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  Robert Kennett January 27, 2011 at 9:21am

  North Wiltshire has some large residential conurbations as well as wealthy towns e.g. Chippenham, Melksham, Marlborough. Are you finding the type of work has changed? E.g. are people asking for more simple gardens, less expensive paving? Do you do professional garden design as well - if so, is this also as busy as ever?

  
  
  Gary @ Acer Paving & Landscaping said:

  I live in North Wiltshire and we are stacked out with work. I was just about to add a discussion on a related topic
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  Robert Kennett January 27, 2011 at 9:34am

  I have been offering maintenance since last year. I have also been trying to get back into the PR I used to do, though after 10 years out of it it's hard. And when you're 46 people start to wonder whether you are really hireable at all.
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  Lawncare-4u.co.uk January 27, 2011 at 4:13pm

  how is your image ?  clean vehicle ?

   

  do you give a bs card ?  shake hands ?

   

  are you quoting competitively Robert ?    what is your cpompetition . are they flyering ?

   

  im interested to know too .  its quiet here again ,  but ive had 2 jobs

  and regulars to attend so im scraping by ...........  just..

   

  rob    http://www.gardens4u.co.uk

   

   

   

   

   
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  Chris Auld January 27, 2011 at 5:34pm

  Its strange you should say that as this is the busiest ive ever been in January, and its almost all landscaping work (fences, gates, patios, etc.) Maybe you should focus on smaller, more affordable jobs rather than full design and builds.
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  Robert Kennett January 27, 2011 at 5:49pm

  I would but for the fact I'm a garden designer. I only sub-contract the landscaping. Maintenance is the only 'small' job I can take on, though garden design is so badly paid it can also fit into this category.

  
  Chris Auld said:

  Its strange you should say that as this is the busiest ive ever been in January, and its almost all landscaping work (fences, gates, patios, etc.) Maybe you should focus on smaller, more affordable jobs rather than full design and builds.
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  Keith Barker January 27, 2011 at 7:06pm

  Out of interest, how many design queries do you normally get during the period Nov-Jan?
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  Robert Kennett January 27, 2011 at 9:16pm

  Nil.

   

  Over the past 12 months I have got around 4 or 5 design jobs that weren't through friends or friends recommendation.

  
  
  Keith Barker said:

  Out of interest, how many design queries do you normally get during the period Nov-Jan?
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  Robert Kennett January 28, 2011 at 9:21am

  I wasn't for a minute suggesting I get paid the same hourly rate for designing. The two are incomparable. However, I live in a very rural area and the level of design enquiries is not great. The reason I stick to just designing is to ensure I am a master of one not a jack of all trades. I have in the past contributed to the landscaping but to me there is no such thing as someone who is a good all-rounder in this field. Having said that I do keep a hand in with maintenance and I sell plants as this helps top up the plant knowledge.

   

  
  
  Brigitt Stevenson said:

  Hello Robert, I'm with Gaynor on this one, not sure how you are pricing,but with that being said, as I see it if a Designer only designs, with not many subcontractors, who will do the work???
  I love the Creative side to Designing, but then when I actually get my hands dirty with soil and dusty with stone, and am able to actually look at my TOTAL Creation, that gives one a Complete Satisfaction..
  Visiually seeing your Design at it's Mature State as a Blueprint is Great, but physically completing your Design with your own to hands, is Amazing !!!
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  Robert Kennett January 28, 2011 at 9:27am

  No design work is paid better than maintenance but is not as frequent. I hate to say it - and it is NOT directed at you - but I really believe the industry should be doing much more to increase consumer awareness and understanding of proper, qualified, experienced garden design rather than second-income ladies playing with pretty flowers or landscapers toying with bits of paper to show where the patio goes. Sorry, had to get that one out.

  I do work with a landscape team - and they have four Chelsea medals to their name. But little work at the moment... And we do refer each other work. I have referred four jobs for pricing recently with a total value of over £90k, but not a single one has come off (for various reasons including one client death). This may be bad luck, or perhaps I live in a poorer area that I think.

  I start to regret starting this thread because of the way I think I am being misunderstood, although I appreciate everyone's concern and efforts to help. I might have just been having a moan about lots of bad luck.

   

  
  
  Gaynor Witchard said:

  Hi Robert

   

  You say design work is 'so badly paid' and on a par with garden maintenance? Do you mean you charge the same for maintaining a garden as designing one? The two require completely different disciplines and thought processes.

   

  I would need to know more about how you operate your business before commenting, but from these statements it seems like you treat them the same. If that is correct, then it is not difficult to see why you are not getting design work. 

   

  For want of a better words, I also 'sub contract' landscaping work to trusted landscapers - but we work together as a team and pass each other leads.  We have a very good working relationship and trust each other to come up with the goods. Maybe you need to take a step back and review how you are working?

   

   
  
  Robert Kennett said:

  I would but for the fact I'm a garden designer. I only sub-contract the landscaping. Maintenance is the only 'small' job I can take on, though garden design is so badly paid it can also fit into this category.

  
  Chris Auld said:

  Its strange you should say that as this is the busiest ive ever been in January, and its almost all landscaping work (fences, gates, patios, etc.) Maybe you should focus on smaller, more affordable jobs rather than full design and builds.
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  T & S Plants January 28, 2011 at 6:17pm

  Hi Robert,

   

  Sorry to hear that you are having a rough time of it.

   

  We are based in Piddletrenthide, and although a Wholesale Nursery, we positively encourage local Landscapers and Designers to display their Business Card/leaflet at our Nursery, free of charge.

   

  When we did this in Surrey, we had many "retail bods" wandering into our Nursery, and we would hand them a Business Card of a locally based Garden Designer or Landscaper to deal with.  Not only this, local maintenance companies sometimes need a local design and build company.  In life, it's all about networking.

   

  This service is free of charge, no commision, nothing.

   

  If we can be of help, please get in touch