Running a business me and Scott share the TRUTH

Scott from tidy bricks talks with me about what its like on the front line of running a business. We have about 70 years in the business combined so join us in this off the cuff discussion.
customers
earnings
the tax man
accounting
and more in this honest account of running your own business.
Being to soft to not charging for work ,being to eager to just saying NO .
A valuable discussion of what its really like in the industry running your own landscaping business
if you have your own business like me and scott add your comments of your experiences.
if your new to business and you have questions me and scott will answer them in the comments section.
Hope our chat hepls you

[@tidybrickslandscaping]

That was good fun Justin thx for the invite and uncensored is rattling round my head and needs be be unleashed to the world 😂👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Was totally off the cuff that lead somewhere .We spoke the truth about things mate hope it gives people a small insight to the job and running a business. Always good to talk to you and we wish you good look with the next Tidy adventure. See you soon Scott mate 👍

[@Boxingfirst]

Top guy you Scot hope you stay in the buisness in some sort of way testing testicals

[@brianhickman781]

Two top blokes... very professional work.. shame running a business like you do takes it toll... enjoy watching both your videos.. very educational... keep it up boys

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Thanks brian Appreciate it mate 👍

[@jc8023]

Great honest video. Have a lot of respect for both of you. Well done.

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Just say it how it is i pay my bills never gonna be Rich but i enjoy the job but its hard in many ways JC 👍

[@GKLandscapingandGardenServives]

Great videos boys. You have given us a really good insight on running the business side of things which we can take on board plus it's always good to have big old moan from time to time to let off steam 😂. You both should be mega proud of the excellent work you have achieved as it really is second to none. All the best for you both anyway! 🙂 Kind regards, Sam

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Thanks Sam appreciate all your comments. Glad the videos are some help to you 👌💯

[@chrisoneill3815]

Great chat lads. Spot on with everything. Tough game the building trade.

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

It is but got to keep on going Chris thats what i do 👍

[@tidybrickslandscaping]

Certainly a tough game 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@tonydalton6756]

The industry needs to tackle the problem of wide boys. Both with the price under cutting & making the customer mistrust the trade for the rest of their lives. Both parties would live much happier lives if this could be tackled. Maybe a third party inspection if it could be made cheap enough?

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

It happens in every aspect of life but the trade does get treated unfairly at times lots of good out there Tony

[@paulrossiter9567]

You two are absolute legends….can’t wait to see more ! 🎉🎉🎉

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Thanks Paul 👍

[@dmpeacefrog38]

i've missed that gentleman. This video made my Monday morning. Thank you both for content that makes me happy.

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Your welcome

[@LewisgardenservicesLtd]

Great chat, running a business is so much more than people think and costs so much more now. Nearly dropped in and saw Scott when he was working down the road from me. Cheers both 👍

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Definitely is hard Nathan

[@ryanscarrmusic2329]

you guys hot the nail on the head with the lot tbh , going through the same things driving to jobs wasting petrol customers not very friendly usless labourers, days off when it rains its not all its cracked up to be

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Just got to keep at it its all you can do 👍

[@dcl6793]

Genuinely one of the best insights into what the real world is like when setting up your own business - great video lads 👏🏼

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

We just said it how it is 👍

[@Lilfabo124]

lol u do know each other Best landscapers 👍

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Yep saw scott today hes a good lad 👍

[@soa324]

Lessons that only time on the job can teach. Great conversation here.

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Still learning myself 👍

[@avinfun]

Just been doing private work for about 12 months ,spent most my life in house building sites .Everything you spoke about rings true with me ,I thought it was just me cause am not used to private work .Thank you this video made feel better that am not alone lol

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Hi Its not all doom and gloom although its a hard job .Your definitely not alone 👍💯

[@joefrankland-uy4ig]

Never heard truer words spoken I spend hours and hours quoting and not even getting a response People have champagne taste with lemonade budget I’ve been going 4 years really don’t know if il be doing another 4 I really enjoy the work but everything else is such a nightmare

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Keep going Joe .The ones that are worth your effort time and attention are the ones to concentrate on mate .Its just part of it 👍💯

[@markderbyshire5394]

BOYS...im the same age as you 2 men. I've been in the job over35 years couldn't have put it any better .Well said .. Both of you great trades men .Good luck for the future you will be sat back here in 5 years with different challenges

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

No dought we will Mark.All the best to you mate 🤣👍💯

[@markbriers4302]

Spot on, on so many areas there boys, but I couldn’t go back to working for someone. I love the landscaping, I think getting the right labourers are key, and Scott is right ! As rare as rocking horse 💩 😂 Because you want to make a success of your business it totally consumes you !!

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Does consume you Mark spot on mate and it never stops does it .Thats what running a business is .Same mate id last a day working back for the idiot power freaks who aint a clue how to treat people 👍💯

[@markbriers4302]

Indeed Justin. Can tell you are a decent patient bloke. Glad to see your boys working for you now. Hope they stick with it, as tough know can be very rewarding. Looking forward to the next one mate.

[@OldFartsFishingAdventures]

Awesome video gents , i will definately be asking you to come and quote for the patio at my build when it gets to that stage ....

