Im looking to start my own gardening business and have been putting money aside to get it up and running. After watching your video im even more motivated to get going! Love the video, liked and subscribed! 👍🏼
Excellent advice Rob. What would I have done differently? I would have invested in myself more. You can have all the swanky equipment you like, but looking after your body is the best investment you can make. Nothing will kill your business quicker than an injury that was avoidable. Buy knee pads, ear defenders, good quality boots and have a spare pair, good quality gloves and anti vibration gloves, eye protection, and wet weather gear. You can have all the kit, but if your body gives up, it all turns to sh*t.
Hi Rob. Cracking topic as usual! My first season this year and hell have I dropped some clangers! Only a few mind, but they cost me! I've learnt quick though so I'm only left with one customer that at the end of the season I'm dropping like a hot potato (unless they agree to the revised price) They're a lovely couple and I enjoy cutting the grass but I seriously under priced it! Beginning of the season, worried I wouldn't get enough custom to pay the bills ect so went in cheap, too cheap! Lesson learned.
I only come on to your channel Rob looking for a review on Honda lawnmowers but found myself going through your posts. I can only commend you on your straight forward chat, honesty and advise. its a pleasure watching and listening to you. good craic and good advise. top man. cheers.
Well said Rob, I've never felt guilty about binning a bad customer, after a while you will spot them quicker as there always seems to be a common denominator.
Spot on Rob, i used to work all through winter, tree work, hedgerow planting and maintenance etc but now i enjoy a bit of down time, my cooking head comes out ,soups, stews, slow cooker meals, cant beat a bit of home cooked food, especially in winter
Hi Rob, awesome video once again. Being in Central Scotland the rain , under cutters, people cancelling transport, was and still is a major issue so had to give up. Don't get me wrong I've had my fair share of work. But having to cancel due to rain , people were just getting fed up and chasing to keep up was impossible. So next year it'll be local as in scheme to scheme, still can't compete with under cutters even with uniform and mid end gear. But can only try. Keep up the awesome work fantastic tips
Absolutely spot on rob im fortunate enough to turn work away as I’m near retirement 😂however I don’t work hard but definitely work smart I do what makes me happy great content rob all the best buddy 👍🏻💪😊
Hi Rob, I heard someone say once, "it's no good being a busy fool". Take some time to make a plan, if it needs tweeting to become more efficient along the way, that's ok. Work smart, not just hard. I enjoy your honesty and willingness to share your thoughts which can help others. 👍 Remember, "If the green gold's growing, the difficult customers are going", lol!
I need to watch this video every morning before work so this all gets drilled into my head, your a goldmine of information for us new lads rob, always love to see a new maxwells notification I just wish you could make more.👍
Rob there no such thing as loyalty in this business people come and go , this is my 7th year now full time self-employed on my own 2 vans on road and ive never been as busy, few years ago i had to work parcel force over winter which was hard, now im in a good position thankfully due to hard graft plenty of times felt like throwing towel in but you just have to keep pushing on, watching from sunny spain here great watch as always Rob 🇪🇸
Hi Rob, hindsight is a great thing. Everyone makes mistakes. Main thing is to rectify them to your liking. Great, honest video again. Thanks for taking the time 👌
Brilliant vid Rob👏I’m coming to the end of my fourth year being self employed after years of working on a golf course which I really enjoyed, but being self employed is the best thing I’ve done. It’s a bloody scary step to take but so worth it. Loads of points you’ve made that I can certainly relate to, one of which is to go through my regulars this winter and “thin them out” so to speak. I find it difficult to say no and it took me a while to realise that “YOUR” the boss and what’s the point of doing jobs you don’t enjoy or don’t want to do. Like you say the you’ll soon replace them with jobs you do want to do. I’m based in Bristol and work on my own the majority of the time and I’ve honestly turned away enough work this season to keep another person busy for 3/4 days a week. I’m certainly looking forward to some downtime over the winter. My #ornament is a £1500 Hyundai petrol chipper for all the tree work I was going to do over the winter months two years ago 🤔used it a handful of times!! it’ll come in handy one day😂 All the best👍
Hi rob , I can 100% relate to this video , being doing it for 2 years now and it’s now time to get rid of the jobs we’re you dread turning up to , looking forward to some quiet winter time now aswell , was worried when I first went self employed but if you earn enough during the busy time and put some away it’s a lot easyier to enjoy the down time , all the best to you ,
Rob absolutely brilliant 😂. Everyone says I'm mad cos I like when the time changes dark evenings lololo and February is brilliant cos get my bottom to a chair. Thanks Rob finally someone understands 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
You give quite good humble advice from your experience. When I get my gardening business on the way I'll have you to thank in the video. At the moment I've got my car I can start small and see how it goes
Probably the best video I’ve seen you post Rob if I’m honest. Some great advice. I’ve started part time gardening whilst in full time work and taking the plunge after Christmas to full time gardener. Ex squaddie like yourself mate which I think gives us that determination to succeed. Keep up the good work mate. Mag to grid 😂 that takes me back a bit
I don’t agree with back pack blower ha! I’ve got a br800 and yep it’s thirsty but doesn’t half do a good job of tidying up hedge cuttings and leaf clearance at end of year when stuffs wet and sticks to floor! Takes use of your smaller blower too if you get a big job where you need it!
