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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think £20 an hour is too much for a gardener?

105 replies

toastlover100 · 08/11/2018 13:38

My elderly gran has just told me that her gardener has put his hourly rate up from £15 to £20.

This seems like a lot to me, and a bit percentage increase too!

OP posts:
PattiStanger · 08/11/2018 14:42

I can't believe so many of you are happy to pay someone £20 per hour to mow the grass. Are you all high earners? Do people routinely pay someone more than they earn to do a routine task.

I agree with you OP, sounds like he's pushing his luck

SuburbanRhonda · 08/11/2018 14:42

OP, were your comments about the fact he’s single and lives with his parents by way of implying that he doesn’t have many outgoings? Because he may also be caring for them and is self-employed because it gives him the flexibility he needs.

Bottom line, if you don’t like it, choose another gardener who is cheaper.

worridmum · 08/11/2018 14:42

Then that is a reasonable rate sorry OP but it really is. Just because you think it should be minimum wage (so you only pay 10 or 15 pounds after you deduct costs of fuel transport waste disposal that is not free its not a lot of money).

Cleaners earn anywhere between £10 - £25 in the big cities so you are saying a gardener should be paid less then a cleaner despite garnering being much more demanding physically then cleaning.

Madbengalmum · 08/11/2018 14:43

Midlands here and £20per hour is about right.

Original poster
toastlover100 · 08/11/2018 14:44

suburban yes the comments were for context about outgoings. I know he isn't a carer, but good point, always something to consider.

OP posts:
NonaGrey · 08/11/2018 14:46

DP in engineering and doesn't earn that an hour

Yes but your DP presumably gets paid for 8 hours a day 5 days a week. A gardener won’t necessarily have that level of job security.

He’ll also have to be insured, maintain his equipment have advertising costs etc

AnaChocolatte · 08/11/2018 14:46

£20 for dawdling is no good then - that's your issue rather than the price.

I'd step in if possible, find someone different if your Grandmother would allow.

worridmum · 08/11/2018 14:47

FFS people its not just mowing the grass its also getting rid of the waste GARDENERS have to pay for waste disposal it is not free, they have to pay for petrol to get there and then pay for petrol for the tools they are using and for maintenance of tools.

I would be surprised if he gets even £8 of that in his pocket after all over heads and tax has been paid.

Kazzyhoward · 08/11/2018 14:47

You can't compare hourly rates of an employee with someone self employed. Just looking at time alone, he won't get paid for travelling between jobs, filling up his van with fuel, going to the suppliers for parts/new tools, doing his admin/accounts, holidays, being off sick, or when he can't work due to bad weather. Then he has his overheads - his van, his tools, his insurance, his fuel, accountancy fees, bank charges, telephone, etc etc. When you have "living wage" around a tenner per hour, then I'd say a minimum £20 per hour is reasonable for anyone self employed. As others have said, over the year, a self employed person is probably going to actually do "chargeable" hours of about half the hours an employee would be paid, so double the hourly wage is entirely reasonable.

happypoobum · 08/11/2018 14:48

Yes I think it's fine for SW. I pay £25 per hour in Brighton.

BollocksToBrexit · 08/11/2018 14:48

Sounds about right. We've just had building work done. Skilled labour was charged at £35 per hour and labourers £25 per hour. Then we had a tree bloke in to check and trim the trees, which was £45 per hour.

plaidlife · 08/11/2018 14:48

OP the rate seems reasonable but you may be better off looking for a more reliable person to do the work.

Original poster
toastlover100 · 08/11/2018 14:48

The grass goes in her green bin

OP posts:
Kazzyhoward · 08/11/2018 14:49

Says he will be back in 2 weeks, which turns into 4 weeks.

Which is entirely reasonable with outdoor work due to weather or illness or whatever. If he can't work for a week, then obviously he's going to be a week behind on his subsequent visits until he can catch up.

Kazzyhoward · 08/11/2018 14:50

If you/she isn't happy then find someone else. That's the beauty of the free market. Walk with your feet.

MixedMaritalArts · 08/11/2018 14:50

Mmm, so not deadly reliable according to your last post, but he is trustworthy yes? Also never mind the hourly rate what is he actually charging your gran is there an invoice ? We have been paying similar h/r for a gardener, but there’s an invoice - I see what he does - every purchase pre agreed. Also he would let us know if there was any problem / issue we didn’t know about in the village. If we were away he notifies of security concerns etc. Is your Gran’s chap similar - does he come with added value for your Grandmother? Best of all Mr MMA gets to enjoy the garden without any responsibility which he tells me is worth it alone. I still fanny about out there with plants ... so it suits us all.

Original poster
toastlover100 · 08/11/2018 14:51

It is probably more to do with £20/hour for someone unreliable. Seems like I can tell her £20 is about right, but maybe try and find someone who actually turns up, and does their job.

OP posts:
PattiStanger · 08/11/2018 14:52

FFS people its not just mowing the grass its also getting rid of the waste GARDENERS have to pay for waste disposal it is not free

You're just making it up as you go along, honestly why do people do this, it doesn't help the discussion at all

Original poster
toastlover100 · 08/11/2018 14:53

It is nothing to do with the weather. When asked why he wasn't there 2 weeks previously he said he hadn't realised it had been 4 weeks.

Also, he said he doesn't keep a diary.

OP posts:
worridmum · 08/11/2018 14:54

yes but if the weather is dire as in not suitable to coming there is no point if the weather is not right and he mows the grass he will kill the lawn / damage it.

So you rather him turn up charge your grandmother and bill her despite not being able to do the job since the conditions are not right?

Original poster
toastlover100 · 08/11/2018 14:55

The weather was fine when he should have been there. He has actually turned up and done it in the rain on several occasions.

OP posts:
speakingtruthfully · 08/11/2018 14:55

Previous house ( last year ) I used to pay £25 for a lawn mow front and back , small to medium lawns , nasty slope on one , he used his own tools and strimmed , mowed and collected all grass and bits and took away , had him come every week he was there around 25 mins , place was immaculate, money very well spent

You cannot judge someone's wages / charges / fees on their living arrangements because that's nothing to do with it

If you think it's too much get someone else , simple

worridmum · 08/11/2018 14:56

Pattistranger if they are going to a tip to get rid of waste they need to pay for it commical use you have to pay and where am i making it as i go?

Just because you do not understand that builders / other tradesmen have to pay for waste disposal does not mean i am making it up.

Badtasteflump · 08/11/2018 14:56

You would expect to pay a plumber, mechanic etc this sort of hourly rate

Blimey I would love to find a good plumber or mechanic prepared to work for £20 an hour!

HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 08/11/2018 14:56

I would look to get someone else. You have winter approaching so now is the perfect time to help her find another gardener ready for next spring. If all she needs is the grass cutting I am sure a handyman coming every 2 weeks would be more than sufficient. Once you have found someone you can message him to say his service is no longer required.