What did I charge for this job | How to quote garden maintenance work | Grass Cut | UK

[@CTMck1]

I do straight passes up and down that way I get stripes even without a roller Good luck with business and channel from Liverpool UK

[@user-wn3go7bn1p]

Another great post. On the money there , I was thinking £25-£30.

[@mattwalker8230]

Yeah very fair price, my initial guess was £30 but I'm on the south coast 😉 tend to find with jobs like that, once they get to know you will book you for a couple session in winter after the grass stops, to trim back shrubs etc, does help keep the schedule full 👍 nice video, and good to include all the operating costs, customers sometimes forget about those lol

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Thanks for commenting Mark. I was torn between £25/30 but she was talking about extra work so decided to go with the cheaper option. Oh yeah, lots of costs! Haha

[@Diggie_J]

Nice video mate proper genuine guy too

[@josephmccole4132]

Nice video. Very fair price. I think you should charge a bit more. But if you're happy that's the main thing. I keep pushing my prices up and still get 70% of work. The kit is so expensive ,and running costs

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Thanks Joseph. I think next year when I price up, I'll turn these £25 ones into £30 and see what the success rate is. I'm probably at about 90% which implies I'm probably a touch too cheap

[@josephmccole4132]

@@TheGreyGardener1990 I've been doing this for nearly 4 years. I still feel like I'm new. Next Spring you'll have a limited amount of slots. When you get busy push up the price. Don't be afraid to be cheeky! I've invested a lot in new kit. I could not have done that if I was under charging. Make a good mark up on materials, plants, compost.

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

@@josephmccole4132 thanks for the tips. I've got a few pieces I would like to upgrade so maybe of the next year or two. Yeah, I think it's those cheeky prices I've maybe bottled a bit when it comes to fortnightly pricing 😬

[@josephmccole4132]

I underpriced for my first year. Ppl will pay if you look the part and have the knowledge. Its a numbers game

[@sammilburn445]

Personally to avoid needing to dispose of waste, I’ve chosen to mulch the grass rather than bag. Don’t really see anyone else do it in the UK, but most customers don’t seem to notice or seem to be happy because they either have no waste to deal with or have a healthier lawn from having nether nutrient returned. Plus it’s quicker and easier for me

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Assuming you have to give it a short cut first to get the grass right down?

[@sammilburn445]

@@TheGreyGardener1990 no, I tend to mow around 30-40cm, which is either the 3rd or 4th setting on my lawnmower (it’s got 5 settings) depending on the garden. Put the mulch plug in and cut away. The mountfield sp53h I have works great for it, even with longer grass. It’s only when you’re getting into cutting gras that’s like 70cm+ you need to either bag or double/triple cut, however getting a mower with a side discharge when mine dies (probably this year) will mean I won’t need to bad

[@YardzMowing]

Sounds good to me mate 👍 keep up the good work

[@paulpotter7312]

dont do hourly rates, cos if you finish early you will have too stay when you could be doing another job. or you could run over and you will still only get your hourly rate.

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Exactly. I have a video on why charging by the hour is bad. Plus you can earn more charging a one off price

[@hoehoehoegardeningservices306]

Fair price, I'm based in the Nth West and I'd probably charge the very same 👍

[@mowtownni4587]

A fair price, but I personally wouldn't have the time to weed a patio, I include weed spraying on all fortnightly cuts and spray every visit unless it's raining or rain due soon after. A spear and Jackson 5 litre pump sprayer, buy glysophate £30 for 5 litres which will make 250 litres of product, more than enough for spot spraying.

[@edmundblackaddercoc8522]

Same, spray em let em brown.

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Yeah, sorry I probably wasn't too clear, I'll end up spraying and keeping on top of it that way, so it won't be time consuming.

[@andrewthomas2406]

just as long has he has got a spraying licence

[@flyingmalkie4346]

just do what i do and panic and blurt out either something really low or really high

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Best way sometimes 🤣

[@davidcarley6278]

Fair price, Would of thought £30 starting price considering you're likely to get winter work.

[@frankd5871]

Out of the 25 you are going to get 8.33. Add on your preparation, traveling and dumping you are now at about 1.5 hours or more for the grass cutting. So that's 25 for 1.5 hrs. If you take 1.5 hrs for each job that's 5 jobs = 7.5 hrs. 5 x 25 = 125 / 7.5 = 16.6 per hr which you get, or 41 per day. That is in 3rds. 1/3rf for you, 1/3rd for equipment, 1/3rd for tax insur etc. A 5 day week and 52 weeks per year which you are unlikely to work. 205 x 52 = 10660 per year. You can get 25000 a year driving a van with holiday pay etc etc no tax hassle. 10 per hour stacking shelves = 400 per week. The jobbing thing like grass cutting is okay for those who already have an income. The gardeners I have known who did well had money behind them.

