Hedge cutting and field work contractor

Farmers, landowners, horse yard owners, estates, parish councils and rural householders with large grounds.

Hourly rate or fixed price per job, with work concentrated in the autumn and winter hedge cutting season and mowing or topping in summer. Repeat annual customers are the backbone.

• Safe tractor and machinery operation
• Basic machinery maintenance
• Planning routes and jobs around the weather
• Knowing the local farming community

• Public liability insurance, and check the cover suits work with tractors and attachments
• Rules on hedge cutting during the bird nesting season, check current guidance for your area and any farm scheme conditions
• Safe operation near roads, power lines and public footpaths
• Check whether training or certificates are expected by customers for the machinery you use
• Machinery breakdowns and repair costs when you are the only operator

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on the tractor you buy and attachments such as a hedge cutter, flail mower or topper. Machinery breakdowns and repair costs are worth budgeting for as the only operator.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how many farms and landowners you work for and whether you charge by the hour or the job. You would typically need at least around 15 hours a week.

Check current guidance on hedge cutting during the bird nesting season and any farm scheme conditions. Also check public liability cover suits tractor work, safe operation near roads, power lines and footpaths, and whether customers expect training or certificates.