The Landscape Library

The Importance of Landscape Contract Terms and Conditions

Luke Sargent — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 13:52:42 +0000

As much as paperwork may feel like a nuisance, it is crucial that all landscaping, garden design or landscape maintenance projects are supported by a written agreement that includes clear terms and conditions. A terms and conditions document is a legal agreement that clarifies exactly what is expected from the contractor and the client. Its ... Read more

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The Pros and Cons Of Outsourcing Gardens Labour

Alan Sargent — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:33:57 +0000

As a Gardens Consultant, working in the Private sector i.e. Non-Local Authority, my work takes me to many different types of garden, including large Estates in the hands of Private Families, and a range of Amenity estates and complexes that are managed by Agents or Commercial owners, including Hotels and similar properties. Whilst much of ... Read more

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Professional Non-Payers

Alan Sargent — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:31:48 +0000

‘I usually follow my instincts when dealing with potential customers. I have one enquiry from a property owner living at a very exclusive development concerning cutting an established beech hedge. The house is on an expensive gated estate, and I would like to get more work from the various owners. However, my concern is that ... Read more

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Improving Efficiency and Increasing Income

Alan Sargent — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:30:41 +0000

‘I run a two man maintenance business, mainly grass and hedge cutting. I feel I want to improve my efficiency by investing in new equipment, but find it difficult to reconcile the costs with increased productivity. I am sure we will be faster and more proficient – yet at the same time carrying out the ... Read more

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Staff Training

Alan Sargent — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:29:22 +0000

‘I am a Head Gardener with a staff of seven full time and three part time but regular gardeners. Although I have a generous amount of money allocated each year for training, I confess to having difficulty in either finding suitable courses, both in terms of suiting my workforce and the needs of the Estate. ... Read more

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Unhelpful Co-Workers

Alan Sargent — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:28:18 +0000

‘I am a self – employed gardener, and have recently been commissioned to work at a large house in the country, where the previous sole gardener used to maintain the grounds. The only other outdoor worker is a handyman – cum – general labourer. I am expected to look after the whole garden in two ... Read more

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Expanding Your Horizons

Alan Sargent — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:26:37 +0000

‘I feel I have reached saturation point in my local area, having landscaped many gardens over the past fifteen years. I am pretty well known locally, and now wish to look for new markets further afield. I work mainly in villages, and would like to try to attract more prestigious work in larger towns. How ... Read more

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Neglectful Customers

Alan Sargent — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:25:28 +0000

‘I run a small firm, previously providing a garden maintenance business, but have gradually expanded my offer into design and build projects. Whilst I am comfortable in this transition, I am becoming frustrated by seeing my work being neglected by clients. Some seem unable to realise that plants need correct pruning and maintenance to achieve ... Read more

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Working With Main Contractors

Alan Sargent — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:24:05 +0000

‘I run a small to medium sized landscape company, and feel quite capable at coping with most situations. As my project size has grown, so too have the problems! Some appear to be beyond my control, and these are very frustrating. Particularly difficult are those schemes where we are employed by a Construction Company (acting ... Read more

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When A Head Gardener Is Lost…

Alan Sargent — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:22:56 +0000

‘I have become increasingly aware of a worrying phenomenon within the realms of Senior and Head Gardeners, employed in a variety of different ‘Estates’ with other departments sharing the work of maintaining the grounds.’ During the past three years or so, what at first appeared to me to be a fairly unusual set of circumstances ... Read more

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