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Again mate, a very early job of mine. Downfall of doing a youtube channel, it includes all of my early mistakes. Good for people to learn from though. Hopefully as you watch my videos you'll see I've progressed. Still make the odd mistake but a lot different from my early days. Thanks for watching pal 👍

[@adrianhoward7253]

Brilliant

[@joshbell882]

Going round in squares instead of 2 times round with the mower then lines 🤔

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

100% agree. I've learnt a lot since this video. One of my first jobs this one and as with everything on my channel, it shows everything from the start of my business journey so unfortunately it shows my mistakes as well 🤷‍♂️

[@joshbell882]

@@TheGreyGardener1990 class mate , no one’s perfect when they first start out 😉 iv just started my gardening business and from Newcastle aswell was weird stumbling across your Chanel n hearing a familiar Accent

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

@@joshbell882 good stuff mate. Hope you enjoy the channel 🙂

[@deanbean8994]

Do you get a lot of work weeding? And if so how would you price up a weeding job? I'm looking at going into gardening and planning on doing everything organically without using any weedkiller - only problem is I don't know how to price this up and if it's possible to build a business with organic weeding being one of the main services.

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

I get lots of weeding jobs, and I just price it on how long I think it will take basically. The tougher the weeds the higher the price. You'll get a feel once you get going if how much you should be charging. I wouldn't charge by the hour though. Who's realistically going to pay £30/hour to someone, they'll get scared you'll stretch the job out on purpose

[@paulpotter7312]

just give a set price, thzt way when your done you can go.

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Yeah I always do mate. This garden is £25 if I remember rightly

[@Jack-tj9hq]

Fair price that mate. I’m North Easy based too and agree on most of your pricing vids. How long have you been in business as a gardener mate? You had any tick bites yet?

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Good to know mate 👍. I only started this April doing it properly as a business. Been doing friends and family for years though. No tick bites yet!

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Tick bites now mate! What do you do?

[@chrishorton3453]

I am just starting out, and have a handful of clients on a fortnightly basis, how many regular clients do you have in total?

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Off the top of my head around 40 Fortnightly, 6 or 7 monthly then repeat one off work when people get in touch. I only work 4 and half days now.

[@stevewood7371]

I have always had an hourly rate, which has been stuck on £20 per hour for some years now, I'd quote one hour/£20 so would be down on other gardeners. And it's also virtually impossible to do a full 8 hour day with all the traveling, so I'm well down, but am a bit old to change my ways!!

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Never too old mate! Especially when quoting for new people. Then there's your costs to come off as well, plus im guessing some jobs you're done in 30/40 mins so some customers may expect the full hour

[@CTMck1]

You need to up your prices and do less, I find it hard to do 2 hours in mid summer heat

[@robertblount3143]

Is that some grass left over from cutting Von the lawn?

[@StewartCormack]

Do you need PA1and 6

[@onemanandhisdog9]

How much do you add on / take off depending on if they have a garden bin and you don't need to remove waste?

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

If its like a garden clearance so loads of waste, it obviously varies but rule of thumb is maybe £15-20 per large sack. For something like the clippings from a grass cut like in the video, I'd probably just stick a fiver on top as it's only a few boxes worth of grass - having said that, I've been soft on occasions and just took it away for free

[@292ryu]

Hi currently work as a manager and earn good money but looking to start up something like this next march how much initial investment would you say I need as I have the same 5 in 1 Hyundai multi tool as you plus an electric hedge trimmer for more detailed bits. Was gonna start with a decent petrol mower and leaf blower then possibly get a zero turn mower for the larger jobs

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Hi Ryan. I've ditched my hyundai now and use a stihl kombi tool. The hyudai was just getting too heavy for me. That being said, I worked all last year with it and never let me down. A self propelled mower is a must. I'd recommend a 18" blade so still fairly manoeuvrable. Investment depends on how much you've got to be honest. I've invested more as I've gone along. Maybe 500/600 to get me going.

[@chsherozali6092]

Hello how you sir

[@chsherozali6092]

Please job in UK

[@edmundblackaddercoc8522]

Did you treat the moss? Looks full of it like?

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

It's got some moss in it yeah. I started with a moss/lawn feed treatment so I'll continue with that

[@StewartCormack]

On the patio weeding do you have PA1 and 6?

