Starting my own business

[13enMids]

I'd like to start my own business in gardening basically to stop living on benefits and i'd like to pay my own bills and focus on my own business instead of looking for average jobs in tesco/sainsburys exc

I've researched the idea, looked up everything i need to know, licences, vat, business insurance, training, and all the legal requirements.

I've worked out the start up cost would be around the £700 mark that's from equipment to advertising and marketing.

The problem i'm having is should i register straight away, inform the benefit system that i'm going self employed as a sole trader. Then start advertising my services after that? (after i somehow manage to pull in £700 and get everything needed)

Are their any grants anyone knows of which can help me to get started? After i go self employed what happens if i don't find enough work to pay the bills? (under a certain amount housing benefit help out so rent shouldn't be a issue)

If i don't get enough work i believe its over 24 hours a week for my situation, working tax credits don't apply.

So i'd be stuck so ideally i should be looking at getting a part time job say tescos or sainsburys, then build the business on the side?

 

[MOIC]

Don't register for anything yet.

Get leaflets made (get help with the layout) and start walking in the areas you want to do the gardening work and drop in all letterboxes.

Target affluent areas who are more likely to pay for gardening work.

Offer the first work/hour free (you'll be surprised how people will be atracted to this offer, and probably end up paying you)

Start at the bottom, and slowly work your way up.

Make sure you now exactly what to do, and have the tools to do it.

Good luck!

 

[businessfunding]

If you are claiming JSA you will probably qualify for the NEA scheme, which will give you a lot of useful support (and potentially a start-up loan)

Alternatively, the Start-up scheme is soon to be extended.

 

[superdooper500]

There are schemes that the job centre etc run, it looks like kickstartbtm has the details, but I know this as I'm supposed to be helping an acquaintance of mine write his business plan to get his business grant from the Job centre. I think its up to £1000 you can qualify for.

Also, I know it probably seems daunting, but as soon as you take in your first paying customers you should look to come off of JSA. I'm sure that its going to be tough at first with an uncertain income ahead of you, but you don't want to become reliant on having it there to top you up, and fall foul of benefit fraud regulations!

 

[13enMids]

There are schemes that the job centre etc run, it looks like kickstartbtm has the details, but I know this as I'm supposed to be helping an acquaintance of mine write his business plan to get his business grant from the Job centre. I think its up to £1000 you can qualify for.

Also, I know it probably seems daunting, but as soon as you take in your first paying customers you should look to come off of JSA. I'm sure that its going to be tough at first with an uncertain income ahead of you, but you don't want to become reliant on having it there to top you up, and fall foul of benefit fraud regulations!

Can you give me any advice or structure they like the business plan to be in please? so i can start getting one ready?

edit: I'm looking into the NEA too

 

[businessfunding]

The format will vary from region to region.

As a start I suggest you contact you Job Centre to ask about the scheme & how it runs in your area.

Incidentally, the £1000 is an interest-bearing loan, not a grant.

 

[superdooper500]

Can you give me any advice or structure they like the business plan to be in please? so i can start getting one ready?

edit: I'm looking into the NEA too

To be honest, when I say I'm sposed to be helping him, he approached me with an idea, I told him it wasn't doable to set up a sweet shop + employ 2 staff (his plan) for £1k, so I said come back to me with a service business you can start where you can add genuine value for limited overheads and startup costs, such as window cleaner or whatever. I think your gardening service sounds ideal.

Unfortunately at this stage I've not heard any more about the plan or how it works to access funding, it was more at an initial discussion phase with a friend of a friend, but I do know there is funding out there at least.

From what I know, they were expecting 2 sheets of A4 with some words on, and if it was at all feasible they give you the money to get you off their books. So if you go in there with a cracking plan, then you're sure to knock their socks off.

Best of luck.

 

[superdooper500]

The format will vary from region to region.

As a start I suggest you contact you Job Centre to ask about the scheme & how it runs in your area.

Incidentally, the £1000 is an interest-bearing loan, not a grant.

