Open Association of Landscape Industries
Is the credit crunch still affecting you?
prob everyones the opposite, but this year had a handfull of timewatser quotes , and havnt really got any new clients and lost about 7 after the winter due to people cutting back, some this is after keeping their gardens looked after for 3 years.! although i am due to start a fairly good job in 2 weeks , im stil keeping fairly busy 4/5 days a week but not packing out the hours..
phone doesnt seem to ring and when does seems more timewaster quick tidy up jobs which not really interested in, suppose havnt gone mad on adve rtising as comfortable enough work.
The adverts in window seem to attract penny pinhcers shall we say, what other forms of advertising should i try out, as got a good base of cleints that we are happy with each other and would like to expand a bit more and really have a helper as currently on own and if rain all week a big struggle to motivate myself!
Tags: recession
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John on -
We put up our prices this year to compensate for the increased cost
of running our business etc, and have been busy since the beginning of
January. We take that extra step to keep our existing customers happy,
but this just equates to using our skills to achieve a controlled environment
which prevents additional external contractors being called in.
Our landscaping/tree surgery/ garden design and garden maintenance skills
are now combined to help us get through this worldwide depression.
This has led to new recommendations and plenty of work.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by David Cox on -
We've had a similar situation, though of the 4 we've done like this, 3 are now regulars after 2 months of a man driving a Ford KA (yep a KA) doing their garden, and it quickly reverted to messy and "underwhelming".
We've held prices for 2 years now, and expect to do so for a third year - Putting things off like van replacement which is a pain - but helps keep the business in a strong position.
To keep margins healthy, investing in the right tools pays off - Honda and Makita 4-stroke strimmers and blowers have saved me about £60 in 2 stroke mix this season (I do alot of strimming on some sites), and about £100 on petrol compared to last year. Over the year I expect this to equate to a £600 saving. Mulching more lawns where it is appropriate saves time and allows more to be done in a day - better value for the customer and more jobs completed for us - So there are ways of using the recession to A) Learn how to be efficient and b) grow margins without hitting competitiveness.
Each to their own mind you!
Jenny@ A & J Owen Gardening said:We have been undercut big style this year. One charging half what we were - and our prices were a bit on the low side for the job in question. We're also finding that we're been asked to do more one off work to get gardens under control then they get someone cheap and cheerful to keep it under control....that's happened twice last month.
To do a very basic service, people are just using the tools they have and sticking them in the back of their car.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gardens4u.co.uk on -
its good getting work from smaller? jobs jenny , i get alot from jobs where i initially am just mowing/tidy ! :)
i always wondered about your business mix , but fair play to you ..
Jenny@ A & J Owen Gardening said:Hi Ian
Same here to be honest! Good start in March, first half of April rubbish - hope it improves.
We get most of our work from our window cleaning customers, and some from local directories.
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Permalink Reply by Colin Hunt on -
That's the name of the game I am afraid Jenny, getting a foot on the ladder is the easy part. Climbing the ladder to becoming a sustainable business takes time .........and for some, it never happens. Some will use you, pick your brains and that's the last you will hear from them. Others will stay loyal and become customers for life and it is these people that will become the foundation of your business - providing you look after them, of course!
Work generates work - loyal customers generate loyal customers and so on.
Jenny@ A & J Owen Gardening said:We have been undercut big style this year. One charging half what we were - and our prices were a bit on the low side for the job in question. We're also finding that we're been asked to do more one off work to get gardens under control then they get someone cheap and cheerful to keep it under control....that's happened twice last month.
To do a very basic service, people are just using the tools they have and sticking them in the back of their car.
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Permalink Reply by Fenlandphil on -
I think you have put your finger on it David keeping costs under control and sensible investment in equipment to lower your operating costs.
David Cox said:We've had a similar situation, though of the 4 we've done like this, 3 are now regulars after 2 months of a man driving a Ford KA (yep a KA) doing their garden, and it quickly reverted to messy and "underwhelming".
We've held prices for 2 years now, and expect to do so for a third year - Putting things off like van replacement which is a pain - but helps keep the business in a strong position.
To keep margins healthy, investing in the right tools pays off - Honda and Makita 4-stroke strimmers and blowers have saved me about £60 in 2 stroke mix this season (I do alot of strimming on some sites), and about £100 on petrol compared to last year. Over the year I expect this to equate to a £600 saving. Mulching more lawns where it is appropriate saves time and allows more to be done in a day - better value for the customer and more jobs completed for us - So there are ways of using the recession to A) Learn how to be efficient and b) grow margins without hitting competitiveness.
Each to their own mind you!
Jenny@ A & J Owen Gardening said:We have been undercut big style this year. One charging half what we were - and our prices were a bit on the low side for the job in question. We're also finding that we're been asked to do more one off work to get gardens under control then they get someone cheap and cheerful to keep it under control....that's happened twice last month.
To do a very basic service, people are just using the tools they have and sticking them in the back of their car.
