Hob&Jill 258 Posted November 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 my one piece of advice would to stay in your current employment untill you can go at it alone & survive on your new income... especially at this time with all the "credit crunch" scare tactics, you want to be carefull to give up a fulltime job that brings in a steady income.. also the way i see things is that the profession that you are going to be doing isnt a major neccessity for a customer to call your services, if they dont have the money, they wont call you.. now if you are a plumber or a locksmith, which i use to do for 7 years, people will call you because they have to.. water coming through the ceiling or locked out, people find the money... just my personnal opinion... Thanks for the advice richie and kay. I see your points richie. The reason for me doing it now is that appart from money I dont really have much to lose. I dont have any comitments like kids, wife or mortgage etc so I am in a position that I can afford to risk it. My parents are willing to support me through it with a roof over my head. The way I see it is if I dont try it now then I never will. Again thanks alot. HJ well, if you have no major financial commitments, then go for it, but i still wouldnt give up your current job.. maybe do that part time, & the rest of the time do your own work & concentrate on generating new business.. good luck in what ever you decide.... Thanks richie, all taken on board. Blimey I was hoping for a couple of replys, not this many HJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hob&Jill 258 Posted November 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 (edited) Where did you do you tractor driving course mate and how much did it cost you? Joe Contact Brinsbury college mate, they have funding and are offering alot of courses very cheap. The NPTC tractor course only cost me £25! its a few quid more for over 19 but not much. I think that course is normally around £400 ish too. Ive done all my courses there and have saved alot of money. edited to add; Ring them. They dont have info about the funding prices on thier website. Edited November 23, 2008 by Hob&Jill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moxy 617 Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 As far as your tree qualifications go, good luck, but dont be getting in above your head. Experience is a must. Get a bit of sub contracting done with a local firm ( day or so a week ), This will not only help you tick over financialy but will open your eyes to the crap tree jobs that are out there, and to what problems you can encounter. As you will. Are you doing any climbing? Getting a chainsaw and tackling the world isnt as clear cut ( lol no pun intended and not being funny but shit will go wrong, and you need to be prepared ) You dont want to drop a tree onto mrs smiths new conservatory. Because you couldnt see it happening. As far as your spraying goes there are opportunities to be had Pm me and i will shed some light on that for you. If you have the work coming in and can sustain a viable buisness then good luck. There is nothing better than earning your own honest crust. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the_stig 6,614 Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 stay on top of your paper work - keep the right side of the tax man . keep your national ins stamps up to date . get the best public liability insurance you can get .. and get a good accountant worth thr weight in gold .. as for advertising do your local shops free papers get your moter sign written the best you can get .. and do some matching sign boards .. progress to yellow pages and thompsom directory .. good luck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 160 Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 In terms of getting work, I'd say appearance counts for a lot. Clean and tidy with shiny boots and a shirt and tie goes along way when you are looking at jobs. Admin is also important. When you are busy, you need to make sure you stay on top of the paperwork. A wise man once told me that there are none so stupid as busy fools. Price realistically and do a good job and you could do very well. One last thing; drop Ratsnatcher a PM. I think he used to be a landscaper......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LDR 29 Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Like moxy said mate, dont jump in too quick on the tree work, its easy to drop a tree, but only when its easy!!!! what tree tickets you got?? even having your basic 6 tickets, you'll still find yourself harnessed up a tree unsure how to drop the crown out, without damaging, a shed, house, some old dears lawn, do some subby work, get a name for yourself around the local firms as a good climber and your phone wont stop, you'll get all the dodgy jobs that nobody else has the nuts to do, but i'm working with lads taking £250-£350 a day for large section dismantling jobs!! I know Brinsbury college from when i lived down there, some mates done the gamekeepers course!!! Have a pop whilst you aint totally dependant on the wage, better to have had a go and it not work out, then spend the rest of your life wondering what if!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gin 498 Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Try some of the large Firms, for the grass cutting contracts. A friend of mine was working for a landscape company, and cutting the grass for a large firm. They (the customer ) offered him the contract at several thousand pounds if he wanted to go it alone. The stupid bugger declined. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Huffski 1 Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 (edited) Good luck on your tree felling mate i did both of them at college was good fun all the best with the business mate. I was thinking of going self employed but then i changed my mind and went into the army lol after 2years studying forestry and arboriculture Edited November 24, 2008 by Huffski Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mad al 146 Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 Couldn't get back to reply last night H&J. Self employed is the only way to go if you can get the work, around these parts, there's quite a few in the line of work you're getting into and all are doing well I'd say. What would really be in your favour is your age, you're young enough to give it your best shot, come across as being enthusiastic and have the right attitude, the other thing is to make your customers aware that you can do more than one thing and are prepared to go out of your way for them, always leave a place as you would like others to leave yours, cleaning up after is always a plus. Folk will always remember a bad job before before a job well done. I always think that when you are self employed, your work or more to the point the "finished" job is basically your signature. I don't know if anyone else has mentioned it, but don't forget the Insurance or you could live to regret it. Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll be fine Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MuttleMcTuttle 21 Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 Good luck I've always be self employed and I think being your own boss is the only way to be... Depends on your area, but round here there is always work for gardeners and anyone willing to do odd jobs etc. Get the best tools you can afford and look after them. If you are considering tree work, then insurance is definitely a must. Don't think your age is a drawback as long as you come across as responsible and know your job. It will be a great help if you have someone you can call on to help you occasionally - some jobs, like fencing and tree surgery really do require two people. The best way to get work is word of mouth, and the best work is within a few miles of home, specially if you combine several small mowing jobs or whatever and cut down on travel times. Advertise locally, do a good job, and I'm sure the work will flood in. Go for it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hob&Jill 258 Posted November 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 As far as your tree qualifications go, good luck, but dont be getting in above your head. Experience is a must. Get a bit of sub contracting done with a local firm ( day or so a week ), This will not only help you tick over financialy but will open your eyes to the crap tree jobs that are out there, and to what problems you can encounter. As you will. Are you doing any climbing? Getting a chainsaw and tackling the world isnt as clear cut ( lol no pun intended and not being funny but shit will go wrong, and you need to be prepared ) You dont want to drop a tree onto mrs smiths new conservatory. Because you couldnt see it happening. As far as your spraying goes there are opportunities to be had Pm me and i will shed some light on that for you. If you have the work coming in and can sustain a viable buisness then good luck. There is nothing better than earning your own honest crust. Thanks alot moxy will give you a pm soon. I wont be doing any climbing at all, wouldnt even have a clue. Any chainsaw work will be on the ground. I dont intend to fell in any risky situations i.e. small gardens, i dont think it would be worth the risk. The chainsaw qualifications I have is just the basic cross cutting ticket and I will be doing my cs31 small tree felling in Feb. Like moxy said mate, dont jump in too quick on the tree work, its easy to drop a tree, but only when its easy!!!! what tree tickets you got?? even having your basic 6 tickets, you'll still find yourself harnessed up a tree unsure how to drop the crown out, without damaging, a shed, house, some old dears lawn, do some subby work, get a name for yourself around the local firms as a good climber and your phone wont stop, you'll get all the dodgy jobs that nobody else has the nuts to do, but i'm working with lads taking £250-£350 a day for large section dismantling jobs!! I know Brinsbury college from when i lived down there, some mates done the gamekeepers course!!! Have a pop whilst you aint totally dependant on the wage, better to have had a go and it not work out, then spend the rest of your life wondering what if!!!!!!! Thanks LDR as I said I wont be tackling any climbing. Brinsbury has been great for all the courses I have done, They dont seem to have as bigger budget as alot of colleges but thier teaching is great. Couldn't get back to reply last night H&J. Self employed is the only way to go if you can get the work, around these parts, there's quite a few in the line of work you're getting into and all are doing well I'd say. What would really be in your favour is your age, you're young enough to give it your best shot, come across as being enthusiastic and have the right attitude, the other thing is to make your customers aware that you can do more than one thing and are prepared to go out of your way for them, always leave a place as you would like others to leave yours, cleaning up after is always a plus. Folk will always remember a bad job before before a job well done.I always think that when you are self employed, your work or more to the point the "finished" job is basically your signature. I don't know if anyone else has mentioned it, but don't forget the Insurance or you could live to regret it. Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll be fine Cheers Al. Thats interesting about the age, thats the one thing I was quite worried about, so I am glad to here that you all dont think it will be a problem I'm abit of a perfectionist so I will not be leaving anything half done. I will definitely get PL insurance I have had searched around a few places already and got some quotes, most coming back at around 300-500 including tools in transit insurance. Does that sound reasonable? Thanks alot for all the replys everyone. I cant thank you enough, its been very helpful. ATB, HJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RatSnatcher 0 Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 Cheers Matt happy to help the lad..... Loads of good advice has been given to you H&J, I have been a landscaper for donkeys years and have made good money, start with the small jobs and don’t try to grow to quick, at the moment it will suit you to stay small as your driving licence and towing restrictions will limit you some, Not a good time to start but be ready for march when it all kicks off. My advice is to stay where you are and wait for it to take off, these are uncertain times but there is a way in to the money even when no one is spending, sounds weird but it works its hidden money. If you Pm me I can let you into some good ways to get the work coming in, there is a few guys who work in my area who spend around £5000 in advertising a year, I spend £200 I kid you not and can draw £20,000 to £25,000 from one £200 advert and I don’t travel to far to get it. Obviously it will take time to get there but at your age whats the worry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Caravan Monster 323 Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 Do it now! You' ll work like a slave, lose money on jobs, have people take advantage of your youth and inexperience. But in five years time, when you are making your own living as your own boss (probably doing something you don' t even anticipate at the moment), you' ll be thankful you had the balls to do it. Never stop looking for opportunities, don' t be afraid to ask, and do all you can to ensure that your pricing is right. Best to be making your own luck, the way things are at the moment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest alastair Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 treat every job as your advert,even do small jobs for shit money to get your name about,keep the job clean when you leave,hold your temper under those tricky customers,watch the paper work,keep all reciepts ,once your trusted locally word spreads.quotes must be very specific or they try to get extra ,watch for unsigned cheques,easy i just sign em myself go in no bother.when you leave a job leave some name cards . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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