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Replies
I think it's a great idea Wayne.
Building relationships with others in your area can yield results and vice versa.
Probably a good idea to source gardeners that have different skills to compliment what you offer.
I do this and tbh I get a far few calls off other guys in the area even if its just the odd job climbing for someone its worth it
I did this a couple of times working for someone else. It was OK just once where I actually made some money.
I have one customer who has not paid me the second time I was there. That's now 4 weeks ago. She keeps telling me she has paid, but she has not. A user. I actually need to text the gardener who sent me there.
I was doing some jobs where other gardeners stopped by my van and begged me to take them on. One had no licence and was too far away from me anyway. The other was showing off his handiwork where instead of cutting the branches and trunk of the tree he cut into it and then pulled with roped to break it off!!! Leaving a massacred tree. I took the number because he was quite pushy and also because he had the pathetic little saw in his hand. Note went into bin.
Thats quite sad to hear that someone thinks intimidation would get them work.
Because I do tree surgery and I'm dropping landscaping its quite handy for me as I have 3 gardeners I can contact for various landscaping jobs and they tend to offer me their tree work. I also find all the tree surgeons around my area are fairly friendly and fully insured so passing work on seems to be the given thing around here.
When I started out I emailed lots of tree surgeons to try and work with them but only he replied to me positively. Maybe I should try again? Because there are so many gardeners, tree surgeon and landscapers about here in SE London that they would be interested to collaborate. Everyone seems to just muddle about on their own.
That's a great idea, we have certain companies to pass customers onto if needed (obviously different industry but still applies). It's all about how you pose it to the competitors really though. Perhaps if you offer yours and ask to take theirs, a 'you scratch my back' situation, as then it potentially benefits both parties? :)
Look at complimentary industries too (as others have said) to boost what you can offer, again offering yours and taking theirs will mean both parties can benefit! :)
I have a couple of landscapers that I pass work onto and they in return pass work to me (lawn treatments), one of those relationships was forged here on LJN.
I always make an effort to introduce myself to anyone working locally and swap cards. I specialise in lawn treatments and the majority of other gardeners around me don't offer this service and it does pay to stop for a chat every once in a while.
Only today I have passed work over to another local guy as I don't have the time to do it. It will cost you nothing, only 5 minutes of your time. You may get some work from it down the line so why not?