Many years ago when an old fella asked me to help by digging over an overgrown patch at the bottom of his garden I started digging and heard a 'clink' of metal, I scraped away to discover buried underneath was a rusty old car engine with the gear box still attached. I tapped on his door, informed him of the find and politely drove off. I guess it is still there.
Yes dog poo is a constant hazard. I always text the day before so they know I'm coming and there's no excuse not to lift it, if they're capable - they might be very elderly or disabled, so have to be reasonable there. I did threaten to stop coming to one garden a few weeks ago, because it was everywhere, all the time, and in the borders where you can't see it till it's too late. Worst thing yet - full nappies thrown over a wall from the pub garden next door to the job. Absolutely vile and unforgiveable. Oh and don't get me started on trampolines, that obviously never get used..and now it's those hammock frames everywhere..who lies out in a hammock in the UK???
Nice video mate! The dog poo situation always depends on the client for me. As you've said, if they are usually spot on with picking it up then I'm easy. But if its a blatant p*ss take then a polite word to the client. If nothing changes then I usually cut around the mess, leaving long bits of lawn. They usually get the hint then. I've only ever refused to go back once, cut a small lawn that was new turf. Everytime I went it was covered I dog mess but according to the client she was a perfectionist and wanted the lawn perfect. She kicked up alot of fuss because I wasn't mowing over the dog poo, so I politely said I wasn't returning.
Cheers mate 👍 I dare say they ended up getting turf as the dog/owner messed up the old lawn! But yeah, definitely depends on the client for me. Most people are OK thankfully haha
You were right to leave. I have large dogs and mow my own grass. I pick up poop first and still I manage to step in it or roll the mower into it. I would never ask anyone to do that! If I have anyone coming to work here, I search the yard inch by inch first. I love my dogs more than anything on earth but I will not abuse anyone with their poop. You were right!!
Was mowing an overgrown garden and going along nicely then mower makes hell of a noise so I stop it and pull it back and a screwdriver was lying there. Thankfully it didn't break anything and didn't come across anymore 😂. But it could've been a disaster.
I'm a sole trader for my own gardening business. Nope, I would not do the job with dog shit everywhere. I'd say, I'll come back once it's cleaned up. Just charge her for the front lawn. Worst thing I've come across is when I started whipper snipping a front lawn area and it was soaked wet! Septic had over flowed and toilet paper everywhere. Mentioned it to the client, didn't finish it.
Yeah, if the owners don't clear up, I'm certainly not! I've turned down jobs like that. I'm clear at the beginning and like you say, the odd bit when they're trying is one thing, but to leave huge mounds is massively disrespectful.
Yep. This is a hazard of the game. Round here everybody has a dog. A little bit on the mower wheel is one thing but wait until you taste it or smell it on your clothes for the rest of the day. I make an individual decision on each garden/customer. It is unreasonable to expect the customer to have picked up every single one when you visit, but that doesn't mean you need to accept 20 or 30. Some people take a hint when you mow round a few and leave tufts. If there are many piles then the customers dogs aren't getting a proper regular walk so there is a good chance you arent going to get regular prompt payment.... chalk this visit up to experience, Get some anti-bacterial wipes in the van, and alter your T&C's to include a reasonable penalty. Clearing dog mess is big business in parts of the US, you could try turning it into an advantage and offering it as an extra service.
I've been in this situation before and its not nice at all. I always check both front and back before even starting the job just incase of any problems.
Fair play to you for admitting your mistake not looking at the job before you started. In the end you done the right thing by walking. After being caught out once by the same thing wouldn't start the job until every piece of dog poo was removed. Put it down to experience
Metal door handle iin long grass, ruined my blades on first cut with new mower. I learnt to charge by the job not the hour, give them a price, if they do not like it then calmly leave.
Ended up with more freckles than I started with on many occasions. Strim round them and mower up to them and they get left. If it's covered in 💩 then it doesn't get done.
i’d have done the same , worst i’ve had is strimming through some, didn’t realise until a few ft on noticed a smell that wasn’t going , took my safety glasses off little bits of poo on glasses and ear defenders 🤮 luckily it was summer quick wash under the hose changed my shirt finished the job and went home for full decontamination, took it, mentioned it , now i just make sure i take extra time , get paid for it so i’m just careful now
I have a customers garden which I have been cleaning up and putting back to lawn section by section, the garden had been let go since the seventies. I had to fence a large area off to prepare and seed as they have two dogs, then gave them the garden back bit by bit in eight foot strips as the grass got established. I have half the garden now to lawn but its the dogs that are the problem. I am going to check on the grass this week and possibly give it a cut but to be quite honest if the grass is not clean I will be letting them go. Its not just dog muck that is a problem, the customer has a rotary clothes line on the lawn and although initially the new grass was lush and green a m2 around the pole quickly died off, I couldn't work it out at first as the soil is quite fertile. Then one day the penny dropped, when the dogs walk onto the grass they use the pole as a lamp post, over a period of time the area of grass around the pole dies off, I have a cure though if I stay long enough, I will have to inset a square of four slabs around the pole at ground level, that way the mower will just run over the edge of the slabs when cutting the grass. Will let you know what I find when I go to check later in the week.
As a few others have commented,don’t do dog gardens.As well as the mess there’s the constant barking to put up with,as soon as they hear your mower or ladders-don’t know why people have them. I valet a few cars as well,always turn down dog mobiles,they stink.At least you’ll know for next time.
You don't know why people have dogs? Bit unfair isn't it? I have 3 dogs and a gardener that comes twice a month. I poo pick twice a day and I wouldn't dream of leaving any in the garden prior to my Gardner coming. My dogs love our gardener and don't bark at him! You can't tar all dog owners with the same brush!
Had one near Chester Le Street that I let go, this year, after 5 visits. Every visit at least 4 piles of dog waste. Even the best of dog owners will miss the odd pile so I'll let that slide occasionally..
I think it depends, as you say if they are normally good with it then you don't mind the odd one and I have pooh bags in my van just in case I try to avoid this by letting my customers know im coming the night before and on the day thankfully most of mine are great 🙏
I regularly get fox poo in my garden, but one morning I found a fox skeleton! I only knew it was a fox as it still had the brush on. It had been brought into the garden overnight, A shocker !! Im not started doing garden services yet but will take your advice and check twice, cut once haha!
Horrendous, I feel your pain. I carry some poo bags for the odd 1...however i state on my email quotes to ensure lawns are clear of all dog mess...and explain why I can't be travelling to next customers with poo on my mowers in my van. Hate it! I'm debating zero tolerance ..but I do have a few excellent clients who clear up. Mate I don't find many unusual things, it's the lonely wives who can chat all day when I'm trying to crack on ...😀
I have a really good garden, good money, easy in and out but there always one or two bits. I can forgive that! Yeah, that can be a bit of a pain especially when you're busy
@@TheGreyGardener1990 years ago on a summers day. I mow a big church lawn and a big pile of dog muck had dried to chalk White in the sun. Anyway i decided to just mow it. Well the dust came through the grass bag just as i was taking a breath so i gotca lung full of it. Not nice. I hate the stuff.
i have had jobs like that and i had a word with the clients and said it needs to be cleaned up, if its not done when i come to do the job then you can find someone else too do the job
Do you find most people clear it up? I went to another job and refused outright to do it as it was everywhere. My eyes must have been working that day!
Good man. I'm just an old guy who likes his garden and I have 2 Cocker spaniels. I would be mortified if anyone even saw dogshit in my garden. I don't let my dogs into the front garden; its laid to grass with allsorts of plants around. The back is mostly patio and that's where the dogs to do their numbers last thing at night and first thing in the morning otherwise as when they are walked Poo is bagged and binned right away. Same routine every day. A matter of discipline. You were quite right lad, don't tolerate it. Do a thorough recce and risk assess and make your decision. McIntyre
Maggoty cat kills and broken glass rate up there with pet mess for me. I once did a garden blitz, dog mess, stones, toys, old clothes blown off the washing line. I picked every thing up, filled in holes dogs had dug. Mowed, re planted tubs. Client pleased, booked for monthly visits and a big fence to paint. Next visit, more holes dug, mess everywhere. I wasn't prepared to waste my time there, even the new plants hadn't been looked after.
