[VIC] Starting a Gardening Business - Need Feedback

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  zonra on 23/12/2024 - 01:13

  +13

  If I'm engaging tradies for certain jobs, I'd like to see actual quotes for completed jobs, i.e. $50 for my front lawn mowed, $200 for this tree fell etc. I don't think I have ever signed up with a per-hour arrangement, since it would be in the tradies' best interest to drag on and charge me more.

  • 

    LeagueofLegend on 23/12/2024 - 01:16

    thank you for your response. I have definitely thought about that too, and how people might worry that I will be dragging it out.

    edit: That is definitely not my intention, but I do see where your comment is coming from.

  • 

    geekcohen on 23/12/2024 - 06:02

    +2

    100% this. I quote fixed price installations for my work and always explain to the client that is, Travel, 2 Technicians, Installation etc. Clearly outline what it is, because then there is no confusion when they go "WTH! Thats a lot".

    Itemised is best as well. You quickly learn how long its going to take to do x y z so you can set pretty regular and consistent pricing.

    But aside from the actual doing of the business, you need to factor in other business costs. Admin, Invoicing System(s), Quoting, Invoicing, Insurance, wear and tear on equipment, website, phone number (like 1300 number).

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  simplystu on 23/12/2024 - 02:50

  +5

  General rule of thumb - that prospective clients should be asking YOU …

  1.) Do you have a current business registration +++ insurance???

  2.) quotes +++ Exact description as to work to be undertaken.

  3.) do you own a mulcher?
  Will you remove + discard all clippings - or do you intend to dispose of in clients bin (or client to dispose of branches/ lawn clippings???).

  IMO - will also probably find clients will prefer work done on weekdays, NOT weekends … But who knows, until you start quoting clients.

  • 

    LeagueofLegend on 23/12/2024 - 02:56

    Thank you. Appreciate it.

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  morse on 23/12/2024 - 04:47

  +2

  Don’t forget insurance for you and your mate, as well as making sure you have documented safety procedures, training and appropriate PPE in place. One injury could set you back significantly.

  I don’t really know the going rate for these things other than it’s not cheap whenever I look for help. So probably $60/hr for regular jobs, ie you come once a week or fortnight for minimum of 2hrs. $75/hr for one offs. Be sure to stipulate any additional fees up front. Eg if garden is super overgrown, picking up poo (yes this is a thing and the person I know who does this work charges extra), disposal fees if not enough to fit in their green waste bin.

  Awesome that you’re looking for ways to help your family. I’d also suggest that you don’t try and take on all your family’s financial burden yourself. Your dad might be eligible for permanent disability payment through his superannuation. Some companies like Maurice Blackburn can do searches etc to advise if he’s eligible for anything and usually have a no win no fee option, if it’s too much to take on trying to find this information by himself. He might also be eligible for a disability pension or other financial supports through Centrelink. If there are other family members, there might be ways they can contribute too or ways that the family can cut expenses. I’ve seen families where one person is busting their gut to bring in more money to contribute and another sibling is ‘borrowing’ money from the parents for luxuries, gambling etc. This might not be your situation at all but just thought I’d highlight it as too often I see people fall into this trap.

  All the best with your venture and with your Dad’s health. It sounds like a rough time.

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  geekcohen on 23/12/2024 - 06:07

  +1

  I work FT WFH and run my little small business, working Saturdays and Sundays with another family member. We are in a similar situation to you. We work one Saturday or Sunday a week, plus the odd public holiday, to get the jobs done, which works for most of our clients.

  It can sometimes be an FT job just doing quotes, calls and site visits. Some weeks are busier than others. It can be worth it, just need to quote/charge right.

  Things do add up in terms of running costs (especially wear and tear on tools etc), but it can be worth it, especially with some tax things. I have been able to enjoy more tech stuff and do more things at home plus with the family because of it. I hope what you are doing will help your family out.

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  geekcohen on 23/12/2024 - 06:12

  +1

  was hoping to start doing gardening on the weekend. I have all the right equipment and have created an ABN too. I would do the job with my best friend, and we would split the profit 60/40, as all the equipment will be mine and there are no other expectations of him, apart from showing up and working.

  My questions for you guys are around pricing and how much you would be comfortable paying for gardening. As there are two people working, I wanted to charge clients an hourly rate of $100. The clients would be billed in increments of 15 minutes, with a minimum charge of $25 per job. Based on my experience, an average house should cost between $50 and $75.

  You need to consider tax elements of this. You might need to speak to an accountant about the split and how the tax would work for you both. A sole trader ABN might not be sufficient.

  On the tax subject as well, $25 min per job? Less all your other fees/costs/running cost, it could cost you more to do the job! I have a minimum job fee and it then increases based on location. You need to consider a higher minimum. Some people don't like my minimum, but when you have to take out everything and for example, 30% for tax, it can then make the profit very small.

  Just my 2c from my experiences.

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  joka on 23/12/2024 - 07:00

  +1

  I hate it when I get outrageously expensive quotes for what seemingly is a quick task but to be honest, I think you’re under pricing. I think you can and should go higher, especially since you need to drive to and from site, you need to dispose of the cuttings (which also takes time and money), you need to pay taxes, book keeping, possibly better marketing material, mail drops…

  Maybe reach out to your local real estate agents to do work for rentals and people selling. That might bring in a more constant flow of work.

  Good luck.

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  spal on 23/12/2024 - 07:30

  +1

  Gardening business is a real tricky one. If you quote too low, it is really not making any money for you, if higher then someone else will out compete you or the customer will do it themselves (that is what I ended up doing). My recommendation would be that you find something else. Even if you do casual work with someone, you would probably make more money. In this case, $50 an hour seems a lot, but you are getting paid for only a small part of the days work (no travelling, breaks, talking to customers, etc). Once that element is taken off, I don't think that you will be doing much. Only other alternative I see maybe to do just by yourselves. Because, at a single rate it is not a big deal to charge in 15 minute blocks, but as a two member team, 15 minutes will cost the client minimum $25.
  Came back to say, you doing it for the right reasons, something will work out. Hope things start to look up for your family mate.

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  ihbh on 23/12/2024 - 08:20

  Have people found demographics to be tricky to balance? In the more affluent suburbs, people use more established providers with bigger teams. In less affluent suburbs, people tend to do it themselves.

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  netjock on 23/12/2024 - 12:09

  +1

  Why don't you ring up Jim's Mowing pretending to be a customer and get a good idea what their pricing is.

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  Euphemistic on 23/12/2024 - 15:33

  +2

  Dont forget to allow travel time for jobs. If youre charging $100/hr for 2 people youre probably really earning under $25/hr each for a job. I'd say minimum should be half hour charge.