How to work out prices for gardening (Works for other trades too)
Are you thinking of starting a business? In this video, I will be looking at how much to charge for your services and just as importantly how to increase your price and stay in control
Survival figure, overhead costs, billable and unbillable hours, the pros and cons of fixed pricing versus an hourly rate. How to determine your hourly rate and correct it.
I own and run two successful businesses and these are some of the tools I use to work out how much I should be charging for my services.
00:00 intro
00:32 Who is this video for?
01:05 How can I charge more
01:32 How much do you Have to earn
02:24 Overhead costs
03:26 Average startup cost
03:48 The best software for a small business
04:56 How much can you earn in a day
05:47 What is profit
06:05 The hourly rate calculator
07:52 Let’s do the maths
09:14 Hour rate vs fixed pricing
10:12 How to increase your price and stay in control
Get Jobber – The software I use to RUN my business. Quote & Win Work Faster. Earn More Money. . Quote, schedule, invoice, and get paid—all in one. TRY IT FOR FREE & 20% off your first 6 months
https://premierlawns.link/Jobber
🔨 My videos are supported by Milwaukee Tools UK https://uk.milwaukeetool.eu/?utm_source=Premier%20Lawns&utm_medium=YouTube
If you have a question about the information shown in a video please post it in the comments section on YouTube and we will do our best to respond as soon as we can.
This information has been gathered from my past history and some of the information can also be found at The Landscape Juice Network. The juice is a source of invaluable information if you are thinking of setting up a gardening business or wish to grow.
#whattocharge #bestinvoicingsoftware #jobber
➥➥➥➥➥➥➥➥➥➥➥➥➥➥➥➥➥➥➥
✅ Let’s connect:
👉 Join the Premier lawns Community on Facebook, with behind the scenes access, friendly help and advice from the active community. https://premierlawns.link/Premier_Lawns_Community
👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/premierlawnsni
PRODUCT LINKS
Get Jobber – The software I use to RUN my business. Quote & Win Work Faster. Earn More Money. . Quote, schedule, invoice, and get paid—all in one. TRY IT FOR FREE & 20% off your first 6 months
https://premierlawns.link/Jobber
🔨 Tools
🔨 Milwaukee Hatchet https://uk.milwaukeetool.eu/en-gb/m12-fuel-hatchet-pruning-saw/m12-fhs?utm_source=Premier%20Lawns&utm_medium=YouTube&utm_campaign=M12FHS-602X
🔨 Milwaukee blower https://uk.milwaukeetool.eu/en-gb/m18-fuel-blower/m18-fbl/?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=YouTube&utm_campaign=Premier%20Lawns%20-%20Fuel%20Blower
🔨 Milwaukee Sprayer – https://uk.milwaukeetool.eu/en-gb/m18-switch-tank-15l-water-supply/m18-bpfp-wst/?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=YouTube&utm_campaign=Premier%20Lawns%20-%20switch%20tank%20water%20tank
🔨 DIY drag mat https://premierlawns.link/Drag_Mat
🔨 Rake for scarifying https://premierlawns.link/Rake
🔨 Fertiliser spreader https://premierlawns.link/Fertiliser_Spreader
🔨 Garden Sprinkler https://premierlawns.link/Garden_Sprinkler
👉 Fertiliser and moss control 👉
🍀 Kill moss in a lawn – https://premierlawns.link/Moss_killer_Lawns
🍀 Kill moss and feed the lawn – https://premierlawns.link/Lawnsand
🍀 Cheap Ammonium Sulphate Fertiliser 21-0-0 https://premierlawns.link/Ammonium_Sulphate_Fertiliserttps://premierlawns.link/Ammonium_Sulphate_Fertiliser
👉 Other products 👉
🍀 Kill moss on Paving and tarmac https://premierlawns.link/Moss_Killer_Paving_Tarmac
🐶 Stop dog urine stains on lawns https://premierlawns.link/Dog_rocks
🦟 Insects
🦟 Leatherjacket killer – https://premierlawns.link/Leather_Jacket_Killer
*DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.