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Hi Stewart. This was one of my earlier gardens I won the job for and it got brought to my attention shortly after as I wasn't aware, despite the research I did into running a gardening business (obviously not thorough enough!) So I no longer use any such weedkiller. I'm saving up for the course fees as I intend to do it in the next year or two hopefully. I think that's the problem with those self employed jobs where you can set yourself away and be up and running with no intervention or help from anyone and things can get missed. Thanks for commenting though 🙂

[@StewartCormack]

@@TheGreyGardener1990 it wasn't criticism just that I'm coming up against this atm. I'm semi retired and have no wish to get the certificates as I used to have grandfather rights but that's now gone. Seems silly that I can't spray after having 40 years on the job.

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

@@StewartCormack Ah don't worry, just thought I'd fully explain it.

[@chsherozali6092]

My experience 4 years Dubai landscapin and gardens my name sheroz ali my stay visa in Dubai

[@martinjenkins1827]

Why do you go round and round not up and down

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

I try to now. This was an older video. This garden has some sticky out bits so that's probably why I think

[@ipodgooroo]

What brand is your mower? I know you have started with a cheaper one. I'm looking to do the same, just wondering what brands to look for

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Cobra mate. I got an 18" with a briggs and stratton engine. Paid a bit more for the better engine. £360 I think. Makes a big difference and doesn't break the bank like some of the other ones

[@ipodgooroo]

@@TheGreyGardener1990 cheers. Is around the £300 mark good to aim for as a starter mower for garden maintenance?

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

@@ipodgooroo I would say so. Others might disagree. Put it this way I went the whole of my first year with a £60 push briggs and stratton mower and it didn't let me down. They way I look at it, a £300 should be brilliant. Then you can upgrade as you go

[@ipodgooroo]

@@TheGreyGardener1990 okay. I appreciate that! Have you found the 18" size suitable for most of your cuts?

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

@@ipodgooroo yeah glad I went for and nit bigger as I would have struggled on a few of my small lawns. This is just mobile and light enough to manoeuvre. But try to buy a b&s engine

[@GB-gz3du]

£25 for 60 mins work?? That's insane!. How are you making any profit on that price?? Travelling time, labour time, maintenance of machinery, insurances both liabilities, employment and commercial Vehicle insurance, taxes. Then proffesional quals such as recurring PA1 & PA6 courses. Your on about £3 per hour. Do not try to build a business on cheap clients, it's the equivalent of modern slavery!! You'll be over worked, under paid and your business will fail. That lawn should take 15 mins maximum. Then charge £35. You need to invest in better equipment in order to complete jobs in minutes not hours. I always charge at £50 per hour but price per job for mowing. If a lawn takes 30 minutes that's £25. But because I may need to travel 10 minutes I have a minimum charge of £35. Your prices are to low. Invest in bigger and better equipment and get jobs done quicker. Much quicker. Get your efficiency sorted to speed things up. Don't build your house on sand!!

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

That lawn takes me about 25 mins ish. Don't think I said an hour did I? If I did I shouldn't have! 😆

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

This was an old video too, for this new season I'm investing in good equipment so agree with you there mate. I always charge by the job too so generally I'm well over £30+ per hour

[@GB-gz3du]

Raise your prices. You'll be happier for it. Your rates are suicide. Forget the lowballers out there. Get a uniform, sign write your van, advertise properly. You'll get better customers. Definately price per job. Never tell the customer how much you get paid!! Get yourself a Turfmaster HDX and a Honda HRX. I use both. The HRX is small and light and has amazing cut quality. Great for small lawns. The Toro is a beast, would do that lawn in under 5 minutes. Do you edge? Get an Echo Srm with a 400 head. You'll edge that in 2 minutes.

[@GB-gz3du]

I wish you well.

[@GB-gz3du]

You should always aim to get £50 per hour minimum. Plus wastage charges.

[@Grahams-Grass]

I'd be happy with £25. My friend upgrade that mower your not doing your back any good using a push mower everyday ... I upgraded this year to an old Rover commercial lawnmower self propelled cost me £75 man it makes the job so much better to do ...And it's good on wet grass

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Yeah definately will be for next season mate. This was just to get me started 🙂

[@Grahams-Grass]

@@TheGreyGardener1990 keep your eyes peeled Facebook market place now is a good time to buy.. 👍

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

@@Grahams-Grass will do mate

[@23mattFrost]

How much do you charge to take it away?

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

For this amount of grass from this particular lawn I'd have charged a fiver, or a couple of quid if I particularly liked the customer! Bigger stuff, it's usually 15-20 for a large dumpy bag

[@23mattFrost]

@@TheGreyGardener1990 brilliant, thanks for the reply

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

Not a problem 👍

[@stepho9999]

£25 are you daft £45 min

[@TheGreyGardener1990]

This was an early job of mine. I'd price differently now

[@stepho9999]

@@TheGreyGardener1990 Just seemed way to low for the time /wear and tear etc

[@joegardener4296]

Hi you talk 2 much. Just get 2 the point.