Kitchen Garden Forum

My hubby runs an Outdoor education centre when the handyman was off sick he got someone in to cut the grass he used our equipment but did the job in a quarter of the time and only charged £10 hour so when/if this guy leaves we will probably employ a grasscutter for the summer months much more economical

As a teacher I have a similar problem to Sue, in that people ask if I tutor privately and seem surprised when I say 'no.' The reason for this is similar to Sue's. I am a highly experienced primary teacher, working as an English Coordinator with a good amount of experience in special needs, but most people expect to get this level of expertise, gathered over many years, for about £10/15 an hour. When I compare this to what people have to pay for plumbers or car mechanics, I feel fairly insulted. BUT then I think they HAVE to pay for car maintenance or plumbing if they haven't got the skills, but they don't HAVE to pay for teaching. It's not viewed as essential. I think gardening falls into the same category. I deal with it in this way. I don't tutor. If a child comes my way who is obviously needing my help, and that has happened 3 times, I give my time free, for as long as they need it. That usually brings in other requests and I just say that they wouldn't be able to afford my fees which are £30 an hour minimum, the same as other tradesmen!