CHT Business Operations & Professionalism 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A horticulture technician's estimate should include all of the following EXCEPT:
- Labor costs
- Material costs
- Competitor's pricing (Correct answer)
- Overhead and profit margin
Correct answer: Competitor's pricing
A professional estimate is built on your own costs (labor, materials, overhead) and desired profit margin — competitor pricing is a market reference, not a line item in your estimate.
Question 2: Which document legally authorizes a horticulture business to apply pesticides commercially in the US?
- Business license
- State pesticide applicator license/certification (Correct answer)
- Federal EPA permit
- OSHA safety certification
Correct answer: State pesticide applicator license/certification
Each US state requires commercial pesticide applicators to hold a state-issued pesticide applicator license in the appropriate category before applying pesticides for hire.
Question 3: When a customer complains about the quality of service, the best first step is to:
- Offer an immediate refund without discussion
- Listen carefully, acknowledge their concern, and assess the situation before responding (Correct answer)
- Explain why they are wrong
- Refer them to your contract and discontinue service
Correct answer: Listen carefully, acknowledge their concern, and assess the situation before responding
Effective complaint resolution starts with active listening and acknowledgment, which de-escalates tension and gives you the information needed to offer an appropriate remedy.
Question 4: General liability insurance for a landscape/horticulture business primarily covers:
- Employee injuries on the job
- Property damage or bodily injury caused to third parties during work (Correct answer)
- Equipment theft or breakdown
- Employee health benefits
Correct answer: Property damage or bodily injury caused to third parties during work
General liability insurance protects the business against claims of property damage or bodily injury to clients, bystanders, or their property during operations.
Question 5: Which employment classification describes a worker who sets their own hours, uses their own tools, and controls how work is performed?
- Full-time employee
- Part-time employee
- Independent contractor (Correct answer)
- Seasonal employee
Correct answer: Independent contractor
An independent contractor controls the means and manner of their work, uses their own tools, and is not subject to the same employer direction as employees.
Question 6: A Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) provides information primarily about:
- Plant species and care requirements
- Chemical hazards, safe handling, and emergency response for a product (Correct answer)
- Equipment operating manuals
- Fertilizer application rates
Correct answer: Chemical hazards, safe handling, and emergency response for a product
The Safety Data Sheet (SDS, formerly MSDS) contains hazard identification, exposure limits, PPE requirements, first aid, and spill response procedures for chemical products.
CHT Business Operations & Professionalism 1
A horticulture technician's estimate should include all of the following EXCEPT: