Mike737 Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 Okay, so I visited my parents today, who live a considerable distance from me. They are 90 and 91 years young. During conversation, they let slip that they have taken on a 'gardener', at £13.00 per hour. Neither I nor my wife could actually see any change in the garden from when we last visited. Sadly, we live too far from them to be able to look after the garden, but this seems a bit steep to me. Any thoughts on what a gardener should rightfully be paid? This is a modest sized garden around a bungalow. Thanks, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 around here and in norwich it is £15.00/hr............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 What part of the country ? rates start at £15 per hour in the South Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 It's on par or slightly cheap for a contracted grounds worker. Have a look for a local handiman who wants a bit of pocket money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuffy Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 What's wrong with paying someone £13 a hour for manual work ?? Are you suggesting menial tasks should be performed for a pittance ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 I'd have thought that a fair rate for someone to turn up for not many hours work maybe once a month or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 Can't you get some local recommendations for retired gent's or ladies that do a little gardening work. Far better for your parents too, folk of a similar age etc. Ask the local vicar for example, just a thought, or a local shooter who needs a bit of extra money. You'll not be let down or robbed by him for fear of you reporting him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 Probably a bit cheap when travel time and fuel is factored in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet1747 Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 I once had a price off 50 quid an hour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 Mike - I might be wrong - forgive me if I am - is your concern the hourly rate or that someone might be charging an elderly couple £13 an hour and doing very little. My late mother fell victim to someone telling her that her roof needed a minor repair and her patio needed re-laying. He got quite a few hundred pounds, which was all subsequently recovered, when the work was properly examined. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollieollie Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 Sounds cheap, less tax and fuel we're in the region of £9.50 per hour. What about when he needs a new mower, hedge trimmer or strimmer, could easily wipe out a couple of weeks wages at that rate! This question is often raised but they are self employed and costs have to be factored in... What kind of work and how much is being done whilst they are there is another matter, this is what you need to find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wb123 Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 Seems suspiciously cheap, but then my grandmothers gardener probably comes close to that when you look at just how much he does for his day rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet1747 Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 Think one thing you should ask your self is does he charge any were near what you earn an hour Not being funny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 I think if he does nothing it steep if he works very fair price (slightly cheap) my folks have a great lad does most things needs a little direction keeps dad happy. Has a 15 min coffee and natter highlight of there Thursday well worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 welshwarrior - therein lies the truth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 My concern would be if he is actually doing anything for his money, not the amount, How long since you last visited? You say nothing has changed but if it's been a while then something must have been done, How much does he actually charge? Yes it's £13 per hour but how many hours? How many times a month does he visit? Before anyone can say if they are being ripped off we would need more info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 Hence my thoughts on a retired chap or chap'ess. Just think an old chap nothing to do, just after a little gardening job and a little company, and something to get out of bed for. Best people for that kind of work, hey they may even become bloody good friends, it happens very often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 I once had a price off 50 quid an hour they were taking the p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 Its £15 per hour round here and at this time of year it can be difficult to see what they have done. No lawns to mow, no borders to weed, just some pruning and leaf sweeping. Do they have a neighbour you can have a word with ? Ask if they have seen the gardener, or do they know him/her ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Me matt Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 I run a landscape construction & maintenance company, as already said- the hourly rate isn't bad- I charge £15 to £20 it varies from residential to commercial/industrial. This time of year a lot of what we do goes un noticed, if your that worried draw up a schedule for the guy, if your parents are keen gardeners they'll know what he has or hasn't done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 Do you now there neighbours to speak to if you do you could ask them to keep an eye out and let you now if the guy is doing a good job or taking advantage of them if you do not get to see there garden that often then you will not now if the guy is doing a good job or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaxiDriver Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 Another one who thinks manual labourers should travel, buy tools and work for next to nothing. Of course, If the worry is What is or How much is he doing for his money ? Then fair enough, get his number off the parents and have a chat with him and raise any concerns ? My mother couldn't find a gardener for about 18 months as they're all to busy, She expected to pay between £6 - £7 per hour (well, she is 84 and watertight) for a couple of hours a week. Realistically, she's paying £18 an hour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 You could install Security cameras you can access via mobile phone or computer. You can then see whats happening around your parents property. Other door knockers will be less keen to take advantage if they think they're being recorded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted December 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Think one thing you should ask your self is does he charge any were near what you earn an hour Not being funny He is probably getting more than I earn an hour! I am self-employed, and if I divided my drawings by the hours I put in... But my business unit costs me over a grand a month in rent and rates, plus electric, gas and water. He is turning up in a van, doing goodness knows what, for several hours a week. They have no lawn, its all heather-beds and shrubs, with a few raspberry canes and small fruit trees. A couple of hedges to trim now and then. Also not being funny. Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted December 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Mike - I might be wrong - forgive me if I am - is your concern the hourly rate or that someone might be charging an elderly couple £13 an hour and doing very little. My late mother fell victim to someone telling her that her roof needed a minor repair and her patio needed re-laying. He got quite a few hundred pounds, which was all subsequently recovered, when the work was properly examined. That's more or less hit the nail on the head Gordon! I shall monitor the improvements to the garden carefully. I looked up what the 'Living Wage' was, and it is currently £7.20 per hour, rising to £7.50 next year, for someone 25 or over. I was concerned that he was charging near to double what the L.W. was. I definitely would expect him to charge more than that, because, as people rightly say, he has his expenses. But for their garden he needs nothing more than a hedge-cutter, spade, fork, rake and brush. Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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