Excellent, I knew you'd have the details, thanks

 

[Jet Virtual]

I'd like to start my own business in gardening basically to stop living on benefits and i'd like to pay my own bills and focus on my own business instead of looking for average jobs in tesco/sainsburys exc

I've researched the idea, looked up everything i need to know, licences, vat, business insurance, training, and all the legal requirements.

I've worked out the start up cost would be around the £700 mark that's from equipment to advertising and marketing.

The problem i'm having is should i register straight away, inform the benefit system that i'm going self employed as a sole trader. Then start advertising my services after that? (after i somehow manage to pull in £700 and get everything needed)

Are their any grants anyone knows of which can help me to get started? After i go self employed what happens if i don't find enough work to pay the bills? (under a certain amount housing benefit help out so rent shouldn't be a issue)

If i don't get enough work i believe its over 24 hours a week for my situation, working tax credits don't apply.

So i'd be stuck so ideally i should be looking at getting a part time job say tescos or sainsburys, then build the business on the side?

Forget trying to get a loan just rent a cheap lawnmower and borrow some materials to get started. Don't waste time on elaborate business plans either TRUST ME!

Wake up and go get some customers ...

bets of luck!

Dan

 

[businessfunding]

Forget trying to get a loan just rent a cheap lawnmower and borrow some materials to get started. Don't waste time on elaborate business plans either TRUST ME!

Wake up and go get some customers ...

bets of luck!

Dan

Congratulations on thE worst advice offered on a forum...

 

[Gecko001]

Forget trying to get a loan just rent a cheap lawnmower and borrow some materials to get started. Don't waste time on elaborate business plans either TRUST ME!

Wake up and go get some customers ...

bets of luck!

Dan

I am not sure that you can rent a lawnmower all that cheaply, but you can buy them secondhand.

Borrowing money to start a business in my experience is the exception rather than the rule.

You should have some sort of plan in your head about where you are going, but an actual business plan of the type that the banks want is not necessary and is a waste of time as JetVirtual says.

get out there and start, mowing, digging, weeding and making money.

 

[13enMids]

I am not sure that you can rent a lawnmower all that cheaply, but you can buy them secondhand.

Borrowing money to start a business in my experience is the exception rather than the rule.

You should have some sort of plan in your head about where you are going, but an actual business plan of the type that the banks want is not necessary and is a waste of time as JetVirtual says.

get out there and start, mowing, digging, weeding and making money.

Sadly i can't afford the basic equipment to start offering basic services to customers meaning i can't bring in money to get the business going. I've worked out secondhand equipment would in total cost around £700 to offer the basic services. This includes protective gear, petrol mower, petrol strimmer and a hedge trimmer and a few more tools.

I have basic transport to get around and can already pay for the basic business insurance i would require. I'm a web designer so basically can design the website, all the advertising material myself saving cost. Obviously paid advertising will still cost money.

I'll try selling allot of personal items to raise the money, then ask for a loan for the rest from my dad or something. He should be able to mentor me though and watch over the business making sure i'm doing everything right.

I've spoken to some greatly kind people that have offered support and suggested i attend workshops and learning groups then go about getting the loan. But i'd rather be out learning from experience and gaining customers rather then being sat in workshops.

Hopefully this venture will work out. Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[businessfunding]

I've spoken to some greatly kind people that have offered support and suggested i attend workshops and learning groups then go about getting the loan. But i'd rather be out learning from experience and gaining customers rather then being sat in workshops.

Hopefully this venture will work out. Thanks for the advice everyone!

You actually need both experience and knowledge.

Experience will help you to do your job, knowledge will help you to run (and develop) a business - which is a very different thing.

Don't undermine the value of planning and the support available to you (for free )- it help you a lot in the long run.

 

[superdooper500]

One thing I'm sure you're aware of is that gardening is mostly a seasonal job, so you'll need some complimentary services to keep you ticking over for 6 months of the year.

Are there some jobs you can do on friends and family gardens with their equipment to build up your skills, a bit of a portfolio/customerbase and get some cash coming in? You could do a deal with them that for every client they refer onto you, they get 10% off or something.

