How Do I Go About Approaching Businesses for Gardening Work?

[Voddy]

Without going into too much personal detail, I've managed to buy some gardening equipment which is coincidentally good enough to handle large-ish commercial jobs.

How would I go about breaking into commerce?

I've tried knocking on doors but everyone is too busy, so is it down to letters and email?

What would you do, please?

[John51]

Do you have 3rd party liability insurance? Most businesses will ask, they don't want the bill if you dig into a gas main/whatever. Doesn't cost much, check out various quotes.

Large offices sometimes have a contractor to come and take care of the plants. Won't hurt to ask.

I know you want to work for businesses but mostly they want established gardeners. (They often pay late too.) Can't get the job without experience, can't get the experience without job. Catch 22. I'd go for the domestic market first to build up credibility.

Look out for houses with for sale signs. If the garden needs a fair bit of work, tell the vendor that the increase in house value from nice gardens is far more than the cost of your services. If they say no,(they might be brassic, don't be pushy,) be in like Flynn when the new owners turn up.

Chat to any pensioners you see out in their garden. Pleasant gardening related conversation, give them a card saying get in touch if you need any heavy work doing. Most important: Ask for referrals. Anybody they know who might want a hand with their garden. Referrals are the difference between success and failure with any sales based business that involves meeting people.

Choose you hours and stick to them. If no work, your job is to go out and find work. Walk the des res areas, talk to anyone and everyone, sell yourself.

One easy advantage you will have over the usual 'odd job man' is reliabilty. The typical handyman/gardener guy doesn't keep records much, treats it like a beer money hobby and will sometimes forget an appointment or be late without prior warning to the client. Once you've got a client, good work and good timekeeping will keep them as your client.

Good luck.

[YHB]

Everything John51 said.

I had a go at starting a service company, I tried;

Adverts in the local papers - no response.

Good Website - needed constant monitoring and payments to keep coming in the first page of hits, constantly hit with negative comments that I assume came from rival businesses. Probably did me more harm than good.

Flyers - best results, make them good quality and people will keep them. I had a few instant responses but 2 years later I am still getting calls from people who put them behind their clocks. Nice day - go for a walk and post 500 flyers and I bet you that you pass 40 people working in their gardens who don't want to be - they are the people you need to be talking to.

It will be slow to start with - Don't give up.

[Voddy]

Dear John and YHB,

Thanks for that, especially your time to reply.

I take all you write on board.

I shall give this some time, prob 2-3 years and see what happens.

People hate paying and while I do understand that - any ideas on how to encourage prompt payment?

[chill]

The only thing that people hate more than paying is paying more. Businesses charge 2-3%/month on over due amounts. That is to encourage payment. Of course you have to be hard nosed enough to make them pay even if that means possibly losing a client.

Or just add 3% to what you want to make, turn it around, and offer a 3% discount if paid within 10 days (for example).

Chuck

[Easydrinker]

While I agree with other posts on this,I question if large commerce is the way to go,at least initially.
Oh yes, flyers or buisness cards,but target the older people with large gardens that struggle to cope,but don't wish to move.
I have a couple in my family,living too far away for me to help properly,but desperate for reliable workers to tend the garden.
Customers like this not only pay promptly,usually cash,but reliable tradesmen find their names being passed around a network of people in similar situations,believe me the granny mafia carry a lot of clout.
Usually nicer to work for than an industrial unit on a retail park as well.
Just my thoughts.
Robert.

[YHB]

Standing order for regular maintenance, cash or invoice for additional specials, this will reduce the risk.

Blitzes cash only.

[Voddy]

Thanks to all again.

Not meant as a criticism of any posts/advice as it is all welcome; just sharing my life experiences thus far:

Working for the elderly is a bane. They complain as a means of getting social chat that they miss, especially if you ignore the cues to "come in for a cuppa". The old near me have been truly unpleasant. One dear had her family come and physically threaten me when I raised her price for three gardens totalling 550m2 from £5 to £10 - and then I had to cart away the grass, too. Now her family do it once a year. Obviously they couldn't get anyone cheaper to do the job. The old dear next to her wanted it free (same size garden) and caused me no end of trouble because I refused (politely). She has since moved into a home. The new younger people cannot manage the garden and it's now scrubland. I think it's a sign of the times that older people seem to be quite mean these days - or at least in my area they are.... For me, the busy people are the best - they want the job done and you out of their life quickly.

I do love the idea of adding the x% and then deducting it for prompt payment. That's very clever - and simple, which I love!

Cash only - all the way. For commerce, petty cash on the day of the job - I know this is how window cleaners work. If they want invoices etc then they need someone else. I figure if I'm working for myself then I should set some of the terms and that includes less stress.

I have to say a major thanks to all. You've cleared my head amazingly. Thank you.

[YHB]

My mum 91 years young pays someone 15 pounds once a month to cut her toe nails, The guy stops for about 20 minutes, most of the time just chatting with Mum.

I asked if she would pay me to do it. No chance - she talks to me all the time for free, why would she want to pay for it. I think she is getting confused about what she is paying for.

Fifteen pounds for 20 minutes and you have to book 3 weeks in advance.

Better than humping grass cuttings.

[John51]

When self employed, it is part of your duties as 'the boss' to protect your time. Admittedly difficult to politely educate people that your time has a cash value but not impossible.

Fliers can be made at home. I have new laser printer (Dell 1130n) that is an old design, cheap as chips. Couple that with a quality rotary cutter and you have a supply of cheap A5 fliers.

[Voddy]

Dear YHB and John,

Yes, I appreciate there are less taxing jobs for more money. I wish I had one! I'm trying to get on a counselling degree course so that I can earn with less physical demands as I get older. The gardening job is to live before that.

Thanks for the home jobby leaflets idea. Cheap and quick is all good.

[Easydrinker]

I'm glad the granny mafia with my name on their list are nicer than the one that you know!
ATB.
Robert

[Iain]

The other way is try and pick a bonus job .. if you finish a job in an area knock on a few doors either way to see if anyway wants it while you're there !

Or mention to any customers if x number of neighbours get together you could offer x% discount to them ... its easier to do half a dozen jobs on the same road rather than waste fuel and time travelling !

Plus they have the reference in the form of the original garden you did ..

Iain

[Voddy]

Spot on. I'll do this tomorrow. Thank you.