UK Gardener. What Do They Earn?

[@reecebrown353]

I’m not saying this to show off… I’m saying it to show people in these comments who’re just starting out. I’m just finishing my first year out on my own and I believe the business has bought in around 50+ thousand this year. At the start of the year I watched every single one of your videos rob. Thank you for the little bits of advice. Really helped me get my head round everything.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Congratulations on your success.

[@daddo1600]

Rob, I am going through the motions of setting one up in the future so researching alot. I would need to do this part time and then move over once it has momentum

[@JamiesGardeningServices]

Thankyou for sharing such helpful information (im fairly new to being self employed gardener) really helpful to think about, look forward to getting thorough all your videos! all the best for this year

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AndrewCrichton-s9t]

Great advise as always Rod, wish I'd had this advise when I started 16 years ago!! all the best for 2025

[@terrymckenna1918]

great advice as ever,no hourly rate is perfect, I'm retired now but the amount of times i was ripped off and challenged over my hourly rate,we live and learn Rob,👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

We certainly do.

[@starman1969]

Good advice Rob. I paid myself a pittance from my business account to help build up my capital, but it was ok because I had plenty of cash jobs as well.

[@ALLAN-nc6ym]

Everything OK with you Rob, not heard from you in a good while? I do hope all is well. A belated happy new year to you pal.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Hello Allan, my Father died just before Christmas and Mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer. A difficult time. Needed to take a break from social media. All the best.

[@ALLAN-nc6ym]

Rob, I'm so sorry to hear this dreadful news. Please accept my sincere condolences.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you .

[@bobbelsekwol]

I started off with a secondhand qualcast mower, McCulloch strimmer and a Homelite blower. All carried on a 3x4 trailer. Earned enough in my first year to buy better stuff and a bigger trailer. I look back now at 35yrs and wonder how the business ever got going. No internet, no advertising, just word of mouth. Just shows how good i was and am!!!!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Brilliant, thank you for sharing.

[@DanSargeant-420]

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and family mate 👌👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Same to you!

[@amgardening7963]

Can you please make a video or recommend the courses about lawn treatments you mentioned. It will be much appreciated. Thank you.

[@lesblandford1382]

Great video as always Rob! I'm being made redundant after over 30yrs as an engineer and you have inspired me to "give it a go". Looking forward to more great videos and advice.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Good luck, let me know how you get on.

[@rossgorman42]

Thanks for the info Rob! Starting my gardening company in Guernsey, Channel Islands at the start of 2025! Your videos have been great and helpful for me

[@jossratcliffe8908]

I started my business last year rob was a massive help to me as well

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Good luck and let me know how you get on.

[@RichardKing-v7j]

Wise words my friend, thanks for some great videos and advise this season. Enjoy the down time and look forward to the season starting soon. Cheers Rob

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Richard.

[@davebinks1422]

I started full time this April, learnt loads this year. Really enjoyed your van chats.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Glad you like them! Good luck going forward.

[@joechubb]

Absolutely solid advice Rob as always. Wise words. A quick con with the battery gear is the battery’s don’t like being too hot or cold! Iv had problems during the hot summer days and now in the colder months. Love my battery stuff but always have fuel gear as back up.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you.🙏

[@mattycooper316]

I'm in my 2nd full season running my lawn care business but I'm only doing it part time as i also have a 'Full Time' job and I've been matching my wages but doing half the hours. 2025 will probably be my last year at my full time job, been there 21 yrs now and just love being my own boss and making the business work for me. Fertiliser wise Rob I highly recommend Green Best, they so some really decent stuff. All the best, Matty (Grimsby)

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you for the advice Matty and i wish you all the best.

[@steveread1798]

Love watching your videos Rob, thanks and keep it up. You have loads of useful advice for all small businesses not just gardening ones. Brilliant! Here is to a prosperous 2025 🍻

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Steve. All the best.

[@SJ_ArbGM]

Good vid Rob good advice as always thanks

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you .

[@lloydrepton5683]

Just finishing up my second year, my brainwave about a month ago was to buy bulbs wholesale and sell them to clients for a decent mark up I made about £300 extra just on this alone and turned a potential skint winter into a comfortable one. I'm planning on tripling down on this next year with summer flowering and spring flowering bulbs Maybe I'll actually hit my targets next year from this, I'll let you know

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Brilliant idea, good luck. Let me know how you get on.👍🏻

[@paullinwood5089]

Interesting video rob, i started on my own 1 jan 2023, was completely devoid of work by 2nd week November, also "buying" work by under charging. 2024 has been flat out and will be until 19th December, earning much better money,atb paul,

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Pleased to hear that Paul. All the best.

