Hi Rob, I have been looking at your videos as I am a retired grass cutter. Everything you have said on customers, good or bad, I agree with, I think when starting out, we eventually evolve into a tougher no-nonsense business people but it takes time if you have no advice from anyone. you are a mentor for a lot of upcoming gardeners/grass cutters starting out in this game. I would like to thank you for taking the time, in explaining very comprehensively all aspects of this career. It will help a lot of people starting out. I wondered, though, in this video, why don't you leave your tools in the van and put the van in the garage.
Been in the business for nearly 30 years and the 525BX is the best hand held blower I've ever used, the 122HD60 is also a fantastic machine, highly recommended it. I also have small van, a Nissan NV200. It's amazing what you can fit in to it. Been self employed for 10 years now and it has never let me down!
Nice vid and good setup. I work out of a VW Polo so have persevered with the Stihl Kombi system with strimmer, long reach extension and hedge trimmer and leaf blower. When I started I purchased a Screwfix combi system that came in a big bag and was only £200. It’s great for a startup but it wasn’t very well engineered or thought out (obviously designed by someone who knew what it looked like but had never actually used one) so managed to take it back for a store credit before it was out of warranty and invested in Stihl. It all fits in the boot along with my MS 170 chainsaw, loppers and miscellaneous tools and fuels. I also have a 3m folding ladder/platform system for those higher hedges. I tow a 3’ x 4’ Erdi trailer with dumpy bags and a cheap Aldi light weight mower that I lift on and off (the current one is three years old and still running and cutting ok. I did run a Transit at one point but went back to car and trailer. The removable signage is a good idea, although I don’t advertise and have enough to be getting on with. I take my grass cuttings and leaves to the allotment and have a large composting system which puts a lot of goodness back into the soil for free, well better than that, I get paid to take it away!
Started out with a Peugeot partner but was too much when picking up kids straight from work so upgraded to a renault trafic and they sit in the front. Really wish my van was that tidy. Rained off today and you've inspired me to sort it out, thanks😆
Really enjoyable videos rob.really like your honest approach. I'm not sign written. I've got a pick up and a trailer. I have to take my tools out every night. Really professional and passionate pal.
Great video although the van would be a little cramped for me, I have the luxury of a Luton van with a tail lift, great for getting the mowers in and out and also plenty of room for the full one ton bags! I try to do gardens midweek to Friday, the other days I do dump runs or lift and shift and in the winter when the gardens are quiet I sell/deliver kiln dried firewood in half ton crates for wood burners. Think the next item on my shopping list is a set of those radio headphones!
Hi mate I just subscribed to your channel. That's a cracking set up you have. I'm only 15 months into the gardening business and I'm basically the same as you with regards to the tools. I was first using lidl strimmers and lawnmower but I have come up a bit now with some husqvarna and kawasaki and a stihl chainsaw. I'm still working on getting a blower. Wishing you all the best mate from Ireland 👍
Great video thanks. I have a very similar story and set up. I fitted a steel bulkhead for security and my magnetic signs stick to that on the inside overnight. All the best , keep up the good work 👍🏻🏴
Rob. I'm liking your channel a lot. I have magnetic signs on my Citroën dispatch van. Little tip for you. Have them made to the shape of the pressed insert of the van. (hope you know what I mean) rather than just square. They look sooooo much more professional. I'd never consider having my van properly sign written. As there are some areas I go to where I don't want to advertise what in the van. Regarding mowers. Ideally you need two. A 22" for the larger gardens.( I have a new weibang svp50 which I love) you also need a 16 or 18" mower for the smaller gardens. My weapon of choice for that is a 16" Honda Izy which is as old as the hills. Has no rot and fires up first pull. Regarding vans. There like garden sheds. The bigger they are the more shite you find to put in them! That said. I started with a Berlingo and it was to small. Having to take loads out just to get at the mower etc. Really began to grind my gears. If you could do attachments on here I'd show you what I mean about having the magnetic signs cut to size. But as you can't. You'll just have to take my word for it
Thanks. I know what you mean about the magnetic signs , I have mine now but next time it’s something to consider. I have two mowers, the hrx 537 which I love, for both large and small. It’s so versatile. I recently bought the 21 inch izy, I find it far too slow. I should have bought the Virtue 53 SSD 4-in-1 Shaft Drive as a back up. Just purchased the stihl combi, love it. The izy is up for sale if I can get near to what I paid for it I will be happy to let it go. All the best. Rob.
