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• PRO

  Brian www.mibservices.co.uk May 5, 2014 at 7:45pm

  Commercial works usually means commercial quals. You need to look at getting them.
• 

  Paul foster May 5, 2014 at 7:57pm

  Surely as long as I have the correct insurance registered for vat etc, there isn't anything else I need?
• PRO

  Phil Voice May 5, 2014 at 8:00pm

  Hi Paul

  Welcome to LJN...I hope you find the site useful.

  "qualified to the correct standards for garden maintenance"

  Can you elaborate on what this means?
• PRO

  Brian www.mibservices.co.uk May 5, 2014 at 8:03pm

  RAMS SC CHAS etc etc etc. Being qualified for domestic maintenance is a walk in the park compared to commercial Paul. Do a search for the subject and you will see what I mean.
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  Paul foster May 5, 2014 at 8:05pm

  I have my btec level 3 in horticulture, my spraying certificates and a chainsaw licence.
  
  I have also been taught a high standard of gardening with a good plant knowledge, just need a break into the commercial world to forward my buissnes
• PRO

  Gary RK May 5, 2014 at 8:12pm

  As Brian states, you need to get all your ducks in row to go commercial and ensure you have suitable procedures, insurances, licenses, accrediattions (maybe) and Pro grade gear.

  Be prepared for substantial paperwork, their payment terms and plenty of hoops to jump thru.

  Benefits? Contracts, cash flow, chance to become approved/preferred contractor, access to potentially more profitable work etc

  Really just a quick brain dump...but there is a huge amount of threads/discussions/guidance on here.

  Consider LJN's Hub, some topics are best discussed there and more likely to get answers to certain topics.
• PRO

  Brian www.mibservices.co.uk May 5, 2014 at 8:18pm

  Ref. my above post. That is what you will / may need and plenty of machinery. I get ask for a list of my resources quite often when quoting. Going after commercial needs heavy investment.
  
  How well are you resourced at the mo ?
  
  Commercial client aren't really that interested in your indepth plant knowledge, they just want to know how much you can cut large grass areas and masses of shrub beds for.Plant knowledge is way down the list of their priorities, unless your talking seriously kept formal gardens and landscapes.
  
  Whats in your cupboard in terms of kit ?
  
  
  
  Paul foster said:

  I have my btec level 3 in horticulture, my spraying certificates and a chainsaw licence.
  
  I have also been taught a high standard of gardening with a good plant knowledge, just need a break into the commercial world to forward my buissnes
• 

  Paul foster May 5, 2014 at 8:18pm

  Happy to do all of that, for me it's getting the contacts.
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  Paul foster May 5, 2014 at 8:23pm

  2 21 inch hayter mowers
  3 stihl strimmers
  1 stihl hedgecutter
  1 long reach
  1 chainsaw
  
  Numerous hand tools, would be willing to invest in a ride on when needed.
• PRO

  Gary RK May 5, 2014 at 8:43pm

  Paul, where are you based (region wise) ?

  As you start to go commercial, do not be surprised if you get pulled in different directions by your clients. If you do, you need to consider if it best serves your business direction. You need to consider how you can/will handle contractual work if you are a sole trader. They may expect cover to ensure you can service the contract (ie if you take a 2 or 3 week break, how will you cover it ? etc).

  Take time out to digest what is on here, what has been said above and feel free to ask questions