I once had a customer that had cats that pissed and shit all over the garden which i dealt with because i charge a high price but one day i was line trimming and i hit something half hidden under a bush and moved the bush away to see three dead kittens that had been put there. That was messed up.
this is why I don't work on or commute open quotes, I have an hourly rate + extras. I would've cleared the dog poo (chuck it under a hedge or in bin if there's a lot) and charge for my time to do it. you can explain and even show why it's taken longer (although I rarely even give a timeframe) and usually they're incredibly apologetic, grateful and may even tip.
Happened to me quite a few times,if it's the odd one I'll go round it,and try and cut it,had a really bad one once,mower got full of shit,so used the customers hose to clean the mower because it was a blatent piss take. Now Ill ask them to clean it up or I just won't do it.
hi i have been a self employed gardener for 35 years and always ask if they have any pets, cats also poo in borders, i wont work where they don't clean up dog poo. Also i was once doing some landscaping and had the gate open to get materials in and the lady had 3 tortoises loose in the garden, well when they saw the gate open they made a dash for freedom, i never knew they could move so fast! So be aware.
Hi, you’re right to walk off of the job. I did find one piece the other day but the customer is generally very good and will pick it up before I get there.
When I view to quote I always explain that I'll notify the customer the day before I'm due, therefore they know to clear any mess on the lawn. I advise that if there's poo on the lawn I go round it or bill £5 per one I pick up, and I'll leave the bag by their back door. Cat poo is the worst.
@@TheGreyGardener1990 get a few look at you funny but majority are fine with it, once you mow round it and leave clumps of grass, taking before and after pictures they soon get the message. But in all fairness if I view a property and the lawn is like a minefield I over price it or tell them I can offer them my services.
Well I would have given here a second chance. But said that next time makesure the grass is free of dog poo. But that's just me. I have a dog so am used to picking it up. Each to their own I suppose. Love your channel
Cheers. For me, it went beyond second chances. I may have done if it was the odd bit - probably just saying it's bad but if you get it sorted I'll come back. Just amazed at how unaware I must have been when I did the initial quote. It must have been there! 🤦♂️
like yourself, a regular client, if you can see they clear most, you just carry on, although I do charge a bit extra in time if I have to clean my mower, 99% of the time there isnt a problem, on 1 offs, I just wont do it, if its that bad, I would just say sorry I cant complete the job until you clear the mess and charge for my time, I walked away from a regular job one of the reasons was because of dog mess, its disgusting. I think the worse thing I have found in a garden (of sorts) was a dead fox
It's a tough one,had a job the people had an ageing german shepherd dog who was great but his urine was everywhere and the smell was overwhelming,i persevered for a few months but asked politely for the walkways to be bleached etc,they didn't do it and i rang the guy and told him sorry i could'nt continue,the smell was off the scale🙈
When i done commercial ground maintenance some sites were so smothered in dog mess you couldn't put your foot between them, we would always walk away. Fox poo is by far the worst smell and while strimming a school once i got a bit behind my ear so the smell kept following me around all day and i couldn't figure out where it was coming from until another lad pointed it out lol. I keep dog mess bags in the van and always pick any up on my regular customers as its usually only fox or cat.
Dog poo is the worst It’s really careless on the clients part I always get angry and think to myself why have dogs when you can’t pick up the poo especially when you know you’ve got a gardener coming I feel your pain it’s worse if they have a fed lawn and it’s long and you don’t see it Mowing and strimming long grass with the worry of land mines💩 terrifying for obvious reasons I once hit some and walk away feeling sick 🤢 Never again you live and learn
Even though i'm not self employed yet, i do work for a grounds maintenance company, we do have a few domestic areas, not as much as you i don't think, if I see it, i'll mow round it, it's not my company policy to deal with it, pick it up etc, the owners usually get the hint then, it's not nice when you strim either and it splatters all over you! Worst thing I've had, i was doing a job for my boss, the owner of the property had buried needles/syringes in the garden, needle side up so it would pierce the skin when stepped on, i NEVER went back to that property and was reported to the appropriate people.
I just mowed round the poo. I went to a garden once where the elderly man had a jungle of a garden, and a problem with his drains. The manhole cover was open, and the smell wafted round the garden. No sooner had I plugged in my strimmer when it started to rain. The smell in my throat lasted about a week, where i tried to be sick without sucess. He paid me for my two hours, i should have charged double. I never went back there.
I knew you were going to say 'dog poo'!!! The Gardeners most awful problem when mowing. I don't clean up other peoples dog poo, because other people do not clean up my dog poo!!! People are bloody lazy they expect Gardeners to clear up their dog mess. You were absolutely right to walk off the job. My son did the exact same thing with a garden full of dog poo so bad he couldn't mow. What do people think Gardeners are bloody skivvies? Treat Gardeners' with respect, they do the jobs you can't do or manage, to keep your environment looking good!!!
🤣🤣💩 have one that is sometimes bad But he's always Out he got me his girlfriend's garden which got me her mum's garden and her sister has also asked for a job.. he also gave me his friends garden to do .. so I guess sometimes you just gotta deal with it ... I go round with a spade scoop it up and it goes under the hedge🤣 ... funny I was mowing a garden when the blade caught something jammed it up lifted the mower up and started untangling it to find. It was some sexy lace frilly knickers 😊🤣
Worst thing I found . . . I got to a regular lawn cut job once (£20 circa 30 mins ) there was a dead badger in middle of the lawn, the woman customer said she had left it there for me to deal with and dispose of it. I said I come here to cut your grass not remove roadkill from your property! 😆🤦♂️
I've been lucky really. My customers always pick up any poo before i get there and apologise if they've missed any. I just trowel it up and put it on the boarder. The worst thing I find is cat poo, especially when you're weeding. Luckily i wear gloves.....it stinks so bad though.
I cut alot around the north east if i ever come a across shit hopefully its matured abit il get the blower out and roll them all to the nearest bush or border lmao if u travel the distance itl be a waste just dont go back to do there borders or hedges haha
I worked for a guy who asked people to pick up the mess but he never enforced it because he hated confrontation and didnt allow me to request them to pick it up or if they have a grabber to hand to me to even pick it up, one or two is fine, understandable missed or if the dog been out recent and they didnt spot the dog squatting or its just liquid poor pup. Setting up my own buisness I will buy a grabber, I will still ask customers to pick them up but if its too many I will let the customer know I cant do the lawn until it is all cleared and i wont drop the price since they know im coming, knowing i need to cut the grass and knew they have pets leaving what I call "landmines" because you don't notice it until you stepped in it or worse, rolled over it with the mower which some reason just makes the smell stronger. There will be some exceptions like if mobility is an issue to do this task then I will help out if they provide bags as I will have a grabber just incase. Yeah people will be mad but end of the day, my equipment is going into my van, my van is a second office, i dont want that to smell, I will have other customers and what will they think if I rolled dog mess onto their lawn and the lawn is basically my working station, I need it clear to do my job properly.
100%. I charge an extra £10 now if I have to pick up multiple landmines! If its too bad though i won't and then it's a question of dropping the customer or not
First time I walked off a job. one large dog and two young children. Dog mess ,and used nappies all over the lawn mixed in with the kids toys. Just got in my van and drove off No more Dog Sh*t Gardens
Worst thing I found was a shitty nappy. If I find dog shit I cut round it. And tell the customers. I've left the land mind's for you to pick up. This is why you should always get the leaf blower out before you cut grass.
Hi , slight variation on the job , I used to have my own decorating buisiness . Luckily my brother came with me this particular day , we were to start a bedroom , We found USED condoms all over the floor , 🤮🤮🤮. My brother , luckily not as squeamish as me , picked them up and chucked them outside in the hallway so we could get started , now I’m talking plus 10 , so anyway , we had to move a bed away from the wall and more we’re stuffed down the side of the bed , sticking to the wall , Oh god , how some people live , one per night , maybe 2 if your lucky , How long had that room been left in that disgusting state . Some customers are the pits , yet most are angels , even dusting and polishing before I go in to sand the woodwork down , bless them . 🤣🤣🤣. Back to your story , all dogs should be trained to use one area of gravel , one mitred squared , dog mess picked up every day and sanitised . It’s no difference than having 3 children running about your home messing in every room . You train children to potty then toilet , you train dogs the same , take them to the area every time until they go there automatically , I’d hate to be that persons neighbour , it must stink to high heavens in a summer . And so unhygienic . Yes I’d take the £20 pound and tell her to clean her garden up and be more responsible . Disgusting woman . And tell her , poo 💩 shovelling is £100 per ten mins work .
