Gardening services
Introduction
So you've decided you want to run a garden services business. Maybe you've recently completed a relevant training course, or perhaps you want to pursue a profession that gives you more flexibility and an outdoor lifestyle. Whatever the reason, this guide will take you through the issues you need to consider and give you practical pointers on getting started.
Sector trends
Recent years have seen a steady increase in interest in gardening matters, for a number of reasons:
- gardening has become one of the most popular leisure activities and enjoys widespread coverage on TV and the radio, in magazines and newspapers
- people want their gardens to be stylish places in which to relax
- for much of the 2000s the housing market has been healthy, with many new properties being built
- consumers have enjoyed increases in personal disposable income
As a result many people have a keen interest in how their garden looks and, if they are too busy or are physically unable to do the necessary work themselves, are prepared to buy in garden services of one sort or another.
However, you should be aware that:
- the sector is competitive, with many new businesses springing up when demand is strong
- in times of economic downturn, consumers cut back on their spending on non-essential things such as garden services - for example, government figures show that consumer expenditure on gardens, plants and flowers fell in the final quarter of 2008 and first three quarters of 2009 as a result of the economic slowdown
1.1 Quality
Unfortunately the gardening and landscaping trades have been plagued by the activities of unscrupulous 'cowboys'. Anyone can set up a garden services business - cowboy operatives generally have no qualifications and limited experience. Many deliberately rip off their customers.
A number of initiatives have been launched by both trade bodies and the government with the aim of educating customers and stamping out the cowboys. For example, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) sponsored TrustMark scheme covers garden landscaping businesses and helps consumers to find reliable and trustworthy trades-people.
The British Association of Landscape Industries represents the interests of landscape gardeners. Members must comply with a strict Code of Practice and undergo a rigorous assessment.
The Landscape Institute produces a wealth of information for those working in the industry including careers advice. Landscape Design is the professional journal of the Institute. The Joint Council for Landscape Industries produces several publications, including Helios, a CD-ROM giving details of 1,800 plants listed by the Council for landscape planting.
The Institute of Horticulture (IoH) represents the interests of all those professionally engaged in horticultural activities and can be contacted at Capel Manor College, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 4RQ.
The Horticultural Trades Association offers members a range of services.
The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) is a specialist group within the HTA and is a national trade association for landscapers. All members of the APL are TrustMark accredited.
