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  Eugene Baston July 20, 2013 at 8:55pm

  I leave a spare day for a) poor weather, b) sod's law, c) family.
  
  When planning a week's work two days' contingency are entered.... Sat & Sun ;-)
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  chris July 20, 2013 at 8:58pm

  So you work mon to Thursday leave Friday clear ? Is that right
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  Anthony Toop July 20, 2013 at 9:48pm

  Ever since i started trading ive always had two days a week free for one offs, the other three for all the regulars. Regulars are the steady bread and butter work, while the one offs bring in the decent profit, so i think the split i use is about right, i dont work weekends!
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  chris July 20, 2013 at 9:50pm

  Interesting thanks
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  Paul McNulty July 20, 2013 at 9:51pm

  For me, Saturday is the day that I can use for work deferred due to weather, or book in more profitable one-off jobs or annual hedges etc. In really busy times Sunday gets used as well, but that's now rare and unwelcome.

  I don't think there's any way you can run a business on four days a week, hoping to keep the 5th day clear for extras. If you're full with maintenance then you have to say no to one-off work IMO, as the regulars are the backbone of your business, or use the weekends.
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  chris July 20, 2013 at 9:52pm

  So you get enough one offs to fill the 2 days ? I suppose if I make £150 a day if I gave up 1 day 2 one off jobs a month would pay for it ?
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  chris July 20, 2013 at 9:54pm

  Thanks paul that's exactly how I see it
• PRO

  Darren Walters July 21, 2013 at 8:57am

  This is a challenge. I use Saturdays (and occasionally Sundays, but it takes a physical toll) for one offs and catch up's. The only trouble is some of the one offs become regulars so I'm constantly juggling slots/customers. Not doing as long as I could at some regulars, just to try do a bit for everyone. You have to be careful that your quality of service doesn't reduce though. I'm going to look at all my lawn jobs on the schedule today. We probably wont have so many to cut next week so that will bring some benefit from a catching up perspective.
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  Geoff Norfolk July 21, 2013 at 11:20am

  I used to say "yes" to all the work I was offered and as you say, you do a one-off for someone and next thing you know, they're on your regular list..... as you say, you just end up with so much work, quality begins to suffer and you can become unreliable. You only need a bit of bad weather and its a horrendous job trying to catch up and get on top of things. Personally, rather than keeping a day clear, I don't fill every hour of the day and have a couple of hours where I can do anything extra or catch up due to a problem........ seems to work pretty well and tick along on 7-8 hours work a day which brings in a good income. I don't think the majority of people would want to risk leaving a complete day empty, in case nothing turned up!!
  
  Darren Walters said:

  This is a challenge. I use Saturdays (and occasionally Sundays, but it takes a physical toll) for one offs and catch up's. The only trouble is some of the one offs become regulars so I'm constantly juggling slots/customers. Not doing as long as I could at some regulars, just to try do a bit for everyone. You have to be careful that your quality of service doesn't reduce though. I'm going to look at all my lawn jobs on the schedule today. We probably wont have so many to cut next week so that will bring some benefit from a catching up perspective.
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  joe sheppard July 21, 2013 at 12:40pm

  Personally, I am the same an Anthony, I have 2-3 days for regulars and try to save the rest of the week for one offs.

  I also have a bank of customers who were a one off job and want more regular work doing. I have an agreement with them that I will fit them in at short notice here and there when I have space and if they want something more regular and guaranteed then they will need to find someone else.

  This allows me the flexibility to fill my spare days at an hours notice if no other work comes in.

  And as far as weekends go, I avoid as much as possible but probably do 5-6 Saturdays a year when the right jobs come along but I have no other time.