Thank you for watching and supporting the channel. Please like and subscribe, this allows me to grow and move forward. Your support is appreciated. Take care.👍
Never feel guilty about having a break. We put our bodies through an awful lot during the peak months. We never switch off, and it's tough. That being said, when the tap's turned on again in March it is such a relief. We are so used to working hard, it's really hard to suddenly stop. I must try to enjoy January and February. God knows we have earned it. Keep up the good work Rob.
Having 2 weeks off now after 6 months of constant grind. Body was starting to not recover. I take Jan off completely. I'll put money aside for a few months rent just incase. Autumn arrives and the leaves start falling and need clearing. Hedges in Autumn too
id love to say, the way you do your videos is why i watch you again and again no special effects no messing around, straight to the point. recently bought the stihl mulcher mower, in the right weather conditions its halved the time doing the mow blow and gos. great purchase.
Absolutely bang on Rob. This job has always been feast and famine, I used to work 15 hours a day during Summer, knowing I had to earn while the work was there and so I didn't feel guilty for doing nowt in the Winter! It's all about being prepared for that quiet time. I always took my holidays at that time too, somewhere warm like the Canary islands. Keep up the van chats matey, was beginning to think I was the only one with the type of mindset that you have and I agree with 99% of what you say and have a good chuckle 😅
Rob First of all , absolutely love your channel.. Yes im in the same boat. Please enjoy the time off. Spend it wisely as i feel summertime we tend to neglect our own house/garden. We work flat out Spring - Autumn. Winters not a long season. Keep up the good work 😊
brilliant video as always Rob. i feel rather lucky as gardener. i work for a small family owned gardening company in scotland and we have a lot of big sites that require alot of winter work also he keeps the majourty of the big landscaping jobs for the winter also
It's one of the reasons I like doing the full day a week at the big gardens £400 a day for me and the Mrs 48 weeks work guaranteed. 2 weeks off every Xmas and our holidays. With the days we loose and time off we stay just below VAT as a partnership.and it's enough for us. Last 2 weeks of jan first 2 weeks of Feb are quiet but there's always something at worse we'll do a couple of one offs or go to Jamaica
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices I qualified with a HND in Hort 25 years ago and have worked in various roles, 8 years ago decided to go it alone and haven't had a day off through lack of work since...like yourself and everybody it took a while to settle in to doing just the sort of jobs we like to do and the past 3 years we've hardly changed our round. I live doing the technical stuff and we also do a lot of design and improvement work...my mantra is Tidy, Maintain, Improve, Evolve and were pretty much at that stage with all our clients. My missus is a trained hairdresser she couldn't do her little round during lockdown and the lad I had with me moved away so she started coming, we get to keep all the money in house and she loves it now, not the winter so much mind.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices I saw your video on big gardens being a pain and a lot of it i know what you mean, especially about how people can be....I just prefer the type of work I got a HND in hort 25 years ago and worked in most sectors of Horticulture didn't wanna go the traditional route and move away to work on a big estate. Went on my own 10 years ago and haven't had a day off through lack of work since.....my missus had a little hairdressing round but in covid couldn't do it, the lad I had with me moved so she come to work with me and loves it but not the winter so much mind. I've dropped a lot of customers through them.being disrespectful or like the examples you give but for 5 years my round has barely changed and I earn as much as I would being a head gardener with a team under me. I don't like all the running around with the mow blow and goes and how they blank you when the end of October comes. Furthest I have to travel is 15 mins too never had to advertise ..and we take our time get tea made at all our jobs or our own kettle can't fault it.
hi Rob you've got that right mate i always put a bit a side for the winter but do have a good run of work still i do try to take some time out also in winter we do need to rest as i am hitting 50 now i keep saying i need to slow up take days off in week only have a Sunday off this time of year but it is getting harder to keep going we all need to slow up all the best toy you and yours
been saying the same for years, its easier said than done, save, save, save, ignore any gardener who says they are fully booked during winter, snow, rain, short days and customers will always be against you this time of year, each year, we sorted out the flat and other things, decorating ect, last year we went away, doing it again this year best thing we ever did, saved from january, to ensure we get through winter, we have 3 jobs that are regular all year round. and we are telling people we are booking in for February. we treat these months as rest. and look forward to it.
