Customer Demands An Hourly Rate. Goodbye!

[@roba877]

You are spot on there Rob, as soon as people start that nonsense, time to walk away. I had one, they just moved into a £3m barn conversion (so quite affluent)and started interrogating me about my hourly rate, I walked away but advised them to speak to someone I know who may do it cheaper. He got the job and they talked him down from his £25 hourly rate to £12 ??? I still wind him up now about it. What a wally. Really annoys me how people hold our job in so much contempt! Would these people go into the supermarket and get £100 worth of shopping and ask to pay £70 ? No of course they wouldn't.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Brilliant comment Rob. These people are everywhere. The beauty is, we can walk away. There are always new customers. 👍🏻

[@pablo9364]

You done well to walk away. Feel sorry for the guy you referred them to you didn’t do him any favors LOL

[@funkystuf23]

£25 quid an hour? Are you crazy lol..

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I appreciate £25 an hour is a little low when running a professional gardening business. Thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

​@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices Ten years ago I was charging £20 an hour, and people would complain that their last gardener was £12 an hour.😂

[@eddtownson200rr]

Right!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks

[@andymaynard8530]

Hi Rob great blog,I used to run a garden buisness as a sideline and am thinking of going back to it. All my clients were hourly rate you've opened my eyes and as Bob Dylan said The times they are a changing. Thanks for the advice.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Your welcome. All the best.

[@ianlaccohee7180]

I was an irrigation contractor, & I learned very quickly that if your “spidy sensors” are tingling you need to walk off. At first I thought I needed to secure every potential customer. Then I realised, I needed to hand pick which ones I wanted. These people will be the most high maintenance of all customers. You did the right thing. You really don’t need somebody that tells you £25 an hour is too much. He obviously has no clue of the costs involved with running a business. I think you’re very good value for money at that price.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Wise words. Thank you Ian. All the best to you .👍🏻

[@Rose_19911]

completely agree ian

[@mariusmarius4832]

You absolutely right. I had the same last week. As a rule i don't take any jobs of less than four hour visits but last week i visited a garden that someone put me in touch with. Lady who's quite well off but got some physical disability and as it was a recommendation i said I'll drop my rate by £10 for her. When i turned up for a chat she only wanted an hour for a pretty large garden and also said my price is too high. I asked about her previous gardener, she said he had 80 customers, charged less but has closed up shop. I said, that's why. Im running a business, not a charity, smiled and walked off. Next day i landed a 8 hour day 3 days a month at my usual rate. Got to stand your ground.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Wise words. Thanks for watching your comment.

[@davidhammond2280]

Rob your spider was right. If a client is a pain BEFORE you do any work you can be assured they will be a pain every visit. If anyone insists on an hourly rate I always reply with the long list of expenses we all have - professional tools and equipment , petrol , vans , insurance etc etc etc. marketing and much much more. Don’t ever let a total stranger tell you how much you can earn. Be good if you can do an update later in the year to see if he found a suitable hourly rate cheap gardener and how his garden looks. Keep saying no if you have a gut feeling 👍👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks David . Appreciate your comment. All the best to you.

[@ashleybutler5308]

I’m exactly the same guys I tell them I don’t work per hour as I wouldn’t earn anything you can do A lot in an hour set price all the way

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Ashley. 👍🏻

[@tonyowen8349]

Hi Rob your absolutely correct I do the same type of work in Anglesey. You don’t need those kind of people on your books! All the best👍👍👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Tony, all the best.

[@grahamcolquhoun2295]

I like it when it snow’s, i makes my garden look like everyone else’s

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

It’s does look nice for a day or two.👍🏻😂

[@mr.tidygarden]

I would not work for an hourly rates either Rob. I let the client know I work only for a price👌 if that does not suit both parties then just walk away🙏 Damien gardening channel from Ireland.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Damien, I agree with you. All the best and thanks for watching.