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

It will cost you £100 quid 🤣🤣🤣 only joking give me a shout when your ready 👍💯

[@hasinarshad]

Very eye-opening especially the customers/quotes part! Looking forward to tidybricks uncensored 😂

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Should be interesting Hasin 👍💯

[@tidybrickslandscaping]

Tidybricks uncensored sounds like I’d be banned after a few videos 😂👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@robertmorris5214]

Great video guy's

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Thanks rob 👍

[@neil3920]

Spot on lads turning 50 in june been in it since 16. This year im hoping to get off the tools had enough of it tbh and its not getting easier. Imo i think your better off being employed in the long run. Keep up the excellent work gents 👏

[@tidybrickslandscaping]

Thx Neil and yeh it’s a tough old game not really that worth it either 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@neil3920]

@@tidybrickslandscaping couldn't you get in with marshalls or similar as a technical rep ?

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Hard old game Neil good luck mate 👍

[@neil3920]

​@@brickrightbuildinglandscapingdieing breed gents all the best for the future.

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

All totally true . The better you earn the more gets took off you so what’s the point of pulling yours plums out 😩. Also you learn absolutely none of this in school so it’s a massive learning curve going self employed . I’m the same I’m a doer not a thinker so the running and paperwork is a real struggle and a chore . Great video boyos 😉🧱👍🏼👌🏼

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Really difficult isnt it steve you have to be - A marketing expert A tradesman A boss A manager A surveyor A designer Book keeper Planner Pay roll There's so much more you really could go to university to learn it all . Instead a lot of people in the UK de value tradesman as lower class did crap at school etc. Wish in turn should mean a lower wage .Its a mentality thats really annoyed me over the years .People are very wrong especially to the good trades who run honest decent companies like we do trying to do the best job for the clients . Its very unfair Steve 👍💯

[@shotokanman1]

You guys both been my mentors👌in porcelain it's a tough game great knowledge I'm 58 still learning

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Where all still learning arnt we 🤣👍

[@shotokanman1]

Yep I just done my first 102m porcelain patio watched you and Scot and wore three pairs of underpants using easyflow grout I learned quick that day 😆🤣🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

@shotokanman1 🤣🤣 we've all had to it thats how you progress. Good luck 👍💯

[@nigelhaines7900]

To true scott keep to small jobs u can manage yourself if poss thats what i do now

[@tidybrickslandscaping]

Bite sized jobs from now on for sure 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 first ones looking good

[@dhs2329]

Really interesting chat,. Being completely honest though, as a client I would never pay for a quote, I would go to a different company,. People I know in the race say they include their time and effort in the quote even if it is not stated, so they do get paid for the quote if they get the job. Perhaps if the quote price was included in the quote I might use you but very unlikely. There's a reason why quotes are mainly provided free. I am surprised at some of your points as in the area where I live trying to get a landscaping company is very difficult. Any good company is booked up for almost a year in advance.

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Totally get your points youve made .We are booked up way in advance so we are ok .As for the quote think me and Scott were being honest and transparent .Read into it how you like .When we say its free its free no hidden costing maybe thats are own fault. The main issue is people expect a free quote but if i asked you to work for say 6 hrs free per week and use your own fuel what would you say then .most people who dont want the work dont even tell you they just dont even say anything. I respect your post and its a good post appreciate you sharing your thoughts. Its a contentious subject definitely. Justin 👍 thanks

[@nickaf5262]

scotts done some fantastic work

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Ive seen his work and to be fair its amazing fairplay to him 👍

[@lucianaldritch3409]

For landscapers, it's estimated that about 40-50% of quotes result in actual jobs. This figure can be influenced by various factors such as the quality of the quote, the reputation of the landscaping company, and the specific needs and budgets of the clients. Builders, on the other hand, typically have a slightly higher conversion rate, with around 50-60% of quotes turning into actual projects. This may be because building projects tend to involve larger investments and longer-term commitments, leading clients to be more selective and deliberate in their decision-making process.

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Interesting ta for sharing

[@landcruiser801]

You should go into partnership and you can share the responsibilities of all that you discuss, share your workforce , divide your problems, go on holiday and leave the business in capable hands. Tidy Brickright building and landscaping. Bigger business, something to sell on for retirement as going concern. But obvs don't know how close you are together location wise. And no to reimbursing the £100; you dont pay an architect back when you decide to build a house. You are giving a design service and doing the job of a quantity surveyor so you have already started working.

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Ian Scott is a good man knows the job and we get on great .Only issue is ive been in a partnership before and all i will say is it was a mess so i to bloody old for all that stuff Scott probably the same to be honest but for younger guys its an option but it generally doesn't work out in my my experience mate good point though 👍

[@J1M1F]

An architect will provide detailed drawings in that cost, do the landscapers forward on detailed plans/drawings to the potential customer that they could use? Different things entirely…

[@jackhopkins9618]

class this lads, should make this a regular podcast type of thing!

