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Replies
Hi Kingsley,
Good luck with starting your business. There's a huge amount of things to learn and it'd be quite hard to list out everything you need to know in one go.
I guess the most important thing once you've got the right kit, is to find clients. My advice is research your local pricing, do a flyering drop in your patch, and set up your social media. Badger friends and family for recommendations to get going.
One thing I think others may question is experience and qualifications - personally I belelive you can learn practically anything on google or youtube, and of course this forum ;).
Lastly if you've not already done so, make a financial plan - both for the business and for yourself.
Hope it goes well for you.
is it just hard landscaping you want to do ? P/L/Insurance register as self employed with hmrc a book keeping system, possibly a accountant , builders merchant trade account then know your job what mix for different concreate footings then sub base all to BS if you intend employing someone that is another thing you have to go into before you do as to the costs above the wage you pay them and your legal obligations but that is another ball park
then you have to have tools to do the job which will incur brake downs and servicing more insurance just in case they get nicked the list goes on
Don't worry about taking staff on currently, you're going to be doing a lot of the work yourself.
Without being too harsh on your ex-future father-in-law, you do have contacts that you would've built through that work and you won't have a non-compete clause in any contracts I imagine. Use what you already have. This business relies heavily on word-of-mouth so start with what you've already got and work from there.
Good luck!