[@TheBlueOwl21]

Spot on advice for any small business sector. 👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Absolutely and thank you .

[@MattJohnson-u5p]

Rob, always love your positivity! Good video 👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you .

[@andrewmorgan2642]

Good tips there in the video. Re the battery stuff a hedge trimmer is the best tool to start with; they are very economical on battery. And, yes! We need to talk about money more, looking forward to those videos.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for the tips! All the best.

[@carldavies8855]

Very sensible advice Rob especially for newbies.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you .👍🏻

[@waynehammerton5698]

Brilliant as always Rob

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Wayne. Always appreciate your support. 👍🏻

[@waynehammerton5698]

You are most welcome Rob my good man

[@ewanwaite788]

I started my own gardening business this year. Your videos have greatly helped. Once thing I have learned this year, is that no 2 jobs are the same. Different services require different charges

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

You’re so right. The higher the hedge the higher the price.

[@ewanwaite788]

@ absolutely, no negotiating prices

[@pauljordan4318]

brilliant video rob. Lots of useful tips which could also be used in other businesses and not just gardening.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Paul, appreciated.

[@markarnold7967]

Morning Rob, I completely agree with your system of running a gardening business, BUT, and it’s a big but, very few within the business actually save a bit for a ‘rainy day and to pay HMRC, the attitude is, spend now and worry about things latter, I have seen this many times over a number of years, it’s human nature. Good luck, have a merry Christmas. Keep up the good advice. Mark

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Mark. All the best.

[@Phil-The-Gardener]

battery equipment can work out cheaper than petrol if you are a good diy er. I had lots of makita drill bateries when I first started out on my own so it worked out cheaper to buy the tools for the batteries I already had. 8 years on I still use most of it. haha I always forget the before photos.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for the tips!

[@dalepatterson1526]

smashing it rob as always

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Dale.

[@lawncare-4u849]

Turnover is Vanity. Profit is Sanity ❤

[@lawncare-4u849]

1. Depends on area. 2. Type of clients and travelling. 3. Experience. 4. How hard you work or effective/efficient. 5. Overhead costs. 6. Variable costs. 7. Tax liabilities. 8. Living costs ie your own demographic house price /mortgage costs. 9. Hours worked per day ie 6 or 10. Many earn alot but many waste money too. 11. Quoting time, onsite and emailing quotations, pricing time unearned for materials. Deliveries etc. Lots too it. Plus administration /organising.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for sharing!

[@garethcumming667]

Great advice. As always.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you . 🙏

[@AbbasReef]

Best thing is use battery as and when you can, but when you do need the power and convenience of petrol use Aspen fuel.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Very wise

[@SHM-Garden-Services]

Great advice for beginners Rob 👌 Marketing is key. Not many people get that.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

It’s so important.

[@Rose_19911]

hi rob... I was really doing well for a few years, I was usually clearing £2500 a week, during covid (2020) I was doing £3000 a few weeks but that was a bit of a one off, nowadays it's more £2000 a week but my health has dropped off a bit these days & I have anxiety from it all, hopefully next year is better for me again

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Good luck going forward. 👍🏻

[@SimonSmith-w4x]

Brilliant advice. Would add a couple of points When I start back on 2009 , it was with a mower , fork and rake , nothing more. As you stated to find your feet and realise you can make it , you can invest more as and when you make a success of of it. 2nd. I whish I done it yeas ago but with out the experience of previous jobs I would not have learnt the discipline needed to be self employed. 3rd when starting out take every job offered if your young enough to do it. The time will come when you can pick and choose. 4th it’s hard to know when to walk away, it will come in time. 5 know when your getting to old to to some jobs ( then brain says yes but the body says NO lol). 5th CONTROL YOUR COSTS far to many people spent what they are earning only to regret it come tax day. As always work smarter not harder. X

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Brilliant advice Simon, especially control your costs . You don’t need all the fancy gear. I feel a video coming on the subject. All the best.

