Gardener - general setting up question

[My Angel Pie]

Hi, a pal of mine wants to run a small gardening business, you know mowing, general tidying, fence paint/spraying, weeding etc etc. what would be a typical hourly rate for 1 or 2 men? Would love to hear from anyother gardeners on their 'setting up' do's and don'ts, likewise, for those who employ gardeners, what do you ask them to do, what do you pay etc.

all advice greatfully recieved. TIA

[mdunn@sharpr]

Hi, My brother in Law does gardening at weekends for people and he charges �7.50ph this is quite cheap as I know of other who charge upto �10.50. However he does much of his work for elderly people so it is all on-going work. He does everything you could ask really that is to do with a garden and always with new customers goes to see the garden first to check how big the job would be give any suggestions and prices it from there but I would always stick to an hourly rate just incase a job ends up being bigger than you thought you do not want to end up with nothing to show for all your hard work!

[My Angel Pie]

thanks Mdunn, very helpful. most appreciated