[@mr.tidygarden]

@@THETATTOOGARDENER83 thank you very much my good friend🙏

[@jackieconrad4500]

I know what you mean Rob, I've got a lot of old ladies that don't understand a one off price, so I just break it down to an hourly rate for them and they're happy and so am I. They don't get bank payments either unfortunately, off to the bank with cheques. Bless them! I think people always query what the hourly rate is because that's how they're paid and they assume that's the way the world runs. Keep on keeping on and have a good season. Woohoo! Mowing the lawns and getting knackered soon.😂

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Jackie. Good luck this season. 👍🏻

[@johnsweeney1712]

Great video, stand your ground even if you’re disappointed with the potential customer local to your base… he’d only be trouble down the line with that attitude.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree with you. All the best.

[@mikehixon66]

You did the right thing. YOU own and operate the business, not them!!!!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Mike. Appreciate your comment.👍🏻

[@wonderingthoughts926]

Self employed people don’t work to an hourly rate because you’re not just working for that hour in their garden. You’re working if you’re servicing your gear, you’re working when you’re quoting, you’re working when you’re driving your van, you’re working when you’re doing your books. Basically you’re always working! 😂

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Your so right.👍🏻

[@carlbaxterbaxter5849]

It never seems to amaze me how customers cant seem to get their heads round per visit rates . For the record i think you are 100% right mate !

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you. All the best.

[@carlbaxterbaxter5849]

One thing i found helped me get over the hrly rate is i price up the job like you do 20 visits at x but then i include a gardening schedule such as vists through spring will include hoe mow blow cutting out any dead wood in shrubs approx 40 mins summer grass more intensive weed control such as hand weeding dead heading and cutting back any shubs that have finished flowering 120 mins autum grass cutting tiding up leaves digging boarder over 130 mins winter genral maintaince of the garden blow prune and renovation work 40 mins this helps my customers quantify what they are paying for ( that was a poor example of a garden schedule but it was only to get my point accross lol ) wishing you all the best pal

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I understand. Thanks.

[@Hunter-type]

Love your videos Rob........ what I've learned over the years since coming out of the army, is to try not to think in Right or Wrong terms.... black or white...... because life is a very big grey area..... is it possible that for this customer, being flexible could have benefited you..... £20 or 25 an hour...... forget that problems that are only in your head about cups of tea and strim line etc..... let them deal with that if they decide it's an issue at all.....

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

For me it’s about identifying potential problems before they arrive. I am sure all self employed people understand what I am trying to say. All the best to you and thanks for watching.

[@markharvey6749]

Hi Rob, I think you were totally right to get rid of that customer. Anyone who questions you about your prices and what they think you should be charging are a major red flag. He's probably been bumped off my numerous other gardeners because of the same attitude. You get what you pay for and a professional service is more expensive than someone turning up with a flymo and charging £5 to cut lawns!.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Wise words Mark. Thank you.

[@robertjohn6354]

Done gardening a couple of seasons, looking at working for myself next year, always a good insight, and reinforces my gut instinct.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Robert. Good luck with your new business.👍🏻

[@weekender45]

your right Rob. Just discovered this channel and love listening to someone genuine.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you and welcome.👍🏻

[@davidrhead8740]

grass,borders,weeding,and trimming shrubs some going in an hour and half Rob.great video as usual,look forward to next one.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks David. All the best.

[@BadRightEye]

You're right mate, I would do what you did, try explain myself and how I charge, once you say No thank you that is it. I also would find the statement insulting that the money was "too much for a self employed person" and that would of told me what I needed to know before working at the place, the person will try talk down prices when additional work is needed and you need to charge for materials.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you, appreciate your comment.

[@jamesgoadby3614]

Thanks for the video. I experience the same in my industry. When any time frame is mentioned the customer will always do the hourly-rate calculation. (I think you told him it would be around an hour and a half per visit) If you quote based purely on deliverables, it doesn’t matter to whether it takes you 5 mins or 5 hours to complete the work. The customer is basing your performance based on what you will do rather than how long it will take you.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Wise words, something to think about. Thanks for watching and your comment. All the best.

[@bernardgrice]

I am 78 Rob and I think your right. To charge by the hour you could take your time and string the job out with that customer. Keep charging the way you do.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Bernard. Appreciate your comment. All the best to you.

