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What to look for when you’re hiring a Gardener

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Alex, Staff Writer

Friday, 19 March 2021

There aren’t many people who don’t love spending time in their garden. But when you’ve got a busy life, it can be hard to find the time to really look after your garden and it can quickly begin to look tired.

The perfect solution is to hire a local gardener. After all, they’re the experts in their field. But what should you look for when you’re hiring a gardener?

We’ve put together our top tips to help you choose the right local gardener.

What do you need from your Gardener?

The first thing that you need to establish is what you’re looking for in a gardener. This will depend on what you want them to achieve.

Are you looking for a stunning garden that will be the envy of your neighbours, or would you prefer a tidy garden which requires minimal maintenance?

The type of gardener you require will depend on what you’re looking for. Do you need someone to take your garden to the next level and create something really impressive or just someone to save you a bit of time?

What questions should you ask a Gardener?

Different gardeners have different expertise so it’s important to ask the right questions. Some are highly experienced with lawns whilst others may be fantastic with flowerbeds. You need to make sure you’re hiring the right gardener for your needs.

Be sure to ask gardeners about their experience and qualifications to find out what they enjoy and where their expertise lies.

You’ll also need to ask gardeners about their availability. Some gardeners will prefer to work with long-term customers who are looking for regular maintenance work whilst others will prefer larger short-term projects.

It’s also a good idea to ask if the gardener will be bringing their own tools. If they use your tools and work regularly at a set time, this can legally cross over into being an employer/employee relationship, rather than them being a contractor providing you with a service. This would mean that you would be liable for any injuries that happen whilst they’re working, as well as taking on other legal responsibilities as an employer.

What qualifications should a Gardener have?

There are many different qualification schemes for gardeners including NVQ, HND, NPTC, RHS and Lantra. A gardener who has one of these qualifications is likely to see gardening as their long-term career.

However, experience is equally, if not more, important when it comes to gardening. There is much more to gardening than a piece of paper. You are looking for someone with an eye for detail, a talent for gardening as well as being both honest and reliable.

You should look for a gardener who has plenty of experience in projects similar to yours, with the references to back it up. Any professional gardener will be happy to provide you with a written testimonial of a previous client. Find out how much Gardeners cost.

What insurance should a gardener have?

Professional gardeners should hold public liability insurance. This will cover any damage that could occur whilst they’re on your property. You might also want to ask for evidence of a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check to rule out any criminal history.

To sum up

Hiring a local gardener is a great way to save yourself time and keep your garden looking great all year round. By asking the right questions and doing the right checks, you can make sure that you choose the right gardener for your project.

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