Gardening Business

[rss]

My Father has been considering starting up his own gardening/maintenance business for the best part of 18 months now, and recently an old friend has started a similar business which is doing great. So over the past few days I've been helping out with research: looking into costing, potential returns, forecasts etc, and it all looks viable and quite attractive, which makes me consider becoming an active partner in the business.

The problem is that I'm not sure about whether a partnership or limited company would be best? What insurance would be needed? Would it be more beneficial to earn via dividends than wages?

Finally, are there any other considerations that I'd need to take into account when starting a business like this?

Thanks a million!

 

[TestAPlug]

Hi, I have just helped somebody start exactly the same business! He mows laws trims hedges etc. He gets loads of work too much for a one man band. If it were me I would do as he has. Satrt off on your own untill the work out weighs the hours and then take somebody on. A lot is said about the unemployed and the imigrants in this country but he employs a previously unemployed imigrant and he works 12 hour days very hard for minimum wage so I cant fault him. My friend (Rob) has had me print window stickers door magnets postcards and business cards (please see ebay item 160261554047) and they have done him wonders. I am currently working on his website! Good luck with it all. KEV

 

[rss]

Thanks a lot Kev!

I'm just worried about if something goes wrong and a client decides to sue. I'd rather myself and my Father be financially protected from this kind of situation. Will insurance deal with this, or will we have to be incorporated?

TBH, I'd rather start off as a simple partnership as it's much less hassle, but if registering the business as ltd is the only way of getting financial protection, I'd be prepared to put up with the hassle and the loss of a bit of cash.

Oh, and could you PM me with prices for window/vehicle decals?

Thank you.

Rob.

 

[JoyDivision]

Public liability insurance should be enough, but you might want professional imdemety (no idea how to spell it ) insurance too which covers if you make a professional mistake such as give bad advice.

Now isn't the best time as has holds are cutting back and gardening is one of the things people let go, however there is never a good time to start so just go for it.

 

[MH1]

Go LTD, never go into patnership if avoidable.

 

[MikeJonesOnline]

Hi rss,

The problem is that I'm not sure about whether a partnership or limited company would be best?

I posted a reply to a similar query on this forum recently, but as a newbie I haven't reached the number of posts that will permit me to put up a link to a good article about Limited Liability from a well-respected accountancy firm.

If you PM me, I'll drop you the link, or alternatively visit my profile, look at my URL, go the the website and navigate to the Adviser Zone. Then on the left hand menu look under Productivity; then select 'Limited Liability - LLP vs Ltd'.

Consider talking to a commercial insurance broker and ask about public liability insurance and other insurances to cover you and your business.

Hope this helps, and good luck with the business.

Mike Jones

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Dont forget the downside "Winter" hard to make money in Gardening from Autum to Spring

 

[neildigital]

have a look at:

www.gardeneer.co.uk

They run a franchisee system, maybe able to give you some advice.

Neil

 

[sandforthintl]

Just out of curiosity how much would you charge per hour to do basic gardening i.e. mow small garden ? Rates natually alter throughout the country and have seen rates as low as £6 per hour. Surely it would be more beneficial to give a price say £15-£20 even though you may only be there say 30-60 mins ?

JB

 

[rss]

Thanks for all the replies! They've been a great help!

I'll be in contact with the insurance companies in due course, and will carry on reading about different business formations.

JB- For most gardeners around here, £15-£20 per hour is the going rate. With two people working full time, paying for vans, petrol, depreciation in equipment etc, each gardener will take home around £300 net, leaving a few grand profit in the bank per year.

The vast majority of income will be made during Spring and Summer: hopefully enough to maintain a decent wage over Winter.

Anyway, the research continues!

Thanks again guys!

 

[rss]

Can I just route around your brains once again?

I'm trying to think of new ways to promote this business. New ways of securing contracts, and helping the business become THE name of gardening in this area.

The marketing budget will be very small, so the aim really is to get the name out there and get as many people as possible thinking of our business when their garden needs some TLC.

We're looking for ways to do things differently. To stand out from the crowd.

So far, we plan to send letters out to close neighbours of clients to give them notice that we're going to be working close by, and to apologise for any inconvenience caused. This should enable people to see that we're responsible and considerate workers, while also putting us in a favourable position with the neighbours in case they're looking for gardeners in the future

We'll have nicely designed polo shirts with printed logo's on, a nice website, fancy van decals. And a portfolio of 'before and after' photos on hand to show potential customers.

Instead of handing out plain old flyers, we'll produce a nicely designed, small brochure that explains our services in more detail and has more room for lovely, enticing photos.

And of course, we'll be trying to get into local papers etc via press releases and small ads.

Yellow pages is an option, but we're not sure is it's worth the money?

And finally, we'll be approaching local garden centres for a 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' kind of conversation.

Any more ideas and suggestions will be massively appreciated!

Thanks,

Rob

 

[Chris Ashdown]

As a new company the local papers business section is always looking for good news stories and new startups is good for them

Draw up a single page letter saying Who, What, Where, When and your history and reason for changing careers and you will probably get half a page of free advertision or at least low cost

That way you get to the whole area in one hit, then follow up with some smaller adverts

 

[sreeja]

Gardening classes and certification programs can get you started in the right direction. Most state universities offer a two-part Master Gardener Certification program through their Extension Service office and many of these will be located in an area near you. Local botanical gardens and arboretums offer specialized classes that can help you increase your gardening savvy.