The mistake I made early doors was to not allow for the clear up, it often takes as long to clear up as it does to cut the hedge! These videos are great! Looks hot work in that coat!
This is my first year on my own, but you've given good advice here. There is a forum where new folks can download a spreadsheet to work out your hourly rates when you cost in all of your expenses. A mechanic friend of my father's told me to always look at the worst case scenario with prices on estimating jobs. Sort of overestimate by 30-50% (he said to double it but I dont) of a predicted time to allow for little incidents which always tend to happen. Lovely to see people actually encouraging others into business. We tend to try to take the high ground with newcomers, but everyone started somewhere. Great video again. I should have some videos as soon as I can get some customers. Jason is also on the money with his comment too. Take care mate Chris
Great tips Curtis, when taking waste away I set my hourly rate for travel plus fuel, I've seen many guys in my area quote travelling only or just fuel only. I always as you said work out in my head how long to cut then add a little on to cover, if the job I quote ends up easier than I thought I reduce the price which is good for customer relations but it won't work the other way round lol. But as you said the tough call is getting the price right and staying competitive, if your up against someone quoting for pocket money or to top up existing income you may not get the job. Great video and job mate.
Did a hedge the start of this week that I do every year. Done it for the last 5 years however the first year I charged less than half what I have charged since. The first year I did it I knew I had made a mistake but just had to get it done and put my bill in. They asked me back to do it again the next year and I was honest with what had happened the year before and the price was going to be more than double. They happily agreed and now for them every fortnight now too! Honesty is always best I say!
jason Gardener thanks for adding to the list mate, my mind literally goes blank when I do these sort of videos, thanks for watching Jason I hope you're busy.
Yes very busy at moment and phone has started ring people wanting to book maintenance. if the weather is kind think the season will start end of this month. hope your keeping busy and keep the money rolling in. think people forget gardeners have still got bills to pay and family's to feed
Nicely done, you are right about the depth of the hedge. I didn't check once and it cost me. I ended up giving a quote that should have been £110 higher. However as I had given the quote I stuck to it, no wonder they snatched my hand off. They were delighted with the job and asked if I would come back, I said I would but the price would be considerably higher next time. With a knowing smile they said ok that would be no problem, they knew full well I had underpriced the job.Best regards Mick
Mistakes as easily done if you thinking head is not on. Last year I agreed a price blind on the phone for a empty property garden based what the customer told me needed doing and how long they took to do the work in the past. Well it took 3 times as long and earn't me around £5 per hour. But I still did an A1 job because it's my reputation at stake. And a lesson learned!
Nigel VGM-UK I've never given a price over the phone, I've had customers describe hedges to me on the phone and when I've gone to look at them they are totally different, thanks for watching mate.
Joseph McCole that gets easier with time but even now I price up some jobs and think it’ll be a 4 hour job and I’ll be lucky and get it done in 2. But some times that 4 hour job takes 6 hours. It really is a tricky thing to get right. Thanks for watching mate
Good tips. I was doing a bit of home care today and my neighbour across the road came over and offered me hedge trimmers. ! I must have been too noisy, I was trimming back holly, and took me about 2mins tops. Which brings me onto you don't want to be firing up a noisy 2 stroke at inconvenient hours, worth a quick ask if neighbours work nights etc.
In the end he wanted a discount at the place i work. Although I had to hold back on strimming today because another neighbor was working nights, I just waited until she had opened her blinds.
Good video, I would also add if you say work an 8 hour day but say the hedge takes 6 hours there's 2 hours of the day left, sometimes not enough time to go to another job, so have a day rate in mind and quote the day for the job. Sometimes after 15 years of doing the job I still do hedges on an hourly rate, but have it I'm my mind how long it will take me so it's about the same as I would quote, then I've got the safeguard if I go over. I actually went to see a job yesterday a bit of hedge reduction he didn't want to know hourly rate of have a quote, he just says it has to be done and do it, he got my name by word of mouth as I know a lot of his neighbours. Things are starting to pick up more now got another call yesterday, if the weathers kind to us I think it will be a good year. Thanks for the vid and keep them coming thanks.
Mowersandstuff things are picking up for me also, I had a couple of calls last week and one customer even mentioned about doing some mowing!! Thanks for watching mate.