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices yeah. A mate of mine has the 21" Izy. He says it's slow as well. If you set my weibang on its fastest speed you almost have to jog to keep up with it. The weibang is my go to mower. I use my little Izy very infrequently. My weibang isn't the shaft drive. But I'm thinking of upgrading to the shaft before the one I have now is out of warranty. Hopefully I'll get a good trade in price doing it that way. All the best. Gary
Hi Rob, just found your channel and am enjoying binge watching all the videos, I'm also finding them really helpful 🙂 cheers and keep up the great work 👍
Great job fareplay for sharing the old thing I would advice would be to have your mix petrol in a different colour container as it’s easy to mix up I now u have them in different styles of containers but me personally I have my mix in red and straight petrol In green just find it easier that way
Nothing wrong with those signs, they work perfectly well I reckon. I have a gardener, he doesn't have any signs, god knows how he gets business. Keep up the good work mate!
Interesting channel. I do a lot more plant/horticultural work than just mowing but even my straight up lawn jobs everyone wants the waste taking away. My biggest pita. Lol.
Nice m8.just get a multi tool with strimmer attachment and hegdecutter long reach.thats all u need.and a second mover that u probably take anyway.in tine get a little trailer so can do bigger tidy ups and turning jobs.good money in them.all good m8.well done
My advice (assuming you do empty the van every night) is keep the mesh bulkhead between the cab and load area, don't make it solid. That way any thieving scumbags can clearly see there is nothing in the back. May save you a window or door / lock! Working my way through your videos, keep up the good work!
Great advice, I haven’t boarded it up for that reason. I decided to spend a little longer emptying and filling the van. Thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices thanks. I basically trying /saving to get your HRX Honda mower and I’ll have the hassle of folding it whilst building up a customer base.
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices so I got the Peugeot partner SWB and yesterday got a Honda HRX476QY and I was quite surprised to find today it does fit In The back without folding with an inch to spare and on the handlebars lowest setting . I’m going to have to utilise the rest of the space as best I can. I did want LWB but in the end had to compromise with my partner
Hi Rob Like you, I am 3 years into my gardening business and never looked back. I have finally got round to updating some of my hand tools and looking at the Wolfgarten range. Which handle to you use for yours, if you don't mind me asking? PS.....keep up the great videos!
Hello, I'm considering starting a lawn care and garden maintenance business. I've never worked as a gardener before, but have always had a genuine interest, and enjoy being outside. Just one simple question, will I need to bring a wheelbarrow in my trailer for general garden maintenance? I notice that you don't keep one in your van? Thank you, your videos are very informative.
Hello Len. Personally I don’t for general maintenance. I used dumpy bags- builders bags or flexi tubs. If a particular job requires it, yes I would take one. All the best. 👍🏻
Hi Rob. Can I ask about your van insurance? I realise you need social + commercial and business (carry own goods). What about the question on 'hazadous goods'? It's the difference between compare sites showing 100 insurers offering reasonsable price (no hazadous) and just 7 with lowest price £300/year more (hazardous clicked). Is carrying petrol and pesticide classed as hazardous goods or is it more sewage and asbestos etc? I can't find a clear answer as insurance companies only guessing when asked... nothing on internet explains it well. Thanks.
My understanding is that you disclose to the insurance company your role, ie commercial gardener. They the give you an option to say that you don’t carry hazardous waste substances. You are allowed to carry fuel weed killer and green waste, but not certain chemicals and definitely not asbestos. I am not an expert, but I hope that helps. 👍🏻
How profitable is a landscaping business? I’m looking at starting a career in professional landscaping. I’d obviously start as a sole trader and work across to a limited company. Does it all depend on how you market and advertise your business I.e. local newspaper, Facebook group, advertising flyers etc. Also, is a landscaping business something you could potentially sell in a couple of years for a decent amount?