If you get awkward or bad customers I guess it’s a little scary as they can leave an undeserving bad review on line . When starting out this is worrying?
I used to think that but if it did happen, you can always reply and put your side of the story. Depending on where its posted, maybe you can delete it too - not sure. It is what it is I guess, everyone in same boat.
oh man, i just had this experience. Im about a month into my new lawn care business, and 4 days before arriving to a customers job to do the work i wrote and just said hi just a few things before i come, ill need the gate unlocked for access, the dog to be inside for the couple of hours id be there and, to please pick up any dog mess. She agreed, and after doing the front i went into the back and there was about a thousand mouldy dog turds. I strimmed where i could and took the payment that was left for me. I got splattered with dog shit too- and when i raised this she called me a liar. there was also rotten rubbish in the yard, just a gross woman. So now, after learning that lesson, in my quotes i have a clear policy stating if the dog poo isn't picked up, i wont mow and i will still require full payment for travelling to the job and wasting my time. I take pride in my work, and i expect to be treated with respect, as i treat all of my customers with respect. but unfortunately some people just stink. love your videos man cheers
Flail mowing scrub on a day rate for a regular gardening clients facility maintenance business. I had done a couple of comercial jobs for him no problem and was not visiting the jobs. My third job i got caught out, I was told knock down the scrub on the left side of the car park and scrape off the kerbs, there's a couple of days in it for you so just bill me. It turned out the area in question was basically being used for unwanted activity and the council and neighbours were insisting on the job being done What I turned up too was dozens of abandoned needles, all manner of litter includeing nappies and what was probably human waste all this hidden in abandoned overgrown municipal planting of overgrown berberis, cotoneaster, brambles and docks and coutch grass! Whilst I was for my part charging comercial rates I would never have chosen to even do the job no matter the price especially since I was turning down work through lack of time. Suffice it to say that after less than a minute I walked from the job, I felt so dirty I changed into spare clothing in the van, left my boots in the back and drove back in socks!! I felt really aggrieved that the client hadn't had the decency to warn me or discuss the job and dropped them off my maintenance schedule for thier private garden. I did bill them for half a day as I had driven too the job and had to clean both the flail mower and my boots off with bleach and wash all my clothing.
gardener in fife come accross everything from sanitary products, nappies , and dirty needles. was on pickin up dog crap and whist doing so the charming nextdoor neighbor alerted me to the fact that it was human crap as a junke had popped a squat behind the bush the previous night
Another good video and i feel for u bud coz i get coverd in poop on the reg, its disgusting why ppl dont pick it up especialy those who know ur coming or those with kids etc , iv had poop, slug guts and more all over me and in my mouth on accsions while cutting and its mingin, iv even hit a dead rat in longer grass with a blade on and blood has spat up, my fault for removing the guard i suppose haha keep up the good work dude
Minging mate, you shouldn't have to work in those conditions. There are loads of people out there, I'd sack the repeat offenders off if it gets too bad. I've read comments of people knowing people who have lost their site due to it getting in the eyes etc so be careful
hi, what areas do you cover? I am looking for someone to keep my garden tidy for me, im disabled and the person I lived with who used to take care of the garden sadly died recently. Going by your accent you are Northeast too?
Imagine you do a garden with poo, the poo goes all under the deck and the blade wheels etc. Then your next job is a mother with a baby and she puts a blanket on her lawn and lets her baby crawl around and goes on the grass. then you come along with your wheels, deck, blade covered in poo to her house... So unless your going to wash it all down after going over dogs mess you should refuse...
One of first question I ask 4 one off jobs is do u have dog .if yes I say no thanks .Had enuf of that..usually have a 3 strike rule on regulars but try to be flexible if they try normally..some ppl seem to think it's my job to lift thier dog shite .no no no..once dug up a bag of fish that a dog or cat had buried that was unreal .😝
I KNEW this was going to be about the dreaded dog mess.. me? Hmm, if the grass is short ish and it's only one or two incidents then I make a point and mow around it 😂 If there is a considerable amount.. I've blowed it with leaf blower into the borders many times.. and I won't necessarily make a big fuss, it depends how much I like the customer/like/want the job.. if it's a new customer and they're rude for instance and/or it's everywhere then I won't go back. And I'd probably charge them more 😂
There's a few who mow round it. I think you're right, it very much depends on the customer, job, price etc. There's a house I do, quite like it, quick and decent money and there's ALWAYS one bit, sometimes two but never more and I just sort it. But this one was something else! haha
I used to the lawns and strim embankments of a big garden ,the owners were very wealthy millionaires. Two large dogs that shit anywhere including flower beds. There 5 adults living there and very rarely was the shit picked up.most times I would get shit on the mowers and on me. One day I strimmed the embankments and ended up with it on my face and mouth. I went and knocked on the door to let them know and that I was going home and not continuing that day. They understood and apologised, said that they would make sure that they picked up more often. Low and behold the next time it was much improved. But the following week it was shit all over again. I got back in the van sent them a text not coming any more too much shit all the time. And drove off. I've had the same with other people and I actually got ill, I got toxis plasmosis. So I now tell people that, and I will pick up for them for extra charge or not do the job.
This was disgusting attitude from the customer, imagine if you had strimmed the grass, it would have been like a food blender with no lid. I have what I would call a low tolerance for dog poo being left. It's the customers pet not mine. I try to remember to ask when I first go and look at a job, if they have a dog. If so, I make it clear right from the start that the dog mess has to be cleared. Like you have said yourself, if you can see they are making an effort, then you don't mind moving the odd few. I have a mower with a roller, so potentially, they can end up with a number of lovely squashed in dog drops. When I worked for a company, I used to have to do one of the directors gardens. They had 2 dogs. Showed up 1 week, about a weeks worth of dog drops on the lawn, turned round and left the garden. Same 2nd and 3rd week. That's 3 weeks worth of dog drops from 2 dogs. I was asked why I wasn't going round, I said I was, but the grass doesn't get cut with dog poo on it. Once they cleared what they could find in the long grass, I had to go back and strim it before I could cut it. I stunk of dog poo after 💩. I kept that experience in mind when I went self employed, that's why I ask if they own any dogs.
Only have one customer who has a dog, they're elderly but still clear up on a daily basis. Very occasionally there might be one or two piles if I turn up unannounced, in which case I deal with them. Other than that, I won't touch a lawn with dog poo on it. If I see it when I'm quoting then I highlight it, advising that it needs to be removed completely before my attendance and that if it's there when I turn up then I will not touch the lawns but will still require payment in full. If it happens more than once then I sack the customer. Absolutely disgusting and disgraceful lack of self respect on the part of some dog owners bud!
Firm stance then mate, only right as well. If a regular is usually good but misses the odd bit I don't mind and will clear it, but certainly if it was messy all the time I'd let them go. Definately lack of self respect 100%
I think it's unacceptable. I have a gardener who cuts my grass every fortnight. It only takes five minutes to clear up at most. Luckily my dog rarely goes in the garden and even if dog did id check the garden the day before the gardener comes. If I were you I wouldnt go back.
@@TheGreyGardener1990 I think it's rude to be honest. If I were you I'd replace her with someone else. Although I'd understand why you might be reluctant to drop her if it's a well paid job.
Yes. I had a customer who had dog's and never picked up the dog poo. I always asked her the day before but she never did and it was big dog poo. I don't what if she was feeding them Mars bar's but I had enough and sent her a text to say sorry but I am going to have to let you go. Just a lazy customer. So glad I don't work for her anymore.
@@TheGreyGardener1990 she wasn't happy but I did always text the night before regarding the dog do dos. Plus I was getting covered in it and my machines and van. Bloody ponged. If it wasn't Mars bar's she was feeding them it must of been a Donna kebab from the night before. I am going to subscribe to your channel. Good luck.
