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Replies

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  chris July 17, 2008 at 9:09pm

  i was thinking 25 3 a day 15 a week fortnightly 5 gaps for 1 offs
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  GORDON July 30, 2008 at 6:18pm

  Hi
  
  I have not been doing this job long but soon realised that selecting the right balance of customers is the key to maximizing the working period in a year. I concentrate on lawn mowing during the season at fixed prices but also have a few customers where I do a set amount of hours a week. When considering a new customer I ascertain if they have hedges etc that require trimming once or twice a year, do they require the leaves collecting in autumn. etc The Autumn hedge cut is a good thing to have set up for the late season but they can take all day or longer. I also have some customers on the new estates with postage size lawns. They pay well during the season but as soon as the grass stops growing that's the end which then gives me the time to trim hedges for my other customers. .
  
  I have 58 regular customers. Some are weekly the rest are every fortnight. I visit on average 7 a day but I only do about 3 to 4 miles a day.
  
  The whole thing is a balancing act, to many and you let people down, not enough, no wages.
  
  Hope my one man band experience is of help.
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  Sefton Paine July 30, 2008 at 7:51pm

  This all depends on how much you want to earn. You could have one customer who requires 30 hours a week.
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  Neil Petrie BSc Landscape Mgt August 4, 2008 at 9:28pm

  Gordon makes very valid points. I have a mixture of large and small, regular and one-off customers spread through the year. I need the regular year round hourly work to get me through the winter and the seasonal grass cutting, weeding, clearance, and anything else which people generally think about through the growing season... work to bring most of the money in. I have helf a dozen biggish customers (ie from 2acres to 20acres - ranging from herbaceous borders, woodland gardens, bog gardens, drain clearing, tree work, fence work, you name it.) In scotland we have a Scottish Garden Scheme. I'd recommend checking out their website at http://www.gardensofscotland.org/index.aspx and see if their's an equivalent down south as they generally need a heck of a lot of work done all year round.
  
  The regular grass cutting work is where you can also have seasonal helper or two to bring in a bit more cash for your quiter winters.
  
  In the winter I generally work myself most of the time with help here and there. In the summer I generally have a team of 2 or 3 extras. Everyone's circumstances and needs of their business is unique though and you will find what works for you.
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  chris August 4, 2008 at 10:09pm

  Thanks for your sound advice very helpfull
  
  Neil Petrie BSc Land Man said:

  Gordon makes very valid points. I have a mixture of large and small, regular and one-off customers spread through the year. I need the regular year round hourly work to get me through the winter and the seasonal grass cutting, weeding, clearance, and anything else which people generally think about through the growing season... work to bring most of the money in. I have helf a dozen biggish customers (ie from 2acres to 20acres - ranging from herbaceous borders, woodland gardens, bog gardens, drain clearing, tree work, fence work, you name it.) In scotland we have a Scottish Garden Scheme. I'd recommend checking out their website at http://www.gardensofscotland.org/index.aspx and see if their's an equivalent down south as they generally need a heck of a lot of work done all year round.
  
  The regular grass cutting work is where you can also have seasonal helper or two to bring in a bit more cash for your quiter winters.
  
  In the winter I generally work myself most of the time with help here and there. In the summer I generally have a team of 2 or 3 extras. Everyone's circumstances and needs of their business is unique though and you will find what works for you.
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  Rob Hawkins August 5, 2008 at 4:39pm

  Although a largely gave up maintenance a few years ago, I have someone do a small round of three gardens within a one mile radius on a fortnightly basis. Whilst I do not net a huge amount from this it grosses £ 100 for about six hours work. Probably not a lot of help, but it comes down to what you as an individual need to live plus whatever you would like on top of that to have some of life's extras, even if that just a couple of pints in your local every night.
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  William Moody January 29, 2012 at 9:33am

  There isnt really a definitive answer, each client will have individual needs, 

  www.progroundscare.co.uk
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  Ian Howes January 29, 2012 at 9:56am

  Really depends on the type of client and garden size.  Tomorrow I will spend 8hours in one garden, where as tuesday I will visit about 7 clients.  Its about getting the mix right, and finding those clients who are prepared to employ you all year, this will come over time, im into my ninth year this year and I dont see my money drop in the winter months very much at all

  Do a good job, be realiable, be fair with prices and the rest will follow
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  Colin Hunt January 29, 2012 at 11:44am

  That last sentence says it all really............... and learning to walk before you run.

  Regarding how many 'clients' etc, as others have said, there is no definitive answer.  My suggestion would be take what you can, learn from your clients about there needs etc and customise their requirements to suit them and importantly you.  There is a big jump from 'running a garden round' to running a profitable and established business that will create it's own work and leads.  That, I would think, is where you need to aim. 

   

  
  
  Ian Howes said:

  Really depends on the type of client and garden size.  Tomorrow I will spend 8hours in one garden, where as tuesday I will visit about 7 clients.  Its about getting the mix right, and finding those clients who are prepared to employ you all year, this will come over time, im into my ninth year this year and I dont see my money drop in the winter months very much at all

  Do a good job, be realiable, be fair with prices and the rest will follow