Hello Jack. I am not an expert on the Landscaping side of things. I do have friends in the business and they do very well. I wish you well with it. Rob👍🏻
I think it’s brilliant. I went for the long wheel base so I don’t have to fold the mowers in order to get them inside. Thanks for watching and your comment.
No probs mate, thanks for replying, been watching all your vids just recently as I've been off the road due to truck being rubbish, looking forward to getting back to it when I have my new van and trying out what I've seen in your vids, brilliant mate keep em coming 👍👍
Try Alphaset design at Print Northeast. Ouseburn Industrial Estate, Byker, Newcastle. They designed and made my business cards and turned it into magnets for the van. Any size you want. Very reasonable price. They do a lot of projects for network rail so their work is all over the country. Nell
www.signrightsigns.co.uk They did a great job. My fault that I put www. then my email address and not the website. I was annoyed with myself. Not many people noticed. Thanks for watching.
Hi I have just discovered your channel. Great video. In the industry I'm from, there's a lot of snobbery about vans and van set ups. I see nothing wrong with your van, and having magnetic signs is a good idea if you ask me.
Thanks for watching and supporting the channel, please like and subscribe. See you next time👍🏻
Hi Rob, I have been looking at your videos as I am a retired grass cutter. Everything you have said on customers, good or bad, I agree with, I think when starting out, we eventually evolve into a tougher no-nonsense business people but it takes time if you have no advice from anyone. you are a mentor for a lot of upcoming gardeners/grass cutters starting out in this game. I would like to thank you for taking the time, in explaining very comprehensively all aspects of this career. It will help a lot of people starting out. I wondered, though, in this video, why don't you leave your tools in the van and put the van in the garage.
O room in the garage. I unload for security purposes.
All the best.
A tidy van shows a tidy mind.
Cheers Marty, it’s not always tidy. All the best.
I think ur bang on with the signs there mate I’m new to it and never thought of these magnet signs so thank you
Your welcome. Good luck with your business.
There is nothing wrong with those magnetic signs Rob, I think they look really good.
Thanks Geoff. I appreciate your comments. All the best.
Love these sort of videos mate. You’ve a good manner. Would love to do this but unlikely to ever have the opportunity with current work. 👍🏻
Thanks for watching and your positive comments. All the best.
Rob.
Been in the business for nearly 30 years and the 525BX is the best hand held blower I've ever used, the 122HD60 is also a fantastic machine, highly recommended it. I also have small van, a Nissan NV200. It's amazing what you can fit in to it. Been self employed for 10 years now and it has never let me down!
Thanks for watching and your comment. Good luck with your business. I do like the Nissan NV 200, a little bigger than the Citroen. 👍🏻
Beautiful setup mate. Love it ✌🏽
Cheers mate , thanks for watching.👍🏻
Nice vid and good setup. I work out of a VW Polo so have persevered with the Stihl Kombi system with strimmer, long reach extension and hedge trimmer and leaf blower. When I started I purchased a Screwfix combi system that came in a big bag and was only £200. It’s great for a startup but it wasn’t very well engineered or thought out (obviously designed by someone who knew what it looked like but had never actually used one) so managed to take it back for a store credit before it was out of warranty and invested in Stihl. It all fits in the boot along with my MS 170 chainsaw, loppers and miscellaneous tools and fuels. I also have a 3m folding ladder/platform system for those higher hedges. I tow a 3’ x 4’ Erdi trailer with dumpy bags and a cheap Aldi light weight mower that I lift on and off (the current one is three years old and still running and cutting ok. I did run a Transit at one point but went back to car and trailer. The removable signage is a good idea, although I don’t advertise and have enough to be getting on with.
I take my grass cuttings and leaves to the allotment and have a large composting system which puts a lot of goodness back into the soil for free, well better than that, I get paid to take it away!
Sounds brilliant, later on in life when I scale down a little. The trailer system sounds brilliant. Thanks for sharing your experience.
fair play to you mate grate set up. if it was me personally with the petrol cans i’d get a ten litres as they last longer. but grate set up
Thanks Jay, appreciate the advice.
Good little setup you got there mate. 👍
Thanks, appreciated.