@@cosworthization yeah it's minging when you're getting it on your mower then into your van. Don't how she can be angry like 🤷♂️ you're best rid mate. Thanks! Appreciate you taking time to comment too 👍
If anyone has dogs who I visit I ask prior to visit that THEY do a poo patrol, and if they can’t be bothered. Then I won’t do the job . It’s about respect, would you leave dog poo for someone else.. they aren’t worth bothering with. Jh
A national trust garden I worked at for 10 years, I’ve had to pick up human poo before and a bloody sanitary towel someone had decided to remove on their walk around the garden.
I used to work in a Hostel and used to do the grounds and I can say from experience how dirty and disgusting some people are with some people leaving turds in showers to shittting the bed and dumping the sheets in a flower bed.
I new what you were going to say before I started watching 👀 💩. Its a hard one to gage really uiu did right to cease the job down to its a health hazard. If there like say no more than 4 piles and yiu were I there garden working say two weeks prior then you can tell they make a effort. But if you contact them and tell them say the day before your going mentioning to make sure its cleared up before you get there, and you get to site and there's loads ,I see it as if they are not respecting me as if I'm un important and taking me for granted.
I was asked, by a regular, to sort out the water barrel as it was full but no water coming out. I siphoned out enough water to be able to get down to the inside of the valve and started moving leaves and sludge from the bottom. I couldn't get the valve to work so dug around a bit more and brought up a squirrel which was somewhat decomposed with my hands. I very nearly threw up. Anyway I got it cleared and everything was OK. I did tell her though to get a lid on it to stop other animals getting the same treatment. Dog poo is just a normal thing in open plan gardens by me. I carry nappy bags around. They cost pennies and smell nice(ish).
Dog mess in bad for a lawn. So I won’t touch it mate. I don’t want to spread it to another lawn and not only that it stinks in the van. You turn up at your next customer smelling of shit don’t look good. I would have done the same. Jobs hard enough as it is without dog shit everywhere
dog and cat shit a no no sacked 5 customers for this,this year had to take my hater home jet wash it then go back to other customers waste of my time and money.its a business im running as a gardener not a shit lifter discusting .
I make it clear initially that I don't tolerate clearing up other peoples dog poo. If it happens once I will tell them, if it happens a second time I walk off the job. Massive lack of respect towards a gardener in my opinion
@@TheGreyGardener1990 ive been doing it about 8 years now, probably bailed on jobs about a dozen times, some because the customers are idiots and some because I mis quoted back in the early days ( ie quoted £80 for the job, then half hour into it you realise its gonna take 2 days! ) 😆🤦♂️
@@TheGreyGardener1990 its dreadful mate, when you turn up to do the job you get that sinking feeling and wondering how on earth you quoted so low! Fortunately these days I'm a bit wiser so tend to over quote a bit so as to avoid these situations 😃
Dog poo is health hazard, you were right to walk , is there anything worse than getting dog crap on your gear and boots ,its like glue and just pure stinks ,lot of owners are just too lazy to clean up
I've a Chinese women with a small dog there like dry rabbit dropping just suck them up lol with the izy she's a good customer Alot I'll just av desposeible gloves ready if a regular and explain iam chargeing a premium for dog shlt patrol before cutting . Has to be cut fortnightly max Long grass 3 dogs ha leg it
I'm a window cleaner and I was asked to remove a dead pigeon from a flat roof while I was up there cleaning the window so I literally just took a free kick with it and booted it onto their lawn .
Dog shit and trampolines 😝😝😝😂😂😂😂😂seriously thou go round it they soon get the hint mate if it’s a mine field don’t cut it if it’s not moved next visit ...say goodbye but bill them for the visits ....there is no excuse on their part
I always ask if there’s dogs, cats etc. I state in my T&Cs that I don’t clear up dog mess. If there is dog mess I just go round it and if anybody complains I just explain they’re breaking the terms and conditions. And I will still except full payment. I’ve found loads of things but the worst for me was used ladies lady products and I was asked if I could clear It up. The answer was no F’in chance 😂
I think that if people have dogs, they should clean it, whether or not a gardener is going. It's hygiene for f***s sake. I've been to loads of jobs where they have young kids. How can they let their kids play in that. Disgraceful. I have zero tolerance. Wont do it.
the owner is lazy, who would care bout their garden anough to hire a gardener but to leave shot on thier lawn? dont make sense tome, however i have no doubt this is very common and is to be expected in your line of work.
I'm sure people are but they will probably have to do everything or more things. For instance, I don't do fencing, turfing and stump removals for example. And you'd probably have to employ at least one other.
Another story you might find interesting folks. Its never dull being a gardener!
ruclips.net/video/3keRQWCkioI/видео.html
Used dirty needles while cutting council grass down in Suffolk. Needless to say, we put the tools in the van and didn't go back to that site.
Many years ago when an old fella asked me to help by digging over an overgrown patch at the bottom of his garden I started digging and heard a 'clink' of metal, I scraped away to discover buried underneath was a rusty old car engine with the gear box still attached. I tapped on his door, informed him of the find and politely drove off. I guess it is still there.
Yes dog poo is a constant hazard. I always text the day before so they know I'm coming and there's no excuse not to lift it, if they're capable - they might be very elderly or disabled, so have to be reasonable there. I did threaten to stop coming to one garden a few weeks ago, because it was everywhere, all the time, and in the borders where you can't see it till it's too late. Worst thing yet - full nappies thrown over a wall from the pub garden next door to the job. Absolutely vile and unforgiveable. Oh and don't get me started on trampolines, that obviously never get used..and now it's those hammock frames everywhere..who lies out in a hammock in the UK???
Ah man! Someone else said full nappies as well. Absolutely horrible 😕
Nice video mate! The dog poo situation always depends on the client for me. As you've said, if they are usually spot on with picking it up then I'm easy. But if its a blatant p*ss take then a polite word to the client. If nothing changes then I usually cut around the mess, leaving long bits of lawn. They usually get the hint then.
I've only ever refused to go back once, cut a small lawn that was new turf. Everytime I went it was covered I dog mess but according to the client she was a perfectionist and wanted the lawn perfect. She kicked up alot of fuss because I wasn't mowing over the dog poo, so I politely said I wasn't returning.
Cheers mate 👍
I dare say they ended up getting turf as the dog/owner messed up the old lawn! But yeah, definitely depends on the client for me. Most people are OK thankfully haha
That's what I do drive round the mine field lol or just say its disgusting and id have charged her for the work done
As an aspiring gardener new to the business it's good to hear about the dog Sh1t experience and how you deal with it ...thanks for the vid 👍
You were right to leave. I have large dogs and mow my own grass. I pick up poop first and still I manage to step in it or roll the mower into it. I would never ask anyone to do that! If I have anyone coming to work here, I search the yard inch by inch first. I love my dogs more than anything on earth but I will not abuse anyone with their poop. You were right!!
Was mowing an overgrown garden and going along nicely then mower makes hell of a noise so I stop it and pull it back and a screwdriver was lying there. Thankfully it didn't break anything and didn't come across anymore 😂. But it could've been a disaster.
I'm a sole trader for my own gardening business.
Nope, I would not do the job with dog shit everywhere.
I'd say, I'll come back once it's cleaned up. Just charge her for the front lawn.
Worst thing I've come across is when I started whipper snipping a front lawn area and it was soaked wet! Septic had over flowed and toilet paper everywhere. Mentioned it to the client, didn't finish it.
Yeah, if the owners don't clear up, I'm certainly not! I've turned down jobs like that. I'm clear at the beginning and like you say, the odd bit when they're trying is one thing, but to leave huge mounds is massively disrespectful.
Yeah disrespectfuls the word 😕
Yep. This is a hazard of the game. Round here everybody has a dog. A little bit on the mower wheel is one thing but wait until you taste it or smell it on your clothes for the rest of the day. I make an individual decision on each garden/customer. It is unreasonable to expect the customer to have picked up every single one when you visit, but that doesn't mean you need to accept 20 or 30. Some people take a hint when you mow round a few and leave tufts. If there are many piles then the customers dogs aren't getting a proper regular walk so there is a good chance you arent going to get regular prompt payment....
chalk this visit up to experience, Get some anti-bacterial wipes in the van, and alter your T&C's to include a reasonable penalty. Clearing dog mess is big business in parts of the US, you could try turning it into an advantage and offering it as an extra service.