[@SimonSmith-w4x]

@ I think some of the younger lads can still learn a trick or two from us oldies. You’ve been there and done it the hard way like many of us. Cost control is one of the most important things any of us coffin dodgers can teach them. Once you’ve mastered that you’re half way there. Enjoy the rest over the winter 🙏👍

[@robvivian7354]

Hi rob, whats your opinion on taking time off during the season and how do you deal with customer enquiries if you are away? I want to go out self employed but i also enjoy a couple of weeks away motorcycle touring in summer, whats your feeling on the feasability of this? Thankyou!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

we all need a break , tell them , be open and honest . As long as your not away every other visit. I don’t see an issue. You can’t please everyone all the time.

[@robvivian7354]

@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices thankyou for the advice!

[@benswindows]

Hi Rob, love your videos, im not a gardener but ive run a window cleaning company for 12 years down in Surrey, everything you say i can relate too about running a business, getting a presence online is a must these days, i got most of my work from knocking on doors, can you do the same in your business? Keep the vids coming they are a great watch.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Hello Ben. I don’t know on doors , I wish i had the confidence. It’s all online and word of mouth for me. All the best.

[@neilmortimer4561]

Im in Chertsey Rob,windows as well 😂

[@googleuser795]

I'm thinking once i get closer to [early] retirement age of doing this, maybe to look to earn 6000 a year. maybe work 3 days a week i won't need pay any ni or tax i guess. cheers for your videos, great business advice there and cheers for sharing very kind of you

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Best of luck!🤞

[@Gear_Shift_Guru1983]

Take a look at the husqvarna battery gear, we use it along side some ego gear. The husqvarna stuff is a cracking bit of kit

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I will , thank you .

[@scooter0012]

Rob, I hope you are well and getting a well earned rest. 3 things that I am steadfast about is when you are working you have to be on a pound per minute to cover all the costs, secondly, get customers on contracts where you can, thirdly, never be scared to punt a customer as there are many bandits out there who won’t pay the going rate or honour a contract. I learned a lesson this year where I had a verbal contract with a friend and bailed them right out the brown matter regarding the condition of a property they own. Come the end of summer, then again in Autumn they pulled the usual stunt, “Oh, just leave it this week, the garden is slowing down”. Come April, they will realise why their property (which they are trying to sell) looks like f**kall! No second chance to make a first impression!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you for your advice. 👍🏻

[@kirstinline]

great advice! just realised i’ve been undercharging😬

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Put your prices up.👍🏻

[@kirstinline]

@ will do, maxwell. will do 👍

[@kirstinline]

i mean, rob. sorry!

[@christianmorrison8688]

Great advice❤

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Glad it was helpful!

[@James-fw1zd]

Great video Rob. Have you ever experienced “tuff wars” or had any grief from other gardeners since you’ve been running? For anyone thinking of starting a gardening business, is this something worth being mindful of or could it be more fiction than relevant.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

No never, we live in a free society.👍🏻

[@Sim-c8n]

You been watching to meany soprano episodes lol

[@James-fw1zd]

@@Sim-c8nmaybe I have 😄

[@RobWalker-r9c]

That’s more America we don’t have that issue in the uk

[@starman1969]

In all my 30 years of gardening I never experienced anything of the sort, however, I have read reports of turf wars within the travelling community.

[@saganolife]

Great video Rob, very inspiring. I'd love to give this a go but just not had the courage as I've always been in steady salaried jobs 😬 Does anyone do a mix of work such as gardens and window cleaning to help manage the risk of less work through the winter months? Or up sell seasonal pots and hanging baskets to customers?

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I am sure there are many people who have second jobs.👍🏻

[@saganolife]

@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices Thanks for taking the time to reply Rob. I will let you know if I take the plunge!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Good luck.

[@leathersocks4155]

What do you do when you are sick or have an injury?

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

You can’t work , no money. It’s tough.

[@mattcowlard4662]

Hi rob slightly off topic but your van is the long wheel base version? How much room do you have with the strimmer would i be able to get away with a swb version? Cheers matt

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I bought the long wheel base as the extra room is great for the big mowers. I am pleased i did.

[@darrencarney6771]

I use aspen 2 fuel hedge trimmers,/chainsaws . And aspen 4 fuel mowers trimmers.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

It’s good but expensive.

