Founded in 2008. The Landscape Juice Network (LJN) is the largest and fastest growing professional landscaping and horticultural association in the United Kingdom.
LJN's professional business forum is unrivalled and open to anyone within within the UK landscape industry
LJN's Business Objectives Group (BOG) is for any Pro serious about building their business.
For the researching visitor there's a wealth of landscaping ideas, garden design ideas, lawn advice tips and advice about garden maintenance.
Replies
I did it for about 9 years but at times the stress was unbearable and i'm looking to go back to solo with maybe a little help from subs.
Whatever you do don't be working 12 hour days as you will burn out and be no use to anybody.
I worked for a company managing people and that did my head in and that was not my money! I would try to find one really good person who works along side you. Then you can keep your standards up without worrying about buying another van and more plant etc. Green Garden Girl is right you need to cut those hours abit anyway you would be unlikely to find someone who wants to work those hours all the time anyway.
Good luck.
Phil glad you have sorted your health out 12 hour days is no good and I bet some of your customers are not thrilled with been in there garden at 7 or 8 at night
finding good reliable staff is always a problem you have to pay the minimum wage (at least) work place pension, nis contribution, liability insurance etc. you will have to charge out at 2.5 x what you pay them to stay in profit.
the other way is to increase your rates and maybe loose some customers, the same income with less hours
I employed one staff over the years the really young lads were reasonably reliable but no experience so only good for clearing up, the 20-30 were a bit unreliable and think they are worth double what you pay with no idea what cost is involved running a business , the 40- 50 were most reliable but did not like been told what and how to do it. the horticultural students would do the job but were so slow spend a hour weeding a sq. Mt also the season is in full swing before they are available and not finished when they go back
I do not want to put you off employing someone but just to mention some of the pitfalls
if you can find folk that are reliable and good it will be ok if you have the work for them