Open Association of Landscape Industries
Where is the work?
I run a garden design and landscaping business. Has anyone else found that work has just vanished? I am reasonably qualified, experienced and have been recommended in the past.
I have all sorts of referrall systems set up, I am advertising int he right places, I send out press releases etc. But everything has just dried up.
It seemed to start last autumn. I had 5 design jobs in quick succession. Not a single one has yet turned into a landscaping project (which is unheard of for me over the past 7-8 years), although in one case it was because the client died. Only one design is now outstanding. I have not had a new design and build project since September. And now work of any kind since November.
Am I doing something wrong or is it time to get out of the industry?
Or is it time to move to a less sparsely populated area (I live in reasonably affluent countryside on the border of Wiltshire and Dorset)?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Robert Kennett on -
North Wiltshire has some large residential conurbations as well as wealthy towns e.g. Chippenham, Melksham, Marlborough. Are you finding the type of work has changed? E.g. are people asking for more simple gardens, less expensive paving? Do you do professional garden design as well - if so, is this also as busy as ever?
Gary @ Acer Paving & Landscaping said:I live in North Wiltshire and we are stacked out with work. I was just about to add a discussion on a related topic
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Permalink Reply by Robert Kennett on
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I have been offering maintenance since last year. I have also been trying to get back into the PR I used to do, though after 10 years out of it it's hard. And when you're 46 people start to wonder whether you are really hireable at all.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gardens4u.co.uk on -
how is your image ? clean vehicle ?
do you give a bs card ? shake hands ?
are you quoting competitively Robert ? what is your cpompetition . are they flyering ?
im interested to know too . its quiet here again , but ive had 2 jobs
and regulars to attend so im scraping by ........... just..
rob http://www.gardens4u.co.uk
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Chris Auld on -
Its strange you should say that as this is the busiest ive ever been in January, and its almost all landscaping work (fences, gates, patios, etc.) Maybe you should focus on smaller, more affordable jobs rather than full design and builds.
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Permalink Reply by Robert Kennett on
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I would but for the fact I'm a garden designer. I only sub-contract the landscaping. Maintenance is the only 'small' job I can take on, though garden design is so badly paid it can also fit into this category.
Chris Auld said:Its strange you should say that as this is the busiest ive ever been in January, and its almost all landscaping work (fences, gates, patios, etc.) Maybe you should focus on smaller, more affordable jobs rather than full design and builds.
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Permalink Reply by Keith Barker on -
Out of interest, how many design queries do you normally get during the period Nov-Jan?
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Permalink Reply by Robert Kennett on
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Nil.
Over the past 12 months I have got around 4 or 5 design jobs that weren't through friends or friends recommendation.
Keith Barker said:Out of interest, how many design queries do you normally get during the period Nov-Jan?
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Permalink Reply by Brigitt Stevenson on -
Hello Robert, I'm with Gaynor on this one, not sure how you are pricing,but with that being said, as I see it if a Designer only designs, with not many subcontractors, who will do the work???
I love the Creative side to Designing, but then when I actually get my hands dirty with soil and dusty with stone, and am able to actually look at my TOTAL Creation, that gives one a Complete Satisfaction..
Visiually seeing your Design at it's Mature State as a Blueprint is Great, but physically completing your Design with your own to hands, is Amazing !!!
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Permalink Reply by Robert Kennett on
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I wasn't for a minute suggesting I get paid the same hourly rate for designing. The two are incomparable. However, I live in a very rural area and the level of design enquiries is not great. The reason I stick to just designing is to ensure I am a master of one not a jack of all trades. I have in the past contributed to the landscaping but to me there is no such thing as someone who is a good all-rounder in this field. Having said that I do keep a hand in with maintenance and I sell plants as this helps top up the plant knowledge.
Brigitt Stevenson said:Hello Robert, I'm with Gaynor on this one, not sure how you are pricing,but with that being said, as I see it if a Designer only designs, with not many subcontractors, who will do the work???
I love the Creative side to Designing, but then when I actually get my hands dirty with soil and dusty with stone, and am able to actually look at my TOTAL Creation, that gives one a Complete Satisfaction..