As much as I was mentioning job centre grants etc yesterday, it might be sensible to kickstart your venture as others have mentioned if the job centre aren't going to offer you the right type of support.

 

[MOIC]

One thing I'm sure you're aware of is that gardening is mostly a seasonal job, so you'll need some complimentary services to keep you ticking over for 6 months of the year.

The OP should add Patio Drive Cleaning as one of his services.

A Karcher type Jetwash is all that's needed.

 

[ChrisBackman]

You can't just put all your eggs in one basket, look at what you can do, get a part time job if possible and run this on the side, just in case it all goes wrong and you need to fall back on something. Ideally your temp job should provide the amount you need to basically live.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

This may help

 

[13enMids]

One thing I'm sure you're aware of is that gardening is mostly a seasonal job, so you'll need some complimentary services to keep you ticking over for 6 months of the year.

Are there some jobs you can do on friends and family gardens with their equipment to build up your skills, a bit of a portfolio/customerbase and get some cash coming in? You could do a deal with them that for every client they refer onto you, they get 10% off or something.

As much as I was mentioning job centre grants etc yesterday, it might be sensible to kickstart your venture as others have mentioned if the job centre aren't going to offer you the right type of support.

I'm certainly looking at building my portfolio but still theres no point having a portfolio when you don't have the gear.

The OP should add Patio Drive Cleaning as one of his services.

A Karcher type Jetwash is all that's needed.

That's the direction the business will be running in, offering other services such as Jet Washing as you mentioned, Waste Removal, House clearance, but obviously that's way to far in the future to even consider yet! At the moment it's picking one service working around that and then adding more on as time and the funds allow. Hopefully in the end being a business that local customers really love and enjoy while providing a great customer service at great prices.

Also to note when expanding into other services to take into account requirements/ licences if needed/ plus more insurance will be required.

Was driving around earlier and seeing all overgrown gardens and such theres my potential customers right there!

Anyway thanks for the replies everyone.

 

[tomp1986]

Just to help out if your anywhere near sheffield I will give you a job lot of tools for free
Hand tools cutters ext

Have loads week in week out if not near sheffield sorry I carnt help and good luck

Cheers tom

 

[dean08]

just like to say best of luck, i hope it works out for you. you seem to be like me, you have nothing to lose!

 

[13enMids]

Just to help out if your anywhere near sheffield I will give you a job lot of tools for free
Hand tools cutters ext

Have loads week in week out if not near sheffield sorry I carnt help and good luck

Cheers tom

Thanks for the offer would of been brilliant if I was closer but sadly your 6 hours away. Appreciate it though

just like to say best of luck, i hope it works out for you. you seem to be like me, you have nothing to lose!

Thanks man you too

 

[simon field]

How about starting out by offering a service which will cost just a trowel, gloves and wheelbarrow?

I'm happy to cut my own lawn, but If someone came knocking offering to pull weeds, just weeds and nothing else I'd happily pay £15 - £20 for that once a month

+1 for those who advocate a plan.

Edit: Lots of people are happy to pay for their car washed too!

 

[superdooper500]

Thanks for the offer would of been brilliant if I was closer but sadly your 6 hours away. Appreciate it though

Don't give up too easily on the free tools idea dude. Part of being an entrepreneur is about how to solve problems to help grow your business. Depending on what the tools were available, and what they were like (a quick mobile phone pic should tell you enough), could you not arrange for the gear to go in a couple of boxes via shiply or a similar courier brokerage site? I bet you could get the gear delivered to you for £30 tops. Gotta be worth hitting up your dad for £30 of seed capital, than the £700 you think you need?

Imagine if that £30 you invested got you a spade, a shovel, a fork, some hedge cutters and a couple of trowels, you could definitely begin to grow a gardening service with them! It'd be harder than a strimmer etc I agree, but you could graft away with your £30 worth of tools, and build that up into a few hundred quid quite quickly to get your next lot of gear, and build up like that.

Best of luck to you, seems like the smallest of hurdles, but where there's a will, there's a way!