I've been in this situation before and its not nice at all. I always check both front and back before even starting the job just incase of any problems.
Fair play to you for admitting your mistake not looking at the job before you started. In the end you done the right thing by walking. After being caught out once by the same thing wouldn't start the job until every piece of dog poo was removed. Put it down to experience
Metal door handle iin long grass, ruined my blades on first cut with new mower. I learnt to charge by the job not the hour, give them a price, if they do not like it then calmly leave.
I text dog owners the evening before with a poo reminder. i won't pick it up at all if its fox etc i remove with a spade butnot if theres loads.
Ended up with more freckles than I started with on many occasions. Strim round them and mower up to them and they get left. If it's covered in 💩 then it doesn't get done.
It's not great 😕
i’d have done the same , worst i’ve had is strimming through some, didn’t realise until a few ft on noticed a smell that wasn’t going , took my safety glasses off little bits of poo on glasses and ear defenders 🤮 luckily
it was summer quick wash under the hose changed my shirt finished the job and went home for full decontamination, took it, mentioned it , now i just make sure i take extra time , get paid for it so i’m just careful now
Minging like. I'm yet to strim through any 😬
@@TheGreyGardener1990 haha, luckily i think you have had a gentle reminder to be vigilant! my reminder wasn’t so subtle 😄
@@airtechimages I'll remember it for sure mate!
I have a customers garden which I have been cleaning up and putting back to lawn section by section, the garden had been let go since the seventies. I had to fence a large area off to prepare and seed as they have two dogs, then gave them the garden back bit by bit in eight foot strips as the grass got established. I have half the garden now to lawn but its the dogs that are the problem. I am going to check on the grass this week and possibly give it a cut but to be quite honest if the grass is not clean I will be letting them go. Its not just dog muck that is a problem, the customer has a rotary clothes line on the lawn and although initially the new grass was lush and green a m2 around the pole quickly died off, I couldn't work it out at first as the soil is quite fertile. Then one day the penny dropped, when the dogs walk onto the grass they use the pole as a lamp post, over a period of time the area of grass around the pole dies off, I have a cure though if I stay long enough, I will have to inset a square of four slabs around the pole at ground level, that way the mower will just run over the edge of the slabs when cutting the grass. Will let you know what I find when I go to check later in the week.
You've got more patience than me Davy! Yes, definitely interested to know how you get on
As a few others have commented,don’t do dog gardens.As well as the mess there’s the constant barking to put up with,as soon as they hear your mower or ladders-don’t know why people have them.
I valet a few cars as well,always turn down dog mobiles,they stink.At least you’ll know for next time.
Yeah they're a lot of hassle mate
You don't know why people have dogs? Bit unfair isn't it? I have 3 dogs and a gardener that comes twice a month. I poo pick twice a day and I wouldn't dream of leaving any in the garden prior to my Gardner coming. My dogs love our gardener and don't bark at him! You can't tar all dog owners with the same brush!
Had one near Chester Le Street that I let go, this year, after 5 visits. Every visit at least 4 piles of dog waste. Even the best of dog owners will miss the odd pile so I'll let that slide occasionally..
4 piles or more each time is rude like, you made the right choice!
I think it depends, as you say if they are normally good with it then you don't mind the odd one and I have pooh bags in my van just in case
I try to avoid this by letting my customers know im coming the night before and on the day thankfully most of mine are great 🙏
I regularly get fox poo in my garden, but one morning I found a fox skeleton! I only knew it was a fox as it still had the brush on. It had been brought into the garden overnight, A shocker !! Im not started doing garden services yet but will take your advice and check twice, cut once haha!
A fox skeleton! Crazy!
Horrendous, I feel your pain. I carry some poo bags for the odd 1...however i state on my email quotes to ensure lawns are clear of all dog mess...and explain why I can't be travelling to next customers with poo on my mowers in my van. Hate it! I'm debating zero tolerance ..but I do have a few excellent clients who clear up. Mate I don't find many unusual things, it's the lonely wives who can chat all day when I'm trying to crack on ...😀
I have a really good garden, good money, easy in and out but there always one or two bits. I can forgive that! Yeah, that can be a bit of a pain especially when you're busy
I'd let her know upfront that (SpOILer) removal and disposal is an extra charge. You could charge by the pound or by the mound.
Been there pal. A few in the past ive stopped mowing for them but if its the odd pile i just mow around it and leave a tuft of grass.
Yeah, if they're a regular and always pick it up I'll let the odd one slide and sort it. Nowt worse is there haha
@@TheGreyGardener1990 years ago on a summers day. I mow a big church lawn and a big pile of dog muck had dried to chalk White in the sun. Anyway i decided to just mow it. Well the dust came through the grass bag just as i was taking a breath so i gotca lung full of it. Not nice. I hate the stuff.
@@darrenupton5500 ah man that's grim mate 😕
If the customer knows your coming, it's their responsibility to pick up the shit! I would have walked too! Fair play mate!
Yeah, minging that job. Only time I've walked
@@TheGreyGardener1990 there will be others, trust me! The learning curve never ends!
@@tgsgardenmaintenance4627 I was close one other time but decided against it. Going through some of the comments, I was lucky it was only shit! 🤣
i have had jobs like that and i had a word with the clients and said it needs to be cleaned up, if its not done when i come to do the job then you can find someone else too do the job
Do you find most people clear it up? I went to another job and refused outright to do it as it was everywhere. My eyes must have been working that day!
@@TheGreyGardener1990 i find most people will clean it up, to save face.
Good man. I'm just an old guy who likes his garden and I have 2 Cocker spaniels. I would be mortified if anyone even saw dogshit in my garden. I don't let my dogs into the front garden; its laid to grass with allsorts of plants around. The back is mostly patio and that's where the dogs to do their numbers last thing at night and first thing in the morning otherwise as when they are walked Poo is bagged and binned right away. Same routine every day. A matter of discipline. You were quite right lad, don't tolerate it. Do a thorough recce and risk assess and make your decision. McIntyre
You have the right attitude I think! Id be the same if I had dogs. Fortunately most owners are good! Thanks for commenting 👍
Maggoty cat kills and broken glass rate up there with pet mess for me. I once did a garden blitz, dog mess, stones, toys, old clothes blown off the washing line. I picked every thing up, filled in holes dogs had dug. Mowed, re planted tubs. Client pleased, booked for monthly visits and a big fence to paint. Next visit, more holes dug, mess everywhere. I wasn't prepared to waste my time there, even the new plants hadn't been looked after.
That's shocking man. They're lucky you stuck around for that first visit
@@TheGreyGardener1990 Yep, I expected after my big tidy up it would be better the next visit...nope!
Some people just don't care unfortunately
I once had a customer that had cats that pissed and shit all over the garden which i dealt with because i charge a high price but one day i was line trimming and i hit something half hidden under a bush and moved the bush away to see three dead kittens that had been put there. That was messed up.
Ah man that's horrible! What are people thinking. Crazy. Did you say anything?
No chance i used to deal with it when i first started out but zero tolerance it its everywhere. Ill give them one chance but thats it.
this is why I don't work on or commute open quotes, I have an hourly rate + extras. I would've cleared the dog poo (chuck it under a hedge or in bin if there's a lot) and charge for my time to do it. you can explain and even show why it's taken longer (although I rarely even give a timeframe) and usually they're incredibly apologetic, grateful and may even tip.
Happened to me quite a few times,if it's the odd one I'll go round it,and try and cut it,had a really bad one once,mower got full of shit,so used the customers hose to clean the mower because it was a blatent piss take.
Now Ill ask them to clean it up or I just won't do it.
Nothing worse 😕
hi i have been a self employed gardener for 35 years and always ask if they have any pets, cats also poo in borders, i wont work where they don't clean up dog poo. Also i was once doing some landscaping and had the gate open to get materials in and the lady had 3 tortoises loose in the garden, well when they saw the gate open they made a dash for freedom, i never knew they could move so fast! So be aware.