This helps to support the channel and allows me to continue creating videos like this.
Thanks for the support!
✅ Let’s connect:
👉 Join the Premier lawns Community on Facebook, with behind the scenes access, friendly help and advice from the active community. https://premierlawns.link/Premier_Lawns_Community
👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/premierlawnsni
💡 Want to learn more, more tips on my website 💡
Lawn problems https://premierlawns.link/Help_and_Advice_Lawn_problems
Garden and Lawn Care https://premierlawns.link/lawncare_calendar
👉 Due to a high volume of texts, phone calls, emails etc I can no longer offer advice on individual lawns unless you live in a postcode that I cover. We cover the following postcodes if you require a quote BT4, BT5, BT7, BT9, BT15, BT18, BT37, BT,38.
I DON’T ANSWER EMAILS FROM PEOPLE OUTSIDE MY AREA – If you would like a quote and live in an area we cover – 👉 https://premierlawns.link/Request_Quote
If you need help and live outside the area I cover – https://premierlawns.link/Premier_Lawns_Community
40 Comments
Get Jobber – The software I use to RUN my business. Quote & Win Work Faster. Earn More Money. . Quote, schedule, invoice, and get paid—all in one. TRY IT FOR FREE & 20% off your first 6 months – http://www.getjobber.com/robbielynn
Good Morning From Frozen Wisconsin USA
As a guy who started out on his own last August this was amazingly informative
Nice video mate. I’m a self employed decorator myself. Seen yous before Christmas up near me in Carnmoney. I can almost smell spring coming. Can’t wait .
I'm not even self employed but found this highly interesting. I do feel some of the pressure you self employed must have. For one being in the NHS, I get sick pay whereas you don't have that security. Add in a pension scheme and it all eats into the deductions. Found it interesting how investing in good tools and generating new custom all fits 👍
Thanks Robbie, great breakdown and information 👍🏾 the big issue with running your own business I find is that people don't realise how much overheads you actually have… I agree with fixed pricing over hourly any day!
Thank you, it’s always tough as a self employed person, it’s nice to hear from someone else who is in that boat to.
I always charged per job rather by the hour that way the customer would not be looking at the clock all the time
👍🇺🇦🤝
Hope your well Robbie 🌱 Completely agree mate, really goes back to knowing your worth and charging what works for you not for anyone else. Need to get you on the pod before we are rushed off our feet in spring !💪🏽🌱
Great video Robbie. When you break it down as you have you realise how important it is to value your own worth. 👋
I used to do a bit of gardening and really enjoyed it but couldn’t take the risk and go full time and self employed. Thanks for this interesting video.
Hi Robbie, where did you get that tool for lifting the lawn edgings? cheers and great video. rob
Robbie, as ever, very sound advice especially for those contemplating self employment or those already doing it. Working out an hourly or daily rate is so important to helping you understand what it really costs to run your business. It so important to charge a realistic rate for the job to keep yourself afloat and doing what you like doing. Keep the videos coming and Happy New Year by the way!😁
Great video well thought out. As a PAYE worker I’ve always admired entrepreneurs who go it alone. My god this video shows that it’s not easy . I certainly don’t mind paying a good price for a skilled trade whose properly taxed, insured and skilled
Great advice Robbie. Charge/quote what you want to be paid not what you think, you would pay.
Value your worth, not everyone is after cheap or wants cheap. There are customers who value quality and reliability over cost.
With the cost of living going sky high, we all need to charge more.
All my prices will be going up 10 percent this year. A forty pound lawn will now be £44. If the customer values your work they will pay the extra £4. If not move on , there are plenty of quality customers out there.
All the best.👍🏻
Good topic and well explained.
I’m quite upfront with new clients, I tell them I charge a bit more than some, but I do very good work, I always communicate well and I’m reliable. Most accept this, those that don’t, you probably don’t want as clients in the long run. I can’t stress enough that you should always do a good job and leave the place tidy. You never hear of clients complaining about leaving their project too tidy!