[@sicsempertyrannis4104]

Hello from Florida. The older “Customers” here constantly think they’re they’re “Employers” entitled to just pay a “wage” to service professionals. 😑

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching and your comment. All the best to you.

[@stevenmartin-jones4345]

That bloke ain’t adding up the time your in your garage services all your tools etc . Always admin work . Keep going mate I enjoy your content

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank Steven , I agree with you 100 percent. All the best.

[@JohnSheerin-v2b]

Your spot on fella. 100% agree. Keep pushing forward Rob. 😅

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you.🙏

[@garryedwards8451]

Absolutely right Rob, Fixed quote every time. Down here in Solihull , you always get the odd one who wants to barter on the price. I Walk away. Keep working hard Rob . Cheers Garry.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Gary. I agree with you 100 percent. All the best and thanks for watching.👍🏻

[@RuffRides]

You're right 👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you

[@richardharding7274]

In my humble opinion you made the correct decision. Unbelievably I had a customer recently ask if i would be lowering my prices. I asked if she was happy with my work (assuming there was an issue I wasn’t aware of) to which she replied “no, the work is brilliant, I just thought you might be reducing you prices to help customers with the cost of living crisis” With my best manners hat on, I explained that all my costs have increased too and further more I haven’t increased my prices to reflect that. I think there are an element of people in this world that just don’t get the correlation between a good deal and the real world. Keep smiling and keep the headphones charged up👍🏻👍🏻

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Outstanding comment, couldn’t agree with you more. All the best and good luck for the new season.

[@carolinebate9782]

Rob I do mowing and maintenance in Perth Western Australia I have been in business for decades now and just took on a client on an hourly rate. Should have known better , ended in heartbreak for all the reasons you mentioned. Had a sandwich while cement was mixing , wanted a deduction. Never again mate. Love your channel Kev

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Kev, people are the same all over the world.👍🏻

[@stevo1970]

That's right mate I used to work for an employee I earned 12 pound an hour but my boss averaged 60 pound an hour with what I produced he had the machinery and the overheads. You are the boss of your company!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Stephen. All the best. 👍

[@fairweathertrains]

Completely agree. As others have said, asking for hourly rate is basically the customer’s way of controlling how you do the job etc. I mean there’s always a chance the bloke who asked for hourly rate could be the only way he could work it out. I don’t know. It does sound a bit dodgy however. Great content matey so glad I came across your channel

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you , appreciated

[@pablo9364]

Your right for sure. Good job dealing with the situation

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you . All the best Pablo.

[@stevenedge1317]

What people don't realise is even if its £25/p/hr its only £20 after making provisions for tax & Ni . That's not including travel costs, fuel for machines, insurances etc. You did the right thing Rob ..

[@jamesb8854]

Expenses first then tax and NI.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Your right. What we charge isn’t what we earn.

[@maintainyourgarden]

I think you’re right here rob. As soon as they start pissing you about with back and forth stuff move along

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree, thanks for watching and your comment. 👍🏻

[@brianjacobs2343]

Sounds good to me. 👍👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you .

[@tinsujintinsujin2766]

I used to do gardens for a tenner and they pretend u have done no work sometimes it would take 10mins sometimes 1hour i feel i can understand the oap but if u charge 40 u charge 40 so realistic your both right , i know this skill it can take up your full day and can get dirty goodday thanks.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching and your, all the best to you.👍

[@Whenlifegivesyoulemons1-t9e]

Hey Rob, I agree, we always run a PPJ ( price per job) rather than per hour. This way we can maximise our work per day and revenue. G

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Me and you both. All the best.

[@johne61]

I've been doing garden maintenance and lawn care for 10 years now and have decided know more getting used and abused. So decided this season I'm going to start my own business up your videos are brilliant and helped me and probably a lot of other people cheers keep up the good work

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks John. Good luck with your business and let me know how you get on.

[@ronaldmaxwell4579]

Hi Rob,love the videos just subscribed, greetings from Northern Ireland

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Ronald. Welcome, pleased to have you on board. All the best.