Well said I went full time in January this year best choice ever as I do landscaping aswell keeps me busy but been gardening for 9 years finally got rid of the crap jobs and enjoy every day and sometimes I think when it not going well I think I get there in the end and get to the next one when I can they will wait if they want me My ornaments got to be a chipper and ride on Great vids rob keep it up cheers
Great Video Rob. “Walk before you run” build it slowly and avoid debt. It’s good to look professional but borrowing to buy a fancy work vehicle is nuts when you’re starting. I started with all second hand gear except one Honda I bought new. Graft hard and you’ll have cash down the track. Cheers!
@@karlitobergkamp8082 I paid cash for a used van. No debt and my partner still had a family car. My van was $10k some young guys I see have borrowed to buy a $60k set up. Huge weight around your neck.
Hello Rob Spot on Mate , you are bang on with your post Had a chuckle with the ornaments so right ( bought a chipper used it twice & battery stuff) and the big backbackblowers i think the guys that keep going on about new battery tools etc,are getting sponsored by the manufactures or there main dealers for a mention on their posts still love my petrol gear the best, keep up the great work all the best MK
Love this video. I started a lawn care business last year and was delighted I did so. This year we did extremely well and hopefully next year will be the same. Either way. Earning your own dollar for me is far more rewarding than being an employee. Keep on mowing. 😊
Dont forget mileage adds to depreciation. I work in construction and have spent the past year driving to an absolutely lovely job but....I have put 30,000 miles on my car so how much has that cost me.
Hi Rob just started to watch your videos on utube been doing gardening for 30 years plus and I agree with everything you said I got 2 hayter pro 56 fantastic in the summer but just got honda 4 wheeled cost me &1700 and so much easier in damp conditions like dew morning
Great tips and advice as always dude your vids are so down to earth and always cheer me up. I'm looking forward to days off with out the guilt too! 'keep mowin! 💪
Ornaments - Came home to find the Mrs got me a load of tools from Aldi. The usual stuff came in handy at first...but there is one thing I have yet to use and has been in my garage since August 2021....and that is a wheel barrow. I work from my car so no job is ever suitable for using a wheel barrow. It is currently sat in the garage beneath a mountain of plastic plant pots!!!
depends what service you offer, as you do only cutting, yes rotary is the way forward, but if you want to look after customer lawn, treatments and roller mower is a must.
100% agree with everything you said. " three or four weeks off over winter" 🤣😂 I have three or four months!! I don't take on ANY winter work. Never have done. Never will. Winter time is time to relax, rest my aching bones, prepare for next season, and do the list of jobs the Mrs has planned for me. ( which negates rest and relax bit )
Bang on Rob everything you said is true after 30 plus years still buy the odd ornament 😂 Love January and February but why do I still feel a little bit guilty if I'm watching Netflix 😂😂 Keep the videos coming 👍
Absolutely spot on Rob, this has been my first year and I've been too cheap which I am rectifying, said yes just to get some work in and put up with some far from ideal customers. Next year things will be changing !