 

[13enMids]

Don't give up too easily on the free tools idea dude. Part of being an entrepreneur is about how to solve problems to help grow your business. Depending on what the tools were available, and what they were like (a quick mobile phone pic should tell you enough), could you not arrange for the gear to go in a couple of boxes via shiply or a similar courier brokerage site? I bet you could get the gear delivered to you for £30 tops. Gotta be worth hitting up your dad for £30 of seed capital, than the £700 you think you need?

Imagine if that £30 you invested got you a spade, a shovel, a fork, some hedge cutters and a couple of trowels, you could definitely begin to grow a gardening service with them! It'd be harder than a strimmer etc I agree, but you could graft away with your £30 worth of tools, and build that up into a few hundred quid quite quickly to get your next lot of gear, and build up like that.

Best of luck to you, seems like the smallest of hurdles, but where there's a will, there's a way!

That's a great idea never knew about shiply, thanks for the heads up this might indeed start the business off sent a message to the op

 

[superdooper500]

That's a great idea never knew about shiply, thanks for the heads up this might indeed start the business off sent a message to the op

Excellent, best of luck, hope it works out for you.

 

[andycan]

This is the perfect time of year to be starting your line of business. I agree with the post above, that putting in the foot work should be your first focus. Get a couple of thousand leaflets designed with an interesting offer and post them into affluent areas. Make sure the flyer/leaflet is simple and not riddled with long sentences. Leafleting does work, but you need to put in the foot work.

 

[13enMids]

I've now got some of the main equipment for the business and have £1600 to invest.

I either need a trailer for my car or to buy a van which would also be able to advertise the business and look more professional.

Car Trailer

Pros : Would have enough cash to buy more equipment and clothing for the business plus be able to buy advertising material.

Cons : Wouldn't have a Van, Wouldn't look professional at all, security could be a major problem.

Van

Pros : Would look more professional, free advertising, wouldn't need to upgrade in the future. More secure tool wise.

Cons : Would still have to find ways to raise funds for all the other equipment and such.

ughhhhh

 

[Gecko001]

Most gardeners that I know have a trailer. It is more versitile than a van I suppose. They can put hedge clippings and soil in them and larger pieces of equipment like rotavators etc.

 

[MOIC]

I've now got some of the main equipment for the business and have £1600 to invest.

I either need a trailer for my car or to buy a van which would also be able to advertise the business and look more professional.

Car Trailer

Pros : Would have enough cash to buy more equipment and clothing for the business plus be able to buy advertising material.

Cons : Wouldn't have a Van, Wouldn't look professional at all, security could be a major problem.

Van

Pros : Would look more professional, free advertising, wouldn't need to upgrade in the future. More secure tool wise.

Cons : Would still have to find ways to raise funds for all the other equipment and such.

ughhhhh

Go for the van.

Security will be a big issue with a trailer and its easily 'nickable'

Wear old clothes to start, build up your equipment slowly.

You will be surprised that in many houses that you will aproach to do the work, they may have tools you can use (if you don't have everything you need)

When you can afford it, get a 'Karcher' and include cleaning front drives and rear patios as part of your services. A good earner.

It's good to see that you have progressed, since your opening post.

It makes all the posters on this thread (as well as readers) feel that thier advice has been taken up and has contributed to your start up.

I'm sure they are all interested in seeing you develop and grow your business.

Best of luck and well done, so far !

Ron

 

[13enMids]

Any ideas on introductory offers for this?

 

[Feldon]

I came across a very inspirational youtube video last night about start your own business for 37p at first i thought it was a joke but far from it and how he went on to build a business empire which he has recently sold for 70 million pounds.

May be not what you are looking for but that 37p business, o.k it was in 1974 could still be started for peanuts and i'm guessing you could earn a lot more than gardening and do it all year round.

 

[iconic]

One thing I'm sure you're aware of is that gardening is mostly a seasonal job, so you'll need some complimentary services to keep you ticking over for 6 months of the year.

I disagree... There isn't much you can do when there is snow and ice on the ground but that isn't the case for 6 months of the year... Most gardeners that I see when I'm out and about working are busy 9 or 10 months of the year with regular customers.

The OP should add Patio Drive Cleaning as one of his services.

