Choosing the right commercial landscaping contractor is one of the most significant decisions property managers will make. There are several important factors to consider, including how long the company has been in business, what kind of insurance it carries, and how it communicates with clients.
A top landscape contractor will understand your unique needs and offer a full array of services to enhance safety on your Northeast Ohio commercial property. Read on to find out the top qualities to look for.
Experience
The experience level of a landscape firm is the most crucial consideration. Large commercial landscape companies can offer various services and often have a track record of maintaining properties in the local area.
The staff at a reputable commercial landscaping Sacramento CA firm should possess design vision, creativity, horticultural knowledge, and technical drawing skills. They should also have plant selection, construction techniques, and ongoing maintenance expertise.
Ask prospective contractors for a portfolio of their work and testimonials from clients. Ensure they are familiar with your property type and its unique requirements.
Pricing
Before choosing a landscape provider, understand your budget and how you want to deliver the service. The information upfront will help your landscaper determine a realistic bid price.
Overhead costs include office rent, marketing, vehicle expenses, accounting software, utilities, and insurance subscriptions. These expenses don’t directly relate to each project but are necessary for a business to function.
The amount of overhead required per job varies. Your landscaper should calculate the total labor hours needed for your project and add an appropriate markup to cover overhead costs and make a profit. Being transparent with clients about the hourly rate and how much a project will cost is essential. This way, you can avoid surprises and disappointments down the road.
Reputation
A well-maintained commercial landscape speaks to the health of your business. It shows your clients, employees, and the surrounding community that you care about your image, which can increase your business’s reputation and profits.
Look for landscape companies with a publically accessible portfolio that showcases their work over the years, including references from long-term clients. Ask about the company’s process for establishing a maintenance contract with property owners, as this can help avoid misunderstandings and disputes.
It’s also important that the landscaping company communicates clearly and regularly with you and your account manager, as this can save you time in the future.
Insurance
Landscaping can be dangerous; no business is immune to accidents and property damage. A reputable landscaping company will have the proper commercial insurance coverage to protect its team and customers.
Depending on the size and scope of their operation, landscaping contractors might also need to carry professional liability insurance or errors and omissions coverage. This type of policy offers protection if a client sues over poor design or installation work.
Inland marine insurance may not sound like something you’d need to include in your landscaper’s insurance package, but it’s an essential line of defense. This policy covers cargo transported between jobs, such as equipment or supplies. It’s often included in a more comprehensive business owner’s policy or bundled with general liability.
Customer Service
Suppose you’re partnering with a commercial landscaping company on a project spanning several months or even years. In that case, both parties must communicate their needs and expectations. By doing this, miscommunications can be avoided, and the project’s completion will meet expectations.
A reputable contractor should be open to sharing testimonials from their previous clients. These should be genuine, specific, and include photos (though privacy concerns may prevent some companies from sharing photos).
Understanding how the landscape company handles its maintenance agreements is also essential. For example, some companies only perform basic maintenance services like mowing and edging on-site but rely on specialty subcontractors for more in-depth work, such as irrigation or tall tree trimming. This can lead to a more streamlined and responsive relationship between the property owner and the contractor.