We are fully booked 4 man business right through winter and always have been it’s all about planning and getting your customers to change their thinking and they will
@@zzeezz100 |I wasn't being negative, its just hard for someone who struggles in winter to hear people say we are fully booked, you really have to diversify to ensure work, even down to snow clearance although that's rare. I know some guys have gritters and what have you. I think the point rob was making was be prepared, what ever you do, not just be prepared not to work, but just in case you can't, this can be said for anything really not just winter, its all about being prepared for illness weather ect. work if you can, but don't struggle if you can't
Rob just got in on Wednesday evening tired hungry and emotional. So I'm quite looking forward to winter down. Hope you have a relaxing Sunday the madness starts again int morning 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Hi Rob, I start as a gardener in the new season, and the winter has been bothering me, but I am a builder and was going to take on some building work in the winter period.
been in the game for 25 years, and have always prepared for winter, just as you have explained rob. I call it squirreling. and like you say use the time for you. if jobs come in great. but got to admit by February you are looking forward to getting back to the next season.
Yep Jan and Feb are the months you need to hammer all the DIY jobs at home and like you say never feel guilty for not earning as much in those months think how much you are saving doing the DIY yourself. Also if you can do the machine maintene that also saves a packet.
Another great video Rob. Last year was booked right up until December the 15th and then back working from January website has brought so much work in along with google my business have been able to pick and choose the jobs we do, before that winter work was hit and miss and yes have done driving jobs and parcel delivery. Now this year looks like it will be just as busy as we are telling potential new customers dates for late September and October which some are happy to book it’s good to be popular 😁
Hi Rob, this is the difference between what u do and what Yr round gardners do, my work does not drop off , I lay hedges , plant trees and hedges as busy in winter as the rest of the Yr, u will earn more money than me for quite a few months of the Yr but u will be knocking your pan out to do so , but its the nature of your business, where I can do steady days all Yr round, not knocking u it's how u run your business.
That’s what we’ve always done how can we be expected to do the general stuff we do march to early nov grass and maintenance and then expect to squeeze all the hedges in, so we just tell customers we l started hedges in nov, we may do the odd one in October if we are ahead and then December is leaves that takes us to Christmas and then jan feb is the usually regular work as gardens still grow just a lot slower so rather than fortnightly maybe monthly but it’s all about when you take a customer on you outline it’s at least 10/11 months not 8/9 if they agree to that great if they don’t don’t take them on it’s all about shaping your customers and like I say any new customers set the plan straight away march -oct grass shrubs weeding, November hedges, December leaves and winter tidy then depending on size of garden smaller visits jan and feb, one off Winter jobs post Christmas, that’s how we keep a 4 man business going year round
If you have 40 gardens. Take some notes on your phone and write down potential jobs you could offer to your customers. Cutting back bushes, power washing any other services you can offer to them. That’s what I did and upsold other jobs to my customers.
We have a nice contract for 12 properties, rented by the Australian High Commission for military personnel studying at the local defence academy. That's all year round and becomes the core of our winter work, plus a few regulars who like us to keep coming. There's enough there for about 5 hours a day in December up to Xmas, then we take 2 weeks off, and back to it through Jan & Feb. Then the phone starts ringing again.
@@BottleBrookGardens It was a huge stroke of luck really! Sent out loads of flyers to property management companies and one landed on a manager's desk just as their regular gardener was retiring! Went to see them and they gave us a rough monthly budget for each garden, which was fine. Been with them 4 years now.