A Karcher type Jetwash is all that's needed.

If you're going to offer this as a service that people will pay good money for then you need something better than a domestic Karcher machine - I'm currently looking into offering this service and all my prospective competitors use equipment that's worth thousands...

Andy

 

[MOIC]

If you're going to offer this as a service that people will pay good money for then you need something better than a domestic Karcher machine - I'm currently looking into offering this service and all my prospective competitors use equipment that's worth thousands...

Andy

Who said "domestic" Karcher machine?

I think you'll find that Karcher deal with industrial and commercial machinery.

In any event, I am sure the OP will know what to buy, which is suitable, according to his budget.

 

[MOIC]

Any ideas on introductory offers for this?

Try something along the following lines:

FIRST 4 VISITS - HALF PRICE!

The point is to build your customer base, and sometimes you have to entice them with this type of offer.

Sure, some will only use you for the first 4 weeks and find an excuse not to use after, but, some will also keep you on, if you can show them that you are good value.

You should charge by the hour (don't undercharge, see what others are charging in your area.)

Also, try to give yourself a good brand name !

Good Luck !

 

[iconic]

Who said "domestic" Karcher machine?

I think you'll find that Karcher deal with industrial and commercial machinery.

Sorry, I thought you implied that a cheap pressure washer would be adequate when you said "A Karcher type Jetwash is all that's needed."

I was just stating that from my research pressure washing companies use expensive equipment to get good results.

Andy

 

[MOIC]

[/B]."

I was just stating that from my research pressure washing companies use expensive equipment to get good results.

I think it's important to get the OP's financial and 'start up' position (personal gardener for domestic houses) into context, and not to compare with a pressure washing company and it's type of customers.

A 'Karcher' is more than adequate for cleaning patios as part of the services he can offer connected to gardening.

 

[DRFC]

Hi,

Sounds like we are in a similar position and looking at the same sort of business. Where is it you are based? could be good to bounce few ideas off each other if your interested?

 

[JMRidley]

My husband started a gardening business a few years ago. He's always had as much work as he has wanted and could have had more. Unfortunately he developed arthritis recently so is reducing his hours significantly. He has never had a van (he has a Ford Mondeo with a large boot which was also our family car at one time) and the only advertising he ever did was a couple of cards in newsagents windows early on. Since then all of his work has been through word of mouth. His customers recommend him to others because he is very reliable, polite, always leaves the garden tidy after he has been and knows enough about plants to be able to have conversations with his customers about what is best planted where, when things need pruning etc. He has never offered any special/introductory rates - his hourly rate is what customers pay and he reviews this every couple of years. And, as others have said, he is busy for considerably longer than 6 months a year as there are a lot of jobs to be done in the garden outside the obvious seasons.

 

[Instructor2013]

The fact that the OP will actually be in direct contact with his customers opens many many more doors to him. Yes, it can be difficult to get that foot in the door and once you are in you need to be as good as you said you where to get that foot in.

Once in as a gardener, you also become a roofer, and bricky, a carpenter, a tiler, a plumber, a sparky etc......................or you certainly know someone who is, or you should get to know who is.

Customers tend to talk to the gardener more than they do the roofer or plumber. Gardeners gain more trust. Use that to your advantage and you should get plenty of 'other work' that you can either do yourself or pass onto your list of contractors.......for a referral fee.

On the 'karcher' issue...........a run of the mill 'karcher' jet wash with be just fine for your average garden patio or deck area. I have never met a home owner that carries an industrial one in their shed and they all seem to get by just fine with the one we can all afford in B&Q. No worries on that score so dont go spending those thousands that some have noted.

 

[Mitch3473]

Having used pressure washers for commercial purposes for over 10 years a 'run of the mill' Karcher designed for DIY jobs wont cut it,it's false economy.
A decent Honda 4 stroke with an Interpump unit will last for years,the only thing that will go is the hose,eventually.
Remember it is his livelyhood,it looks and sounds the part,will do the job quicker and better and will attract more customers than ' someone with a mickey mouse washer' plus the OP can charge more.