Needed this video! Been toying with my own business as I’m from a mixed Arb/Greenkeeping/Estate management background. Going ahead in Feb, saving my pennies and getting going 💪🏼
Instead of taking three ''A'' Levels back in 1976, I wish to God I had started up a mowing round. One snag, 1976 was The Mother of All Droughts! Literally, 95 consecutive days at 95* degrees fahrenheit,....lawns turned yellow, then brown. Yes, all of June, July and August before the heavens opened on the 31st. But very, very few gardeners back then.
hindsight certainly a gift none of us has … That’s life but I believe you have to go through experiences making mistakes to be better . Good points you make Rob but the biggest thing that has to be considered when starting out is from day one run it as a business … get to know your numbers . I believe you need to target the right area that brings maximum return with less effort and that requires good research , nice to be near where you live depends on the customer type , but sometimes you may need to travel like me for 25 mins then the rest of the day all the jobs are mins away .. Agree about equipment, since you have established what area you want to target that’s when you equip yourself for that … Great points made
Buy a decent mower. 19-21 inch Honda twin clip, self drive with brake clutch. Look after it, change the oil initially after 20 minutes then again after an hour. Then every 3 month. Keep it clean, wheels greased and it'll last a lifetime
Some good pointers there thanks , I'm currently working for a fencing landscape company and have private jobs building up on the side, the company and the owner can be unreliable sometimes and if works quiet , they dont really care that your out of work for a while , hoping to be out on my own at some point and I look at my current job as a training ground to learn fencing , patios and artificial grass so I can turn no job down when fully able to do all aspects soft and hard , have subscribed cheers mate
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices when it comes to marketing what do you do with regard to putting yourself out there, is it mainly check a trade subscription, bark , my builder ect ?
Morning Rob I’m Brian Cannybody you do loads of work for me Mam Mrs Cannybody. I’m in Dundee Scotland just a few miles away any chance you could pop up to do a mow blow & go for £25 it will only take you 20 min what about £20 for cash 😂💷 I was that person in a dead end job and one day thought 🤔🤬it…. Best thing I ever did should have done it sooner. I have as many holidays as I want and start and finish when I want. I’m cutting right back on work next season seven I’m 62 yeh na 👴🏻it’s hard graft on the old body. Agree with all your points I’ve no ornaments thankfully. best thing I ever did was go through my list and all bad payer, nightmare to park, steps to go up, dog 💩💩 and didn’t enjoy going to got rid 👍🏼 I’m lucky I’m having the whole of the winter off to recharge and I can’t wait 😎👍🏼 Keep up the good work.
Great video. I use a Stihl BR600 at work… it’s effective but as per your review having to take it off to restart it is a downside. Would still like one at home, ornament or otherwise… I’d buy yours but I’d have to get it across the Irish Sea. Hope to meet you at Saltex. Keep up the good work.
Play Garden Monopoly😂 aim of the game is to get 3 gardens on one road ... road 1 has no8 no14 and just added 16😂 Road 2 no58/56 48😂😂 happy days .. when you can push the mower to the next job well😊😊 👍🍻 ps after watching one of your videos I went out and brought a scarifier a cheap second hand one. Well it did nothing so it's been sold made a little profit on it so can't complain 😅😅😅😅😅
Hey buddy, I’m doing gardening as a weekend job whilst I’m still serving in the RAF in Oxfordshire. I’d like a van and was wondering what sort you used ? Do you store your stuff at home or lock up etc?
I will mow during showers, heavy rain when the ground is wet I tend not to mow. It causes track mark in the soil and you don’t get a great finish. I hope that helps. 👍🏻
I’m wondering what sort of salary can be made as I’m currently working in the retail garden centre trade on not a bad salary but working ridiculous hours and have done for 15 years & hate it. Want to be my own boss & am used to grafting. Just haven’t made that leap mostly due to that financial security with a salary. Cheers, Kate
I know it’s not the answer you want , but if financial security is important best stay at the garden centre . The disadvantages of lawn care are that there’s no skill required so you have lots of competitors , the demand for it isn’t constant like house cleaning , it’s very seasonal . And how long does it take to mow the average lawn ? Half hour maybe ? So think how many customers you will need to keep you busy.and what’s the chances of getting them all close together so as to minimise your travelling ? IMHO a better strategy for you might be to capitalise on your experience of plants which few gardeners out there will have had and offer to do project work restoring gardens that have got a bit neglected and need improvements or restoration . All you would need would be a fair selection of hand tools which would probably fit in the back of your car so no need to buy a van or mower etc . most folk ,I know , will disagree , but I advise charging an hourly rate , fixed price on that kind of job will give you sleepless nights .
1999...I spent £1,000 on a Honda Pro 21'' rear roller mower,....what a waste of money, a write off after just 6 months. Took me years to realise that the gear box/transmission could not cope with the weight of wet grass in the bag, far too much load to cope. Soon after, under a different badge, I discovered Lawnflite, SARP or KAZ all of them a replica of the Honda Pro were a vastly improved performer...AND about £300 cheaper on price.