Fair play. You don't need the biggest or the best. Hard work and a good plan go a loooong way. Good stuff. Enjoy the vids.
Thanks for the positive comment Michael, all the best.
Rob.
Started out with a Peugeot partner but was too much when picking up kids straight from work so upgraded to a renault trafic and they sit in the front. Really wish my van was that tidy. Rained off today and you've inspired me to sort it out, thanks😆
Thanks for that, good luck with your business and the van tidy.👍
Really enjoyable videos rob.really like your honest approach. I'm not sign written. I've got a pick up and a trailer. I have to take my tools out every night. Really professional and passionate pal.
Cheers Tim. Appreciate your comments.All the best.
Great video although the van would be a little cramped for me, I have the luxury of a Luton van with a tail lift, great for getting the mowers in and out and also plenty of room for the full one ton bags! I try to do gardens midweek to Friday, the other days I do dump runs or lift and shift and in the winter when the gardens are quiet I sell/deliver kiln dried firewood in half ton crates for wood burners. Think the next item on my shopping list is a set of those radio headphones!
Thanks Davy, appreciate your comment. Good luck with your business. All the best.👍🏻
Would love to see an update on this video. Show us your van now, after 2 years. Thanks. Really helpful video.
Will do! I have one in the making. All the best.
Good van set up there mate, that's just how I've started! Very tidy and clean too, looks professional 👍
Thanks Robert, it’s simple but effective. Thanks for watching.
Well organised set up there. Very practical yet personal to you.
Thanks for the comment Matt. All the best .👍🏻
Good setup mate. Here in Australia everyone has a trailer.
Cheers Tony, your kit would get stolen from a trailer in the uk.👍🏻
Hi mate I just subscribed to your channel. That's a cracking set up you have. I'm only 15 months into the gardening business and I'm basically the same as you with regards to the tools. I was first using lidl strimmers and lawnmower but I have come up a bit now with some husqvarna and kawasaki and a stihl chainsaw. I'm still working on getting a blower. Wishing you all the best mate from Ireland 👍
Thanks Andrew. Good luck with your business.👍🏻
Nice little set up, I have the swb Berlingo and as you say just a little bit too short. Nothing wrong with magnetic signs btw they do the job .👍
Thanks Jason, appreciate the positive comment. All the best, Rob.
Hi Rob very professional set up
Thanks Lee.👍🏻
Great video thanks. I have a very similar story and set up. I fitted a steel bulkhead for security and my magnetic signs stick to that on the inside overnight. All the best , keep up the good work 👍🏻🏴
Thanks Kris, taking the signs off prevents break ins. Sad , but needs to be done. Thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices you’re welcome. Take care 👍🏻
Good stuff mate, the 122hd60 is a cracking trimmer, i also run a fs70c but the bull handle model it never skips a beat 👍
Thanks for watching .👍🏻All the best.
Rob. I'm liking your channel a lot. I have magnetic signs on my Citroën dispatch van. Little tip for you. Have them made to the shape of the pressed insert of the van. (hope you know what I mean) rather than just square. They look sooooo much more professional. I'd never consider having my van properly sign written. As there are some areas I go to where I don't want to advertise what in the van.
Regarding mowers. Ideally you need two. A 22" for the larger gardens.( I have a new weibang svp50 which I love) you also need a 16 or 18" mower for the smaller gardens. My weapon of choice for that is a 16" Honda Izy which is as old as the hills. Has no rot and fires up first pull.
Regarding vans. There like garden sheds. The bigger they are the more shite you find to put in them!
That said. I started with a Berlingo and it was to small. Having to take loads out just to get at the mower etc. Really began to grind my gears.
If you could do attachments on here I'd show you what I mean about having the magnetic signs cut to size. But as you can't. You'll just have to take my word for it
Thanks. I know what you mean about the magnetic signs , I have mine now but next time it’s something to consider.
I have two mowers, the hrx 537 which I love, for both large and small. It’s so versatile.
I recently bought the 21 inch izy, I find it far too slow.
I should have bought the Virtue 53 SSD 4-in-1 Shaft Drive as a back up.
Just purchased the stihl combi, love it.
The izy is up for sale if I can get near to what I paid for it I will be happy to let it go.
