Founded in 2008. The Landscape Juice Network (LJN) is the largest and fastest growing professional landscaping and horticultural association in the United Kingdom.
LJN's professional business forum is unrivalled and open to anyone within within the UK landscape industry
LJN's Business Objectives Group (BOG) is for any Pro serious about building their business.
For the researching visitor there's a wealth of landscaping ideas, garden design ideas, lawn advice tips and advice about garden maintenance.
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http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/home
As well as looking at Business Link as suggested by Martin, I would talk to an accountant too.
Our situ is a little different in as far as I am retired and write Christian songs/articles/poems. My husband is also retired and enjoys working with wood ie planters/bird boxes/troughs/plaques etc.
Our two sons are `between jobs` and I feel that offering them work thru my "business" will give them the impetuous they need to work together - which they can do well! One majors in hard landscaping and the other soft, as I said earlier.
Thru family, neighbours friends and my many online chums I am sure I can get the boys work to start. I wouldn't want wages just enough to cover any annual expenses ie VAT/TAX etc. I would have to look into that!
Thanks again for all your help. I have lots to consider but really believe Dreamspace Gardens is the way to go for us!
Annette x
Money isn't the key issue for me but making the most of our abilities and opportunities - even for a season (no pun intended!) and move onwards. Lacking in confidence isn't the same as being incompetent...therapy comes in all shapes and sizes...;0)
Annette
Pro Gard said:
We chose the Ltd company route as there are 2 of us, and we have had to bring in experienced pro's to do patio / paving work etc. The costs are arround £700 - £1k for accounting for the year, plus financing the on going running.
Equiptment costs have been arround £5k so far, although may be less as your sons may have some already.
If your intending to finance and manage the business - that would mean taking on a directors role in a ltd company, or a very confusing guidance / mini-bank role in a self-employed partnership set-up.
If both already are self employed - I would (IMO) recommend they stick at it, and perhaps team up on jobs where their skills cross over - but otherwise its an ivestment in short term disappointment.
It could also destroy their confidence for a long time if it goes wrong...
Annette,
You're getting some sage advice here and I would urge you to take note of what's being said. Trust me, you DON'T have enough initiative and drive for everybody – not for the long term - and if all the input is yours then you're on a hiding to nothing. A business has one cold, some would say almost brutal, reason for existing and that is to make money. It's a small sentence but if you ignore it the ramifications are devastating. So I'll repeat it - the only reason you are in business is to make money. That must be your primary goal around which almost all decisions are made. If you don't make money then nothing else works. The reasons you are citing to go into business don't seem to be financially motivated at all so I do fear for this venture.
I’m not trying to dampen your spirit – I just think you should proceed with great caution and do ALOT of homework first. Talk to people on this forum – landscaping is a hard, hard game to be in and can be utterly soul-destroying if you don’t have the right mental attitude to cope with the knocks. And the knocks do come thick and fast!
Homework first!
Dave
www.the-gardenmakers.co.uk
It would be difficult enough to do what you are intending if it was even just for yourself, but with two extra personalities (who by your own admission are not feeling particularly confident) it's a recipe for disaster.
This is not something that you can play at; ask anyone on this site - it consumes your whole life, particularly when setting up, and requires a good deal of mental stamina. It is most definitely not an easy option.
I would suggest that if you want to help them, that you direct your energies into finding them a job - maybe working in a large garden, private or public?
I'm sorry if this appears negative, but better to be brutal now than months of heartache later on.
My eldest son has worked for 3 landscape gardeners and only 1 was worth his salt. High charges for clients and late paydays for the men - not good!
Listening to what's been said I think we'll just take work where we can (garden maintenance etc) and see how the boys go. I can be here for paper work etc and of course drum up work where possible.
My main concern was whether to "register" or not as I didn't want to do anything unlawful. I think we'll take a looooong sleep on the whole thing!
Thanks again and good luck to all.
Annette