“Mag to grid, get rid” lol. Ex squaddie at a guess.. lol. Just about to take the big step and get a mowing business going for most of the reasons you highlighted in this video. Love your content buddy, great advice! As far as buying kit goes, what vehicle would you recommend? When it comes to equipment, would you recommend buying secondhand to start?
The Honda Izzy 18 inch self q lawn mower. The stihl fs 70 stimmer. The Husqvarna bx 525 leaf blower. All three are brilliant bits of kit and will serve you well. When the time is right you may want to upgrade the mower, after a few years etc. good luck.
Im looking to start my own gardening business and have been putting money aside to get it up and running. After watching your video im even more motivated to get going! Love the video, liked and subscribed! 👍🏼
Best of luck!
Rob if I had my time over again would never charge by the day or by the hour👊. Price your jobs well and add on the profit.
Great topic.
Damien
Wise words. Thank you .
what's the best and easiest way to price jobs without visiting the site? can you use google earth and figure it out ?
Excellent advice Rob.
What would I have done differently? I would have invested in myself more. You can have all the swanky equipment you like, but looking after your body is the best investment you can make.
Nothing will kill your business quicker than an injury that was avoidable.
Buy knee pads, ear defenders, good quality boots and have a spare pair, good quality gloves and anti vibration gloves, eye protection, and wet weather gear. You can have all the kit, but if your body gives up, it all turns to sh*t.
Very wise , thank you.
Hi Rob. Cracking topic as usual! My first season this year and hell have I dropped some clangers! Only a few mind, but they cost me! I've learnt quick though so I'm only left with one customer that at the end of the season I'm dropping like a hot potato (unless they agree to the revised price) They're a lovely couple and I enjoy cutting the grass but I seriously under priced it! Beginning of the season, worried I wouldn't get enough custom to pay the bills ect so went in cheap, too cheap! Lesson learned.
We have all done it . Good luck. 🤞
Hi Rob, Couldn't agree more mate. Its not about chasing the Dollar! its about enjoying your job and enjoying life. Work hard Rob, regards Garry
Thanks Gary. All the best.
I only come on to your channel Rob looking for a review on Honda lawnmowers but found myself going through your posts. I can only commend you on your straight forward chat, honesty and advise. its a pleasure watching and listening to you. good craic and good advise. top man. cheers.
Thank you , appreciate your comment.
Well said Rob, I've never felt guilty about binning a bad customer, after a while you will spot them quicker as there always seems to be a common denominator.
You are so right.👍🏻
An absolute legend of a man!
Thank you 🙏
Spot on Rob, i used to work all through winter, tree work, hedgerow planting and maintenance etc but now i enjoy a bit of down time, my cooking head comes out ,soups, stews, slow cooker meals, cant beat a bit of home cooked food, especially in winter
Sounds brilliant.
Hi Rob, awesome video once again. Being in Central Scotland the rain , under cutters, people cancelling transport, was and still is a major issue so had to give up. Don't get me wrong I've had my fair share of work. But having to cancel due to rain , people were just getting fed up and chasing to keep up was impossible. So next year it'll be local as in scheme to scheme, still can't compete with under cutters even with uniform and mid end gear. But can only try.
Keep up the awesome work fantastic tips
Good luck going forward.
Absolutely spot on rob im fortunate enough to turn work away as I’m near retirement 😂however I don’t work hard but definitely work smart I do what makes me happy great content rob all the best buddy 👍🏻💪😊
Thank you , all the best.
Hi Rob, I heard someone say once, "it's no good being a busy fool". Take some time to make a plan, if it needs tweeting to become more efficient along the way, that's ok. Work smart, not just hard. I enjoy your honesty and willingness to share your thoughts which can help others. 👍 Remember, "If the green gold's growing, the difficult customers are going", lol!
Thanks for that. All the best.
I can't fault you. All good points Rob👍😎 Rather than buy a scarifier I just used to hire one and the customer paid for the hire.
I wish I did that. 😂
thanks for your videos rob… always lift me up
Your welcome.🙏
I need to watch this video every morning before work so this all gets drilled into my head, your a goldmine of information for us new lads rob, always love to see a new maxwells notification I just wish you could make more.👍
Thank you , appreciate your kind words.👍🏻
Rob there no such thing as loyalty in this business people come and go , this is my 7th year now full time self-employed on my own 2 vans on road and ive never been as busy, few years ago i had to work parcel force over winter which was hard, now im in a good position thankfully due to hard graft plenty of times felt like throwing towel in but you just have to keep pushing on, watching from sunny spain here great watch as always Rob 🇪🇸
Enjoy your holiday Jonny. All the best to you .
