Looking for 1 - 2 professional landscape gardeners to assist this year - South East London area - Forum

Hi all

Isn't this a great network! Only discovered it by accident when I was looking for gardening recruitment companies, so really pleased to have found it and look forward to 'LJN'ing' over the coming year!

We're currently looking for 1 - 2 professional landscape gardeners, with about 5 - 10 years experience (soft and hard landscaping), that can assist on an ad hoc basis periodically as the jobs come in over the coming year.

We're an energetic and very driven team in our mid 30s with an excellent reputation across South East London, South London and Kent, where our client facing approach and first class workmanship and finish come first.

Our jobs are very well organised, run well, we have fun and we turn work around very quickly for our clients.

Without sounding 'ageist', we would need 1 - 2 people who know most landscaping methods inside out and who would have started working in the trade in their late teens/early 20s with a professional landscaping qualification.

Perhaps you are 2 landscape gardeners who already work as a team that would like more work put your way?

Would have to be reliable, prompt, honest and friendly. Also would need own transport, own insurance, 'tools for the job' and preferably local. In return we'd be happy to pay the standard hourly rate, with most jobs from 1 day to 5 days.

Contact Claire at The Green Team on 07946 728879 or e-mail: claire.nonweiler@talk21.com

Thanks

Claire

Im assuming your looking for someone who is registered as self employed and taking care of their own tax, NI, etc.?

Claire Nonweiler said:

ok, so what do you think the going rate is and how much do you charge or pay people? There are so many variations on this, and different rates depending on age, skill set, experience, professional qualifications, location, etc.

£500 a week in a recession seems like ok money to me, moreso if its cash in hand? Wouldn't the younger landscape gardeners not turn this down as skilled or qualified labourers, who are working with older and more qualified men that they can learn from?

Some of the landscape gardeners on Gumtree are charging £100 as a day rate, others at £160/day.

We pay £160/day to the more experienced landscape guys who we subcontract to.....

Replies

axeljk January 5, 2012 at 8:15pm

Hi Claire,

What is the standard hourly rate?
Claire Nonweiler January 5, 2012 at 8:41pm

An interesting one as Phil said it varies so much and I'd agree too...we pay £100 per day (8 hours)...if the jobs more complex and strenuous then £120 per day

Thanks

Claire
axeljk January 5, 2012 at 9:26pm

Cheers. I pay my fellas in around the same, though I supply the tools and transport. Actually this is more a discussion for the business group so I will leave it at that. Best of luck!
Claire Nonweiler January 5, 2012 at 9:59pm

Thanks, and nice to know that the rates seem ok. Will have to take a look at the business group discussions.

Best wishes
Chris Auld January 5, 2012 at 10:00pm

So your looking for a professional, qualified landscaper with 5-10 years experience, their own vehicle, their own tools and full insurance and you want them to work for only £100 a day?....Im sure most people meeting that criteria would be expecting a lot more.
Claire Nonweiler January 5, 2012 at 10:21pm

ok, so what do you think the going rate is and how much do you charge or pay people? There are so many variations on this, and different rates depending on age, skill set, experience, professional qualifications, location, etc.

£500 a week in a recession seems like ok money to me, moreso if its cash in hand? Wouldn't the younger landscape gardeners not turn this down as skilled or qualified labourers, who are working with older and more qualified men that they can learn from?

Some of the landscape gardeners on Gumtree are charging £100 as a day rate, others at £160/day.

We pay £160/day to the more experienced landscape guys who we subcontract to.....
axeljk January 5, 2012 at 10:27pm

I recon if you start this in the business group you will get more replies. Labour is the biggest cost for a lot of contractors, and not one they'd want to talk about in an open forum where your clients can read it.
Chris Auld January 5, 2012 at 10:27pm

Im assuming your looking for someone who is registered as self employed and taking care of their own tax, NI, etc.?

Claire Nonweiler said:

ok, so what do you think the going rate is and how much do you charge or pay people? There are so many variations on this, and different rates depending on age, skill set, experience, professional qualifications, location, etc.

£500 a week in a recession seems like ok money to me, moreso if its cash in hand? Wouldn't the younger landscape gardeners not turn this down as skilled or qualified labourers, who are working with older and more qualified men that they can learn from?

Some of the landscape gardeners on Gumtree are charging £100 as a day rate, others at £160/day.

We pay £160/day to the more experienced landscape guys who we subcontract to.....
Claire Nonweiler January 5, 2012 at 10:34pm

ok thanks...Chris and co, I will transfer this and start a private discussion in the business group...don't want all and sundry knowing private details on rates, etc