As the leaves begin to pile and cooler weather approaches, many home and property owners may think that primetime for landscape maintenance is in the rearview.
They should think again.
While some chores may subside with autumn’s arrival, there are still many tasks to consider before the snow begins to fall – particularly for commercial property owners. Winterizing irrigation systems, pruning dead or dying branches, mulching, and raking are all on the to-do list.
If you do not already have a quality contractor on speed dial, now is the time to reach for the phone book (or saddle up for a Google search or four). Many landscape contractors also provide snow and ice management – and those days are right around the corner, too!
When hiring a commercial landscape maintenance contractor, take the following four traits into consideration.
- Affiliations – While membership in a national trade organization is not necessarily synonymous with quality, it is a pretty solid indicator that your commercial landscape maintenance prospect is a serious contender. Find out who your contractor has hitched his or her wagon to and – to that end – how long they have been in business. Are they local or national? What is the size of their fleet? Do some serious digging before you hire a pro to do any digging on your property.
- Safety Record – Safety for your tenants, their clients, visitors, and guests is paramount for property owners, and it should be for the professionals you hire to do work of any kind for your lawn and gardens. Inquire about the company’s safety policies, and make certain they are fully licensed, bonded, and insured.
- In-House Talent – Subcontractors brought onboard to lighten a commercial landscape maintenance load can add unnecessary confusion and delays to a job. Find a company that guarantees one-on-one customer service and does not sub out work. This ensures that you have a direct line to the person or people in charge whenever you have a question or concern.
- Billing Processes – Extra or hidden charges, fees that do not add up or make sense, mass confusion, and multiple phone calls – all things that a busy commercial property owner does not have the time or patience for. Look for a contractor that will plainly, succinctly explain their billing process up front. Do your research. Are there any unresolved complaints out in the ether regarding your prospect, and does the company have a good record with consumer protection agencies? Also, triple-analyze any contract before signing to make certain your best interests are being taken care of first – not theirs.
Are you looking for a commercial landscape maintenance contractor? GroundsCare Landscape can save you a lot of time and stress.
We are affiliated with some of the premiere landscape associations in the nation, such as the Landscape Contractors Association (LCA) and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Our designers, project managers, and safety managers are all in-house, and we do not rely on subcontractors. That means every job and every property will be under the watch of one of GroundsCare’s top talents.
When you hire GroundsCare for your commercial landscape maintenance, you also receive access to an interactive client portal, which allows you to view invoices, project schedules, and maintenance requests whenever you want. This ensures that our billing is always straightforward and accurate.
Questions? Call us today at 888-588-8451 to learn more!
