How To Spot And Avoid Time Wasters

We've all done it - most of us have done it several times. Spent many hours on a site visit and preparing a quote for a client, only to discover they've decided not to go ahead with the work. It can cost an absolute fortune in time and fuel.

I'm noticing that I'm getting a lot more queries than usual at the moment, and there are quite a few people who either have unrealistic expectations of what a garden makeover will cost, or they're actually just trying to pick my brains and get some ideas so that their Mum's, cousin's, husband's, friends, nephew can do the work for them.

Over the years I've learned which questions to ask when someone first phones to enquire about a landscaping job. Questions that will help me to decide a) Whether that person has a realistic expectation of what landscaping involves and b) Whether the job will be a good fit for my business

If I don't feel that a project is for me, I'll politely decline and save myself the job of measuring up, preparing a quote and then chasing for an answer.

Want to know what those questions are? Head over to the My Garden Design website, where you can download my questionnaire for free.....(you will need to create an account and log in to it - downloads are in the useful documents section and are only for tradespeople).

Alternatively, call me on 0333 577 9886, email hello@mygardendesign.co.uk or leave me a message in the comments and I'll happily email you a copy of the questionnaire.

https://mygardendesign.co.uk

I had one a few weeks back, a recommendation from a colleage. He had done the hard side but does not do soft work. She wanted lots of large shrubs to cover the new CB fence to hide it for a wedding next June!

She wanted Laurel, F***ing awful plant & this was the fiirst time I have actually quoted for them. I hate the stuff. I also gave her other options, Privet & Yew. I itemise the quote, No. of plants, pot size etc. She came back too expensive.

My colleague was back there a couple of weeks ago, the family have planted it all up with Laurel themselves!!!

On the other hand I looked at some regular garden maintenance last Saturday, half day weekly. I could not get away from the woman 80 mins of her moaning about the previous gardener, horses pooing at the bottom of the drive (why is it the owners don't come back & pick it up?) etc etc. I chose to decline the job, I'm not that desperate!

"to be honest, stuff that we've used commercially for 4 years probably is pretty worthless though we could possibly flog it on Ebay to some unsuspecting domestic-use customer!! "

"I bought one last year Peter, I thought you had recommended the 18" too me, maybe somebody else. The 18" was out of stock & I went for the 955. Bloody great machine, extremley powerful engine & pretty fast as well. No BBC though which is the only…"

"Hi Sam, I've just bought a new Iseki 324 hi tip and it's great. I've done a few cuts this season and have no regrets. I've come from a Kubota GZD hi tip and the Iseki tips slightly higher and backwards which I think is better. I have to tip in one…"

Comments

Neil Darby October 15, 2022 at 5:09pm

I had one a few weeks back, a recommendation from a colleage. He had done the hard side but does not do soft work. She wanted lots of large shrubs to cover the new CB fence to hide it for a wedding next June!

She wanted Laurel, F***ing awful plant & this was the fiirst time I have actually quoted for them. I hate the stuff. I also gave her other options, Privet & Yew. I itemise the quote, No. of plants, pot size etc. She came back too expensive.

My colleague was back there a couple of weeks ago, the family have planted it all up with Laurel themselves!!!

On the other hand I looked at some regular garden maintenance last Saturday, half day weekly. I could not get away from the woman 80 mins of her moaning about the previous gardener, horses pooing at the bottom of the drive (why is it the owners don't come back & pick it up?) etc etc. I chose to decline the job, I'm not that desperate!