Good advise mate. With experience I know how much to charge for 2 people or 3 on a job. Especially big jobs. Day rate. Done by 3 happy days. If the client says they wanted more of that's your time to convince them you can't. Blag it :-)
I always like to check the ground to make sure you can get a firm footing and don't be afraid to add a little extra if a customer asks for a "bit" more work. Often you can give them a price and they will say "Oh and can you just trim those couple of bushes when you do the hedge" expecting the tit bits to be done for free
Unless its an ongoing weekly/fortnightly visit I ALWAYS charge per job. This usually works out much more than they would agree for an hourly rate lol. Hedge cutting is hard and repetitive work so have a minimum hourly rate cost and STICK to it. I find the wealthy ones are the type who don't like paying. Being a little more open to pricing my best job so far is £1300 for 4 days work tidying up clearing shrubs etc. On an hourly rate that would of been more like £500 and she was well happy with the completed work and probably would of paid more! :) Agree though there's nothing worse then realising you've under priced a job once starting it, but you do learn from your mistakes :-)
Believe it or not, even in the so called affluent South East, many people scoff at £20 an hour! People generally want a gardener for two reasons. They either can't do it themselves or can't be arsed. Sometimes I think I underprice myself but I try to be reasonable. However I do need to make a living and it's not as easy as we make it look! We may not be regarded as skilled workers but actually we are. Unless you're taking the piss, we are worth every penny! 👍
Fully agree. The amount of customers I get here in the Scottish Borders telling me what price I should be charging, I've been told things like "my old gardener used to do it for £10 per hour" for hedge trimming, or "someone quoted me £60" for a huge conifer hedge... Although I feel like saying ok, well go ahead and do it yourself if you're wanting it that cheap.. I have to politely explain to them without getting frustrated that if I charged that, including travel costs, fuel costs etc etc.. I'd actually make about £30 profit for a whole day's work😂. People don't understand the costs of running a gardening business and want everything cheap as chips. After being a bit naive at the beginning, I've now got to the stage where I set a price and if they don't like it they can look elsewhere, simple as that. We aren't out to barely make a living, we're out to as you say, do jobs that people either can't or won't do. For that, we deserve to be paid sufficiently for it. Not crazy, but enough to make a decent profit.
I’m only starting off so could you tell me roughly what my hourly rate could be. I know this is a difficult question but it would help me immensely to get a rough idea what my hourly rate could be..this is June 28th 2022. Thanks
I am just starting too, I charge £25 an hour but believe that you should think about adding a little bit on top for hedges because it's a hard graft. Did a job today 10ft Hedges, worked 12 - 8 with about 2 hour worth of breaks charged £150 - may have undercharged but i'm working on my craft and in time may charge closer to £200 for this type of job. Hope this helps!
A good way to get a price is to phone up five or six guys for a price in that area then you have an idea what to charge .you aren’t giving much away about price ,if new starts don’t know the might under cut you
That is a terrible way to do it... you should work out what the costs of the business are and how much you need to cover over a 12 month period, what you need as a wage/profit and work backwards from there. Following 5 or 6 people who businesses who might go to the wall or just do it as a hobby, have no insurance, poor equipment and no skills is a bad idea. If people want to pay bottom dollar, that is up to them they can get a low quality job. Its amazing how many people say they are really busy so they start quoting higher prices to people thinking it will put people off and then are more surprised when they get accepted. Maybe they undervalue their own services.
Hi love watching all your videos and iam think about setting my self up (currently on a golf course) just wondered what insurances do you need and do you have public liability ? Thanks
The mistake I made early doors was to not allow for the clear up, it often takes as long to clear up as it does to cut the hedge! These videos are great! Looks hot work in that coat!
This is my first year on my own, but you've given good advice here. There is a forum where new folks can download a spreadsheet to work out your hourly rates when you cost in all of your expenses. A mechanic friend of my father's told me to always look at the worst case scenario with prices on estimating jobs. Sort of overestimate by 30-50% (he said to double it but I dont) of a predicted time to allow for little incidents which always tend to happen. Lovely to see people actually encouraging others into business. We tend to try to take the high ground with newcomers, but everyone started somewhere.
Great video again. I should have some videos as soon as I can get some customers. Jason is also on the money with his comment too.
Take care mate
Chris
Chris's Landscaping good luck with the videos mate, let me know when you do some and I'll check them out. Thanks for watching.
Chris's Landscaping sorry to high jack on comments.
good luck Chris, I'm sure your do great
Chris's Landscaping got a link to that spreadsheet pal?
Great tips Curtis, when taking waste away I set my hourly rate for travel plus fuel, I've seen many guys in my area quote travelling only or just fuel only. I always as you said work out in my head how long to cut then add a little on to cover, if the job I quote ends up easier than I thought I reduce the price which is good for customer relations but it won't work the other way round lol. But as you said the tough call is getting the price right and staying competitive, if your up against someone quoting for pocket money or to top up existing income you may not get the job. Great video and job mate.
