Landscape Gardening / Small Business Owners

[SS Manual]

I'm soon to dive in the deepend and start my own business. Any other commodore drivers running a small business?
Additionally, what are forum readers paying for general gardening jobs?
Starting up in Surfers, can't wait.

[CapriciousWL]

I used to pay $20 a fortnight for a bloke to clean the driveway. Probably took him all of 10 minutes.

I live on acreage so would be willing to pay $25 - $30 per hour for someone to mow and whippersnip the yard. Takes about 4 hours to do a rough job with no interruptions. I would only get it one once a month.

Have you looked at franchises?

[TinSnips]

Best of luck with the business mate. I'm running my own - certainly has it's pros and cons - but I'm happy with the decision I made - for now at least.

I pay $45 for front and back lawns/edges/etc to be done once a fortnight - I'd say around 40 minutes worth - which is quicker than I would do it - I hate that job and he's good - so I'm happy to pay for it.

[VS 5.0]

Good luck with the business. My sister sold a Jims Mowing business on the goldy last year. She didn't like the manual labour ! Lazy cow.

Gardening work is one thing I refuse to pay for and I enjoy it as well.

[VHRickster]

I have owned a jims mowing franchise for 7 years....it has great potential. I have a few good commercial contracts (woolworths petrol, 22 sites per month)...2 Pickles auction sites...defence....ABC...etc. I also do residential. I would be aiming for $700 - $1000 per day....yes....per day. Set a minumum charge for residential (Mine $55) and commercial (mine $110)...I try to average out my day at $110 per hour......it is very achievable, here in Canberra any way.....I am happy to answer any questions.....good luck

[vkberlina]

I have owned a jims mowing franchise for 7 years....it has great potential. I have a few good commercial contracts (woolworths petrol, 22 sites per month)...2 Pickles auction sites...defence....ABC...etc. I also do residential. I would be aiming for $700 - $1000 per day....yes....per day. Set a minumum charge for residential (Mine $55) and commercial (mine $110)...I try to average out my day at $110 per hour......it is very achievable, here in Canberra any way.....I am happy to answer any questions.....good luck

I run my own business and pretty much run the same, but different trade, lots of additional work in your own business than working for a boss but the benifits are great, when the business is quieter I work 4 days a week when its busy 6 days a week, if I feel like a late morning I dont book work in best decision I ever made.

Scott

[HussySV6]

I also live on an average. And i use to pay 250 dollars for once a month. This was when i was overseas for a big holiday(9 months)- 2 years ago btw. And the guy would come cut the grass, weed killer on the driveway(big driveway, took about an hour).

He had a big mower( huge) an average size ( both ride ons) and 2 push hand ones. and alot of other junk in his huge trailer. Also his work car was a isuzu dual cab. So im guessing he must of been making some good money also must have big/many customers. He was self owner but now and then he brings his sun to do the driveway as he cuts the grass. GoodLuck on the business buddy.

[azkwazere]

What always concerned me about the franchise cleaning/gardening businesses is the way the work could easily disappear.
In the event of a financial crisis, typicall people cut the non-necissitiies from their life (maids, cleaners, etc) in an effort to save money. When times are good, the work picks up again.

I know as both my step parents are in this field.. Dad does some gardening and when the wether is good (spring), grass grows like a mofo and the work is solid. But during winter and summer when grass slows down a bit etc. people dont want the work.

How do you guys manage that? I would have thought that this kind of thing really isnt a solid set of work and you'd need to push hard to get the jobs.

aZk.

[SS Manual]

Over the colder months you can do jobs like mulching, landscaping & yard clean-ups. A lot of gardeners offer high pressure cleaning of driveways too I've noticed. But you're right, the mowing definitely slows down by at least half in the middle of the year.

[vkberlina]

Thats when you take holidays! Or look for a different line of business to compliment it, You will see most tree loppers do firewood in winter.

Scott

[bj42turbo]

Highly recommend going out on ya own...
I went out on my own around 5 years ago after working for others for over 20 years and never been really happy...
There are bad points but the good certainly outways the bad...
I did it more for a better lifestyle rather than money and the fact that no one tells you what to do and when to do it...
You can work your own hours and even take a day off to go fishing if ya like...

Dazz