That's it Rob you have to put money away for those cold winter days money comes in one hand and out the other while running a gardening business the list is endless I've had a few sleepless nights myself when I started out but it all worked itself out in the end hope your well Rob 👍
Work all the way up to Christmas if the weather is OK. Jan/Feb always have bits of work. I pay myself a wage each week so money adds up in the summer and don't worry about winter.
We're going on holiday in January, I need to recharge 😅 I keep getting asked to do really overgrown gardens which would be good for winter but taking the waste away is a real problem here. The closest place here in Cumbria is a 40 mile round trip which makes it impractical
Not often I think you've got it wrong Rob but the number one priority in winter when your not out there and it's tipping down with rain or snow is. Put the kettle on grab a packet or custard creams or bourbons, open the back door and watch it rain ! Happy days 😂
Early November it's down tools for me until early spring and the lawn renovations kick in. I work to live. Not live to work. Hence why I'm off this week sunning myself in sunnier climates! Back to it next week tho.
I'm fully booked at the moment my self and keep letting work go but keep saying no availability now but the I can go a tidy more end September and October there will be Leaf season soon and you can get some good money from that regarding takin the extra rubbish away I keep away from Geting a second job as when I fist started it messes my tax and National insurance so now I try and get as much cash as possible for winter months so and just keep going 👍
Great post Rob. I’m like you in that my business model will always slow down over the winter. I generally mow into November, though I have a few customers that like a nibble all year round. As a rule of thumb I don’t work at all January and go down to a few hours a day in December. I also bank work for the winter during the course of the season. I also like to have my winter pay sorted by at least October at the latest.
ive always viewed my mowing service as a summer business, because there isnt much to do in the winter, i relief milk cows all year round. milk cows in the morning. normally 5- 8/9am then go cutting grass the rest of the day. when winter comes i take on a bit more farm work until march
I totally agree with you Rob. Bang on about march, I call it mental march. You're right the phone literally doesn't stop ringing. There's not much on in Feb then boom!!! I'm worrying about this winter already, the last one being so wet was a nightmare 😫 I'm busy up until mid Dec then struggling until march although I do have a few regulars that keep me going through the quiet months. It's really tough when you work right through the year. I get why some gardeners are seasonal and get a job in a factory, etc, during winter, but I've got too many jobs to do for regulars like winter pruning wisteria. Fingers are tightly crossed we get a mild dry winter this year 🤞
Hi Rob just wondering if and what your worst machine breakdown has been? Just hit barb wire with hs87tsingle side 40” totalled the blades £220 later lucky I can fit my self as handy with spanner’s etc ps you didn’t answer the first question 🤣
Blimey Rob, I'm trying not to be the guy who says he's works 52 weeks of the year ......but!! If you have a tight customer relationship, which a lot of us do, then you need to scope out work... Maybe not full days, but cleaning patios , gutters etc.....randomly I actually sell christmas trees end of November up til christmas.....then on to landscaping and cleaning until the start of the grass season. And if you get snow then drive clearing or gritting!! Just a few things to keep going all year round. Hope this helps!!
It is a hard job Rob especially when your touching 60 not sure if it’s killing me or keeping me fit prob bit both Most my customers have massive gardens so if the weathers ok to do the jobs at hand I work right through winter and yea I can sense a short break 😅 Nice one as always cheers Rob 🍻👍🏼
I think it all depends on how you run your business and the services you offer , you say there's no work when it snows offer gritting etc make good money doing it also
Hello mate! I’m think of starting my own gardening business in the next year or so, I was just wondering what kind of van you started out with and what it cost? Plus do you use a card machine to take payments ? Or do your customers do bank transfers ?