Haha tortoises! Thats a new one 😆
if they dont tidy it up i wouldent do it .ive had terrible ones in past did but not now .say if not cleared its double charge before you go .
Hi, you’re right to walk off of the job. I did find one piece the other day but the customer is generally very good and will pick it up before I get there.
I have one regular and there's always one bit. The rest of my customers are generally really good. You don't mind when people make an effort
If my client hasn’t picked them up and they are that obvious I’d just now around them. They get the hint that that’s not my job
When I view to quote I always explain that I'll notify the customer the day before I'm due, therefore they know to clear any mess on the lawn.
I advise that if there's poo on the lawn I go round it or bill £5 per one I pick up, and I'll leave the bag by their back door.
Cat poo is the worst.
Ah ok, interesting. Are the responses positive then?
@@TheGreyGardener1990 get a few look at you funny but majority are fine with it, once you mow round it and leave clumps of grass, taking before and after pictures they soon get the message.
But in all fairness if I view a property and the lawn is like a minefield I over price it or tell them I can offer them my services.
@@AnthonyHitmanDarts haha fair play to you! I guess they'll learn, as you say.
Well I would have given here a second chance. But said that next time makesure the grass is free of dog poo. But that's just me. I have a dog so am used to picking it up. Each to their own I suppose. Love your channel
Cheers. For me, it went beyond second chances. I may have done if it was the odd bit - probably just saying it's bad but if you get it sorted I'll come back. Just amazed at how unaware I must have been when I did the initial quote. It must have been there! 🤦♂️
like yourself, a regular client, if you can see they clear most, you just carry on, although I do charge a bit extra in time if I have to clean my mower, 99% of the time there isnt a problem, on 1 offs, I just wont do it, if its that bad, I would just say sorry I cant complete the job until you clear the mess and charge for my time,
I walked away from a regular job one of the reasons was because of dog mess, its disgusting. I think the worse thing I have found in a garden (of sorts) was a dead fox
A dead fox is grim like mate 😕 luckily most people are OK! Thanks for taking time to comment 👍
It's a tough one,had a job the people had an ageing german shepherd dog who was great but his urine was everywhere and the smell was overwhelming,i persevered for a few months but asked politely for the walkways to be bleached etc,they didn't do it and i rang the guy and told him sorry i could'nt continue,the smell was off the scale🙈
Not pleasant mate. Customers must have respect for us otherwise it makes it difficult for us to do our jobs.
@@TheGreyGardener1990 definitely 👍👍
When i done commercial ground maintenance some sites were so smothered in dog mess you couldn't put your foot between them, we would always walk away. Fox poo is by far the worst smell and while strimming a school once i got a bit behind my ear so the smell kept following me around all day and i couldn't figure out where it was coming from until another lad pointed it out lol. I keep dog mess bags in the van and always pick any up on my regular customers as its usually only fox or cat.
Had to laugh at that mate sorry! It's sweeter I think fox poo isn't it?
Sweeter?! .. lol i'm not sure what the foxes near you eat then cos these ones here make you gag lol
@@scott_rawlins 🤣 no idea then. I'm sure someone told me that once lol
I hope you never have to find out buddy, i wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy 🙊😄
@@scott_rawlins 🤣
Dog poo is the worst
It’s really careless on the clients part I always get angry and think to myself why have dogs when you can’t pick up the poo especially when you know you’ve got a gardener coming
I feel your pain it’s worse if they have a fed lawn and it’s long and you don’t see it
Mowing and strimming long grass with the worry of land mines💩 terrifying for obvious reasons
I once hit some and walk away feeling sick 🤢
Never again you live and learn
Even though i'm not self employed yet, i do work for a grounds maintenance company, we do have a few domestic areas, not as much as you i don't think, if I see it, i'll mow round it, it's not my company policy to deal with it, pick it up etc, the owners usually get the hint then, it's not nice when you strim either and it splatters all over you! Worst thing I've had, i was doing a job for my boss, the owner of the property had buried needles/syringes in the garden, needle side up so it would pierce the skin when stepped on, i NEVER went back to that property and was reported to the appropriate people.
😬 I'd take dog shit over needles! Not good at all
I just mowed round the poo. I went to a garden once where the elderly man had a jungle of a garden, and a problem with his drains. The manhole cover was open, and the smell wafted round the garden. No sooner had I plugged in my strimmer when it started to rain. The smell in my throat lasted about a week, where i tried to be sick without sucess. He paid me for my two hours, i should have charged double. I never went back there.
I knew you were going to say 'dog poo'!!! The Gardeners most awful problem when mowing. I don't clean up other peoples dog poo, because other people do not clean up my dog poo!!! People are bloody lazy they expect Gardeners to clear up their dog mess. You were absolutely right to walk off the job. My son did the exact same thing with a garden full of dog poo so bad he couldn't mow. What do people think Gardeners are bloody skivvies? Treat Gardeners' with respect, they do the jobs you can't do or manage, to keep your environment looking good!!!
🤣🤣💩 have one that is sometimes bad But he's always Out he got me his girlfriend's garden which got me her mum's garden and her sister has also asked for a job.. he also gave me his friends garden to do .. so I guess sometimes you just gotta deal with it ... I go round with a spade scoop it up and it goes under the hedge🤣 ... funny I was mowing a garden when the blade caught something jammed it up lifted the mower up and started untangling it to find. It was some sexy lace frilly knickers 😊🤣
😂😂 that's a new one! Wonder who they belonged to??
@@TheGreyGardener1990 the dangers of cutting long grass 🤣🤣🤣
I don't even take on jobs that have dogs in the house anymore. Not worth it. You done right walking off the job.
Yes
Worst thing I found . . . I got to a regular lawn cut job once (£20 circa 30 mins ) there was a dead badger in middle of the lawn, the woman customer said she had left it there for me to deal with and dispose of it. I said I come here to cut your grass not remove roadkill from your property! 😆🤦♂️
🤣 that made me laugh!
Some people though
@@TheGreyGardener1990 I know some people are on another planet mate!
I've been lucky really. My customers always pick up any poo before i get there and apologise if they've missed any. I just trowel it up and put it on the boarder. The worst thing I find is cat poo, especially when you're weeding. Luckily i wear gloves.....it stinks so bad though.
Actually i've just remembered a job I had last week. I got deer poo/diarrhoea all over my trousers. Yuk!
😬 Deer diarreah doesn't sound too pleasant!
always check before you do the job, if its bad then just walk away
I should have definitely
I cut alot around the north east if i ever come a across shit hopefully its matured abit il get the blower out and roll them all to the nearest bush or border lmao if u travel the distance itl be a waste just dont go back to do there borders or hedges haha
I worked for a guy who asked people to pick up the mess but he never enforced it because he hated confrontation and didnt allow me to request them to pick it up or if they have a grabber to hand to me to even pick it up, one or two is fine, understandable missed or if the dog been out recent and they didnt spot the dog squatting or its just liquid poor pup.
Setting up my own buisness I will buy a grabber, I will still ask customers to pick them up but if its too many I will let the customer know I cant do the lawn until it is all cleared and i wont drop the price since they know im coming, knowing i need to cut the grass and knew they have pets leaving what I call "landmines" because you don't notice it until you stepped in it or worse, rolled over it with the mower which some reason just makes the smell stronger.
There will be some exceptions like if mobility is an issue to do this task then I will help out if they provide bags as I will have a grabber just incase.
Yeah people will be mad but end of the day, my equipment is going into my van, my van is a second office, i dont want that to smell, I will have other customers and what will they think if I rolled dog mess onto their lawn and the lawn is basically my working station, I need it clear to do my job properly.
100%. I charge an extra £10 now if I have to pick up multiple landmines! If its too bad though i won't and then it's a question of dropping the customer or not
First time I walked off a job.
one large dog and two young children. Dog mess ,and used nappies all over the lawn mixed in with the kids toys.
Just got in my van and drove off
No more Dog Sh*t Gardens
Thats bad! Who leaves used nappies though, really? Some people just don't care 🤦♂️
Worst thing I found was a shitty nappy. If I find dog shit I cut round it. And tell the customers. I've left the land mind's for you to pick up. This is why you should always get the leaf blower out before you cut grass.