Hi Rob,
hindsight is a great thing. Everyone makes mistakes. Main thing is to rectify them to your liking. Great, honest video again. Thanks for taking the time 👌
Thank you Michael.
Bang on mate! That's exactly what I've learnt in my first year as a self employed gardener.
Good luck going forward.
Your bang on with everything you covered in this one Roberto.
All the best….Johny from Donny
Cheers Johnny, all the best to you .
Brilliant vid Rob👏I’m coming to the end of my fourth year being self employed after years of working on a golf course which I really enjoyed, but being self employed is the best thing I’ve done. It’s a bloody scary step to take but so worth it. Loads of points you’ve made that I can certainly relate to, one of which is to go through my regulars this winter and “thin them out” so to speak. I find it difficult to say no and it took me a while to realise that “YOUR” the boss and what’s the point of doing jobs you don’t enjoy or don’t want to do. Like you say the you’ll soon replace them with jobs you do want to do.
I’m based in Bristol and work on my own the majority of the time and I’ve honestly turned away enough work this season to keep another person busy for 3/4 days a week. I’m certainly looking forward to some downtime over the winter.
My #ornament is a £1500 Hyundai petrol chipper for all the tree work I was going to do over the winter months two years ago 🤔used it a handful of times!! it’ll come in handy one day😂
All the best👍
One thing we all need to do . Increase our prices by 10 percent.
Thank you .
Hi rob , I can 100% relate to this video , being doing it for 2 years now and it’s now time to get rid of the jobs we’re you dread turning up to , looking forward to some quiet winter time now aswell , was worried when I first went self employed but if you earn enough during the busy time and put some away it’s a lot easyier to enjoy the down time , all the best to you ,
Great advice. Thanks
Rob absolutely brilliant 😂. Everyone says I'm mad cos I like when the time changes dark evenings lololo and February is brilliant cos get my bottom to a chair. Thanks Rob finally someone understands 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
I think we all understand what your feeling. 👍🏻
Spot on Rob, I always look forward to winter, now I have learnt how to budget for it, took me a few years!
Me and you both. All the best.
You give quite good humble advice from your experience.
When I get my gardening business on the way I'll have you to thank in the video. At the moment I've got my car I can start small and see how it goes
Good luck on your journey. 👍🏻
I wish i had the balls to start mine so many uncertainties and so many bills are preventing it
I totally understand where you are coming from. All the very best.
Probably the best video I’ve seen you post Rob if I’m honest. Some great advice. I’ve started part time gardening whilst in full time work and taking the plunge after Christmas to full time gardener. Ex squaddie like yourself mate which I think gives us that determination to succeed. Keep up the good work mate. Mag to grid 😂 that takes me back a bit
Thanks watching and your comment Richard. Good luck with your business.
I don’t agree with back pack blower ha! I’ve got a br800 and yep it’s thirsty but doesn’t half do a good job of tidying up hedge cuttings and leaf clearance at end of year when stuffs wet and sticks to floor! Takes use of your smaller blower too if you get a big job where you need it!
Fair enough! Each to their own. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.
Love these videos. Your absolutely spot on. Ive got rid of about 4 customers. In business you soon learn a bad customer and a good customer
Well said! Thanks
Liked and subscribed brother, love your work and videos some valuable information keep up the good work 👏
Thank you mick, appreciated. All the best.
Well said I went full time in January this year best choice ever as I do landscaping aswell keeps me busy but been gardening for 9 years finally got rid of the crap jobs and enjoy every day and sometimes I think when it not going well I think I get there in the end and get to the next one when I can they will wait if they want me
My ornaments got to be a chipper and ride on
Great vids rob keep it up cheers
Thanks for watching, pleased things are going well. All the best.
Great Video Rob. “Walk before you run” build it slowly and avoid debt. It’s good to look professional but borrowing to buy a fancy work vehicle is nuts when you’re starting.
I started with all second hand gear except one Honda I bought new. Graft hard and you’ll have cash down the track. Cheers!
Very wise. Thank you .
I sold the family car to buy a new van when I started best thing I did.
Brilliant.
@@karlitobergkamp8082 I paid cash for a used van. No debt and my partner still had a family car. My van was $10k some young guys I see have borrowed to buy a $60k set up. Huge weight around your neck.
Iv started my own gardening business
I follow your advice.