Yes you are right always put money aside for winter. I save mine from April to October, If I don't use it all, which I didn't do last year it is like having a roll over. I am not far from having enough for two winters. I cut my hours down and I still work the gardens for the customers, but maybe just one visit a month instead of two. Some of my customers require me to go around more often as I have more time. I find if the gardens are maintained through the winter there isn't so much pressure at the beginning of the season. I earned enough to cover most of my wages each month.Theres also all the maintenance of the equipment, not paying someone to do it is like earning a wage. Also keeps away from DIY😂
Bit unrelated but can you recommend good footwear, do you use steel toe caps. Love your posts so informative, only been going a year iv learned a lot from you, ta.
Hi just saw your post … I’ve used Stihl S 3 boots for the last couple of years. They are very comfortable and are a safety boot with reinforced toe. Only thing is they’re NOT waterproof but I have other boots when I’m working in the rain etc. I think they’re about £75. Hope this helps 👍
Hey rob !! Fantastic video !! You couldn't be more right. I am hoping to keep myself going this winter. I would like to know how you price hedges ? I feel like I go in too low or too high. Would be great to see a video of your hedge work from last year. All the best, Sean
Great video and advice, Rob. My first winter as a garderner, and have the winted fund saved. A question I have for you. I also used yoursimplesite but really struggling to find another decent one. Any advice would be appreciated. Take care.
Great advice Rob, but how do you manage to save ? I'm flat out and don't ever have enough left to put in a winter fund once all the other expenses have been sorted, atb Paul
Get that chainsaw and nail gun at the ready fella. The winter months bring storm work and there is always a pound to be made with tree and fence damage.
Thank you for watching and supporting the channel. Please like and subscribe, this allows me to grow and move forward. Your support is appreciated.
Take care.👍
Never feel guilty about having a break. We put our bodies through an awful lot during the peak months. We never switch off, and it's tough. That being said, when the tap's turned on again in March it is such a relief. We are so used to working hard, it's really hard to suddenly stop. I must try to enjoy January and February. God knows we have earned it. Keep up the good work Rob.
Having 2 weeks off now after 6 months of constant grind. Body was starting to not recover. I take Jan off completely. I'll put money aside for a few months rent just incase. Autumn arrives and the leaves start falling and need clearing. Hedges in Autumn too
Thank you Mark.
Good luck 🤞
Well said!
id love to say, the way you do your videos is why i watch you again and again no special effects no messing around, straight to the point. recently bought the stihl mulcher mower, in the right weather conditions its halved the time doing the mow blow and gos. great purchase.
Pleased you’re happy with the stihl.
What do you mean by “in the right weather conditions”? I only ask because I am thinking about getting a Sthil mower.
@villa_fan8882 when it's dry
REALISTIC AND HONEST,MAKES ME FEEL BETTER,THANKS.
Cheers
Absolutely bang on Rob. This job has always been feast and famine, I used to work 15 hours a day during Summer, knowing I had to earn while the work was there and so I didn't feel guilty for doing nowt in the Winter! It's all about being prepared for that quiet time. I always took my holidays at that time too, somewhere warm like the Canary islands. Keep up the van chats matey, was beginning to think I was the only one with the type of mindset that you have and I agree with 99% of what you say and have a good chuckle 😅
Hi, totally agree with your comment. Our job is seasonal, work hard when you can and you'll get through the tough times.
Thank you. All the best.
Winter time i do tip runs and garden clearances, garage clearances etc. Usually get at least 3 of those jobs a week as a sideline to tide me over
Great tip!
Well said Rob. Planning ahead takes the pressure off.
It does. All the best.
Rob
First of all , absolutely love your channel..
Yes im in the same boat. Please enjoy the time off. Spend it wisely as i feel summertime we tend to neglect our own house/garden.
We work flat out Spring - Autumn. Winters not a long season.
Keep up the good work 😊
Cheers David.👍🏻
i am knackered, roll on winter.
😂
brilliant video as always Rob.
i feel rather lucky as gardener. i work for a small family owned gardening company in scotland and we have a lot of big sites that require alot of winter work also he keeps the majourty of the big landscaping jobs for the winter also
That is awesome! All the best.
