A quick trip to your garden and we can discuss your requirements, expectations and budget. I don't charge for quotes
If I quote for a day's work but finish to your satisfaction, I don't pad the day. I only charge for work that needs doing
I am Katy, a sole trader. I did go down the route of employing others, but it proved hard to maintain quality control
I'm easy to contact and check my email every day, several times a day, so you need never feel out of touch if something comes up. A lot of my clients like to email me about certain jobs they think need attention and that's great for us all
I'm honest - if I'm not totally sure how to proceed on a particular plant, I'll look it up
I'm neighbour and pet friendly - that means you can trust me to maintain happy relations with both
I'm no jobsworth - I don't get offended if I am asked to do something that is not strictly to do with plants. In the past this has included painting a shed with ecosote and dismantling a very large trampoline. Anything that gets your garden looking beautiful
I'm mostly waterproof - rain won't stop play, unless I'm likely to get washed away. As a guide, I didn't have to cancel last year except when the snow was at its worse. Rain rarely lasts all day, but if it is looking really bad, I'll give you a ring and reschedule for a near date
Depending on the travelling distance, I can always pop over for an hour or two to do a particular job that you want done in double-quick time, and do work Saturdays and Sundays when required
I don't say I can do something when I can't. I am lucky to have some great specialist contacts such as pest control, tree surgeons and patio experts who I will liaise with
In some circumstances I can take away waste to the tip, but generally it either goes in the brown bin, on the compost or on a pile for me to burn off at your convenience
I don't overtax your kettle. Having people working at your home can sometimes feel like work itself, so that is why I bring my own drinks and food. I don't tend to take lunch hours - and if I had to for some reason - you don't pay for me to eat my sandwiches!
If you are not going to be home and I can get access, I can be left to get on with it. I make it a practice to take a picture when I arrive that shows the current state (and time) and then one at the end. That way you can be sure you are not paying for me to drink tea!
In fact I have several clients, both regular and one-offs, who are not home for months on end, so they can see progress, discuss planting etc via email without any trouble at all. I also make sure that the neighbours get to know me, so they can be sure you are not being burgled!
My worst habit is I am generally early! And I'm not great with heights. My best? I don't impose my views on my clients - I can offer advice but ultimately, I'm there to do what YOU want.
Generally I work 9 to 4, but this is not set in stone, it's just so I can get my dogs walked in the evening!
I usually have all the tools I need with me, but if there is something specialised, I can organise a hire
I often get asked if I weed, which is an odd question, but apparently there are gardeners out there who have jobs they just don’t like. I’m here to follow your instructions, it’s your garden, not mine, so yes, weeding, hoeing, mowing, edging, picking up leaves, clearing paths, pruning and planting are the usual suspects
I don't discount for 'cash' jobs. I know this is a widespread practice, but everything is invoiced and goes in the ledger for Mr HM Revenue to inspect at his leisure
You can of course pay by cash, but it all gets logged, so cheques or direct transfers are preferred. (I spend it less quickly that way!)
I invoice after the job - I will only ever ask for money upfront if I have agreed to purchase something on your behalf and it is a large amount. This will also show on the final invoice
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