Iv got rid of customers.
Marketing is key and word of malth also
I always love your videos
All the best
WTF! Netflix in the afternoon! 😮 Best video yet Rob! Great advice there Mr Motivator!
Thank you .
Hello Rob Spot on Mate , you are bang on with your post
Had a chuckle with the ornaments so right ( bought a chipper used it twice & battery stuff) and the big backbackblowers i think the guys that keep going on about new battery tools etc,are getting sponsored by the manufactures or there main dealers for a mention on their posts still love my petrol gear the best, keep up the great work all the best MK
Me and you both. ⛽️
Love this video. I started a lawn care business last year and was delighted I did so. This year we did extremely well and hopefully next year will be the same. Either way. Earning your own dollar for me is far more rewarding than being an employee. Keep on mowing. 😊
That is awesome! Good luck.
Dont forget mileage adds to depreciation. I work in construction and have spent the past year driving to an absolutely lovely job but....I have put 30,000 miles on my car so how much has that cost me.
Great tip! Thank you .
Hi Rob just started to watch your videos on utube been doing gardening for 30 years plus and I agree with everything you said I got 2 hayter pro 56 fantastic in the summer but just got honda 4 wheeled cost me &1700 and so much easier in damp conditions like dew morning
Thanks Steve.👍🏻
Great tips and advice as always dude your vids are so down to earth and always cheer me up. I'm looking forward to days off with out the guilt too! 'keep mowin! 💪
Glad to hear it!
You cheered me up today lovely fella.
Thank you .
Ornaments - Came home to find the Mrs got me a load of tools from Aldi. The usual stuff came in handy at first...but there is one thing I have yet to use and has been in my garage since August 2021....and that is a wheel barrow. I work from my car so no job is ever suitable for using a wheel barrow. It is currently sat in the garage beneath a mountain of plastic plant pots!!!
We all have ornaments. 😂 👍🏻
depends what service you offer, as you do only cutting, yes rotary is the way forward, but if you want to look after customer lawn, treatments and roller mower is a must.
I don’t only offer a cutting service. All the best.
You’re right about that he backpack blower. Sold mine too for lack of use.
Mine is going on the market.
100% agree with everything you said.
" three or four weeks off over winter" 🤣😂 I have three or four months!! I don't take on ANY winter work. Never have done. Never will. Winter time is time to relax, rest my aching bones, prepare for next season, and do the list of jobs the Mrs has planned for me. ( which negates rest and relax bit )
Good stuff! Take care Gary.
Bang on Rob everything you said is true after 30 plus years still buy the odd ornament 😂
Love January and February but why do I still feel a little bit guilty if I'm watching Netflix 😂😂
Keep the videos coming 👍
Me and you both. 😂
Absolutely spot on Rob, this has been my first year and I've been too cheap which I am rectifying, said yes just to get some work in and put up with some far from ideal customers. Next year things will be changing !
A great plan going forward. Good luck with your business.
Cheers, onward and upward !@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices
Well said Rob totally agree, especially the winter bit 👍
Thank you .
Bang on, top video 👍 I wish I had put my prices up sooner plus got on the battery gear sooner!
Very wise.
You're glowing in this video Rob, great vibe. 😂
Thank you .
Agree with the stripes, never owned a roller mower my entire career 👍
Exactly. All the best.
Cracked me up with some of these you’re bang on. Especially when it can to charging customers at the beginning. I do however love stripes rob 🤣
Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts.
Needed this video! Been toying with my own business as I’m from a mixed Arb/Greenkeeping/Estate management background. Going ahead in Feb, saving my pennies and getting going 💪🏼
Good luck, I hope everything goes well.👍🏻
Great tips Rob mate, thanks for sharing!
Thank you .
Instead of taking three ''A'' Levels back in 1976, I wish to God I had started up a mowing round.
One snag, 1976 was The Mother of All Droughts!
Literally, 95 consecutive days at 95* degrees fahrenheit,....lawns turned yellow, then brown.
Yes, all of June, July and August before the heavens opened on the 31st. But very, very few gardeners back then.
Did they say it was down to climate change back then..😊
Thanks for watching and your comment.
Exactly
@@matthewevans4413 Barmy eco loons hadn't yet been born! 😆😆😆
Good man Rob you have to start at the bottom to reach the top buddy keep doing what you're doing mate
Thanks Wayne, appreciate your comment.👍🏻
You are most welcome Rob
Great advice thanks Rob
Thank you Adam.
great video pali cant wait for winter myself , too much weeding my hands are are killing me 😂
Enjoy your break over the winter.👍🏻
Now this is what I need to hear I really want to start up a lawn care business just ant got the drive especially it’s nearly winter
Good luck.
great vid rob dont mind the odd ornamate as occasionally they come in handy lol mine do ..