[@thegeordiefellwalker8878]

good move on the battery cutter rob . not good breathing them fumes in 👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree. Ian has stihl battery, they aren’t as good as petroleum. Less power , not as good of a finish.

[@thegeordiefellwalker8878]

@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices definitely more environmentally friendly but just haven't got the constant power I'm used to.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

You’re spot on.

[@JohnM...]

What advice would you give to someone who plans to start in 2025, solo, but wants to keep some hours in their current job incase things bomb? Thanks. Also, to keep initial expenses down I’m unsure whether I should get a trailer or a van? A trailer would be a pain in the arse, but a van is an extra expense, especially if things don’t work out. :(

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Keep it simple.

[@Roots_to_Revenue]

Rob, this video is out of sync with 2025. Next year (2025) is National Living Wage - £12.21 per hour £12.21 x 2080 (40 hours per week x 52 weeks of the year) equals £25,386 That works out to be £2115.57 a month That's without all the hassle of running a small business Really, it should be a minumim of £250 a day, trying to push £300. That's still not earning a fortune. For £200 a day, they would be better off working for someone else.

[@edwardobodo2268]

ey up rob, i am a gardener. recently setup bark to get new leads i have paid 130 pounds. I have 2 out of 8 people potential going to book in dec , jan. But so far im not happy with what i have paid for leads. Any tips of good ways to get leads? , what has worked for you in the past. Also any other viewers who are gardeners are welcome to jump in. Come 2025 i would love to have a full diary for at least 4 weeks. Something i have yet to achieve.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

It’s simple. Facebook business page website google business page google maps. Look at my marketing videos don’t pay for jobs.

[@joedkb]

^ 100% agree with this. Only thing I would add is instagram and cards/flyers can be okay

[@maxngm8590]

Fb business page and when you get a really good set of before and after pics etc, you can then pay to boost the post to whatever demographic you're targeting. Almost always works

[@alanbrown8296]

Nextdoor app has been brilliant for me, I’ve got pretty much all my customers through it.

[@zoba4645]

I prefer to calculate that my body can withstand 4 hours a day of effective work at £50/h. So that I can work normally again the next day, so that I am not too tired. 5 days a week. I work alone, I don't want assistants who I would pay a little. If I calculate an hour £50 on average. The point is not to work for lower hourly rates.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Wise words.

[@lawncare-4u849]

Yes. Very realistic, top professional and efficient. I'm at this stage with LC after 23 years.

[@GreenKingsGroundsMaintenance]

...with commercial work especially that is easily obtainable.plus more! .plus waste away on top. Around 6 actual working hours..with fairly local sites together..defo can be done 👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great point!

[@TheGardenersPost-007]

Hi Rob doom and gloom comment ..lol here in West Midlands we have lost so much work this year due to the weather how have you guys been ?

[@edwardobodo2268]

ive had a lot of cancellations but i have any allotment so if someone cancels i just drive up to the plot and put some work in with my full toolkit. Make the most of being out the house with tools full of fuel and charged batterys

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

It’s been very wet and challenging, we have to work with what we get.

[@grahamcolquhoun2295]

Nugget Rob

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers.👍🏻

[@ChrisShaw-i8q]

Yes rob winter depressing I just bort a battery leaf blower for2025

[@davidchester429]

Are there any gardeners in the stockport area or close by? I'm doing waste removals and would love to speak to like minded people a d work together

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Good luck 🤞

[@davidchester429]

@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices cheers Rob

[@mrmurtol2281]

I'm a gardener in Stockport, but not yet self employed..

[@mrmurtol2281]

Happy to talk if you would like

[@LewisgardenservicesLtd]

Year 1 £200 a day 30 weeks of the year, year 3 £500 a day for as many weeks as you want👌

[@PaulMills-ue9eg]

500 pound a day , what u working in the dark lol

[@LewisgardenservicesLtd]

​@@PaulMills-ue9egit's 2024 not 2008 so yes ...good kit, some graft and skill and you can out earn a day rate you can get from subbing to some landscaper mixing muck. Turn up at a job, get it done and do well for your business out of it

[@jimmyspartacus6]

The king as spoken

[@PaulMills-ue9eg]

@LewisgardenservicesLtd I will come and work for u if u pay me 500 quid a day , I got the experience been doing this 27 yrs and graft not a problem

[@LewisgardenservicesLtd]

@@jimmyspartacus6 😂 wouldn't go that far but let's be realistic, my mechanic charges me £75 p/hr for someone to scratch their head with a spanner in their hand so I won't kill myself swinging expensive kit around for less than that😂

[@ChrisShaw-i8q]

Got my one KZbin channel grass barber Bolton

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Good luck.

