Forum

The Planning Portal - planning and building regulations for England and Wales

Heard mention of the Planning Portal over the weekend and thought for those involved in bigger projects it might be useful to store away for reference: The Planning Portal The Planning Portal is the UK Government's online planning and building regula

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Research

I am curious, as I have not seen it mentioned much, but how much research do those offering gardening maintenance put into finding work? Have you found different tactics work better in some areas then others?Do you adapt your flyers for different typ

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decent lawnmower

Hi,I'm battling through websites and various advice from here and other sites re the best mower to get! when i started 15years ago i swore by Rover mowers but did get through three in 5years!! Then bought a John deere R52s which lasted 3years before

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Twitter for Landscaping Business?!?

Stephen Fry sent me to Twitter.com and I have noticed an increasing number of trade and service orientated businesses advertising or blogging that they are now "Twittering". I am going to speak in the third person now for the benefit of shamelessly c

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Recession hits the London gardening industry?

Is it just me or is every gardener/landscaper that I catch up with in London moaning about the lack of work out there? Three have told me this week that they're thinking of packing it in because the phone hasn't rung once this year with any enquiries

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Bloom or Doom

Well what a complete and utter mess the gloomy picture that we now see evident with countless reports of job losses well known high street retailers and Banks crashing an economy that is likened to that of a pernitious weed or the Hedera helix slowly

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customer management software

I'm wanting to expand the data stored about my customers.I'm currently using microsoft excel, but find it is limited.Is there any other software that people find effctive for there own landscape business.

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Looking for advice

I am chair of a tenant management organisation and our gardener is retiring later this year. So we will be looking for a new gardener, I am trying to get an idea of the type of person we need to look for, and perhaps some indication of pay.Not wishin

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Quoting for work

I would be interested to know how others go about writing up quotes for work.I put a lot of time and effort into preparing a quote so that the price you see is the price you pay.I have always given a breakdown of materials labour and vat, (I know you

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Staying positive

Hello everyone,I try to keep up to date with your forum, however, I am normally doing paperwork. However, I have turned to you guys and girls in my usual emergencies with gardening.Generally, I am pretty upbeat about the business and am seeing anothe

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Moving the business?

Since I have shed the majority of my full-time staff and will be opting in 2009 to hire contractors for big projects as and when needed; my business has taken on a more flexible format and we have been offered a fresh start in Hampshire which is some

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Small business advice

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whos back to work in the snow!.... gettin more work...

ohhhh very cold out there and ive now got a cold lol, so who braved it 2day in the snow?? anyone.... do u think its pointless advertising in jan for maintenance work??? or putting out leafleats etc... as i only started last year i knew it would be sl

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How long is your Christmas holiday?

Christmas was the only time of year I felt I could take a holiday from work and stay around the home. Any other time, because my office and yard was based at my house, I could not relax or stay away from the daily dealings. Apart from our litter coll

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As a New Member

Hello everyoneas a new member i was hoping some of you would have a quick look at my website and suggest any improvements i could make to attrack customers, as i had to work for someone else until i was layed off yesterday, i just cant seem to get th

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Terms and conditions

Hi, I am new to this thing and would like to know if anyone can recommend where to get some appropriate terms and conditions for a small designing and Landscaping business????Thanks

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Tips on advertising and promoting your business

Making your brand stand out and getting noticed for the right reasons is essential for gardeners and landscapers and it does not need to cost the earth. Paying huge sums to go into a directory or the local newspaper is not necessary - here are a few

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Advice for cooling off periods for doorstep traders

There is new legislation about how traders conduct their business at the front door.

Cold calling is a big problem for the industry and it has not helped legitimate business. Landscapers and gardeners have taken years to be accepted as professionals

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Landscapers - be prepared to walk away

As a trader, you have just twelve months in a financial year to reach your targets and optimise the time available that you can sell.

You cannot afford to get it wrong and it only takes one bad payer to ruin your profit and damage the prospect of a

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Taking on a new employee

I'm in a bit of a fix at the moment as I'm wanting to take on my first employee but have no idea of how to go about setting up all the bits & bobs to make sure I'm fulfilling all the legal requirements. I'm going to make an appointment with the C.A.B

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