Top tips for starting out as a self-employed gardener
Do you have a love for the great outdoors and fantastic attention to detail? If so, working as a self-employed gardener could be an extremely fulfilling career choice.
The popularity of lockdown gardening led to a huge boost in garden product sales, with UK households spending 7.6 billion on their gardens in 2021 alone. It’s likely that many people who’ve returned to work will now need someone else to look after their plants, so there’s no better time to consider becoming a gardener. Read on to find out more about what to do before getting started.
To find out more about nursery plants be sure to check out All Green Nursery
1.Research the local market
The potential profits you’ll make as a gardener will be almost entirely determined by the area in which you’ll be operating. If you live in a town, you’ll need to be willing to travel to your clients. However, if you’re already within leafy suburbs or an affluent, rural location, it’s likely that you’ll have customers right on your doorstep.
2.Choose a level of service
You need to decide what you’re willing to offer. Consider the knowledge and skills you already have and try to be realistic about what else you’re willing to learn.
3.Choose your tools
Gardeners use a wide array of different tools to undertake their daily tasks, so it’s up to you to choose and buy your own set. It’s also worth making sure you’ve got a quality pocket knife or multitool to cut ropes and stubborn stems – click here for examples of these handy gadgets.
4.Consider your budget
Some gardening services require expensive equipment to be carried out professionally. If you’d like to offer thorough, specialist services, it’s worth investing in the right kit for the job to see a return on investment – but only if you’ve got the funds to buy it.
5.Set prices
Whether you choose to charge an hourly rate or set fixed prices for specific services, it’s important to be transparent. Make sure your customers know how much the work will cost before you begin, as this will reflect positively on your ratings and reputation.
6.Sort out the paperwork
Before you start working, it’s a good idea to be as legitimate as possible – not only to protect you, but to make a good impression too. Make sure you obtain insurance and licences and try to arrange a company logo for your business, too.
7.Make it official
Once you’ve finalised your plans, the only thing left to do is to officially set up your business. Good luck!