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

What do you want us to talk about if we did another one Jack 👍

[@jackhopkins9618]

@@brickrightbuildinglandscaping just anything and everything, pricing up, tips and tricks, everything is handy for youngsters like me running a business learning from guys with experience. Make it like a livestream Q&A or something

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

@jackhopkins9618 Thanks Jack food for thought mate 👍

[@tommywalker9437]

Please don't give up.

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Not given up Tommy Scott is doing something different though 👍

[@tidybrickslandscaping]

We’ll still be at it 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@tommywalker9437]

Fuck that boys, stacking shelves in Tesco pays bills. I've seen all your videos and what you do is a work of art, beautiful.

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

The satisfaction is still good for me although its hard .Im still at it 👍

[@tidybrickslandscaping]

Ask for boss for a job I’m in 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@smrriles5668]

Can i ask do you rate wet look sealers for Indian sandstone, got new house and have cleaned patio lovely but not sure of the finish of the sealers, cheers bud

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Personally no i dont .i dont like the finsh of them .each to there own though

[@smrriles5668]

@@brickrightbuildinglandscaping cheers

[@hilarychapman1396]

More dad. Dance please

[@tidybrickslandscaping]

Duo dad dance 🕺 🕺👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@Boxingfirst]

Could of sat inbetween the 2 of you and agreed with every single issue 15 lads last year to find 1 I’m currently with quoting hours a week wasted Time wasted due to incompetence deliveries drivers Biggest one I’m currently getting is I don’t want to pay a lot 🤔🤦‍♂️landscaping as got to be the only trade where the customer thinks they know best

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Its a very difficult job all round .when u find the right fit labour ,customer and deliveries on top is a cracking job .issue is u rely on other people thats the problem. Good luck and appreciate the comment 👍

[@Boxingfirst]

@@brickrightbuildinglandscaping Justin it was refreshing to know it’s not just my company that as these issues as you will well know sometimes u think this is all too much

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

@Boxingfirst Your definitely not on your own .if you need a chat any time give me a ring 👍

[@thomasthetankengine2257]

Are you VAT registered Scott? Because that’s a difficult thing to do and stress, just wondered with asking customers to order materials

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Scotts not i am .its hard to adjust to but like anything you try thats new you get used to it

[@thomasthetankengine2257]

I’ve got other businesses, it’s by far the most difficult to be in construction it really is

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Thats interesting then thanks for sharing 👍

[@ryanscarrmusic2329]

having problems with labourers now, either useless or too good to stay labouring after a while

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

The job is very challenging especially the staffing side of it 💯

[@nickaf5262]

what percentage of jobs you price would you get

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Hi Nick I actually ask qualifying questions now to clients before i go look at work which has helped save me time and increase the jobs i get now from quotes so now id say 80% before i did this 60% mate

[@RichardDowd]

2 men in a van, ooooooh matron!!!!

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Got an extra seat for you rich 🤣🤣

[@RichardDowd]

@@brickrightbuildinglandscaping not with the size of my arse!!! :D

[@huwinheaven]

What pressure washer have you got Mr Haines ???

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

A karcher xx

[@huwinheaven]

I can see that you twonk. What model? I've got one but I'm finding it's too small xx

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

@@huwinheaven its the k4 £209 in screwfix in a sale Sue xx

[@huwinheaven]

Thank you xxx

[@johnward182]

hi Justine 2 top blokes , unfortunately lads what sticks out is ( and im I’m 5:42 you on this one ) as we go through life it wares you Down , it makes you cynical, untrusting , changes your personality , ruins your health !!! And u weigh it up , U think I’d be better working in a supermarket ? Weather , is a big thing as well , customers wanting rolls Royce jobs on cheap cheap money !! They seem t be. Getting worse as well , there attitude is gross w ? It’s a shame but it does get you down and takes a toll on your health, coupled with no wrks pension !!! It’s not all bad but as u get older the pendulum swings more to the negative mate !!! And makes you the look at the hours. Do I’m better off working in Sainsbury’s ,more secure no phone call to say no material today , working in the wet , regular payed O Maninho money controls knicked or replaced !!! Anyway that’s my take on it ! Free time on quotes not paid ! , stay safe pal and all the best ❤

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Unless your going through it its difficult to understand .its hard in every way John and im being honest.Ive still got my passion ive a lot to give yet im not finshed. We just keep going mate thats all we can do .Its a very very physically and mentally demanding job which the pay just doesn't match the effort you put in . I cant work in tesco mate so just got to get on with it im up for the challenge but it does way hard as you get older doesn't it 👍👍

[@krismallinson-po5il]

Other guy very negative and depressing no wonder he ain’t made nickel!

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

He dont mean it hes a great guy very knowledgeable 🤣👍

[@nickaf5262]

can you two not work together

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

Its an idea i suppose especially on a big paving job smaller jons wed be in each others way i think 🤣👍

[@mathoward1716]

Scott is far too negative! Whinge whinge whinge. You’re the opposite! And that’s why you are doing better than him.

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

🤣🤣 Scotts a good lad just had enough it happens. Me ill crack on 🤣👍

[@scoyle1750]

Its a hard old game lads even simple things like going to the toilet can turn out to be a pain in the arse or cost money hiring in portaloos

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

That is absolutely spot on great point 👍