Operational Cost Planning

Vehicle Operations

Equipment & Tools

Office & Business Support

Staff Expenses

Capacity & Resource Planning

Realistic Billable Hours Guidance

Most franchisees overestimate available working time. Consider these factors that reduce billable hours:

  • Travel time between jobs
  • Time spent quoting and admin
  • Bad weather delays
  • Vehicle or machinery breakdowns
  • Customer conversations and relationship building
  • Holiday, illness, and family time

Recommended Target: 30 hours per week for 48 weeks

  • Allows 4 weeks for holidays, illness, and family time
  • Realistic considering travel, admin, and weather delays
  • Provides sustainable work-life balance

Labour Planning

Billable Hours per Week (time in customer gardens):
Working Weeks per Year:
Working Days per Week:
Number of Gardeners:
Total Annual Billable Hours: 1440
Calculation: 30 hours × 48 weeks × 1 gardener

Target Profit Margin: 25%

Your Actual Pricing

Your Hourly Rate (what you actually charge):
£

This should reflect your actual market rate, considering competition and service quality