[@andrewthomas2406]

Well i am going to be earning less next year as i plan on only doing 4 days a week,not got a mortgage anymore so can take it easier,will spend time in my caravan in wales ,work to live not live to work

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Brilliant. Good luck.

[@lawncare-4u849]

Earn the same in less time. Be more organised and efficient in the best weather etc. Quality

[@philleggitt3005]

Starting is scary, sucess is earnt, the learning curve is vertigal...The cost is eyewatering, the capital you need, starts at £15000 min...Sounds easy, but vans can be unreliable, doing short journeys do not do the modern hi-tect adblue any favors, a few days off the road a few days income gone... I dont see 2025 as being a good yr, money will be getting tighter, unemployment could see more new gardening entrants, taking rates out at the bottom... Mowing down in the SW, now going to three weekly in the main, leaves on lawns being more often, i can work to Xmas on the good days, then start again mowing perhaps three weekly middle January on, some scarrifying March on, with lawn treatments, full garden service for my customers as required...

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Pleased to hear about your success. All the best.

[@wezist]

Hardley a "comments section" if you remove them all the time 😂

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Only the offensive comments.

[@Martinitsme]

Rob

[@jimmydickson8854]

50 pounds an hours it’s hard physical work that’s why no one wants to do it ,you call up a plumber or other trades how much do they charge and they pay it you can’t work for cheap or your business will fail

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Wise words , thank you.

[@samueljaramillo4221]

I was paying $40.00 a week for mowing and string trimming per week for an average size lawn. Then we had to get rid of him because he became unreliable.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

That’s no good to hear. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience.

[@lawncare-4u849]

Weekly costs you more and takes there time away. Do fortnightly top quality cuts for 60.00

[@jameseveson3355]

Great advice as always Rob. I'm looking at investing in a Stihl battery hedge trimmer due to fatigue as I'm not getting any younger!!😢 HLA66 or 86 for the bigger hedges and it would be nice if I could get some advice and feedback on how they perform. ❤

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Once i get the kit, i will let you know.

[@JamesGriffiths-k7b]

The 66 is a great bit of kit, I've often used it half a day and still had half charge in the battery (AP300)

[@jameseveson3355]

@JamesGriffiths-k7b can it be made longer with an extension pole or is this one a fixed length of 2m? Thanks.

[@JamesGriffiths-k7b]

@jameseveson3355 The 66 is fixed, the 56 can have the extension fitted. It's a bit less powerful though, I think

[@jameseveson3355]

@@JamesGriffiths-k7b great, thanks for that James. I will find my nearest supplier and see what they are like and what they suggest. 👍🏻

[@wolvertoncentresidings5676]

Unlikely you'll be working 5 days a week when you start. Youve got to build up a reputation and a name first. Plus youll be up against already established guys. Its hard graft. You may be lucky and get going quick but from that £ 200 a day youll be paying your overheads, advertising, insurance, waste licence, fuel, tax and maintenance on any vehicles you use. Fuel, oil and maintenance on any tools. Replacing consumables like strimmer line, chainsaw chains, mulching blades etc. Its a bit like a few years ago when the hype was become a plumber and earn £50k a year. It was just hype, and so is this.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I am not hyping anything, just passing on my opinion.

[@reecebrown353]

Wow never seen anything so negative. I was working 5 days a week within a month of starting out. And also I’d love to be a penny behind my mates who do plumbing. They wouldn’t get out of bed for 50k a year, genuinely!😂

[@lawncare-4u849]

Gas technicians​@@reecebrown353

[@JamesGriffiths-k7b]

Any plumber I've hired in the last 5 years has been VAT registered. That means they earn more than £90K a year. Not hype, reality.

[@wolvertoncentresidings5676]

@@JamesGriffiths-k7b You need to learn the difference between Gross income ( Used for VAT etc) and net income which is what you get to keep as wages after tax, ni, business overheads etc. I was Director of a limited company that was vat registered ( gas safe registered) so I know what I'm talking about. Trust me. It's hype.