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices cheers Rob and your self
April to December, make my money, January and February canaries. Happy days.
Sounds great!
It's one of the reasons I like doing the full day a week at the big gardens £400 a day for me and the Mrs 48 weeks work guaranteed. 2 weeks off every Xmas and our holidays. With the days we loose and time off we stay just below VAT as a partnership.and it's enough for us. Last 2 weeks of jan first 2 weeks of Feb are quiet but there's always something at worse we'll do a couple of one offs or go to Jamaica
Sounds great!
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices I qualified with a HND in Hort 25 years ago and have worked in various roles, 8 years ago decided to go it alone and haven't had a day off through lack of work since...like yourself and everybody it took a while to settle in to doing just the sort of jobs we like to do and the past 3 years we've hardly changed our round. I live doing the technical stuff and we also do a lot of design and improvement work...my mantra is Tidy, Maintain, Improve, Evolve and were pretty much at that stage with all our clients. My missus is a trained hairdresser she couldn't do her little round during lockdown and the lad I had with me moved away so she started coming, we get to keep all the money in house and she loves it now, not the winter so much mind.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices I saw your video on big gardens being a pain and a lot of it i know what you mean, especially about how people can be....I just prefer the type of work I got a HND in hort 25 years ago and worked in most sectors of Horticulture didn't wanna go the traditional route and move away to work on a big estate. Went on my own 10 years ago and haven't had a day off through lack of work since.....my missus had a little hairdressing round but in covid couldn't do it, the lad I had with me moved so she come to work with me and loves it but not the winter so much mind. I've dropped a lot of customers through them.being disrespectful or like the examples you give but for 5 years my round has barely changed and I earn as much as I would being a head gardener with a team under me. I don't like all the running around with the mow blow and goes and how they blank you when the end of October comes. Furthest I have to travel is 15 mins too never had to advertise ..and we take our time get tea made at all our jobs or our own kettle can't fault it.
Excellent advice Rob. I'm 10 years now working for myself, I hope to put more aside this winter than I usually do all going well. Take care mate.
Thank you . All the best.
hi Rob you've got that right mate i always put a bit a side for the winter but do have a good run of work still i do try to take some time out also in winter we do need to rest as i am hitting 50 now i keep saying i need to slow up take days off in week only have a Sunday off this time of year but it is getting harder to keep going we all need to slow up all the best toy you and yours
Thank you Shane. 👍🏻
been saying the same for years, its easier said than done, save, save, save, ignore any gardener who says they are fully booked during winter, snow, rain, short days and customers will always be against you this time of year, each year, we sorted out the flat and other things, decorating ect, last year we went away, doing it again this year best thing we ever did, saved from january, to ensure we get through winter, we have 3 jobs that are regular all year round. and we are telling people we are booking in for February. we treat these months as rest. and look forward to it.
We are fully booked 4 man business right through winter and always have been it’s all about planning and getting your customers to change their thinking and they will
@@zzeezz100 this can't be just grass cutting though
@@TKGno we have 85 lawns but we go everything garden wise
Do
@@zzeezz100 |I wasn't being negative, its just hard for someone who struggles in winter to hear people say we are fully booked, you really have to diversify to ensure work, even down to snow clearance although that's rare. I know some guys have gritters and what have you. I think the point rob was making was be prepared, what ever you do, not just be prepared not to work, but just in case you can't, this can be said for anything really not just winter, its all about being prepared for illness weather ect. work if you can, but don't struggle if you can't
Rob just got in on Wednesday evening tired hungry and emotional. So I'm quite looking forward to winter down. Hope you have a relaxing Sunday the madness starts again int morning 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Cheers
Hi Rob, I start as a gardener in the new season, and the winter has been bothering me, but I am a builder and was going to take on some building work in the winter period.
Brilliant, good luck. 🤞
been in the game for 25 years, and have always prepared for winter, just as you have explained rob. I call it squirreling. and like you say use the time for you. if jobs come in great. but got to admit by February you are looking forward to getting back to the next season.
