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Hi Austin, where in essex are you? im based in basildon.
Ian
I've been alright this winter Austin,
I have had quite a bit of tree and hedge work, Also i offer snow and ice clearance which comes in handy.
Not really got any secret though, I just seem to have the right customers, It's certainly not down to advertising as I don't do any,
I did send a letter out to my elderly customers just before winter, telling them that i can clear snow and ice for them as well as collect supplys for them if needed.
Luckily this winter wasn't anywhere near as bad as last year.
My larger contracts have just been odds and sods, generally keeping the sites tidy,
I have to say though, i am ready for the season to start now, had enough of winter now.
Hope things pick up for you mate,
Austin, business is going well where I am in the Scottish Borders. Although that is mainly due to the weather! There has been next to no snow here this winter so that’s allowing me to bash on with some jobs. I found this year’s winter quite mild compared to the previous few.
Last week we had a good frost which lasted around 7 days. That postponed my client I had booked in as we were in the process of lifting the front lawn and gravelling the area. Job is half way to completion now.
January was rather quiet but that suits me, I tent to take off January to re-charge the batteries. If I'm needed somewhere I will always respond, but it’s nice to have a bit of me time.
Letters were sent out to customers to see if they require my services this season, every customer responded and wish to carry on with the maintenance this year. The phone has also been ringing for summer maintenance work to be booked in for this year which is always a good sign!
As for the money side of things, I work my backside off from March - November (6 days a week and no holidays, all work and no play) so I put aside some funds to see me through the 'winter' months. I have 3 clients who pay 12 months of the year so that brings in some income. However, it’s always better to be prepared for the worst hence the 'winter funds'!
I hope things pick up for you buddy and I hope the snow gets a shift!!!!
My business focuses on domestic maintainance, small landscaping and commercial planting.
Nick.
Not as busy as this time last year which is strange as this has probably been the mildest winter in my lifetime here in NI, only one day of snow all winter!. I was expecting to be a lot busier by now. Most of the new enquiries i have had so far this year have been for small tidy up jobs, only got one decent landscaping job so far.
Things ok here outside belfast, I've been on a 3-4 day week for most of january and like paul i diversify a little and get some inside work. The few fences and small paving jobs i have done outdoors is 90% stuff for long standing customers which were not urgent and they were happy to scheduled it in for winter.
Don't dispair it is uncommon to pick up new work at this time but hopefully end of feb should see an increase for you! Remember this though and try and make a plan for next winter before you get to busy again and before you know it is october.
Also treated myself to 10 days of glorious surfing in sunny morocco!
I do feel lucky as even though its early yet I have 4 or 5 biggish jobs lined up so busy with little jobs this week and by next week will be in full swing. Bizarrely i have had two people this week who i gave quotes to in october for 2K ish landscaping projects call me out of the blue to say they want to go ahead? I had written them off as being lost but clearly not?
I have also decided to start being more pro-active in regard to getting feedback from rejected quotes this year.
I hope things pick up for you soon Austin.