A great point.
Wise words as always Rob. Regards
Tim
Thank you Tim.
Agreed, have a kull every season
Brilliant
Hi Rob!
Thanks a lot, really enjoyed watching this video,and helps a lot. 👌
Glad it was helpful! Thanks
Classic tips
Thank you .
hindsight certainly a gift none of us has … That’s life but I believe you have to go through experiences making mistakes to be better .
Good points you make Rob but the biggest thing that has to be considered when starting out is from day one run it as a business … get to know your numbers .
I believe you need to target the right area that brings maximum return with less effort and that requires good research , nice to be near where you live depends on the customer type , but sometimes you may need to travel like me for 25 mins then the rest of the day all the jobs are mins away ..
Agree about equipment, since you have established what area you want to target that’s when you equip yourself for that …
Great points made
Very wise Geoff. Thank you for sharing your experience.
thnx for putting my advice in your video max! keep the bottom customers going :p
Thank you for watching and your support.
Buy a decent mower. 19-21 inch Honda twin clip, self drive with brake clutch. Look after it, change the oil initially after 20 minutes then again after an hour. Then every 3 month. Keep it clean, wheels greased and it'll last a lifetime
Great point! Thanks.
Been a long tough season,,need to get those slippers on and potter around mate
Looking forward to it.
top video Rob.Regards Tony
Thanks Tony.
Wise words
Thank you .
Well said Rob
Thank you
Good video as always Rob
Keep mowing 👍
Thanks, will do!
Hi mate great vlog as usual great words of wisdom 👍
Thanks 👍
Brilliant this.. your just like me . Ornaments 😂😂😂😂😂 love it been there done it
Glad you enjoyed, all the best.
Some good pointers there thanks , I'm currently working for a fencing landscape company and have private jobs building up on the side, the company and the owner can be unreliable sometimes and if works quiet , they dont really care that your out of work for a while , hoping to be out on my own at some point and I look at my current job as a training ground to learn fencing , patios and artificial grass so I can turn no job down when fully able to do all aspects soft and hard , have subscribed cheers mate
That sounds like a brilliant plan. Build your customer , tools, marketing, online presence then make the jump.
Good luck and thanks for subscribing.👍🏻
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices thanks mate , will stay tuned , keep making the vids mate 👍
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices when it comes to marketing what do you do with regard to putting yourself out there, is it mainly check a trade subscription, bark , my builder ect ?
Nothing like that . Free facebook and google.
Top man love your videos keep them coming mate
Thanks, will do!
Rob, you are a great storyteller and I have something that might help fill in one of those quiet February days. I will ping you an email
Thank you Robbie. Top man.👍🏻
Morning Rob
I’m Brian Cannybody you do loads of work for me Mam Mrs Cannybody.
I’m in Dundee Scotland just a few miles away any chance you could pop up to do a mow blow & go for £25 it will only take you 20 min what about £20 for cash 😂💷
I was that person in a dead end job and one day thought 🤔🤬it….
Best thing I ever did should have done it sooner.
I have as many holidays as I want and start and finish when I want.
I’m cutting right back on work next season seven I’m 62 yeh na 👴🏻it’s hard graft on the old body.
Agree with all your points I’ve no ornaments thankfully.
best thing I ever did was go through my list and all bad payer, nightmare to park, steps to go up, dog 💩💩 and didn’t enjoy going to got rid 👍🏼
I’m lucky I’m having the whole of the winter off to recharge and I can’t wait 😎👍🏼
Keep up the good work.
Thanks. You made me laugh.👍🏻
I have bought machines we're not use but all sudden come to use that work, I what bought for.
Your so right.
Wise words.
You mentioned your waterproof jacket!
Has anyone got a recommendation for a waterproof work jacket? Thanks
I use old walking waterproof jackets. All the best.
Spot on
Thank you .
Glad you ended up saying the woman is a clock watcher 😂
They are everywhere.
Great video Mate!
Thanks a lot!
Also in my experience i always ask did you have a gardner before and if they have had more than 1 theres a reason why theyve rang you. Step away 👋🏾
Great comment
Great video. I use a Stihl BR600 at work… it’s effective but as per your review having to take it off to restart it is a downside. Would still like one at home, ornament or otherwise… I’d buy yours but I’d have to get it across the Irish Sea. Hope to meet you at Saltex. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for that , yes look forward to seeing you at Saltex.