We all do 😂
Great idea as always, I do the same every year. Any work I then do feels like a bonus
Love that!
Great vid mate and great advice
Glad you enjoyed it
Cant believe how many movies I watched last January Rob 😆
Brilliant
Yep Jan and Feb are the months you need to hammer all the DIY jobs at home and like you say never feel guilty for not earning as much in those months think how much you are saving doing the DIY yourself. Also if you can do the machine maintene that also saves a packet.
Exactly! A great point.👍🏻
Another great video Rob.
Last year was booked right up until December the 15th and then back working from January website has brought so much work in along with google my business have been able to pick and choose the jobs we do, before that winter work was hit and miss and yes have done driving jobs and parcel delivery.
Now this year looks like it will be just as busy as we are telling potential new customers dates for late September and October which some are happy to book it’s good to be popular 😁
Sounds great!
Hi Rob, this is the difference between what u do and what Yr round gardners do, my work does not drop off , I lay hedges , plant trees and hedges as busy in winter as the rest of the Yr, u will earn more money than me for quite a few months of the Yr but u will be knocking your pan out to do so , but its the nature of your business, where I can do steady days all Yr round, not knocking u it's how u run your business.
Thanks Paul.
Take care of yourselves won't you Rob and keep doing what works for you with regards to the winter work
Thank you Wayne. Have a great weekend.
You too Rob and it's always my pleasure too Rob
have a nice weekend matey
You too
Great video keep up the good work
Thanks, will do!
I've been saying clear the garage out for the last 4 winters 😂 mybe this year🤞🍻
Fingers crossed!
It's a good way of re charging your batteries as we all work really hard
Your right.👍🏻
Always go on a long haul.holiday in January as well as other breaks .. then work all summer 🌿
Great idea!!
That’s what we’ve always done how can we be expected to do the general stuff we do march to early nov grass and maintenance and then expect to squeeze all the hedges in, so we just tell customers we l started hedges in nov, we may do the odd one in October if we are ahead and then December is leaves that takes us to Christmas and then jan feb is the usually regular work as gardens still grow just a lot slower so rather than fortnightly maybe monthly but it’s all about when you take a customer on you outline it’s at least 10/11 months not 8/9 if they agree to that great if they don’t don’t take them on it’s all about shaping your customers and like I say any new customers set the plan straight away march -oct grass shrubs weeding,
November hedges, December leaves and winter tidy then depending on size of garden smaller visits jan and feb, one off
Winter jobs post Christmas, that’s how we keep a 4 man business going year round
Brilliant
If you have 40 gardens. Take some notes on your phone and write down potential jobs you could offer to your customers. Cutting back bushes, power washing any other services you can offer to them. That’s what I did and upsold other jobs to my customers.
That's what I do . I have 44 regular and 20 one off. I offer other services during the winter
Brilliant
We have a nice contract for 12 properties, rented by the Australian High Commission for military personnel studying at the local defence academy. That's all year round and becomes the core of our winter work, plus a few regulars who like us to keep coming. There's enough there for about 5 hours a day in December up to Xmas, then we take 2 weeks off, and back to it through Jan & Feb. Then the phone starts ringing again.
Man I was hoping you meant in Australia
@@Liverpool1ne Ha, I didn't word that very well. It's in Wiltshire 😅
Nice number that mate. How did you get to quote for it?
@@BottleBrookGardens It was a huge stroke of luck really! Sent out loads of flyers to property management companies and one landed on a manager's desk just as their regular gardener was retiring! Went to see them and they gave us a rough monthly budget for each garden, which was fine. Been with them 4 years now.
Please to hear of your success 👍🏻
Great video. It takes some discipline to have 3 months wages available for the off season… makes great if you can do it. Keep up the good work.
Thanks, will do!
Sounds like a canny plan Rob.