All the best.
Rob.
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices yeah. A mate of mine has the 21" Izy. He says it's slow as well. If you set my weibang on its fastest speed you almost have to jog to keep up with it. The weibang is my go to mower. I use my little Izy very infrequently. My weibang isn't the shaft drive. But I'm thinking of upgrading to the shaft before the one I have now is out of warranty. Hopefully I'll get a good trade in price doing it that way.
All the best. Gary
@@funkyduckproductions.8844 Thanks Gary, it’s good to hear what others use. 👍🏻
Hi Rob, just found your channel and am enjoying binge watching all the videos, I'm also finding them really helpful 🙂 cheers and keep up the great work 👍
Thanks Steve. Appreciate your support. All the best.👍🏻
Tasty set up there
Thanks, appreciate your comment.👍🏻
Great job fareplay for sharing the old thing I would advice would be to have your mix petrol in a different colour container as it’s easy to mix up I now u have them in different styles of containers but me personally I have my mix in red and straight petrol In green just find it easier that way
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. All the best.
Top bloke
Thanks James, appreciated.
Your stirring wheel is on the wrong side. Just kidding... USA California here
Welcome Luis, thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻
A friend of mine had about a grand 's worth of tools nicked from his gardening business van. It was parked in an IKEA car park in broad daylight.
Sorry to hear that.
Nothing wrong with those signs, they work perfectly well I reckon. I have a gardener, he doesn't have any signs, god knows how he gets business.
Keep up the good work mate!
Thanks for the comment and watching, I do like my signs.👍🏻
Great video Rob.
Thanks James appreciate your comment.👍🏻
Awesome video rob👌 isn’t your misses awesome getting you those husky headphones, keep safe bud😁
Thanks for watching Jordon. Don’t tell the wife that. She is a good egg though.👍🏻
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices no worries at all it’s great content😁 I won’t say a word🤫 that’s nice to hear bud😁
Interesting channel. I do a lot more plant/horticultural work than just mowing but even my straight up lawn jobs everyone wants the waste taking away. My biggest pita. Lol.
Thanks for watching Harold, all the best.
canny beat a Silky in the mix :)
Cheers Rob
Your right they are a great bit of kit.👍🏻
Nice m8.just get a multi tool with strimmer attachment and hegdecutter long reach.thats all u need.and a second mover that u probably take anyway.in tine get a little trailer so can do bigger tidy ups and turning jobs.good money in them.all good m8.well done
Great advice, thanks Lee. All the best.
Love the videos
Thanks Jake.
My advice (assuming you do empty the van every night) is keep the mesh bulkhead between the cab and load area, don't make it solid. That way any thieving scumbags can clearly see there is nothing in the back. May save you a window or door / lock!
Working my way through your videos, keep up the good work!
Great advice, I haven’t boarded it up for that reason. I decided to spend a little longer emptying and filling the van. Thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻
To messy for my liking you need to get some racking in place
I agree, need some tacking. It’s my mess though bought and paid for.
Thanks for watching .
Can you get your mower into the back of a standard wheelbase berlingo??
Hello Paul.
No, not without folding the handle bars, that’s why I went for the long wheel base.
All the best.
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices thanks. I basically trying /saving to get your HRX Honda mower and I’ll have the hassle of folding it whilst building up a customer base.
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices so I got the Peugeot partner SWB and yesterday got a Honda HRX476QY and I was quite surprised to find today it does fit In The back without folding with an inch to spare and on the handlebars lowest setting . I’m going to have to utilise the rest of the space as best I can. I did want LWB but in the end had to compromise with my partner
Hi mate like your no nonsense approach 2 the job what do with the waste
Hello Glen, I the use customers green waste bin for grass. If I have to take waste away for bigger jobs I do charge. Thanks.👍🏻
Insurance will go up if you have it signwritten.
Thanks for the advice.👍🏻
Hi, what thickness strimmer wire are you using? Do you just have one size for all jobs?
2.4mm Stihl.👍
Hi Rob
Like you, I am 3 years into my gardening business and never looked back. I have finally got round to updating some of my hand tools and looking at the Wolfgarten range. Which handle to you use for yours, if you don't mind me asking?
