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Depending on how bad the edges are I do sometimes use an edging iron to redefine them and this is usually done mid to late March as this fits nicely in with our work schedules. My regular clients get this as part of the service else I charge a flat fee based on time spent.
For regular cutting we use the strimmers to edge up. Most clients want this every visit a few are happy for every other visit. Commercial normally every other visit but really a judgement call as to if required. You can over do the edging when using the strimmer but at our prices we don't have time to use shears nor would the clients pay for it.
The up side is you can get a good result and it's nice and quick.
Yes BGS I did discount for the neighbour but let him know he had a special deal in case he gives my name to any other potential customers.Only £8 but it took me 20 mins including the lawn edges with hedging shears !!
I think I should have a go with the strimmer on my lawn before I am let loose !
Don't forget your eye protection!
I hope for £8 you leave the cuttings on the clients premises?
Wilkinson Sword because they are quality, always sharp and if you look after them they will last you for years and years. The reason for including edging shears is 3 fold.
First you may get a customer who requests the use of shears, perhaps because of previous bad experiences with unskilled strimmer users.
The second is that that you may take over a lawn that has been manicured by the actual owners for hours on end and is their pride and joy. You know that as soon as you go they will be going over your work with a microscope. So the last thing you need is to cut too deep with a strimmer. If you have plenty to do then you may wish to decline this type of work.
The last is (unless you carry a spare strimmer) sooner or later your strimmer is going to malfunction. You could be without one for the day or could be several days, but it will feel as though someone has taken your right arm. So out comes the old faithful edging shears and it is so much better when those shears are good shears and not some cheep last 5 mins job. Don't buy cheep, as you will only buy twice (as your Mother has probably told you several times)
I would say that for 99% of the time I will always edge. Sometimes however in the middle of summer when the grass has grown 2mm in a week then I will give it a miss.
Take on board what the others have said about flicking up debris and always wear eye protection. I have on more than one occasion had a stone strike my mouth. Felt as though I had been whacked with a cricket bat. So it doesn't take much to imagine what it could do to your eyes.
Well done for what you have archived so far.
I did the letting agency job today and quoted £90 for a general tidy up for which I did 6 hours.I was quite pleased to get my real first job and I am hoping they will want me for more.That was the intimation when we spoke, but I guess it depends on whether they are happy with the job today ! Already had a neighbour telling me what needs doing in someone elses the garden !
I have already learnt several things on my first day;
1.There are no toilets in most back gardens
2.I need a blower
3.Sun protection needed soon ( my face is red now ! )
4.Friendly robins are cute.
5.A hot bath has never felt so good today!
Thanks again for the new comments.
Don't want to put a damper on your success but trust you have sorted out public liabilty insurance?
I am sure you will soon be turning work away - onwards and upwards.
To be honest,I was absolutely sick of the corporate *********** ( many swear words ! ) by the time I left and although I feel like I have been hit by a bus at the moment,I wouldnt want it any other way !!
Yes Progard,I will get that invoice off straightaway.Do you all give them a deadline for payment?I am going for 7 days and see what happens.Do you all send uotes and invoices electronically?
I must say that the cold,frothy lager staring at me in the fridge was looking a bit more enticing than my normal cuppa !
I am lucky that the letting agents I do work for are very fast payers. However these are for properties that are currently let out and regular work. I invoice at the end of the month and normally within 2 days of them receiving my invoice which I hand deliver as it gives me a chance to have a little chat with them and a cup of coffee!
On the jobs that have been for general tidy ups before new tenants moved in then I usually have to wait for the funds to be available from the landlord or the 1st months rent paid. In the past this has taken from 30 to 60 days for them to settle.
One point to me mindful is their payment method - Cheque or BACS. I selected to receive payment by cheque but they are pushing to pay by BACS but if I change over to this system they only do one payment run a month and you just know that you will miss the cut off date by a day! :-(
A box of chocs to the ladies in accounts at Xmas never goes a miss.
I have been doing some work for a large UK company since November and I have invoiced them at the end of each month - I am still to be paid a penny.
This is my own fault for assuming that with their reputation they would settle their accounts quickly and efficiently and how wrong I was.
All of the small businesses (and that includes some of you guys) that I deal with have all paid on the dot and perhaps here lies a message?
Well done on your first blood Sweetpea:-0)) but I think you need to up your prices - at least £10 and nearer £15 when you feel more confident and have picked up more experience.
Learning on the job is a great way to do it and don't be afraid to experiment with new ways and strike a balance with time versus quality.
If your lawn edges are already crisp and you have a little space between them and the soil/plants then overlap your mower (roller only otherwise the blade will dig in and tear the edge with wheeled machines)
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