👍🏻
Wish it had an electric start on the handle
Gold.
Thank you .
Sorry don’t agree with the backpack blower mines out all the time but all the other comments 👍🏻
We all work differently and like different tools . Thanks for watching and your comment.👍🏻
Play Garden
Monopoly😂 aim of the game is to get 3 gardens on one road ... road 1 has no8 no14 and just added 16😂
Road 2 no58/56 48😂😂 happy days .. when you can push the mower to the next job well😊😊 👍🍻 ps after watching one of your videos I went out and brought a scarifier a cheap second hand one. Well it did nothing so it's been sold made a little profit on it so can't complain 😅😅😅😅😅
Good luck with your business.
👍🏼
cordless hedge trimmer or petrol?
Petrol, more power.
Hey buddy,
I’m doing gardening as a weekend job whilst I’m still serving in the RAF in Oxfordshire. I’d like a van and was wondering what sort you used ? Do you store your stuff at home or lock up etc?
I use the Citroen Berlingo long wheel base . Love it. Everything is stored at home. Good luck with your new business.
have you tried battery trimmers? I'm wondering if a Dewalt one is good?
I haven’t tried battery equipment. Sorry
Hi, where do you throw the grass clippings after work?
In the customers green bin 99.9 percent of the time.
If I take it away there is a cost to take it to the recycling centre. I hope that helps.
Thanks Rob!@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices
Would you ever mow in the rain?
I will mow during showers, heavy rain when the ground is wet I tend not to mow. It causes track mark in the soil and you don’t get a great finish.
I hope that helps. 👍🏻
I’m wondering what sort of salary can be made as I’m currently working in the retail garden centre trade on not a bad salary but working ridiculous hours and have done for 15 years & hate it. Want to be my own boss & am used to grafting. Just haven’t made that leap mostly due to that financial security with a salary. Cheers, Kate
Now that’s a million dollar question that I get asked all the time.
Watch this space.
I know it’s not the answer you want , but if financial security is important best stay at the garden centre . The disadvantages of lawn care are that there’s no skill required so you have lots of competitors , the demand for it isn’t constant like house cleaning , it’s very seasonal . And how long does it take to mow the average lawn ? Half hour maybe ? So think how many customers you will need to keep you busy.and what’s the chances of getting them all close together so as to minimise your travelling ? IMHO a better strategy for you might be to capitalise on your experience of plants which few gardeners out there will have had and offer to do project work restoring gardens that have got a bit neglected and need improvements or restoration . All you would need would be a fair selection of hand tools which would probably fit in the back of your car so no need to buy a van or mower etc . most folk ,I know , will disagree , but I advise charging an hourly rate , fixed price on that kind of job will give you sleepless nights .
1999...I spent £1,000 on a Honda Pro 21'' rear roller mower,....what a waste of money, a write off after just 6 months.
Took me years to realise that the gear box/transmission could not cope with the weight of wet grass in the bag, far too much load to cope.
Soon after, under a different badge, I discovered Lawnflite, SARP or KAZ all of them a replica of the Honda Pro
were a vastly improved performer...AND about £300 cheaper on price.
Great advice. Thanks 🙏
If you let them go its for good reason there a pain in the arse!
Exactly
what's stripes🤣
Exactly. 😂
“Mag to grid, get rid” lol. Ex squaddie at a guess.. lol. Just about to take the big step and get a mowing business going for most of the reasons you highlighted in this video. Love your content buddy, great advice!
As far as buying kit goes, what vehicle would you recommend? When it comes to equipment, would you recommend buying secondhand to start?
Buy the best you can afford. Visit local dealers. All the best.
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices Thanks Rob.
Rob, what strimmer model do you use?
Or rather, what model would you recommend for mo, blow and go?
The Honda Izzy 18 inch self q lawn mower.
The stihl fs 70 stimmer.
The Husqvarna bx 525 leaf blower.
All three are brilliant bits of kit and will serve you well.
When the time is right you may want to upgrade the mower, after a few years etc.
good luck.
Great video Rob, i really enjoy your videos and get a lot of useful information from them. Keep it up Rob.
Thank you .
I wish i had the balls to start mine so many uncertainties and so many bills are preventing it
I totally understand where you are coming from. Thanks for watching. 👍🏻