I've not found a shitty nappy yet 😬
Hi , slight variation on the job , I used to have my own decorating buisiness . Luckily my brother came with me this particular day , we were to start a bedroom , We found USED condoms all over the floor , 🤮🤮🤮. My brother , luckily not as squeamish as me , picked them up and chucked them outside in the hallway so we could get started , now I’m talking plus 10 , so anyway , we had to move a bed away from the wall and more we’re stuffed down the side of the bed , sticking to the wall , Oh god , how some people live , one per night , maybe 2 if your lucky , How long had that room been left in that disgusting state . Some customers are the pits , yet most are angels , even dusting and polishing before I go in to sand the woodwork down , bless them . 🤣🤣🤣. Back to your story , all dogs should be trained to use one area of gravel , one mitred squared , dog mess picked up every day and sanitised . It’s no difference than having 3 children running about your home messing in every room . You train children to potty then toilet , you train dogs the same , take them to the area every time until they go there automatically , I’d hate to be that persons neighbour , it must stink to high heavens in a summer . And so unhygienic . Yes I’d take the £20 pound and tell her to clean her garden up and be more responsible . Disgusting woman . And tell her , poo 💩 shovelling is £100 per ten mins work .
It's a wonder they even bothered to want it decorating if they're happy to live with all those used condoms! Minging!
If you get awkward or bad customers I guess it’s a little scary as they can leave an undeserving bad review on line . When starting out this is worrying?
I used to think that but if it did happen, you can always reply and put your side of the story. Depending on where its posted, maybe you can delete it too - not sure.
It is what it is I guess, everyone in same boat.
oh man, i just had this experience. Im about a month into my new lawn care business, and 4 days before arriving to a customers job to do the work i wrote and just said hi just a few things before i come, ill need the gate unlocked for access, the dog to be inside for the couple of hours id be there and, to please pick up any dog mess. She agreed, and after doing the front i went into the back and there was about a thousand mouldy dog turds. I strimmed where i could and took the payment that was left for me. I got splattered with dog shit too- and when i raised this she called me a liar. there was also rotten rubbish in the yard, just a gross woman.
So now, after learning that lesson, in my quotes i have a clear policy stating if the dog poo isn't picked up, i wont mow and i will still require full payment for travelling to the job and wasting my time.
I take pride in my work, and i expect to be treated with respect, as i treat all of my customers with respect. but unfortunately some people just stink.
love your videos man cheers
Terrible mate. She'll be top of your list when it comes to replacing gardens I suspect that's even if you go back!
Flail mowing scrub on a day rate for a regular gardening clients facility maintenance business. I had done a couple of comercial jobs for him no problem and was not visiting the jobs.
My third job i got caught out, I was told knock down the scrub on the left side of the car park and scrape off the kerbs, there's a couple of days in it for you so just bill me.
It turned out the area in question was basically being used for unwanted activity and the council and neighbours were insisting on the job being done
What I turned up too was dozens of abandoned needles, all manner of litter includeing nappies and what was probably human waste all this hidden in abandoned overgrown municipal planting of overgrown berberis, cotoneaster, brambles and docks and coutch grass!
Whilst I was for my part charging comercial rates I would never have chosen to even do the job no matter the price especially since I was turning down work through lack of time.
Suffice it to say that after less than a minute I walked from the job, I felt so dirty I changed into spare clothing in the van, left my boots in the back and drove back in socks!!
I felt really aggrieved that the client hadn't had the decency to warn me or discuss the job and dropped them off my maintenance schedule for thier private garden.
I did bill them for half a day as I had driven too the job and had to clean both the flail mower and my boots off with bleach and wash all my clothing.
Shocking they just left you to it without a word of warning. No respect either
cat poo is worse. Tough one though. Should double the price really.
gardener in fife come accross everything from sanitary products, nappies , and dirty needles. was on pickin up dog crap and whist doing so the charming nextdoor neighbor alerted me to the fact that it was human crap as a junke had popped a squat behind the bush the previous night
Another good video and i feel for u bud coz i get coverd in poop on the reg, its disgusting why ppl dont pick it up especialy those who know ur coming or those with kids etc , iv had poop, slug guts and more all over me and in my mouth on accsions while cutting and its mingin, iv even hit a dead rat in longer grass with a blade on and blood has spat up, my fault for removing the guard i suppose haha keep up the good work dude
Minging mate, you shouldn't have to work in those conditions. There are loads of people out there, I'd sack the repeat offenders off if it gets too bad. I've read comments of people knowing people who have lost their site due to it getting in the eyes etc so be careful
hi, what areas do you cover? I am looking for someone to keep my garden tidy for me, im disabled and the person I lived with who used to take care of the garden sadly died recently. Going by your accent you are Northeast too?
Hi Nick, I'm in Durham mate
Chicken wire and kept wrapping round blade I gave that job up
Imagine you do a garden with poo, the poo goes all under the deck and the blade wheels etc. Then your next job is a mother with a baby and she puts a blanket on her lawn and lets her baby crawl around and goes on the grass. then you come along with your wheels, deck, blade covered in poo to her house... So unless your going to wash it all down after going over dogs mess you should refuse...
One of first question I ask 4 one off jobs is do u have dog .if yes I say no thanks .Had enuf of that..usually have a 3 strike rule on regulars but try to be flexible if they try normally..some ppl seem to think it's my job to lift thier dog shite .no no no..once dug up a bag of fish that a dog or cat had buried that was unreal .😝
I'll probably reach that stage at some point haha. A bag of fish?? 😆
I KNEW this was going to be about the dreaded dog mess.. me? Hmm, if the grass is short ish and it's only one or two incidents then I make a point and mow around it 😂 If there is a considerable amount.. I've blowed it with leaf blower into the borders many times.. and I won't necessarily make a big fuss, it depends how much I like the customer/like/want the job.. if it's a new customer and they're rude for instance and/or it's everywhere then I won't go back. And I'd probably charge them more 😂
There's a few who mow round it. I think you're right, it very much depends on the customer, job, price etc. There's a house I do, quite like it, quick and decent money and there's ALWAYS one bit, sometimes two but never more and I just sort it. But this one was something else! haha
I used to the lawns and strim embankments of a big garden ,the owners were very wealthy millionaires. Two large dogs that shit anywhere including flower beds. There 5 adults living there and very rarely was the shit picked up.most times I would get shit on the mowers and on me. One day I strimmed the embankments and ended up with it on my face and mouth. I went and knocked on the door to let them know and that I was going home and not continuing that day. They understood and apologised, said that they would make sure that they picked up more often. Low and behold the next time it was much improved. But the following week it was shit all over again. I got back in the van sent them a text not coming any more too much shit all the time. And drove off. I've had the same with other people and I actually got ill, I got toxis plasmosis. So I now tell people that, and I will pick up for them for extra charge or not do the job.
Use your blower to sending it flying! 😂
This was disgusting attitude from the customer, imagine if you had strimmed the grass, it would have been like a food blender with no lid.
I have what I would call a low tolerance for dog poo being left. It's the customers pet not mine. I try to remember to ask when I first go and look at a job, if they have a dog. If so, I make it clear right from the start that the dog mess has to be cleared. Like you have said yourself, if you can see they are making an effort, then you don't mind moving the odd few.
I have a mower with a roller, so potentially, they can end up with a number of lovely squashed in dog drops.
When I worked for a company, I used to have to do one of the directors gardens.
They had 2 dogs. Showed up 1 week, about a weeks worth of dog drops on the lawn, turned round and left the garden. Same 2nd and 3rd week. That's 3 weeks worth of dog drops from 2 dogs. I was asked why I wasn't going round, I said I was, but the grass doesn't get cut with dog poo on it. Once they cleared what they could find in the long grass, I had to go back and strim it before I could cut it. I stunk of dog poo after 💩.
I kept that experience in mind when I went self employed, that's why I ask if they own any dogs.