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Permalink Reply by Fenlandphil on
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Ian, it is very difficult to stand away from your business and have a good overview when you are up to your eyes in "muck and bullets". Running a small is a difficult, time hungry and often lonely experience.
There is a lot of good useful advice on here, this site is a remarkable resource, people want to help, share experiences and anxious that you should avoid the pitfalls they have encountered.
I would suggest you get a clean sheet of paper and write down any suggestions you think may help you then reread them and identify the ones most relevant to what you feel is your situation. Then write a plan it will only be a guide not the last final word but as my old mate Brian used to say you will have something you can amend.
The most useful book I have read is Success in Recession by Richard Lomax
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on -
A very astute set of comments, Colin
Creating a sustainable business takes hard, constant work. It never stops. The pressure increases in recessionary times, BUT it does not mean you can not survive and/or grow if you find a niche offering.
Some can not grow or survive. They have no plan, vision or desire........
Some will not want to grow. They are happy running as is..........
Some will want to grow. They have a 'motivation'.........
If you fall into the last two categories, you only have to review comments on LJN over the last couple of years and you will see what I mean, along with picking up an immense and useful amount of information / help.
Colin Hunt said:That's the name of the game I am afraid Jenny, getting a foot on the ladder is the easy part. Climbing the ladder to becoming a sustainable business takes time .........and for some, it never happens. Some will use you, pick your brains and that's the last you will hear from them. Others will stay loyal and become customers for life and it is these people that will become the foundation of your business - providing you look after them, of course!
Work generates work - loyal customers generate loyal customers and so on.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by dom levy on -
Well funny as this sounds I have been busyish up until now. Where Ive quite simply ran out of work! until my next contract starts in July. awaiting a couple of quotations But for the last week ive been waiting for the phone to ring. Quoted about 50 jobs , 9 times out of 10 Found a cash trader cheaper or cannot afford your prices. Gets bit boring now explaining I run a business and will not do a cheaper price for cash!
Dom
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by David Cox on -
As keeps cropping up - especially if you are landscape based - you can get dry spells - but preparing for them is worth it - When I've had diary gaps in the past - ive gone out and leafleted 9am-5pm on each dead day. I have not done this for about 18 months now, but I have an unbooked day coming up in a fortnight, so may again (sods law something will overun now, alas).
Perhaps get 1000 leaflets for fence repairs or just full on listing your product offer done up - hit the streets, you may get one call, you may get 5. You may get a call 2 years time from them (I got one call this year from a leaflet done in 2010). Sowing the seeds for future growth and all that - BUT DO NOT WAIT FOR THE PHONE TO RING. Waiting? dont wait, go stir up abit of interest, remind the world your there.
And as with all these dry spells, sooner or later someone will ring and youl find your rushed off your feet again come July. Just how it is.
dom levy said:Well funny as this sounds I have been busyish up until now. Where Ive quite simply ran out of work! until my next contract starts in July. awaiting a couple of quotations But for the last week ive been waiting for the phone to ring. Quoted about 50 jobs , 9 times out of 10 Found a cash trader cheaper or cannot afford your prices. Gets bit boring now explaining I run a business and will not do a cheaper price for cash!
Dom
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Permalink Reply by Busy Bee Garden Services Limited on -
Thats how we have grown our business really people who don't want a chop back once a year but a regular garden service by as you put it "real gardeners" we have found the phone has not rung as much this year but of course we have chosen to cut back on advertising this year due to being quite regularly booked out because of one big job that came our way last year.
The Winchester Gardener said:I put my prices up this year (First time in 3 years) and am fully booked with lots of enquiries still coming in. From my discussions with clients, they are looking to have a 'real' gardener who knows the plants, soils, pest & diseases etc. and can get on with maintaining their gardens without direction.
I have said to people that there seems to be a lot more cheap competition around now, and they reply that they are not interested! When I look at a potential garden for the first time, I always make a point of identifying all the plants and pointing out any problems I see - this shows people I know what I'm talking about! As the old saying goes - "You get what you pay for..."
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Marc ~ Pro-Cut on -
For me, I have never been busier and there seems to be no shortage of money in my area.
To date apart from the weather this has been by far my best spring ever and the phone never stops ringing. In fact I have had to turn down several jobs recently which is an absolute crime but there are simply not enough hours in the day.
I have considered taking on some employees but that is easier said than done.
The only down side for me is the high cost of fuel as i'm going through a whole jerry can once a week. It makes a serious dent in my wallet.
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Permalink Reply by Ian Parkes on -
thks for all ur replies i have regualr clients over the 2 weeks and had a few referrals ive had from word of mouth so busy every day the week, but still get people ringing wanting the going rate which they think is 8-10 pound an hour, and i turn up and grass is knee length and bushes and weeds galore, kinda turnaway and run a mile.. firstly probably put my back out or brake my nice expensive mower! lucky im too busy with regulars and even doing extra hours as the gardens have just growing like mad at the moment. Got to thik of new advertising methods as attracting the wrong type of customers though thats if i want more work....
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