Setting up Landscaping & Gardening business

Finance, Taxes, Banking, Insurance and Retirement
1
Hi all,

I am moving to Geneva soon and as I am qualified gardener and landscaper i was looking into setting up on my own when I arrived.

Anyone got any ideas if there is a demand for my services and any tips for getting going in Switzerland?

Many thanks in advance,

Chris

2
Hi Chris

I think there will be a demand if you are good and reasonably priced, certainly up here in Valais, lots of ex-pats talk about such things, who they use and can trust to do a good job and not get charged massively. There is competition so you'll have to overcome that and the language barriers (if any) and word should spread.

Assuming too that you have (ir can have) all the permits in place that you will need or you don't need them?

3
when are you coming? i have work sitting waiting for you!!

4
Hi there,

I am currently moving over gradually. If you have some work I would love to arrange to meet you and we can discuss the works.

Many thanks

Chris Mills

5
ok - just send me a pm with your details and let me know when you are available

thanks

6
There's undoutedly a demand but there is also a lot of gardners already. As for being cheap, by the time you have paid for a van, some power tools, your pension plan, AVS, insurance, salary, even charging Chf 60.-- an hour it will be hard to make ends meet.

A van, fuel, insurance, tax amortisation will cost about 1200-1500 per month, 14.5% AVS, unemployment & family contribution, employers contributrion to Pension fund, 13%.

So with Chf 60.--/hour x 40 x 4 = Chf 9'600.--/month. Minus van, cost of tools (you need professional tools not the ones from the local DIY store), lets say Sfr 1'000.--/month for amortisation, fuel, repair bills, consumables, we already down to Chf 7'000.-- without any other reductions as mentioned or holiday pay or sickness or injury allowances.

You should also take into consideration it's unlikely you'll have 40 hours of regular work each week for at least 1 year.

Chf 60.- is realisticaly speaking a basic minimum, for a professional person.

7
Charlie,

thanks for you reply and the great information. I know it's competitive but I don't need this business to earn a fortune.

If you have any other ideas on this subject please let me know.

regards,

Chris

8
Chf 60 an hour minimum for a gardener is way off - the most i have been quoted by anyone is chf40

the average salary is 5400 isnt it?

9
Chf 40 x 40 x 4 = 6'400.--brutto minus social costs, pension fund contributions, accident insurance (note accident covered by employer and not medical covered by yourself) tools, equipment, fuel, running costs, maintainence, amortisiation, consumables.......... would be very difficult to have more than 4k netto, assuming you work 40 hours each and every 52 weeks of the year.....from day 1 of course

10
Sorry if I am stating the obvious. More snow here then the UK. I could be wrong but I guess if everything is covered in snow, then gardening it... difficult.

11
Gardening companies charge a small fortune in Zug. My neighbours paid CHF 2k for hedge trimming that takes me about 3 hours max.

They also charge for wear and tear of machinery and travel cost on top of their hourly charges.