So how would I get a gardening business going then?

[spod]

Okay, a few of you on my other thread thought that this would be a good idea... Have any of you started your own gardening business or other small business... how did u go about it? how should I advertise? what should I charge? any advice really would be appreciated... desperate to get this going!

[JanH]

I wonder how much it costs to have one of those small "advertorial" things in your local paper? With a little write-up, a couple of pictures and maybe tied-in ads from local equipment suppliers wishing you luck?

[Anteater]

We diversified into garden services last spring.

Firstly I would say that getting the work is fairly easy... its getting the work that pays well that can be tricky!
If you work on an hourly rate just ring local competion to see the going rate. Pitch your price in the higher half.

I employ two guys who spend on average 3 days a week gardening.

We cut grass, strim, clear ground etc, on a contract basis.

We avoid weeding, planting and anything fiddly. Anything coming along in this category we pass on. Likewise, we get some work other people dont want thats more suited to us.

I have an advert in Yellow pages and advertise in the local in the spring.

We charge between £10 and £15 per hour but make more on the contract work thro high speed.

Looking back on our first year I would say my main mistakes have been accepting inappropriate work. Remember that there will be some days you can not work due to weather, health etc.

[Fran1]

If this is something you want to kick off quickly and have some money to get started with. Print some flyers and get some local children to deliver for pocket money. Stick them up in shop windows, libraries etc. Ads in local paper are very expensive but could be worth doing once in a while, but as Anteater said, the yellow pages although its a big fee, you're in it for a year.
Someone else suggested put your details in garden centres which is a good idea.
Ask your local Age Concern if they would give your name to people asking after gardeners (they may have to follow guidelines to ensure you are a not a cowboy, not sure how though!).

Do a bit of research in your area, find out what others charge by ringing them and enquiring. And if you really want to ensure you are offering quality service, you could do a survey to find out what people do and don't like about the current gardening services they use and pick up some tips to ensure you get a good reputation!

Set yourself up with a business bank account to put all money's earnt and spent in it. (makes it much easier to do your tax calculations if the business becomes a success).

And good luck!
As i said on the other thread, someone i know who did it as a hobby for friends got a fulltime job out of it just through word of mouth he did no advertising at all!

So hopefully although you may spend initially you may create enough business to not need to do this all the time.

[KatieMac]

You need to register with theInland Revenue - You can have a small business advisor and should discuss NI contributions - I pay about £10-12 a month.

You don't need a business bank account - an ordinary one that is solely used for the business (even a saving A/c) is cheaper - unless your turnover is going to be astronomical

The local Business Link may have courses opn setting up businesses

[Fran1]

I think (been a while so i could be wrong) that you can run your business for three months before registering with IR. Can anyone confirm that?

And Abbey National don't make any charges to have business accounts, and i like using them because you get two, one is called a reserve (like your savings really) so you can ensure you keep enough in there to cover expenses in an emergency.

[KatieMac]

Yep - but I registered upfront and got a lady round who gave me loads of advise - and came back after the 1st year and did my self assessment for me. She said they only do that for prople who contact them at the beginning - who knows??

I'll look into the Abbey A/c

[spod]

thanks, this is so useful. Its an idea i've toyed with for years and I think if I'm gonna do it, this is the time of year to get going. I moved to where i live now a year ago, but know a fair few people and toddler groups etc are great for word of mouth! However... here's a couple of extra things i need to consider:
Firstly, I have a bad back... so cannot do any hard landscaping stuff and would want to avoid too much mowing. I like the weeding, planting, general maintenece and garden planning, so the back shouldnt be an issue... also i cant do it full time cos of my back and am sure i can employ someone i know to do any backbreaking stuff. Secondly, I currently claim incapacity benefit, have done for a while. Does anyone know what the rules are about claiming and starting up a business. Am worried that if the gardening dont work out (or i cant do too much cos of back) that I would have been better off staying on incapacity. Can I work so many hours without it being affected? Thanks for your ideas so far, this is really helping... i need encouragement that I'm not mad for wanting to do this!

[KatieMac]

Don't know about benefits - someone on here will.

I gave up my civil service job nearly 2 yrs ago and started childminding - I haven't regreted it once.

Lots of luck

[Fran1]

Not sure about incapacity benefit, but i think the 3mth rule applies to income support, you're allowed a period of "setting up" the business.

Best to check with your local dwp office. Or cab may be able to advise.

Katiemac - that sounds good that they did your self assessment! we declined their offer because we didn't think they would be much help!

[spod]

so how exactly to i set myself up? do i have to register or something? i am clueless!

[KatieMac]

Ring the Inland Revenue and ask to speak to their small business advisor/new business advisor......

See if your area has a 'Business Link' - on-line maybe

Good luck

[barracuda]

I started up 2 years ago... Spent quite a bit tho on machinery... You have to buy Professional tools tho.. Don't waste your money on the B&Q Crap, cos it won't last 5 minutes....

my business picked up almost straight away and progressed thru-out the year.. I mainly focused on the commerical side which took a little time... you have to advertise tho. advertising in shops can be expencive so it may be of interest looking into the internet and get a FREE listing on Google etc!

As 4 charging, I have broken away from an hourly rate. I offer a fixed price on everything.
I use 2 charge per hour, but wanted to break away from that.. There's so many gardeners out there that charge hourly and they poodle about the garden in order to get more money out of the client.. So it's to your interest and your client to have a fixed price. You have to take into considerion the tools your using, petrol etc... Remember, the quicker u finish, the quicker u move on to the next job...

Oh Yeah, be careful of the people with money... There the worse.. They hate parting with any money.. I had lots of bounce cheques and struggled to get the money.. But i DID get it back eventually tho (after I re-aranged the garden for them at no exter charge)That's how these people get the money in the first place... Some of these jobs are best past on to older person (OAP)as they potter around!

it mote be a good idea 4 u to stay with small lawns first. But remember liability Insurance is a must..

To give you an idea, for an acre, i would charge £45.00 and that would take me max 30 minutes... YOU GOT TO HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB!!

All I do now is cut grass and cut back.

I usually have a starting price of £25.00 for domestic (pending on wot the job is and the size and i'm there for about an hour.

Hope this helps.

[barracuda]

If you are claiming incapacity benefit, they will allowed you to set up business for one year, PROVIDING you don't earn over £86.00 pr week and you can still bet your incapacity benefit.... But you must inform them first... And don't forget to register the business with the tax man.