiries, and stick to what you say - if you say that you will turn up at 6, do not show up at 5.30 or at 6.15, and if you are delayed or early, ring ahead to check whether this is OK.

-be prepared to be flexible, at least to start with. I would anticipate that the main groups who might want this kind of service are older people who can no longer do the work themselves, and people who are working and don't want to spend the tim. The latter group are likely to want initial meetings / quotes outside normal office hours slo be prepared to go out at evenings or weekends to start with to give quotes and get work in.

- be clear about what you can offer. Are you offering Gardening or simply lawn-mowing? Do you have your own mower or will you use the cutomer's?

- Plan ahead. Gardening is seasonal, so you need work out how you are going to make a living year round, and budget accordingly. Don't forget to factor into your carges the cost of travel betwen jobs, travel to dispose of green waste, upkeep of tools etc.

- Think local, and monitor where work is coming from so you learn what works and what doesn't. Parish / church magazines are likely to be a good place to advertise, rates are normally fairly low, and you have the potential to tap into a local market. A facebook page is good, but make sure that you update it regualrly, it doesn't inspire confidence to see that someone's last post was a year or two ago! And do kep it separate from your personal page.

- Be considerate. For instance, using photos of work you do is a good marketing technique, but make sure that your customer is happy for you to use pictures / names before doing so. (and if taking pictures, ensure that they are good quality)

- Make sure you have appropriate insurance.