Forum

Replies

• 

  Jen@A&J Owenwindows&gardens March 18, 2013 at 8:39pm

  Hi Nick, from my experience the older/pensioner customer did like a set day; professional types more flexible. I think as long as you are clear up front and that you keep the garden to the clients required standard you shouldn't have a problem - and good luck!
• 

  David Cox March 18, 2013 at 8:43pm

  As jenny says be clear upfront and their should be no issues.
  - Their is a clear divide. - Also watch out for gated properties / comunities where a set day is also usually required. - I've found it to be a 60/40 split in favour of slight flexibility - so the day can vary 1-3 either side of the "target" date.
• 

  paul mcdermott March 18, 2013 at 9:16pm

  Nick customers have to be a bit flexible to allow for weather conditions anyway,after all were not an emergency service.......
• PRO

  Able Gardens March 18, 2013 at 9:37pm

  I'll echo Pauls comments, its almost impossible to do the work on a weekly/fortnighly basis on a set day your diary will be dictated by the weather, if you do the work on say a Monday and a week later its a foot deep in snow or heavy rain you wont be doing the work, nor would your customer expect you to.

  Ive found that a simple phone call or text stating you'll be round to work as soon as possible to the agreed date is fine, I often enjoy a good chat with my customers particularly the older end, ive built good relationships with them and that goes a long way in there understanding of how I work.

  One thing is for sure when that spring/summer arrives i'll need floodlights on my mower!
• 

  Paul McNulty March 18, 2013 at 11:20pm

  I can't imagine any professional business not committing to a regular weekly time. It's not only for the client's convenience, it's impossible to be booked with enough work to pay the bills if you have space to chop and change days at will?

  Of course you have to be flexible within the seasons and the weather, but surely no full-time professional gardener would be trying to change days for no valid reason? I understand we all need to call a regular client to change the day occasionally for genuine reasons, but not because we have another job that means we can't turn up?

  IMO, if you want to run a gardening business along side another full-time job you should be totally honest about it. You're going to have to accept you can't take on every job, but focus on the clients that don't need a regular slot. Build on that, and move up to regular contracts when you are more established. All credit for building the business up first, but you have to be careful you don't over-commit whilst you are effectively a part-timer.

  I don't think you'll find getting work hard, but I worry you'll lose clients if you mess them about when they should expect a regular weekly service, and you haven't explained why you have to be flexible.
• 

  Colin Hunt March 19, 2013 at 7:00am

  I'll echo that Paul. We not only keep to the same day, but the same time - almost to the minute. A disciplined schedule is essential.

  In Nick's case, you will not be working a 'professional' set-up to start with and your pricing will reflect this I would think. Be up front with the customer and they will probably be happy with an irregular service at a slightly discounted price.
  
  Paul McNulty said:

  I can't imagine any professional business not committing to a regular weekly time. It's not only for the client's convenience, it's impossible to be booked with enough work to pay the bills if you have space to chop and change days at will?

  Of course you have to be flexible within the seasons and the weather, but surely no full-time professional gardener would be trying to change days for no valid reason? I understand we all need to call a regular client to change the day occasionally for genuine reasons, but not because we have another job that means we can't turn up?

  IMO, if you want to run a gardening business along side another full-time job you should be totally honest about it. You're going to have to accept you can't take on every job, but focus on the clients that don't need a regular slot. Build on that, and move up to regular contracts when you are more established. All credit for building the business up first, but you have to be careful you don't over-commit whilst you are effectively a part-timer.

  I don't think you'll find getting work hard, but I worry you'll lose clients if you mess them about when they should expect a regular weekly service, and you haven't explained why you have to be flexible.
• 

  Lawnman March 19, 2013 at 10:21am

  Same here, weather permitting clients know day and time I will be there.
  Definitley adds to their perception of you as a professional and not just someone who turns up when it suits them.
  I am rained and snowed off today, so schedule is well up the creek.
  
  Colin Hunt said:

  I'll echo that Paul. We not only keep to the same day, but the same time - almost to the minute. A disciplined schedule is essential.

  In Nick's case, you will not be working a 'professional' set-up to start with and your pricing will reflect this I would think. Be up front with the customer and they will probably be happy with an irregular service at a slightly discounted price.
  
  Paul McNulty said:

  I can't imagine any professional business not committing to a regular weekly time. It's not only for the client's convenience, it's impossible to be booked with enough work to pay the bills if you have space to chop and change days at will?

  Of course you have to be flexible within the seasons and the weather, but surely no full-time professional gardener would be trying to change days for no valid reason? I understand we all need to call a regular client to change the day occasionally for genuine reasons, but not because we have another job that means we can't turn up?

  IMO, if you want to run a gardening business along side another full-time job you should be totally honest about it. You're going to have to accept you can't take on every job, but focus on the clients that don't need a regular slot. Build on that, and move up to regular contracts when you are more established. All credit for building the business up first, but you have to be careful you don't over-commit whilst you are effectively a part-timer.

  I don't think you'll find getting work hard, but I worry you'll lose clients if you mess them about when they should expect a regular weekly service, and you haven't explained why you have to be flexible.
• 

  Andrew Knight March 19, 2013 at 1:07pm

  Same here as Paul, Colin & Lawnman.

  Some customers like to be in to give me instructions and to pay me, others like to be out, leave it all to me unless there's something of importance like Daughter's Wedding or tree down somewhere and they pay monthly so not a problem.

  I too am suffering with this unstable weather at the moment but my customers appreciate this.
• 

  phil@gardenchief.co.uk March 19, 2013 at 2:38pm

  You can set a clock by me, regulars seem to like it that they know when i'll be arriving. The old dears mostly though, the working types really don't seem to care as long as i do show up.

  Some, even after 5 years, i've never even seen..
• 

  Dan Frazer Gardening March 19, 2013 at 5:53pm

  If you do a regular 4 on 4 off then you should be able to make a visit every 8 or 16 days easily enough?