Prestige Lawn Care it's not an easy job Marc but it's all part of the business, thanks for watching mate hope you're keeping busy.
Did a hedge the start of this week that I do every year. Done it for the last 5 years however the first year I charged less than half what I have charged since. The first year I did it I knew I had made a mistake but just had to get it done and put my bill in. They asked me back to do it again the next year and I was honest with what had happened the year before and the price was going to be more than double. They happily agreed and now for them every fortnight now too! Honesty is always best I say!
Adam Hartup thanks for the comment mate, I hope you're keeping busy.
One thing i would suggest is too lay out some tarps to collect clippings. I use 9 x 2 meter ones saves time raking ip
Good one cheers
only thing I would add is allow for access and obstacles I.e flower beds ect.
but your spot on and very wise words 👍👍👍👍
jason Gardener thanks for adding to the list mate, my mind literally goes blank when I do these sort of videos, thanks for watching Jason I hope you're busy.
I know what you mean 👍
Yes very busy at moment and phone has started ring people wanting to book maintenance. if the weather is kind think the season will start end of this month.
hope your keeping busy and keep the money rolling in.
think people forget gardeners have still got bills to pay and family's to feed
Top man enjoy it and 7 months in my business now and going strong
Love your videos. Helps me out a lot, a gardener from Canada.
Consciousness Expanding thanks very much mate, I hope this season is a good one for you.
I’m new and found the best way is to tell the customer I will let you know in a couple hours the price then really think about it and price it
Nicely done, you are right about the depth of the hedge. I didn't check once and it cost me. I ended up giving a quote that should have been £110 higher. However as I had given the quote I stuck to it, no wonder they snatched my hand off. They were delighted with the job and asked if I would come back, I said I would but the price would be considerably higher next time. With a knowing smile they said ok that would be no problem, they knew full well I had underpriced the job.Best regards Mick
michael kilner I've had that happen to me a few times, very frustrating but I've learned from it. Thanks for watching mate.
Mistakes as easily done if you thinking head is not on. Last year I agreed a price blind on the phone for a empty property garden based what the customer told me needed doing and how long they took to do the work in the past. Well it took 3 times as long and earn't me around £5 per hour. But I still did an A1 job because it's my reputation at stake. And a lesson learned!
Nigel VGM-UK I've never given a price over the phone, I've had customers describe hedges to me on the phone and when I've gone to look at them they are totally different, thanks for watching mate.
Great video. My problem at the moment is its hard to know how long things will take. I guess that comes in time.
Joseph McCole that gets easier with time but even now I price up some jobs and think it’ll be a 4 hour job and I’ll be lucky and get it done in 2. But some times that 4 hour job takes 6 hours. It really is a tricky thing to get right. Thanks for watching mate
Thanks uk lawn care. starting up this year. Subscribed. our videos have been a great help to me. Robert from Belfast.
Good tips.
I was doing a bit of home care today and my neighbour across the road came over and offered me hedge trimmers. ! I must have been too noisy, I was trimming back holly, and took me about 2mins tops.
Which brings me onto you don't want to be firing up a noisy 2 stroke at inconvenient hours, worth a quick ask if neighbours work nights etc.
DashCamUK lol I hope you didn't upset your neighbour too much, thanks for watching mate.
In the end he wanted a discount at the place i work. Although I had to hold back on strimming today because another neighbor was working nights, I just waited until she had opened her blinds.
Good video, I would also add if you say work an 8 hour day but say the hedge takes 6 hours there's 2 hours of the day left, sometimes not enough time to go to another job, so have a day rate in mind and quote the day for the job. Sometimes after 15 years of doing the job I still do hedges on an hourly rate, but have it I'm my mind how long it will take me so it's about the same as I would quote, then I've got the safeguard if I go over. I actually went to see a job yesterday a bit of hedge reduction he didn't want to know hourly rate of have a quote, he just says it has to be done and do it, he got my name by word of mouth as I know a lot of his neighbours. Things are starting to pick up more now got another call yesterday, if the weathers kind to us I think it will be a good year. Thanks for the vid and keep them coming thanks.
Mowersandstuff things are picking up for me also, I had a couple of calls last week and one customer even mentioned about doing some mowing!!
Thanks for watching mate.
killer job on this hedge job bro and good tips!
Tennessee Lawn Care cheers mate, thanks for watching.
