In our area cleaners cost around £12 an hour and I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable offering anyone less than that. £15-20 seems fine for someone doing directed grunt work (digging, hauling etc). Landscaping, design and construction might charge more. Two hours of grunt work is full on, heavy, knackering and takes its toll. I don't see why I should pay someone less because it's 'simple' or not a "trained gardener". Hedge cutting is simpler and lighter, but I don't personally pay anyone to do that.
For cleaners or gardeners or anyone, I ask myself, would I myself be happy to accept that amount of money for my time? Would it seem reasonable to me for the job I was doing? If you are deeply grateful for someone doing a great job, I think the pay should reflect that.
I think circa £25/£35 an hour is a reasonable rate for a gardener. I would only want someone who has trained as a gardener doing my garden. Maybe someone charging £10 or £15 might not have the background in gardening.
Jeez! Who does your garden? Adam Frost? If not can I come & do it? .. I'll even throw in the 500 mile round trip for free.
We occasionally have a gardener for my partner's cottage in south Norfolk, his main home, mine is in France, so (before Covid) we come and go. She has done an RHS course, she lives about 10 minutes away and she charges £20 an hour. The fee was arranged in advance, what she usually charges. She does 2 hours work when she comes but she has another garden to do nearby on the same day.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
You can't really compare normal work rates (what would you get in a job) with self-employed rates. Self-employed people need to organize their work (phone calls and bills, time to arrange the work), their admin work, care for the tools etc. Generally, chargeable work is often only 50-70% of a workweek. Tiny jobs are usually charged more because otherwise, they are not worth it. Would you work on someone else's garden for £15 (before taxes) for 30 minutes (45 minutes with preparing the tools and getting there)? I wouldn't.
I've used him for 6 years & I didn't expect him to start taking the piss out of me. I know his wife & trusted them both. I don't have to take insults from the likes of you. Do one!!!
Sounds like you're blaming me. I suffer from depression & I trust people. He doesn't say what he's going to charge me until the end.
As do I, so you have my sympathy. Although I wouldn't describe myself as trusting - more hopeful when it comes to tradesmen. To be honest though, not getting a price before he starts work is folly.
Tiny jobs are usually charged more because otherwise, they are not worth it. Would you work on someone else's garden for £15 (before taxes) for 30 minutes (45 minutes with preparing the tools and getting there)? I wouldn't.
Of course I would. Think of it as a "loss-leader". The PR would more than make up for it.
There is no point becoming aggressive. Whether or not you are depressed or trusting doesn't absolve you of the responsibility to check things first before engaging in a contract, verbal or written.
I sympathise with your depression - very common at the mo especially in the young - but really, as an adult, you have a responsibility to yourself and to anyone you hire to check things beforehand. If you can't, don't hire and then grump.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
In our area cleaners cost around £12 an hour and I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable offering anyone less than that. £15-20 seems fine for someone doing directed grunt work (digging, hauling etc). Landscaping, design and construction might charge more. Two hours of grunt work is full on, heavy, knackering and takes its toll. I don't see why I should pay someone less because it's 'simple' or not a "trained gardener". Hedge cutting is simpler and lighter, but I don't personally pay anyone to do that.
For cleaners or gardeners or anyone, I ask myself, would I myself be happy to accept that amount of money for my time? Would it seem reasonable to me for the job I was doing? If you are deeply grateful for someone doing a great job, I think the pay should reflect that.
I'm only grateful if someone does a good job. Why should I be grateful for someone taking the piss out of me???
We occasionally have a gardener for my partner's cottage in south Norfolk, his main home, mine is in France, so (before Covid) we come and go. She has done an RHS course, she lives about 10 minutes away and she charges £20 an hour. The fee was arranged in advance, what she usually charges. She does 2 hours work when she comes but she has another garden to do nearby on the same day.
Sounds like you're blaming me. I suffer from depression & I trust people. He doesn't say what he's going to charge me until the end.
As do I, so you have my sympathy. Although I wouldn't describe myself as trusting - more hopeful when it comes to tradesmen. To be honest though, not getting a price before he starts work is folly.
Don't start insulting me on here. You know what you can do, you moron!
There is no pot becoming aggressive. Whether or not you are depressed or trusting doesn't absolve you of the responsibility to check things first before engaging in a contract, verbal or written.
I sympathise with your depression - very common at the mo especially in the young - but really, a an adult, you have a responsibility to yourself and to anyone you hire to check things beforehand. If you can't, don't hire and then grump.
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If not can I come & do it? .. I'll even throw in the 500 mile round trip for free.
I sympathise with your depression - very common at the mo especially in the young - but really, as an adult, you have a responsibility to yourself and to anyone you hire to check things beforehand. If you can't, don't hire and then grump.