[@TTV_GALT]

Look into gritting mate over the winter months you can either get your own set up or work for a company just solely for gritting some companies pay from £20 an hour and it's guaranteed safe bank over the winter months to see you through 👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you for the advice. 👍🏻

[@arge6396]

Your right! I love my older customers, but I find they are some of the worst to work for.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree with you.👍🏻🙏

[@mariepownall6629]

Weather been even wetter over therethan here by the sound of it ! Seriously though , wevthink You ‘re absolutely bang on Rob , (insisting on a job / visit price as opposed to an hourly rate. )

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Marie. We learn to spot the difficult ones. All the best.

[@jamesflannigan1039]

Hi Rob, how are you mate, gardener just starting my own business here in rainy Scotland 😂. Vids are great, very informative and spot on. Regarding this video. I'm same as you, can't give people an hourly rate for usual garden services but do an hourly rate for weeding. And as yourself have had some pushy ones asking for hourly rate , tell them I can give a price for what the job entails , as I could be there longer or shorter. But end up having to say I can't give an hourly rate therefore I don't think we can work together .bye bye lol. And tbh , I feel better for it as I've now got another 3 customers (their next door neighbours) as they overheard the convo and signed Me up and want me regular and better payment arrangements as well. Cheers mate keep up the awesome work 😊😊

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

A great comment James. I find customers who demand an hourly rate are usually a pain down the road. All the best and good luck with your business.

[@Nickpaintbrush]

You did the right thing Rob, when they start going on like that they will be nothing but a pain!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Your so right. It’s amazing how we can read these people. All the best.

[@pamulawallace4330]

Thanks for the video,I had to let my gardener go after 3 years because he wants to charge 40 pounds an hour I have a small front garden,and a small back garden,

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I am sorry to hear that you weren’t happy with your gardener. I wish you well for the future. Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@craigratcliffe7088]

Hi Rob A chap i used to work with said good lads aren't cheap and cheap lads aren't usually good All the best

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Wise words Craig. Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@samueljaramillo4221]

You were right in walking away. Your estimate was very fair.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you 🙏

[@adamslawnandgardencare9403]

Great post Rob. I don’t, never have and never will work work on an hourly rate. I quote for the job, making sure we’re totally clear on what I’m doing and what the customer expects. I won’t tolerate people telling me my worth.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Your spot on. Thanks for watching and your comment. All the best.👍🏻🥊

[@krs24976]

Definitely right 👍🏻

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks.👍

[@trevorjarvis3021]

Your absolutely right to stick to your guns Rob, would have been good having a local job / garden, but sometimes you don’t need the hassle of a difficult costumer. Good on you.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Trevor. Appreciate your comment. All the best to you.👍🏻

[@incompetentgaming1533]

I absolutely love these videos man! The information you teach us is so valuable! I hope you continue to post for many years to come!!!!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks very much. Fingers crossed.

[@adamstockton67]

You definitely did the right thing. You also kept it polite and civil. I recon he’ll be back to take you up on your offer?

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Possibly. All the best to you . 👍🏻

[@craigmarkey7224]

Good move , here in Australia I give a fixed price for 20 visits per year , we take the good with the bad with longer or shorter grass . I tell them I take as long or as little as I like on each job

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for sharing, I agree with your model.

[@jonnysgardenmaintenance]

Your 100% right Rob never let any customer dictate the price of a job or tell you what you worth, you did right to walk away I would a done the same keep er lit buddy 👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Jonny. All the best to you and Neil.👍🏻

[@andyanderson3898]

When I first started off in business I used to do gardens as part of my property maintenance business and found customers wanting a grass cutting service were sticklers for an hourly rate. I'm not sure why this is? I just offer locksmith services now as my main trade and I quote or invoice for the job in hand. No hourly rate just a price for the service and it works well. I'll often get customers and I get the same feeling if they're going to be funny! I drop in now and again and listen to your talks from the van and I enjoy your content, keep up the great work and enjoy the time off relaxing because you know the grass is coming! All the best Andy

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Andy, all the best and good luck with your business.

