Thinking of setting up my own business...

[matthew2riches]

Hi,

I am thinking of setting up my own garden service business here in Suffolk. I have got all the skills and equipment - I just need info on setting up.

Could any grapes give me some info on how to go about doing this?

Regards,
Matt

[Snadger]

Hi,

I am thinking of setting up my own garden service business here in Suffolk. I have got all the skills and equipment - I just need info on setting up.

Could any grapes give me some info on how to go about doing this?

Regards,
Matt

Make sure you get yourself a good constructive accountant!

PS Good luck with your enterprise btw!

[sewer rat]

Matthew
Drop me a PM with a bit more about what you wanna do - services you will provide etc and I'll try and steer you in the right direction. Set up my own business last year so it's all still fresh in my memory !!

[vicky]

I've worked as a gardener for a few years now and it's a great job! You need to declare yourself to the tax people (within 3 months of setting up - I assume you will be self employed?) and fill in the forms... I agree about a good accountant, they are worth their weight in gold (as often that's how much their bills are...). You can set off quite a lot against tax - fuel bills, computer stuff, tools etc esp if you work from home.
You also have to make sure you can afford to do it - it will be slow with money at first, before people realise how fab you are and you get a waiting list! Also the work is seasonal, when you take on maintenance jobs think about how much work each garden will give you during the winter. If you can do building work in gardens even better and be prepared to do ANY work if times are tough (I've done DIY, decorating and house clearance to make ends meet at times)
I started with the aim of creating an honest family business (I work with my dad) we advertised in the local paper, leaflets through doors (you can see who needs a gardener!) and also advertising at 'family events' - school fetes, the donkey derby and such. If you chat up your local garden centre they will recommend you. But mainly it is word of mouth and that takes a while. I do have an unique selling point as a female gardener which appeals to people living alone and the elderly in particular!
You can pm if you want any other info (how much I charge!!!! etc)
Best of Luck!
Vicky

[Paulottie]

I run my own business and have been self employed or subcontracting for over fifteen years. I disagree that you need an accountant for a non-limited co.-at least to start with- although his fee is a legitimate business expense the bottom line is? -is he saving you more than you pay him?
If your turnover is less than about 60k you don't need to be vat registered. Always keep a basic account and all reciepts.- not a great pile but WEEKLY. if you use part of your home you can charge a percentage of you bills to the co. but be aware that you will latter be liable to cap gains on that portion of your house.

If you are paying wages to people it is a little more complicated but the tax office will give you all the info you need if you ask. They also run short courses as do others - a definate good idea. You will also need to pay an NI stamp from the start.

I make mainly one-off furniture and interiors now but If I were a gardener i'd ask myself... what I am good at and what market I'm aiming at? ie: contract maintenance (lawns, weeding and mulching)..a lot of private clients will want you to do it for the weekend so Fridays are busy. Businesses and housing companies are good steady income but possibly need bigger equipment and employees. or maybe you like Landscaping-difficult in itself(one off work)

How professional are you to be?..do you need sign written van, public liability. Certainly you will need a bank account, most offer free banking to start ups, but you will quickly need to do as much as possible online as it is much cheaper. If you need capital that will require a basic projection of earnings and maybe security.

You can of course start small but ALWAYS be reliable and client list will grow.

Its a big subject for here but good luck. do post with your progress as we might be able to help

[Derek]

Hi

I have been self employed (limited company) for almost forty years and Paul is correct that you can claim a percentage for the use of part of your home (office etc.) I do believe that you are elligle for capital gains tax if you claim a percentage of your Council Tax (old Rates)....this I have never done.
I, personally, would advocate the use of an accountant...I like to sleep nights without worrying about the Revenue

Make sure that you charge enough for your services...the average in my area is between £10 and £15 per hour for gardening... please remember that you will have fixed costs to allow for before you take anything for yourself.

Remember the old saying....."Turnover is vanity...profit is sanity"

A sign written vehicle is the cheapest form of advertising you can get.... you effectively become a rolling billboard everywhere that you go

[Two_Sheds]

I don't know what sort of base you are starting from ... re: skills, or if you have any capital to get you going. This might be worth a look...
Waveney Mow and Grow are a bunch of volunteers who do garden clearing etc. If you are a volunteer you get training in the use of industrial strimmers, mowers etc, and you have access to courses in horticulture and chainsaw training etc. A few have since left the scheme to set up their own company. Trevor Lynn runs it and he's so enthusiastic and helpful. Welcome to the Mow & Grow website

[muckdiva]

Hi M2R
Go for it, and good luck. All good advice above. It's also very important to set your pricing right. Whilst you don't want to price yourself out of the market, make sure you don't go the other way either. Offer a better service rather than a cheaper one!

[samw04]

If you ring your local tax office there will be people there to advise you they should also run courses to help you do your own books and tell you what you can class as exspense, also provide ongoing support to help you coz they don't want you to fail as it makes more work for them.

Also if your under 30 you can get help from the princes trust they give out low intrest start up loans and provide you with a mentor that has run successful business for years

[Two_Sheds]

It's also very important to set your pricing right. Whilst you don't want to price yourself out of the market, make sure you don't go the other way either. Offer a better service rather than a cheaper one!

Absolutely - you can always reduce your prices, but you'll find it very much harder to increase them if you find you're not charging enough

[Snadger]

A full order book usually means you aren't charging enough!