5 mistakes that will ruin your gardening business

In this video, I will be talking about the 5 key mistakes that will ruin your gardening business
Also about not charging enough and how it hurts your business. Chasing the wrong customers and what happens when you copy the competition!
#secretsauce
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Professional Gardener | 30 Years’ experience
Lawn treatments, weed, and feed, moss control, Aeration, Scarification, driveway cleaning…
premierlawns.co.uk
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There is no additional charge to you and thanks for the support!

[@alancalow6022]

Absolutely true to the letter Sir . I have a small gardening business and mistakes 1 through to 5 are so right i can relate to them all . its been worse since lockdown and having more excuses with bank transfers not coming through to me and having to chase clients up for settlements its embarrassing at times . After all if their employer didn't pay wages into my clients bank accounts on pay days there would be hell to pay

[@Premier_lawns_official]

It's not always easy!

[@frankholehouse1393]

100% correct I've got rid of all the bad ones, I no longer have stress .

[@Premier_lawns_official]

The bad ones take up a lot more time than the good ones

[@johnshannon3989]

Hi Robbie, that's really sound advice you gave there. You really know your job also. Best of luck. BTW. I smashed that like button.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thanks John 👍👍

[@bigjay24910]

Great video, absolutely Spot on. Learned all of these lessons after my first year. My first year was by far the hardest financially and physically because I was doing anything and everything to get work in. Second year I dropped all of the messers and late payers and started choosing the jobs I “wanted” to do and increased my prices. The first year will either make you or break you.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

The first winter is make or break

[@bigjay24910]

@@Premier_lawns_official I started in winter part time, just did tidy ups and got a few regulars for maintenance out of it. As soon as spring came I left my job and went full time. Haven’t looked back since

[@ipodgooroo]

I'm still only 4 months in full time. But I quite often chase work that I don't actually want that much and I'll often feel pressured into charging a bit less because I'm new

[@bchgardenservices]

Another good topic. I am getting the feeling you are putting a lot of thought into the subjects of your videos. Like to add a number 6:- Get paid for materials up front. A non-paying customer with a lot of materials can bankrupt a young business. Impressed with the little etesia, that was chomping its way through a lot of grass. I am tempted to one for their famed wet cutting ability - need it this year!

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Love the wee mower. It's good for the smaller lawns. Fantastic in the wet. Though if my mechanic watches this he might throw a spanner at me next time I leave it on for service.

[@johnmoloughney4738]

Great video & very good suggestion from BCH Garden Services re paying for all materials up front. I remember a self employed plumber in Dublin years ago & he worked on that principle, the customer had to supply all the material & he needed payment every two days. His clients were paying for his expertise and were falling over backwards for his services. He was never out of work.

[@windowgleamcleaningservice3994]

Another good video Robbie. I run a window cleaning business, but so much of your advice is transferrable to other service providing businesses.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

I agree 💯 percent, there are a few window cleaning KZbinrs I follow and their advice is excellent and is definitely transferable too 👍 Thanks for the comments 👌

[@donkeyworkltd2087]

People do try it on. I was contacted some time age and asked how much I charge, I said that I would come and see them. I didn't go in the end when they started talking about the price if it was only 3/4 of an hour.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

From my own experience, if someone starts the conversation with "how much does it cost" or similar it's usually a good indication that they will be price sensitive and most of the time won't buy from me.

[@stevenbedford2213]

Thanks for the advice... I'm looking at settings up my gardening business next year and your videos are a wealth of valuable information and quality advice! Keep up the good work and wish you all the very best in the future!

[@Premier_lawns_official]

I love working for myself, every day is different and has new challenges. My top tip - expect your costs to be higher than what you planned.

[@WalterFinleyFree]

did you set your gardening business up?

[@stevenbell4053]

Great video. You've hit the nail on the head with all 5 points.

[@Figure11_Home_and_Garden]

You talk some sense there. Good advice, freely given. Thank you.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Hi Russel, I'm a firm believer that we are all on KZbin to learn. Thanks for the comments 👌 👍

[@blank-dr2kx]

Tbf #1 is a learning curve for everyone

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thanks

[@davel831]

Robbie great video again, I wish you all the very best with your business. If you ever come to Liverpool I would buy you a beer and love to hear more about your amazing skill . Take care mate !! You give me as a amateur so much advice for my home lawn so carry on the great videos mate!!

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Maybe one day!