PS.....keep up the great videos!
Hello Richard. I have the plastic handle and the long wooden handle, both brilliant bits of kit. Thanks for watching and your comment.
Hello, I'm considering starting a lawn care and garden maintenance business. I've never worked as a gardener before, but have always had a genuine interest, and enjoy being outside. Just one simple question, will I need to bring a wheelbarrow in my trailer for general garden maintenance? I notice that you don't keep one in your van? Thank you, your videos are very informative.
Hello Len. Personally I don’t for general maintenance. I used dumpy bags- builders bags or flexi tubs.
If a particular job requires it, yes I would take one.
All the best. 👍🏻
Hi Rob. Can I ask about your van insurance? I realise you need social + commercial and business (carry own goods). What about the question on 'hazadous goods'? It's the difference between compare sites showing 100 insurers offering reasonsable price (no hazadous) and just 7 with lowest price £300/year more (hazardous clicked). Is carrying petrol and pesticide classed as hazardous goods or is it more sewage and asbestos etc? I can't find a clear answer as insurance companies only guessing when asked... nothing on internet explains it well. Thanks.
My understanding is that you disclose to the insurance company your role, ie commercial gardener. They the give you an option to say that you don’t carry hazardous waste substances. You are allowed to carry fuel weed killer and green waste, but not certain chemicals and definitely not asbestos.
I am not an expert, but I hope that helps. 👍🏻
Shame you cant fit van in garge :(
You're dead right Rob, If you have a sign written van it has to be locked up in building or in a locked compound.
Thanks for your comment, I would like to get my van professionally done. For the reasons you mentioned I will stick to the magnetics. 👍
Just discovered your videos and watch some of the other videos you mentioned in another video, do you have a Facebook page?
Hell Mathew, thanks for watching. My Facebook page is Maxwells Grass Cutting Services.
All the best. Rob.
Hi do you take any cuttings away? A day on the lawns can produce a lot!
99.9 percent I leave with the customer otherwise, yes you have lots of waste to get rid off, which is expensive.👍
How profitable is a landscaping business? I’m looking at starting a career in professional landscaping. I’d obviously start as a sole trader and work across to a limited company. Does it all depend on how you market and advertise your business I.e. local newspaper, Facebook group, advertising flyers etc. Also, is a landscaping business something you could potentially sell in a couple of years for a decent amount?
Hello Jack.
I am not an expert on the Landscaping side of things. I do have friends in the business and they do very well.
I wish you well with it.
Rob👍🏻
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices thanks for the quick reply. Good luck with the gardening.
Started out doing this last year 🙂 what's the spikey wheel thing???
Thanks for watching and your comment, the spikes thing is a wolf garten grass rake attachment.👍🏻
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices looked it up in the end the garden miller 👍👍 pricey tho..
How you getting on with the berlingo mate, iam looking for a van at the moment and this one is no 1 to go and take a look at
I think it’s brilliant. I went for the long wheel base so I don’t have to fold the mowers in order to get them inside. Thanks for watching and your comment.
No probs mate, thanks for replying, been watching all your vids just recently as I've been off the road due to truck being rubbish, looking forward to getting back to it when I have my new van and trying out what I've seen in your vids, brilliant mate keep em coming 👍👍
Where did you get the magnetic signs from?
Trying to find the company for you.
Try Alphaset design at Print Northeast.
Ouseburn Industrial Estate, Byker, Newcastle.
They designed and made my business cards and turned it into magnets for the van. Any size you want. Very reasonable price. They do a lot of projects for network rail so their work is all over the country.
Nell
What company done your magnetics.
www.signrightsigns.co.uk
They did a great job. My fault that I put www. then my email address and not the website. I was annoyed with myself. Not many people noticed.
Thanks for watching.
Hi
I have just discovered your channel.
Great video. In the industry I'm from, there's a lot of snobbery about vans and van set ups. I see nothing wrong with your van, and having magnetic signs is a good idea if you ask me.
Thanks Kevin, welcome to the channel.
I was told by my Tech astute son that you should never show your number plate in any videos. Blur it out, too many scamsters out there buddy.
Thanks Mike , I will take your sons advice on board.