Start-up - Need advice and iformation on starting u

[GB_Groundworks]

Pablo's posts make me so decided I don't want to be part of this forum anymore.... then along comes an amazing well thought out small essay from LSP. Truly inspiring. I've changed my mind.

have you been at the port again suggers or something stronger?

[local patios and driveway]

Good point LPAD, a few years ago, when i was in my teens i financed everything i own went mad on credit cards etc, live within your means and you wont go far wrong, i carry a fair chunk of debt now, its always diminishing though, but if you can avoid it. Credit cards are evil bastards.

Which reminds me...

Dont borrow money, save it up. And spend your money on tools, dont buy cheap tools either, my wacker plate was 150 on ebay its used weekly, and my customers pay for me to use it on day rates with the plant. Stihl saw is the same etc.

YOU CANT BEAT HAVING THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB!

[dig dug dan]

no ones mentioned the licences and insurances you have to have yet??:(

[GB_Groundworks]

you definitely need public liabilty and if you have lads working for you like contractors all risk, what license would he need ddd? chainsaw maybe? but sounds like he'll be doing more grass cutting etc, hedge trimming, Dan what do you charge for your bulk mowing, noticed on your board last set of pics you posted i charge £10 an acre to top or flail horrible stuff with a big 7ft topper or flail.

[digerjones]

i carry a fair chunk of debt now, its always diminishing though,

this would worry the hell out of me, but i am of the, if i dont have the money i dont have it. the only dept i have is 20G on my house. but i supose sometimes you need to speculate to acculminate.

[DNgroundworks]

Me giles?

[DNgroundworks]

Digerjones, it was either i borrowed money on credit cards, overdrafts etc to stay afloat, or i went out of business. This time last year i had nearly £40000.00 in various different borrowings bank/hp finance/credit card/overdraft/suppliers now its more near half that. It used to worry me, but not anymore, doesnt phase me borrowing as long as its covered and borrowed for a reason, all is ok, the only worry is keeping busy.


Get yourself a package deal, public liabilty, personal, hired in plant, own tools, employers, vehicle - i think jcb do a tailored package where a rep will come out and see you. Im going to use them when i renew next year, see what sort of finance options they have to.

Oh and a waste carriers licence, there catching more and more people nowadays.

[local patios and driveway]

Dont forget an operators license and a tacho if you want a trailer. 4k should cover it.

[digerjones]

is that 40K 400K or 4K.
waste carriers licence,, i've got 1. in my area now they have said you need a licence to carry scrap. so now i have 1 of them as well, no charge

[DNgroundworks]

40k digerjones, accountants dont seem to bothered neither do the bank, and im always in credit nowadays, so all seems fine, but i am making a concerted effort to remove the burden.

Something else, i thought you guys might be interested in, Apparently according to my accountant i can run a vat registered limited company operating as a specialist plant hire or civils setup whilst still keeping my sole tradership non vat registered paving company, thus keeping my private customers and claiming the vat back on select items that get put through the ltd company, anyone here that operates this way? Seems mad that HMRC would allow it?

[GB_Groundworks]

Me giles?

no dig dug dan

[DNgroundworks]

Sorry Giles mis-read your question

[dig dug dan]

Dan what do you charge for your bulk mowing

depends on the job. I just came to the end of a three year contract for grass cutting with a local parish council, and had to price per cut of each area. Some was triple mowing, some flail, some rotary. Cannot say prices at the moment, as tendering for it again (you never know who reads these posts!)
but, i also do some domestic "fields" one is a semi orchard, which takes me an hour. I charge £40 per cut (thats every two weeks)
i do a burial ground half the size, and charge the same, as there is strimming and graves to go round. as its a new burial ground, there are not many graves at the moment.

what licences?
Chainsaw,
waste carriers
strimmer
spraying (p1 and p6)

Then theres risk assessment forms that some companies insist on before you can tender

[DMcLandscapes]

Thanks for the advice lads it is good to see that there are people out there willing the pass on some advice so thanks again. is their anyone who could give me a bit of advice on getting customers for my landscape garden maintains business and could someone explain how comers al contracts work I.e how do u aproch them any advice would be grate i am also looking to find someone who has started up a gardening or landscape company who would be willing to trade a few emails on how they started just to I gain a insight to what it take and what to expect.

[Carberry]

just to I gain a insight to what it take and what to expect.

Long hours, going home every night sore all over. Very little reward... at least until you get a regular run, then you get a little reward :p