[@jugbirsingh6999]

Love your music Robbie. Another great video 🇬🇧 leicester

[@starkhorn2626]

This is excellent advice applicable to all businesses, thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge

[@Premier_lawns_official]

your welcome

[@aleksandarmiler6690]

Hi there, Nice video like always, open my landscaping and gardening maintenance business 5 months agoo and I must confess that I'm struggling a big time to find new customers.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Once you first start up it can be hard, for the first couple of years I did flyers when I was still quiet. Your best to spent a little and get the flyers designed for you. You may think yours is as good as the ones they will design but 99 percent chance they won't. Any spare time flyer around the areas you currently work. That is the best way to grow a profitable round. Lots of gardens all close to each other

[@jmcexteriorsolutions6003]

Good video with great advice

[@wlgmwestlothiangardenmaint5527]

love watching your videos, thanks for taking the time to carry out.. never a truer word said on this clip.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thanks for the comments, I hope your having a great season :)

[@wlgmwestlothiangardenmaint5527]

@@Premier_lawns_official this has to be my busiest yet ive actually had to stop taking work on as so much on. some extra staff and better weather would make all better. hopefully your business is booming also. always enjoy your clips always good to know others go through the same as yourself and also never stop learning new things from other good guys like yourself

[@aidanbrett8744]

Top man love the vids.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thanks, Aidain!

[@leedsjetwashing6760]

What about ye Robbie! All very true and applies to any 'service' business. Just working my way through all of your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thanks 😍💪😀

[@leedsjetwashing6760]

@@Premier_lawns_official I grew up in Holywood. Small world...

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Small world indeed. Are you just starting up or have you been doing it a long time

[@leedsjetwashing6760]

@@Premier_lawns_official ive done this and lawn care for 15 years. I had a stint with a lawn care franchise but couldnt get on with them. But ive had my share of difficult customers. Once you get hardened to writing off customers and sometimes debt and get it into your head that theyre just time burglars you can push on with the ones that are happy to see you and pay promtly. As you put good customers on you bin the rubbish off. Its just a numbers game.

[@martyndorr5121]

Few months back I decided to start my own gardening business, to be fair its not going to bad, its just lawn mowing, hedge Cutting, general tidy ups, i’m looking to go into lawn care, I live in Worcester uk, could you give advice maybe on courses/ training or if I do need any, I have been watching your video’s and they have been great. Cheers

[@Premier_lawns_official]

If you are only starting out. I would advise sticking to general gardening until you get going. What I do is pretty specialised

[@joshuabush2569]

Absolutely nothing worse than chasing up payments... Gardening is a hard job and if the customer can't appreciate that and at least pay on time then they're not worthy!

[@paulhanson6008]

Appreciate the content / upload. You sound like a decent hard working fella:)

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thanks for the comment 👍😁

[@bcpbrennan]

Wise words 👍👌

[@Premier_lawns_official]

❤👍😁

[@joegardener4296]

Spot on.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thanks Joe ❤️👍

[@jayluas7626]

Great stuff robbie keep it up 👍

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thanks 😊

[@semtexgamer4420]

I’ll really like your videos!! Very helpful.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thanks!

[@vespamorelli7090]

Great advice Robbie, what would you advise though about when is best to get paid ? Before or after the work ? Probably depends on if client is new or existing I’d expect.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Most client's would want to pay afterwards as that keeps them in control

[@kevinogrady9446]

Robbie with the dating advice and business advice. What a legend

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Dating lol 😂

[@kevinogrady9446]

Can I email you I'm 19 and have started my business and it's keeping me so busy. Need a van now next thing lol.

[@MagillGardenservices1964]

Robbie , think you should get yourself a pair of lifters for the guy raking the grass !!

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Hey Drew, I'm not a bag fan of those.

[@alandenton5960]

Hi Robbie I'm starting garden round end of Feb what's the best van to get please.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Hi Alan Check out this website landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics

[@RC-oi1gg]

Where do you stand legally with non paying customers? Do you stipulate payment terms in your invoice? i.e. 30 days etc.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Yes, full T&C with every quote via email.

[@alexhogan1]

Love the videos. Can you tell me how much you charged for the cut you’ve done in the video. Just as as example 👍

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Hi Alex, I have had to stop talking about what I charge as my local competition watches all my videos.

[@galdessa1]

Two kids would of done that for two Mcdonald meals. I always used to cut the lawns down our street for a bar of chocolate each. When I got older I would get offered other things from the women.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

@@galdessa1 interesting 🤣😂

[@aidanbrett8744]

Steffan what kind of things are we talking about. Was she grooming you. First kitckats then what?

[@TheMonkeypigs]

Hi Robbie. Love your videos and Would love you to look at my lawns for me and get them into shape. Would you look at them in moira? Hope it’s not too far out and I’ll compensate you for the extra travel no worries

[@Premier_lawns_official]

What size are your lawns?

[@TheMonkeypigs]

Premier Lawns I would guess at over 100sm between the two. It’s front/side and rear

[@Premier_lawns_official]

@@TheMonkeypigs sorry I wouldn't travel that far for a lawn unless it was a lot bigger (1000m or more) it's not worth it for me as I run as a two man team, not just my time but my employee too

[@TheMonkeypigs]

Premier Lawns that’s a shame

[@LawnRight]

Had my fair share of slow and non-payers over the past several years. Easier to move on, although it's hard to forgive and forget. I have one right now who owes and numerous messages and promises, yet silence when it's time to pay....Probably half a dozen over the years, so we've managed to minimise things with goods communication. Essentially as soon as we are aware it's a poor payer.. it's "money upfront" policy from there on in.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Cashflow is king. Do you use any software to manage things?

