Things to look out for when hiring a gardener

sdavis7501 · 31 Jan 2013 at 14:42

I am looking to hire a gardener to maintain my garden and was wondering if anyone has had any experiences (good or bad) with using gardeners that they might like to share?

Any advice on things I should look out for would definitely come in handy before I start getting quotes.

Also, I'm sure what would be classed as a reasonable rate. I would like someone to visit for probably 1 hour a week as my garden isn't overly large. How do gardeners charge? Is it an hourly rate or some form of fixed price contract?

It would be great to hear from more people who have had actual experience of hiring a gardener and to find out what has been good/bad about the service provided.

Any advice greatly appreciated

Thanks

Stephen

antijoke · 31 Jan 2013 at 14:44

Make sure they have green fingers.

{SAS}TB · 31 Jan 2013 at 14:44

What kind of Gardner? - Uphill ?

LOAM · 31 Jan 2013 at 14:44

Do you require one to work uphill ?

Edrof · 31 Jan 2013 at 14:45

I pay £15ph for mine (I think - could be £20). He's great - very hard working and quick. He does my lawn in about an hour and it needs cutting roughly every three to five weeks during the summer. Where are you based, by the way?

{SAS}TB · 31 Jan 2013 at 14:45

Lady garden Gardner ?

scorza · 31 Jan 2013 at 14:45

Randy Bumgardner?

eatcustard · 31 Jan 2013 at 14:50

Make sure they are Polish, as they are cheaper

apeksdiver · 31 Jan 2013 at 14:54

If his name is Mellors watch he doesn't **** your wife

Danthus · 31 Jan 2013 at 14:55

eatcustard said:
Make sure they are Polish, as they are cheaper

Hang on a few weeks and there will be a Bulgarian or Romanian offering to do it for less.

Nismo · 31 Jan 2013 at 14:56

Check they have a good selection of hoes.

{SAS}TB · 31 Jan 2013 at 14:57

Lock up your phones

tom_e · 31 Jan 2013 at 14:58

I have no input apart from strange first post!

Cosimo · 31 Jan 2013 at 15:02

~TB~ said:
Lock up your phones

Lock up the shed and your wife.

Cpukid · 31 Jan 2013 at 15:05

Do it yourself

EdGey · 31 Jan 2013 at 15:05

..and hide your husband cos they're gardening everything out here

antijoke · 31 Jan 2013 at 15:13

tom_e said:
I have no input apart from strange first post!

You've never heard the saying about having green fingers and being a keen gardener?

Cosimo · 31 Jan 2013 at 15:15

Just make sure he can tell the difference between grass and weed.

dannyjo22 · 31 Jan 2013 at 15:19

Make sure his name is Ted.

dannyjo22 · 31 Jan 2013 at 15:20

Edrof said:
I pay £15ph for mine (I think - could be £20). He's great - very hard working and quick. He does my lawn in about an hour and it needs cutting roughly every three to five weeks during the summer. Where are you based, by the way?

3 to 5 weeks in the summer! I need your grass. Mine needs cutting twice per week in the summer