[@jeffwelsby943]

Hey up Royal, just stumbled across your channel... its brilliant. I'm ex bootneck. Been gardening part time for years. Wish I'd found your info sooner. I've binned loads for taking the rise. My favourites are the ones that expect 2 weeks of dog crap scooping prior to cut. Soon learned when invoiced for hazardous organic substance removal. Another ex customer. Keep em coming bud. Room shun 😂

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Welcome aboard Royal. Good luck going forward.👍🏻

[@tonybush1115]

Hi Rob...its always been a pet hate of mine. When they ask for an hourly rate.....i always wonder in what other profession do they ask this...i know my window cleaner would nt be happy.... avoid at all costs...lol

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great comment, thanks Tony. All the best.

[@outoftownr3906]

Hi Rob Yes you did the right thing but maybe don’t mention how long the visit will take. I always keep that to myself & that generally sorts out the clock watchers 👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Something to think about. Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@jackrodgers9875]

Interesting video Rob, iv just started watching your videos iv got a gardening buisness in Cornwall. I always price my grass cutting because that's mainly what we do but if one of our regular customers wants additional gardening work doing we will happily do that on an hourly rate, it's always worked for us but each to there own.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for watching and your comment . Welcome to the channel. Good luck with your business.

[@slothmaster8444]

The problem with giving an hourly rate I’ve found is the customer then thinks all work is hourly rate. For instance I did some one off work at hourly rate but then promised 2 hours a fortnight ongoing at hourly rate. This isn’t so bad I thought as the job was year round winter tidy etc. I popped in today only had time to cut the old boys grass before the weekend and he’s got a bargain massive lawn cut for half an hours cost when it was a £35 lawn all day long. My fault I put myself in that position!

[@carolmitchell49]

Rob. Don't know how I have ended up watching and subscribing since I am from the US and now retired in Mexico. I do very much enjoy your videos. Some comments and questions if I may. Three ways to bigger profits: Route density with knowing what is your ideal yard type/size , Having equip suited to your properties, having a real detailed understanding of how to recover your equipment costs, mowers, trucks, insurance, etc. and pricing, ok that's 4. Do you time your yards? What size lawn is your ideal lawn to mow? Cheers, Bill

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Bill and welcome. I appreciate your comment. What you say is correct especially route selection. Keeping gardens close saves time and money. All the best.

[@Itsme-ce5od]

Your right your right and your right again

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you .👍🏻

[@ciaranbradley7038]

Did the correct thing Rob,price thr job is the way,move on forget about him, ps keep the videos going ,very informative 👍.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you . Appreciate the comment.

[@colliegardenmaintenance2560]

Hi Rob. Correct. There are a lot of people out there that think they are paying YOU £25.00 per hour. They don't understand that they are paying your company that, not you!!! Even small sole traders as ourselves have overheads. They don't see that accounts and taxmen and van insurance and everything else has to be paid BEFORE we pay ourselves. He just thinks that you get 100 quid for half a days work and dubs in that the self employed never pay any taxes either.!!!! I wonder what he used to do for a living. All the best Rob.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great comment. Thank you .

[@davidguy9140]

100% Rob you are right all the best

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks David. All the best to you.

[@johncollier2581]

Rob, you're bang on right mate, I haven't given an hourly rate for years as it's dodgy ground! Keep smiling mate 👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers John. Appreciate your comment.👍🏻

[@raza4015]

I’ve just started but don’t know how to price a job..for like standard mowe&blow maintenance??

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

As per below.

[@theskilledgardener318]

100 percent right ..........they have no idea

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree with you. All the best.

[@oopsydaisy4637]

I am going away from hourly to per job with all new clients. Per hour makes less sense the longer I do this kind of work. 1hr digging should be more than 1hr weeding a reasonable condition garden etc. Love those spidy senses, I am getting better at listening to them. Good to know I'm not the only one

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Well said! Good luck going forward.

[@stevefilby2838]

Rob, bottom line is if you don't get a good feeling for a customer when you first meet them, then walk. So you done the right thing.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Exactly Steve. Thank you.

