Finding Suitable Transport

By: Rachel Newcombe - Updated: 7 Sep 2010 | *Discuss

 

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When you’re first involved in setting up a gardening business, one of the issues you’ll need to consider is finding suitable transport.

Whether you’re planning on working as a hands-on gardener, landscape designer or selling a range of gardening products to consumers, an essential aspect for making your business work is to find suitable transport. Transport is one of those issues that can make or break a business, as if you can’t travel or transport your equipment effectively, no-one will want to hire your services.

Likewise, transportation is essential if you’re going to deliver garden products to costumers, either as part of your landscape design services or if they’re buying products directly from you. In some cases, you may choose to use established delivery or courier services in your local area, which can work out well, but if you’re offering a personal touch, having your own transportation services is crucial.

Finding Transport

If you’re going to need transport, then it’s important to explore the available options and work out the logistics as soon as possible. Ideally, this means in the early stages of planning your business, so that you can have a finalised transportation plan in action before you launch – otherwise you could find yourself in a tricky situation.

If you’re going to buy one or more vehicles for your business, then you’ll need to determine a budget from the outset, so you know exactly what funds you have available to purchase transport. With most new businesses, this may well involve the need to purchase vehicles on a second-hand basis, but there are some good deals to be found.

It’s a good idea to contact all the local garages, car and van sales centres and let them know what you’re looking for and what your budget is. Even if they don’t immediately have anything suitable available, there’s the chance they’ll let you know as soon as they do.

Once you’ve purchased a vehicle, don’t forget to take advantage of branding it with your business name or logo. A local sign-writing company will be able to help with this task. If you’re feeling really lucky, you could always try negotiating with the garage that sold you the vehicle and see if they’ll offer a discount in exchange for wording such as, ‘Supplied by XXX Garage’ on the back or side of your vehicle.

If you’re really stuck for funding in the first instance, then as a last ditch effort you could also use a car you already own or borrow a vehicle from other family members. This isn’t ideal, but if it gives you the chance to get your business started, without wasting value time, energy and money, then it may be the option for you. It also enables you to start earning cash, which could subsequently be used to pay for one or more means of transportation for your business.

Another option would be to hire transport on a temporary basis, until you’ve got enough funds to warrant purchasing your own vehicle. This is useful if you’re offering services such as garden supplies, as it means you can at least ensure that part of your business gets up and running quickly with no delays.

The logistics of surviving without a vehicle when you’re running a gardening business can be complicated. Unlike other types of business, you’re likely to have tools and equipment that you need to transport and without any means of travel, you may be stuck with problems in reaching your clients. So be sure to give transport plenty of thought and try not to cut too many corners in this area.

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