[@LawnRight]

@@Premier_lawns_official not yet .. spreadsheet for everything. Its fairly advanced but the mrs runs the office while I work on lawns and shes not convinced on software but I do see it being essential soon

[@Premier_lawns_official]

I use software called jobber, it does an amazing job kzbin.info/www/bejne/garOhIidp8SHa9U

[@ryanhollocks752]

Been watching a lot of your videos recently, really enjoying how in-depth and the content. I’m looking to set my own business up, coming from a trades background I believe the skills to be transferable. Just looking for an ideal mower, something not drastically expensive though. Have you any recommendations? Thank you

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Hi Ryan Are you looking for a stripe?

[@ryanhollocks752]

Premier Lawns I am, but I’m also not sure, as I’ve never ran a business in this type of work I’m unsure of what customers would prefer.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Honda ivz is a popular mower for the money, weibang is also worth a look. The most important thing is dealer support

[@ryanhollocks752]

Premier Lawns that is great, thank you very much for your advice. Keep the videos coming 👌

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Think about who your customers are likely to be. Do you live in a rural location with big gardens or do posh areas - a roller is more suited for this type of work. But not always necessary. Roller mowers cost more to run. The roller always gives trouble after a few years are you in a city and all the lawns are smaller, smaller mower in and out...

[@hoehoehoegardeningservices306]

Great video Robbie

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thanks 😁😁😁

[@Michael-kg8ef]

👏

[@chriswright579]

Hi i really like what you are doing it's very interesting. Have you got any advise on hiring staff?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Chris you have to kiss a few frogs before you find a prince. Good staff are hard to find and even harder to keep. I ask anyone that is coming for an interview to come in what they feel comfortable in. If possible get them to fill in an application form as you will learn a lot more about them. Lastly always ask them what they know about your company

[@chriswright579]

@@Premier_lawns_official that's very true. I had a chap help me for a few years but sadly he got I'll. I'm reluctant to get someone new as it would push the turnover over the vat threshold. Has this been an issue for u? Perhaps u could do a video on that side of the business. Do u do 0 hr contract for example. My other worry is if they go sick and u have to pay em. Or do u just do statutory sick? Great idea about the application form. 👍

[@Premier_lawns_official]

@@chriswright579 I'm still under the vat. I do very little landscaping so that really helps. The lad I have at the moment is currently casual though as soon as he gets his licence I will be making him full time. I have been really lucky and had a few good lads but have always struggled with keeping them, last year went the apprentice route and it's much easier

[@chriswright579]

@@Premier_lawns_official cheers for the advice. I'll be sure to follow your channel

[@Premier_lawns_official]

@@chriswright579 Thanks!

[@amlitio973]

w is the best pick up for the garden maintenance?thx

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Best pick up?

[@amlitio973]

@@Premier_lawns_official yes sir.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

@@amlitio973 Sorry I do no understand your question

[@amlitio973]

best truck to use for the garden maintenance,l know mi english is terrible😥😭

[@mackthomas8750]

Fantastic video as usual I don't want to be rude but I have no idea how to price grass cutting how much should I charge for a 250 square metre lawn for an edge mow strim and blow

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Probably around £25-35 mark. Depending on how many are close by, access etc

[@mackthomas8750]

I've been charging £9 how can I up my prices should I give my customers a letter or tell them face-to-face

[@Premier_lawns_official]

@@mackthomas8750 there is a v.good chance if you up the price to something closer to the figure I said your going to be short of a lot of clients. Why not look for more clients and slowly replace the ones that make you the least amount.

[@mackthomas8750]

@@Premier_lawns_official thank you so much for all the helpful tips you've been giving me I really appreciate it

[@macinead7]

@@Premier_lawns_official I'm the same Robbie. It's the fear of not getting the customers. I worked with a friend who has been gardening for 10 years and I'm just starting out. I've got all the gear but I was amazed at how much he was charging and how much I was charging and doing miles more work. Love the vids. Your the best at saying it as it is. 👏👏👏

[@tom5001]

Who is your supplier for sand soil mix? Stanely emerson just laugh at small amounts.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

I use the other brother 😉

[@amvespinosa]

Is he drunk? Can't understand a f*n word

[@Premier_lawns_official]

There are subtitles for people that don't understand norn iron

[@amvespinosa]

Thanks bud i was just joking i should delete my comment bcus i sound rude

[@Premier_lawns_official]

@@amvespinosa Listen its no problem, this is one of my earlier videos, back then I had no idea how to record sound. It's all good

[@greenerlawns1940]

Hi, how do you go about disposing of garden waste .....is it a case of asking to leave it at the customers home if their happy to accommodate it or do you factor into your charging of disposing it at a recycling centre. Are there any hints or tips you can offer as our local recycling centres will charge a lot for a commercial businesses to just drop of moss, clippings etc...

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Use a clients bin as much as possible. Take away the rest