Thanks Alan.👍🏻
That's it Rob you have to put money away for those cold winter days money comes in one hand and out the other while running a gardening business the list is endless I've had a few sleepless nights myself when I started out but it all worked itself out in the end hope your well Rob 👍
Thank you Jonny. All good.👍🏻
Work all the way up to Christmas if the weather is OK. Jan/Feb always have bits of work. I pay myself a wage each week so money adds up in the summer and don't worry about winter.
A great plan.
We're going on holiday in January, I need to recharge 😅 I keep getting asked to do really overgrown gardens which would be good for winter but taking the waste away is a real problem here. The closest place here in Cumbria is a 40 mile round trip which makes it impractical
That is a challenge. Enjoy your holiday.
Not often I think you've got it wrong Rob but the number one priority in winter when your not out there and it's tipping down with rain or snow is.
Put the kettle on grab a packet or custard creams or bourbons, open the back door and watch it rain !
Happy days 😂
Made me laugh. 😆
Great advice
Thank you i
Early November it's down tools for me until early spring and the lawn renovations kick in. I work to live. Not live to work. Hence why I'm off this week sunning myself in sunnier climates! Back to it next week tho.
Wise words Gary . All the best.
I'm fully booked at the moment my self and keep letting work go but keep saying no availability now but the I can go a tidy more end September and October there will be Leaf season soon and you can get some good money from that regarding takin the extra rubbish away I keep away from Geting a second job as when I fist started it messes my tax and National insurance so now I try and get as much cash as possible for winter months so and just keep going 👍
Brilliant
Great post Rob. I’m like you in that my business model will always slow down over the winter. I generally mow into November, though I have a few customers that like a nibble all year round. As a rule of thumb I don’t work at all January and go down to a few hours a day in December. I also bank work for the winter during the course of the season. I also like to have my winter pay sorted by at least October at the latest.
I agree with everything you say.👍🏻
Pretty sure most gardeners worry about winter. However I offer pressure washing and gutter cleaning. Obviously hard winter cut backs. Small tree work.
Great point!
ive always viewed my mowing service as a summer business, because there isnt much to do in the winter, i relief milk cows all year round. milk cows in the morning. normally 5- 8/9am then go cutting grass the rest of the day. when winter comes i take on a bit more farm work until march
Sounds great . All the best.
I totally agree with you Rob. Bang on about march, I call it mental march. You're right the phone literally doesn't stop ringing. There's not much on in Feb then boom!!! I'm worrying about this winter already, the last one being so wet was a nightmare 😫 I'm busy up until mid Dec then struggling until march although I do have a few regulars that keep me going through the quiet months. It's really tough when you work right through the year. I get why some gardeners are seasonal and get a job in a factory, etc, during winter, but I've got too many jobs to do for regulars like winter pruning wisteria.
Fingers are tightly crossed we get a mild dry winter this year 🤞
Brilliant, good luck.
I've been doing this for years as to busy in the summer. But no discount Rob 😂😂
Made me smile.
Great advice as always Rob all the best 👍
Thank you. 🙏
I’ve just started off after 26 years in the army
Good luck Darren.
Hi Rob just wondering if and what your worst machine breakdown has been? Just hit barb wire with hs87tsingle side 40” totalled the blades £220 later lucky I can fit my self as handy with spanner’s etc ps you didn’t answer the first question 🤣
Hit a rock and damaged my mower. I was gutted. 😞
Blimey Rob, I'm trying not to be the guy who says he's works 52 weeks of the year ......but!! If you have a tight customer relationship, which a lot of us do, then you need to scope out work... Maybe not full days, but cleaning patios , gutters etc.....randomly I actually sell christmas trees end of November up til christmas.....then on to landscaping and cleaning until the start of the grass season. And if you get snow then drive clearing or gritting!! Just a few things to keep going all year round. Hope this helps!!