Cheers Cliff
Great video Robbie. Really good explanation. All the behind the scenes hours adds up.
Useful breakdown of all the elements for ppl thinking of starting any small business.
Best quote in any self business is…..
IT TAKES $$$$$$ 💰💰To MAKE 💰💰💰💰money!!
Really top video Robbie.
Thank you so much for that.
double your money half your work, that's what someone said to me once, I think I am still a busy fool, but my problem is I don't want to be greedy. or start to be complacent. the year we are on now when finished will give me a proper idea of how I need to change my prices, I used to think £30 an hour was a lot, but its not, I do both hourly daily and set rates depending on the job. thanx for the good info
Very well explained. Something customers should watch too. Maybe they may understand things, it can be very frustrating at times 😔
Good Video, good Mony vor you 😁
Just starting up my own landscaping business in the next week or so and this video has been super helpful thank you!
You forgot to mention being your own boss is boss!!! Not being a slave for another..
Hi,
Why is it that customers ALWAYS ask a gardener how much they charge per hour? I can guarantee other tradesmen don't get asked this question.
Always charge by 'the job' and not by the hour.
Robbie, wise words indeed! I am a senior lecturer for a University . So my wages holidays sick pay all covered, however, i found this really interesting and the pressures that you guys have . price increases lost jobs, weather the list is endless! Well mate i would still give you a hand as a YTS, well OTS as older lol.
hi Robbie. great video i think you should charge more your work is A1 and it's not easy and your always on the go , you have expensive tools l do think you could with a bigger van something like long wheel ford transit where you can stand into and a lot of tools , Thanks from Patrick Jay in Co Clare
Great video showing the challenges of self employment. Most people severely undervalue their time and fail to understand the billable hours concept you set out so clearly here. Get Jobber looks really interesting. A few people I will be recommending it to. Thanks Robbie.
Brilliant video, i used to think the rates charged by some professional gardening providers were extortionate but this has really opened my eyes to the true costs and pressures that you or any other sole trader are under to keep a business going and turn a decent wage from it. Wishing you all the best with your business.
Respekt 🙏
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
Good upload I am self employed and know fine well to many of us are under charging including myself subbed👍
Good video keep it up
4 years in and I've made most of the mistakes you've highlighted in this video- hourly rates, charging too little. I struggle to make the maths work as many clients think even £20 is too expensive, often in the more affluent neighbourhoods too. I just raised prices for a weekly customer- they rejected it. I don't know whether to feel grateful for the consistent work, or leave them. They want me to continue at the original rate and use their lawnmower to save money!
No Notification again 🤷🏼♂️just Checking up your list and found it👍❤️
Hey" I got a question for ya, I'm planning on doing a circular lawn, and on the outside a flower border, here's my question, option A, My lawn and garden needs leveling, should I level the lawn and garden first and then make the circular lawn? , but I would be using a lot more top dressing. or option B, make the circle first and save a lot more top dressing ? , I want the very best results!!! and would be happy to use more top dressing if needed ? I'm so bloody confused 😂 what do I do ? Help
Yep. Clock watchers and time counters even when its a price job like for me today.
You have to be firm and stick to your guns with such people or theyll walk all over you.
I just tell them well thats the price i gave, you agreed to it and ive done the job and properly so if youre going to be negative about it I do have other customers waiting for me who do appreciate it. so I can do theirs instead if you want. Its no skin off my nose
I Saved a customer 100s on a price job today and they still gave a negative money miser attitude.. even when you explain the costs of things and how much theyve saved and done more compared to the other competition and that they couldnt do it for cheaper they still dont even say thanks.
Those sorts of customer never last long with anyone.
Low vibrational beings…
Excellent video!
I charged too little when I first setup in business.
I'm a Gardener and the Gardener in me tends to rule over the business man in me. Recently, I took on a large maintenance job. The Gardener in me just wanted to work on the garden because I could see the potential. It's currently my favourite garden to work on but I'll definitely need to put the price up.
I keep telling myself, be more disciplined!