3 weeks worth is nasty! Not a nice job. Thankfully I've found most people to be ok
I once found a dead bird in a clients back garden, the cat.. well you know aha
i havent hit the brown stuff yet what arnt you telling me stood init a few times thou lol
Nasty stuff
Cat shit is the worst. Half the time it's not even the customers cat so they won't even know its there. Never know what to do about it
Fortunately I don't get much cat shit. That's bad though as no one can be blamed haha
Agreed! That's why I ALWAYS wear gloves when working in borders. Absolutely stinks when disturbed, end up smelling it all day.
Only have one customer who has a dog, they're elderly but still clear up on a daily basis. Very occasionally there might be one or two piles if I turn up unannounced, in which case I deal with them. Other than that, I won't touch a lawn with dog poo on it. If I see it when I'm quoting then I highlight it, advising that it needs to be removed completely before my attendance and that if it's there when I turn up then I will not touch the lawns but will still require payment in full. If it happens more than once then I sack the customer. Absolutely disgusting and disgraceful lack of self respect on the part of some dog owners bud!
Firm stance then mate, only right as well. If a regular is usually good but misses the odd bit I don't mind and will clear it, but certainly if it was messy all the time I'd let them go. Definately lack of self respect 100%
I think it's unacceptable. I have a gardener who cuts my grass every fortnight. It only takes five minutes to clear up at most. Luckily my dog rarely goes in the garden and even if dog did id check the garden the day before the gardener comes. If I were you I wouldnt go back.
I wish more people were like you mate
@@TheGreyGardener1990
I think it's rude to be honest. If I were you I'd replace her with someone else. Although I'd understand why you might be reluctant to drop her if it's a well paid job.
@@garyrobinson8665 it was a one off luckily, so no chance of me going back!
Cat poo on your hands or gloves, tools etc.... is no picnic either!!!
Yes. I had a customer who had dog's and never picked up the dog poo. I always asked her the day before but she never did and it was big dog poo. I don't what if she was feeding them Mars bar's but I had enough and sent her a text to say sorry but I am going to have to let you go. Just a lazy customer. So glad I don't work for her anymore.
Mars bars 😂😂
Shocking really after telling her numerous times! What did she say when you told her you were sacking her off?
@@TheGreyGardener1990 she wasn't happy but I did always text the night before regarding the dog do dos. Plus I was getting covered in it and my machines and van. Bloody ponged. If it wasn't Mars bar's she was feeding them it must of been a Donna kebab from the night before. I am going to subscribe to your channel. Good luck.
@@cosworthization yeah it's minging when you're getting it on your mower then into your van. Don't how she can be angry like 🤷♂️ you're best rid mate.
Thanks! Appreciate you taking time to comment too 👍
If anyone has dogs who I visit I ask prior to visit that THEY do a poo patrol, and if they can’t be bothered. Then I won’t do the job . It’s about respect, would you leave dog poo for someone else.. they aren’t worth bothering with. Jh
Yeah I do that now. Disgusting really
A national trust garden I worked at for 10 years, I’ve had to pick up human poo before and a bloody sanitary towel someone had decided to remove on their walk around the garden.
Grim 😕 at a National Trust garden as well!
I used to work in a Hostel and used to do the grounds and I can say from experience how dirty and disgusting some people are with some people leaving turds in showers to shittting the bed and dumping the sheets in a flower bed.
I dont have dogs. My yard is clean and so relaxing to be in.
I new what you were going to say before I started watching 👀 💩. Its a hard one to gage really uiu did right to cease the job down to its a health hazard. If there like say no more than 4 piles and yiu were I there garden working say two weeks prior then you can tell they make a effort. But if you contact them and tell them say the day before your going mentioning to make sure its cleared up before you get there, and you get to site and there's loads ,I see it as if they are not respecting me as if I'm un important and taking me for granted.
Spot on mate. I don't mind if people generally make an effort
I was asked, by a regular, to sort out the water barrel as it was full but no water coming out. I siphoned out enough water to be able to get down to the inside of the valve and started moving leaves and sludge from the bottom. I couldn't get the valve to work so dug around a bit more and brought up a squirrel which was somewhat decomposed with my hands. I very nearly threw up. Anyway I got it cleared and everything was OK. I did tell her though to get a lid on it to stop other animals getting the same treatment. Dog poo is just a normal thing in open plan gardens by me. I carry nappy bags around. They cost pennies and smell nice(ish).
Quick site walk then walk away
Should have been mate yeah
When they dont tell you about Electric cables or led lighting plus plenty of shit.
1 off is ok, but lots is a no. And we have dogs
Worst thing was a big rat.
The most surprising thing was a half buried motorbike
🤣 crazy
Dog mess in bad for a lawn. So I won’t touch it mate. I don’t want to spread it to another lawn and not only that it stinks in the van. You turn up at your next customer smelling of shit don’t look good. I would have done the same. Jobs hard enough as it is without dog shit everywhere
Very true mate yeah, not a great look!
Face masks used as toilet roll on a litter pick we done this week at one of our commercial sites with the biggest mountain of shite next to them.
😆 ah man that's minging!
dog and cat shit a no no sacked 5 customers for this,this year had to take my hater home jet wash it then go back to other customers waste of my time and money.its a business im running as a gardener not a shit lifter discusting .
I make it clear initially that I don't tolerate clearing up other peoples dog poo. If it happens once I will tell them, if it happens a second time I walk off the job. Massive lack of respect towards a gardener in my opinion
Its not great. I've only walked twice. Fortunately most people are ok!
@@TheGreyGardener1990 ive been doing it about 8 years now, probably bailed on jobs about a dozen times, some because the customers are idiots and some because I mis quoted back in the early days ( ie quoted £80 for the job, then half hour into it you realise its gonna take 2 days! ) 😆🤦♂️
@@pauldarlington2966 haha yeah I've had a few of those jobs. Nightmare isn't it 😆
@@TheGreyGardener1990 its dreadful mate, when you turn up to do the job you get that sinking feeling and wondering how on earth you quoted so low! Fortunately these days I'm a bit wiser so tend to over quote a bit so as to avoid these situations 😃
It is totally no respect for you not cleaning that up before you came and it would be like that every week
Dog poo is health hazard, you were right to walk , is there anything worse than getting dog crap on your gear and boots ,its like glue and just pure stinks ,lot of owners are just too lazy to clean up
I've a Chinese women with a small dog there like dry rabbit dropping just suck them up lol with the izy she's a good customer
Alot I'll just av desposeible gloves ready if a regular and explain iam chargeing a premium for dog shlt patrol before cutting . Has to be cut fortnightly max
Long grass 3 dogs ha leg it
There's one regular I have. Really decent job, 30 mins in and out £30. Always a few bits to pick up but I don't mind. Never horrendous though
I'm a window cleaner and I was asked to remove a dead pigeon from a flat roof while I was up there cleaning the window so I literally just took a free kick with it and booted it onto their lawn .
😬
Dog shit and trampolines 😝😝😝😂😂😂😂😂seriously thou go round it they soon get the hint mate if it’s a mine field don’t cut it if it’s not moved next visit ...say goodbye but bill them for the visits ....there is no excuse on their part
I always ask if there’s dogs, cats etc. I state in my T&Cs that I don’t clear up dog mess. If there is dog mess I just go round it and if anybody complains I just explain they’re breaking the terms and conditions. And I will still except full payment. I’ve found loads of things but the worst for me was used ladies lady products and I was asked if I could clear
It up. The answer was no F’in chance 😂
🤣 don't know what goes through people's heads
I think that if people have dogs, they should clean it, whether or not a gardener is going. It's hygiene for f***s sake. I've been to loads of jobs where they have young kids. How can they let their kids play in that. Disgraceful. I have zero tolerance. Wont do it.
I know, I always think if they have kids/grandkids. Horrible 😕
the owner is lazy, who would care bout their garden anough to hire a gardener but to leave shot on thier lawn? dont make sense tome, however i have no doubt this is very common and is to be expected in your line of work.
I sometimes have to pick up the odd bit which I don't mind but I think I've only had 2 gardens where its all over and I've refused to work
Do you think a self employed gardener can make £60k + a year?
I'm sure people are but they will probably have to do everything or more things. For instance, I don't do fencing, turfing and stump removals for example. And you'd probably have to employ at least one other.
@@TheGreyGardener1990 also im in london so maybe around here you can
That as well yeah definately