Season Contract or One-off Visit – What Suits Your Garden?
By Service Plus Stockholm AB4 min read
Short answer
Season contract or one-off visit – what suits your garden best?
A season contract works best when the garden needs recurring attention such as lawn mowing, hedge trimming and weeding throughout the growing season, while a one-off visit is enough for clearly defined jobs like tree felling, stump grinding or an autumn cleanup. What matters is how often the need recurs and whether you want to avoid planning and booking every time. The RUT deduction of 50 percent of the labour cost applies equally whichever option you choose, so the decision comes down to time and convenience rather than cost. Service Plus assesses the garden on site and suggests the solution that fits best, and it's easy to combine or adjust during the season.
What's the difference between a season contract and a one-off visit?
A season contract means Service Plus visits the garden at set intervals during an agreed period, usually from spring to autumn, to look after everything that keeps growing and changing. A one-off visit is a specific job carried out on a single occasion, such as tree felling, a spring cleanup or window cleaning before an event.
The difference isn't about which services are included but about how often the need recurs. The same task, such as pruning, can be a one-off job one year and a recurring item in a contract the next.
- A season contract suits ongoing care such as lawn mowing, hedge trimming and weed control
- A one-off visit suits clearly defined jobs with a set start and finish
- The frequency and scope of a contract are agreed with the customer and can be changed
- Both options qualify for the RUT deduction on labour costs for private individuals
When does a season contract suit best?
A contract pays off when the garden has several tasks that need keeping under control at the same time, for example a lawn that grows at different rates depending on the weather, a hedge that needs trimming at the right moment, and flower beds that are quickly overrun by weeds if no one tends to them. Anyone who travels a lot, works full-time or otherwise doesn't have time to keep pace with the garden during summer avoids falling behind with a contract in place.
- A larger plot with lawn, hedge and flower beds that all need attention throughout the season
- You'd rather have a fixed contact person than book every job yourself
- An ageing body or lack of time makes ladders, machinery or heavy lifting hard work
- A holiday home or being away during the week, so the grass and hedge have time to grow wild
When is a one-off visit enough?
A one-off visit is the right solution when the need is limited in time, for example a tree that has to come down before it damages the roof, a stump that needs grinding before a new patio is built, or a thorough autumn cleanup before winter. It also suits anyone who wants to try Service Plus before committing to a contract, or who only needs help with a single task once a year.
- Tree felling or stump grinding in connection with renovation work or a diseased tree
- A one-off cleanup before a party, viewing or moving in
- Window cleaning or snow removal after a specific spell of weather
- New residents who want to see how the collaboration works before signing a contract
What determines which option pays off most?
The choice is driven by how often the need recurs, not by the RUT deduction itself, since the 50 percent deduction on labour costs applies regardless of contract type, up to the annual cap per person. Anyone who already handles lawn mowing and weeding themselves but wants help with the hedge once a year often does well with a one-off visit. Anyone who wants to stop thinking about the garden altogether during the season saves time and hassle with a contract.
Can you combine a contract with one-off jobs?
Yes, many customers have an ongoing contract for lawn mowing and hedge trimming during the season and book one-off visits on top of that, for example tree felling, stump grinding or an extra cleanup after a storm. The scope can be adjusted throughout the season if needs change, for instance if a hedge suddenly needs trimming more often or a tree turns out to be diseased.
Common follow-up questions
Can you switch from one-off visits to a season contract partway through the season?
Yes, you can switch to a contract at any point during the season if the need turns out to be more recurring than expected. Service Plus adjusts the scope and frequency together with you.
Does the RUT deduction give more if you have a contract instead of one-off visits?
No, the 50 percent deduction on labour costs is the same regardless of contract type, as long as the annual per-person cap isn't reached. However, materials and waste removal don't qualify for the RUT deduction in either case.
Do you have to commit for the whole season if you choose a contract?
No, the scope, frequency and period are set out in the contract to suit your particular garden, and can be reviewed ahead of the next season.
Can Service Plus assess my garden before I decide?
Yes, Service Plus makes a free visit, reviews the garden's needs and suggests either a contract, a one-off visit or a combination, with a clear price before work begins.
