Open Association of Landscape Industries
levelling the uneven playing field
Good Companies cost money to run as they invest in correct image, marketing,insurance, training,staff, tools etc. The most disappointing aspect of landscape construction is the ability of the unskilled/unqualified individual/firm to under price the market rate, looking for and achieving a quick buck. I had hoped by now that a government would have addressed the uneven business playing field. In my opinion, it should be no trade body membership or Company registration - no trading. The onus on the customer to make sure they are employing suitable firms or they are breaking the law. What would this cost to set up, not alot & everyones a winner except the rogues. A stipuation would be joining the register, and a qualifying point could be that each firm takes on a young apprentice each year, or is able to keep the same one for a maximum of 3 years until they gain experience. This would help young people enter the market & would be a vote winner amongst the young.
I can prove how uneven the playing field is. I used to be a member of a national paving scheme, infact one of the founding members. I gave it up 3 years ago as the credibility I was looking for by being a member was not there any more in my opinion. They recently recognised the way the scheme had become less professional & decided to make it a qualifying criteria that you had to be VAT registered to be a member. The result in my county - everyone was removed from the scheme. I do not believe you can be an established business and not be VAT registered, the turnover is too small.Think of all those "firms" that have been competing against you, taking work off you on the basis that they are automatically 20% cheaper. It angers me that you are penalised by the system while trying to do the right thing. Its about time governments protected the consumer & businesses by putting correct legislation in place. Anything these forum sites can do to assist this is a good thing in my book.
Duncan Ross www.gardendesignco.com twitter gardendesigncom
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Colin Hunt on -
What a lovely world it would be if we could just go out, chunter along and earn what we think we deserve. Unfortunately it’s not like that and we are where we are. It is the public who determine the rates you or I can obtain. I have always (for 35years) been VAT registered and yes it is a pain, but it focuses the mind - you just HAVE to become (a word used many times above) professional or you sink. At the risk of repeating myself, a lot of our work CAN be carried out by anyone with a mower, hoe, spade and trailer hitched to the family car and maybe that’s what a lot on here will be doing to top up their pensions in years to come!
As for a ‘cross the board’ 10% VAT rate – great idea, but what makes you think that would put an end to the ‘jobs for cash’ culture. What we need is a far more hands on HMRC – instead of sitting in their cosy offices, sending out endless forms and directives, every town needs a team to inspectors on the road who get to know their ‘patch’ and know the legit guys – then watch the others run……………but then I wake up!!!
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Permalink Reply by Richard Thornton on -
Thats the way it used to be done by C&E before the Revenue took over - but cost had to be cut!
Colin Hunt said:What we need is a far more hands on HMRC – instead of sitting in their cosy offices, sending out endless forms and directives, every town needs a team to inspectors on the road who get to know their ‘patch’ and know the legit guys – then watch the others run……………but then I wake up!!!
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Permalink Reply by Colin Hunt on
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..at our cost?
Richard Thornton said:Thats the way it used to be done by C&E before the Revenue took over - but cost had to be cut!
Colin Hunt said:What we need is a far more hands on HMRC – instead of sitting in their cosy offices, sending out endless forms and directives, every town needs a team to inspectors on the road who get to know their ‘patch’ and know the legit guys – then watch the others run……………but then I wake up!!!
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