Thank you 🙏
It is a hard job Rob especially when your touching 60 not sure if it’s killing me or keeping me fit prob bit both
Most my customers have massive gardens so if the weathers ok to do the jobs at hand I work right through winter and yea I can sense a short break 😅
Nice one as always cheers Rob 🍻👍🏼
Thanks Matt and good luck.
I think it all depends on how you run your business and the services you offer , you say there's no work when it snows offer gritting etc make good money doing it also
Can you recommend a really good alround mulcher . I’m thinking if getting the Honda izzy HRG466 .
I use the hrx 537. I like it.
Go to your local dealer and look before you buy.
Good luck. 🤞
for some strange reason august is my quietest month. Busy gardening the other 11 months.
That’s brilliant 🤩
top man 👍
Thanks for the visit
I also put 20% away of all income earned so when it comes to paying tax i have more stored away than whats owed.
It’s the only way.
Hello mate! I’m think of starting my own gardening business in the next year or so, I was just wondering what kind of van you started out with and what it cost? Plus do you use a card machine to take payments ? Or do your customers do bank transfers ?
Buy the best can you can afford, bank transfer.👍🏻
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices Thank you mate
Yes you are right always put money aside for winter. I save mine from April to October, If I don't use it all, which I didn't do last year it is like having a roll over. I am not far from having enough for two winters. I cut my hours down and I still work the gardens for the customers, but maybe just one visit a month instead of two. Some of my customers require me to go around more often as I have more time. I find if the gardens are maintained through the winter there isn't so much pressure at the beginning of the season. I earned enough to cover most of my wages each month.Theres also all the maintenance of the equipment, not paying someone to do it is like earning a wage. Also keeps away from DIY😂
Great comment, thank you. 🙏
Bit unrelated but can you recommend good footwear, do you use steel toe caps. Love your posts so informative, only been going a year iv learned a lot from you, ta.
Hi just saw your post … I’ve used Stihl S 3 boots for the last couple of years. They are very comfortable and are a safety boot with reinforced toe.
Only thing is they’re NOT waterproof but I have other boots when I’m working in the rain etc. I think they’re about £75.
Hope this helps 👍
I have used site safety shoes, they aren’t that comfortable. Looking for something different.
@garyholliday5169 Thanks for that i will give them a go.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices Tricky one iv been looking for an all round solution can't seem to find one, Maxwell branded mower boots maybe😂
Im in drought, in the S/W of England, lawns have stopped growing and turning brown...
Sorry to hear that. Get the customer to water a little.
Hey rob !! Fantastic video !! You couldn't be more right. I am hoping to keep myself going this winter. I would like to know how you price hedges ? I feel like I go in too low or too high. Would be great to see a video of your hedge work from last year.
All the best,
Sean
Leave it with me.👍🏻
Great video and advice, Rob. My first winter as a garderner, and have the winted fund saved.
A question I have for you. I also used yoursimplesite but really struggling to find another decent one. Any advice would be appreciated.
Take care.
I now use webador. Good luck.
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices Thanks Rob.
As soon as the leaf clearing is done its off toThailand for a blowout.
😳
A blow what??
Brilliant, enjoy.
Very interesting comments for me as I am just starting out as a gardener and have been concerned about getting by in winter. Cheers.
Best of luck!
And to top it off a nice large tax bill in January, it's not always sunshine and rainbows 😂
Exactly
Great advice Rob, but how do you manage to save ? I'm flat out and don't ever have enough left to put in a winter fund once all the other expenses have been sorted, atb Paul
It’s a challenge Paul.👍🏻
Get that chainsaw and nail gun at the ready fella. The winter months bring storm work and there is always a pound to be made with tree and fence damage.
Thank you. 🙏
Do your servicing yourself, save some money 🙂
I do try.
Sign on for December and January, keep tax man down
No thank you. 🙂↔️
Why do you have a website Rob? I just advertise my.handyman business on Facebook groups and get too much work as it is!
I like it. Helps me grow.