Hi there
Having read some of the comments about gardeners and what they charge. I myself since 2000, been self-employed as a gardener, and have charged by the hour.
But have been losing out on travel time,etc etc and worst of all new work!As under the hourly rate, I could only fit in 4 jobs per day at two hours,but with priced work you can improve on that by at least three jobs,hence your profit margin goes up.
Bear in mind I had charged £15.00 per hour,with 20 years experience,people soon forget about overheads etc,and quickly put the phone down when I mentioned my hourly rate,hence lost a potential customer!
When your self employed,you cannot work for nothing,if people cannot afford your prices and if your good at your job,then you would'nt have trouble getting other work.
Price work makes good financial sense!