[@Grahams-Grass]

We all have an idea what we want to achieve an hour even though we dont give hourly rates . I think by telling them the visit would be 90mins is kinda telling them your hourly rate . Personally I don't give a time on the job I think it's far better just to say what will be done on the visit .. this eliminates the clock watching. . . Just my thoughts 👍🙏

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Wise words. Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@ChrisAddis]

In our industry (exterior cleaning) we too work on the premise of price per job, per visit. I think the older generation (and some younger ones) that have only ever worked as an employee view the job as being quantified on an hourly basis. Can't win em all mate.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Your so right. 👍🏻

[@davegibbs7463]

Yes Rob you don’t the right thing . Good video

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Dave. All the best to you. 👍🏻

[@nlgardener7597]

You did the best thing ever! I hope he watches this video!!! I always have one or two filled trimmer heads! Great video!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I hope so too! All the best.

[@brendanmcgivern531]

Spot on mate if they are like that at the start walk away 👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree Brendan. All the best and thanks for watching.

[@keithhill3027]

Fair play to you Rob I would definitely of walked away a friend of mine had you similar incident and the chap he worked from use to watch him like a hawk and log down every time he stopped and then use to query his invoice every time.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

That’s a lot of hassle. All the best to you.

[@camledward]

Totally the right thing. When i do a quote i always get a gut feeling and its pretty much always turned out to the be the case long term. People who don't understand why we don't work from an hourly rate baffle me.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I am in your corner. All the best.

[@benwilson2179]

Good for you rob. Stick to your guns! Don’t let those awkward customers dictate to you how to run your business. Your content is great. Keep up the good work fella 👍🏻

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Ben, appreciate your kind words.

[@dalydetailz2120]

Hi Rob. You can usually tell a when a new customer is going to be a difficult one, but sometimes we all get caught a bit cold. I will check out the tattooed gardener.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for that. Your right about spotting difficult customers. All the best.

[@cbmortimer]

You done the right thing, could end up a nightmare customer

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

That’s what I was thinking . Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@cbmortimer]

@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices I'd only look at hourly rate for regular year round half and full day customers. Invoice after each visit, no return until payment received. Everyone else is price per job, costs then more than my hourly price as they're unreliable, can drop you at a whim, they pay for the insecurity

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

That’s something I may implement. Thanks.👍🏻

[@christastic100]

Bang on response in my opinion. Those type of customers are the ones who try to micro control you and put you in your place. I’m the Same with the guilty feeling for not being on the tools 😁

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Me and you both . All the best and thanks for watching.

[@Jacob-yb6bv]

You did the right thing. It’s not worth having him as a customer. He’s already being difficult when you’ve been absolutely upfront about price and how you work.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank You Jacob. I agree with you. All the best.

[@LewisgardenservicesLtd]

I like those ones, I say some random high hourly rate just for the giggles 🤣

[@pablo9364]

I like that idea ! then you can come away amused rather than agitated LOL

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers Nathan. I should of said £40 for a 90 minute visit, approximately. My hourly rate is £30 , you choose and see what he comes back with. Wise words. Thanks.

[@LewisgardenservicesLtd]

@@pablo9364 sometimes I walk away with a high priced job too 🤣

[@mickeyhughes7244]

Good on you 👍🏼

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Mickey. All the best.👍🏻

[@mickeyhughes7244]

@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices Likewise 👍🏼

[@MrHawks-gh6xv]

Look s like that old chap be cutting is own lawn 😂 good on yeah rob

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Exactly.👍🏻

[@johnhayes4110]

Maybe if you explained to him, the expenses of your van& equipment, that All your left with is a modest income after all that taken into account, Hope you get loads of business for 2023👍☺️

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I understand what your saying. My experience is to walk away. Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@laurencechapman1990]

I’m only in my 2nd full year so still relatively inexperienced. I have been charging by the hour but so far it’s not caused me any problems. Also recently increased my hourly rate with no complaints from anyone. Maybe from next year I will re jig things slightly regarding my pricing and base it per visit.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Congratulations on getting this far. The price per visit works for me. Good luck with your business.

