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Would you hire a mature student gardener, who will need to use your tools?
imelmcbride
Posts: 24
Just trying to get some feedback for an idea I have. I don't know of services like this, so I'm quite unsure if its something worth trying.
I'm just starting studying for a career change. I'm 42. I have my own tools, but not petrol run, and not very professional looking. However, I'm so dying to get started.
Obviously, anyone hiring me is doing me a huge favor. I wouldn't dream of charging the normal rate. As without tools of my own, there's little to no running costs. Equally, I couldn't really afford the time for nothing at all.
I was thinking its quite a good exchange. You have a person who is clearly passionate about gardening. Will work for a lower rate with a drive to improve themselves an do their best for you. And I get the experience I need to progress in this career.
Its the using the clients tools part I'm worried about. I don't know if people would be ok with that, I'm willing to put myself out there and try.. but there's that little voice in my head saying "this will never work and you're going to look stupid" ~
How would you respond to a garden helper flyer landing on your doormatt with this kind of offer?
I'm just starting studying for a career change. I'm 42. I have my own tools, but not petrol run, and not very professional looking. However, I'm so dying to get started.
Obviously, anyone hiring me is doing me a huge favor. I wouldn't dream of charging the normal rate. As without tools of my own, there's little to no running costs. Equally, I couldn't really afford the time for nothing at all.
I was thinking its quite a good exchange. You have a person who is clearly passionate about gardening. Will work for a lower rate with a drive to improve themselves an do their best for you. And I get the experience I need to progress in this career.
Its the using the clients tools part I'm worried about. I don't know if people would be ok with that, I'm willing to put myself out there and try.. but there's that little voice in my head saying "this will never work and you're going to look stupid" ~
How would you respond to a garden helper flyer landing on your doormatt with this kind of offer?
0
Posts
To be fair, I had tried getting professional help to create my then new garden from former cow pasture but not a one came back with an estimate or a plan and I didn't just want a jobbing gardener to cut grass and hedges.
The going rate in this part of the world is £15 an hour. Some charge a £ or two less. Those charging £20 upwards usually try to justify it by saying they do garden design as well, or will take away all pruning, lawn clippings etc. Luckily we don’t need this as we compost most things and have the space to burn rose pruning etc once in a while.
My bet is that if you sent out flyers, advertised in newsagents’ windows etc you’d get a full client list very speedily. Round here you would, anyway. To a large extent it is a seller’s market and competent gardeners are highly prized.
Have you considered what you’ll do in the winter months when folk often try to lay off the gardener? We have an ideal compromise: if there’s not enough to do in the garden she does the ironing instead.