Good advise mate. With experience I know how much to charge for 2 people or 3 on a job. Especially big jobs. Day rate. Done by 3 happy days. If the client says they wanted more of that's your time to convince them you can't. Blag it :-)
Gregs Mowing cheers Greg I normally just do hedges by myself or with my dad, I didn't think to mention including helpers price on the list.
Did a hedge like this my mate stood on back of a triple and I drove lol
I always like to check the ground to make sure you can get a firm footing and don't be afraid to add a little extra if a customer asks for a "bit" more work. Often you can give them a price and they will say "Oh and can you just trim those couple of bushes when you do the hedge" expecting the tit bits to be done for free
where did you get that stand you have. it looks about 2feet high
No henchman tripod ladder :) . Good advise mate
Thanks for the advice mate
Unless its an ongoing weekly/fortnightly visit I ALWAYS charge per job. This usually works out much more than they would agree for an hourly rate lol. Hedge cutting is hard and repetitive work so have a minimum hourly rate cost and STICK to it. I find the wealthy ones are the type who don't like paying. Being a little more open to pricing my best job so far is £1300 for 4 days work tidying up clearing shrubs etc. On an hourly rate that would of been more like £500 and she was well happy with the completed work and probably would of paid more! :)
Agree though there's nothing worse then realising you've under priced a job once starting it, but you do learn from your mistakes :-)
Phantom_Nutz I've made many mistakes mate but hopefully I've learned from them. Thanks for watching mate.
Yep the rich are stingy Thas how they get £££ it lol
Believe it or not, even in the so called affluent South East, many people scoff at £20 an hour! People generally want a gardener for two reasons. They either can't do it themselves or can't be arsed. Sometimes I think I underprice myself but I try to be reasonable. However I do need to make a living and it's not as easy as we make it look! We may not be regarded as skilled workers but actually we are. Unless you're taking the piss, we are worth every penny! 👍
Fully agree. The amount of customers I get here in the Scottish Borders telling me what price I should be charging, I've been told things like "my old gardener used to do it for £10 per hour" for hedge trimming, or "someone quoted me £60" for a huge conifer hedge... Although I feel like saying ok, well go ahead and do it yourself if you're wanting it that cheap.. I have to politely explain to them without getting frustrated that if I charged that, including travel costs, fuel costs etc etc.. I'd actually make about £30 profit for a whole day's work😂. People don't understand the costs of running a gardening business and want everything cheap as chips.
After being a bit naive at the beginning, I've now got to the stage where I set a price and if they don't like it they can look elsewhere, simple as that. We aren't out to barely make a living, we're out to as you say, do jobs that people either can't or won't do. For that, we deserve to be paid sufficiently for it. Not crazy, but enough to make a decent profit.
I’m only starting off so could you tell me roughly what my hourly rate could be. I know this is a difficult question but it would help me immensely to get a rough idea what my hourly rate could be..this is June 28th 2022.
Thanks
I am just starting too, I charge £25 an hour but believe that you should think about adding a little bit on top for hedges because it's a hard graft. Did a job today 10ft Hedges, worked 12 - 8 with about 2 hour worth of breaks charged £150 - may have undercharged but i'm working on my craft and in time may charge closer to £200 for this type of job. Hope this helps!
@@Claire_Daley many thanks for sharing you prices..
Yes working for yourself is a constant learning process. Jim Shanks from J.S.G.S. Keep up the good work. 2018 is just around the corner.
thank you.
A good way to get a price is to phone up five or six guys for a price in that area then you have an idea what to charge .you aren’t giving much away about price ,if new starts don’t know the might under cut you
That is a terrible way to do it... you should work out what the costs of the business are and how much you need to cover over a 12 month period, what you need as a wage/profit and work backwards from there. Following 5 or 6 people who businesses who might go to the wall or just do it as a hobby, have no insurance, poor equipment and no skills is a bad idea. If people want to pay bottom dollar, that is up to them they can get a low quality job. Its amazing how many people say they are really busy so they start quoting higher prices to people thinking it will put people off and then are more surprised when they get accepted. Maybe they undervalue their own services.
Hi love watching all your videos and iam think about setting my self up (currently on a golf course) just wondered what insurances do you need and do you have public liability ? Thanks
Matthew Hatton did you ever set up Matthew?
Do u ever use a rough cutt hedge cutter
That looks hard work
great work
James-west oz garbo productions cheers James.
good advise!!
spot on mate
NIPP in garden Service cheers mate
A1 u forgot to mention of there is obistacles ect around the hedge and if u hav a second man add his hrly Rte to the your main price
Nicky Croarkin thanks for adding to the list mate, thanks for watching
well spoken
i charge £22 per hour..me and tools!!
What tips 😂