Visiually seeing your Design at it's Mature State as a Blueprint is Great, but physically completing your Design with your own to hands, is Amazing !!!
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Permalink Reply by Robert Kennett on
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No design work is paid better than maintenance but is not as frequent. I hate to say it - and it is NOT directed at you - but I really believe the industry should be doing much more to increase consumer awareness and understanding of proper, qualified, experienced garden design rather than second-income ladies playing with pretty flowers or landscapers toying with bits of paper to show where the patio goes. Sorry, had to get that one out.
I do work with a landscape team - and they have four Chelsea medals to their name. But little work at the moment... And we do refer each other work. I have referred four jobs for pricing recently with a total value of over £90k, but not a single one has come off (for various reasons including one client death). This may be bad luck, or perhaps I live in a poorer area that I think.
I start to regret starting this thread because of the way I think I am being misunderstood, although I appreciate everyone's concern and efforts to help. I might have just been having a moan about lots of bad luck.
Gaynor Witchard said:Hi Robert
You say design work is 'so badly paid' and on a par with garden maintenance? Do you mean you charge the same for maintaining a garden as designing one? The two require completely different disciplines and thought processes.
I would need to know more about how you operate your business before commenting, but from these statements it seems like you treat them the same. If that is correct, then it is not difficult to see why you are not getting design work.
For want of a better words, I also 'sub contract' landscaping work to trusted landscapers - but we work together as a team and pass each other leads. We have a very good working relationship and trust each other to come up with the goods. Maybe you need to take a step back and review how you are working?
Robert Kennett said:I would but for the fact I'm a garden designer. I only sub-contract the landscaping. Maintenance is the only 'small' job I can take on, though garden design is so badly paid it can also fit into this category.
Chris Auld said:Its strange you should say that as this is the busiest ive ever been in January, and its almost all landscaping work (fences, gates, patios, etc.) Maybe you should focus on smaller, more affordable jobs rather than full design and builds.
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Permalink Reply by T & S Plants on
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Hi Robert,
Sorry to hear that you are having a rough time of it.
We are based in Piddletrenthide, and although a Wholesale Nursery, we positively encourage local Landscapers and Designers to display their Business Card/leaflet at our Nursery, free of charge.
When we did this in Surrey, we had many "retail bods" wandering into our Nursery, and we would hand them a Business Card of a locally based Garden Designer or Landscaper to deal with. Not only this, local maintenance companies sometimes need a local design and build company. In life, it's all about networking.
This service is free of charge, no commision, nothing.
If we can be of help, please get in touch
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Permalink Reply by Rob Glassborow on -
£15 minus 35% for tax, minus say £1 for insurance at approx £350 pa, less vehicle insurance at say £350 pa, another £1 a day. Well that equals £7.75 youve earnt. No thought for tools, overheads, profit (yes profit), or in the instance that you may have snapped a fork/spade. In that case you would be paying them to put their trees in. Im not surprised they were delighted, they were expecting at least £60.
Andrew Bentley said:Hi Robert.
For gardening I mostly look to do maintenance work, as this is only part of the work I want to do. But even so, I only have one customer with a 6 acre garden that I visit 2 times a week all year. At this time of year my total hours are no more than 6 - 12 per week (It sure doesn't make a living!). I have a half decent website (www.winchestergardener.co.uk) and have succumbed to having a facebook page to try and drum up work, but have had no enquiries for approx. 12 months! I am no salesman, and I get told that this is the problem. If you want your own business you have to be prepared to sell.......
Also I probably need to confess here about being wrong in working at an hourly rate for this type of work. A friend of my wifes' asked me to plant trees for her, which I did this morning. The work was to clear some ground on a boundary (Last years nettles, ivy, bindweed), dig the holes, put in stakes for 2 of the trees, remove the trees' root balls from their hessian sacking and wire, plant them, backfill the soil, tie to stakes and mulch. This was for 4 trees - a Laurel, Hornbeam and 2 conifers - all approx. 6 to 8ft high. I managed to get this done in just under 1 hour, so could only charge her £15! She was delighted and said she thought it would cost 3 or 4 times that price to do the work...... So there is a lot to be said for charging the right amount for whatever work you do have!!
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