[@David-xc4us]

Did the right thing there Rob….if in doubt then leave them out

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks David. Your spot on . All the best.

[@benhowlett7693]

Defo right!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Ben. 👍🏻

[@markharris1187]

Hi Rob you are bang on !! If anyone asks me my hourly rate at the start alarm bells start ringing and I walk away. Let them find a monkey that will work for peanuts. !!! Keep the vlogs coming really enjoy them.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Mark. Appreciate your kind words. All the best.

[@trucker9462]

Completely right rob. He sounds like nothing would be to his satisfaction.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree with you. All the best.

[@colinbrimicombe]

We love you Rob... always keen to see what you're up to.. now having a quick look at Pete's channel 👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank Colin. Appreciated.

[@joshuabush2569]

I'm currently trying to move away from hourly rate... Been doing it for years and I'm seeing it's not serving me anymore. Us gardeners have a lot of overheads and the customer needs to appreciate that.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Your so right regarding overheads. All the best.

[@Ppp-kk6hw]

I had someone say I was on 15 mins to cut the grass and gone and I only charged £10 yrs ago and they lived in a big house with garage a sports car 😂😂 my wide Said you was gone in 15 mins 😂😂😂😂😂 cheeky xxxxx some people. Sometimes I wanna say do it yourself and save cash

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I totally understand that. People can be a right pain.

[@marclaw4511]

Gave up domestic work because of this.I only do commercial as i get paid through the winter.I charge per visit and the quicker i get done the sooner i get home.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Sounds great. 👍🏻

[@oko737]

Totally agree mate-when I first started I charged by the hour,within a year and after talking to gardener friends soon realised my mistake. Now look at lawn - strim ,cut lawn say £20or £25 friendly attitude and hard work and am now in position where have great customers and can walk away from the tubes😂

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great comment. Tubes, that’s a Scottish saying? All the best.

[@leesgardeningservices8749]

Hi Rob Completely right in my humble opinion I used to do hourly rate for a few years but now like you I look at the job and afterwards I give a quote for the work required... Otherwise they get a lot of work in that hour lawnmowers, Garden beds done for £20.00... Not for me...Excellent video I'm afraid the modern Gardener has progressed from the hourly rate.... Take care Rob...😃

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Your so right. Progression is the right word. All the best.

[@ftgoggi4715]

100% right, I get lots of homeowners approach me when I'm hedge/shrub cutting. Politely turn them all away advising that I don't take on domestic clients. One chap in particular was so complimentary about my work, saying that he was only down the road grovel grovel etc. So I gave him the benefit of the doubt, I asked him about the hedge and gave him a budget but said I'd need to see it to confirm. Then he starts banging on about hourly rate. I wished him luck finding someone else and set back to work. So now, when he gets fed up with looking at the God awful job some poor monkeys did on his hedge (whilst no doubt working for peanuts), he can wander down the road to look at the lovely sharp and straight hedges at the appartments. Can't be doing with people like that, no time for them whatsoever....none!!....other than to moan about them now lol 😂😂

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Brilliant comment, made me laugh. Thank you for sharing. All the best.

[@geoffreyhoran7396]

You would think your were looking for a kidney 😂

[@Landscapesbygareth]

I’m a landscaper mate just imagine when I’m quoting 10k 😅 there a nightmare some customers the best is cash cash cash so we get a discount Er no how does them paying less help my business 😅

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree Gareth, some people just want cheap nothing else. All the best and thanks for watching.👍

[@indisaunders]

I've just started up and most people don't even let me come and quote they just want hourly rate before I've even seen it. I just don't know what to do. Feel like I'm losing too much work before I've even got going. The rate they seem to want is so cheap I wouldn't make a living. I won first few quotes but now nothing. Its getting me down.😢😢

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Sorry to hear that. Keep your marketing going. If they demand an hourly, tell them £27.50 per hour. Good luck with your business.

[@indisaunders]

@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices cheers for the advice. I was on Facebook just getting all these messages asking for hourly rate, going to try different marketing see if that helps get things in right direction.