If you have a great commercial landscape maintenance contract, it does a lot of the work for you.
You’re busy. You have better things to do than worrying about turf disease, litter on your lawn or whether or not your irrigation system will work on the first dry day.
If it’s in your contract, you can leave all those details to us.
Here are the must-have items for your commercial landscape maintenance contract:
Regular, Proper Mowings
A neat carpet of healthy lawn is one of the first signs that your property is well maintained. Regular mowing is key.
The professionals know the ins and outs of good lawn care. They know not to cut more than a third of the grass blades’ length in a single mowing. Shear off too much of your grass at one time, and you cut away all the helpful nutrients stored in the blades.
Taller grass has a larger root system, which means it’s better at keeping weeds at bay, and can better withstand summer heat.
And soil can retain water better when longer grass provides cool shade.
Weed-And-Feed Applications
Everybody hates weeds. Especially your lawn.
Weeds compete with your lawn for water, sunlight and important nutrients.
That’s why weed control plays a crucial role in commercial lawn care.
The “feed” part of “weed-and-feed” is fertilizer. Your grass needs nutrients to thrive.
Fertilizing is a year-round process. It starts in the spring, to jump start your turf with the nutrition it needs to get going. The addition of weed control zaps weeds before they can sprout.
But don’t forget about fall fertilizing. As the weather cools down, grass grows more slowly, but the roots are still growing — and quickly. They’re hungry.
Fall feeding gives roots the nutrients they need now, with a reserve to offer them a healthy start next spring.
Flower Power
Bright, colorful blooms automatically attract attention. But they don’t last all year.
Be sure your contract calls for seasonal rotation — flowers for beds and pots in the spring to last through the warm months, and a second batch of fall flowers to freshen up beds and planters when the summer blooms have faded.
Plant Bed Maintenance
Attractive beds of plants need regular attention to look great.
Think edging, weeding, pruning, and a fresh application of mulch each year.
The best lawn on the street can’t carry a property’s appeal if the planting beds around it are neglected, with dead blooms and unsightly weeds.
Irrigation Start Up And Winterization
If you have an irrigation system in your landscape, be sure it’s properly cared for year round. When you need it, you really need it.
Professionals should check the water pressure, adjust spray heads and make any needed repairs. Those fixes will make your system more efficient — which saves you money on your water bill.
Once cooler weather moves in, it’s crucial to get all the water out of the pipes, valves and sprinkler heads. If water freezes and expands, your pipes break. That means a costly repair.
This is a job for professionals. They have the equipment and know-how to efficiently blow all the water from your irrigation system.
Trash Pick-Up
Candy wrappers. Empty plastic bottles. Ratty shopping bags.
They have no place on your tidy green lawn.
Hire professionals to visit your property once or twice a week to clear away unsightly trash so your property always looks neat. It’s called “portering” in the landscape business, and it keeps you from ducking outside to grab every wayward wrapper.
Grub And Insect Treatment
Grubs and insects can do a number on your lawn, munching and chewing and causing real damage.
You’ll see yellowed grass, or brown, dead patches. Proper prevention and treatment keeps the damaging pests away.
Damage from grubs and insects often looks the same as damage from turf diseases. A pro can tell the difference, and knows what to do next.
Fall Leaf Removal
Leaves make your property look neglected, but they’re also bad for your lawn. Heavy, wet leaves can suffocate your turf. Pedestrians can slip on wet leaves.
Be sure your contract calls for weekly leaf removal in the fall.
Tree Care
Proper tree pruning is important for lots of reasons. It keeps your trees and shrubs happy and healthy. Promptly pruning out broken or diseased branches keeps them from tumbling to the ground later, which can be dangerous for passers-by.
Fertilizing keeps trees strong and healthy. Regularly checking for any insect or disease problems keeps them from compromising your trees’ health.
The Nitty Gritty Contract Items You Need
Yes, your commercial landscape maintenance contract describes all the services your landscape company will provide. But it also offers protection — for both you and your landscaping company.
Be sure your contract is solid from the beginning, to prevent any possible problems down the road.
Be sure to thoroughly read your contract before you sign it. Unsure about something? Ask questions. A reputable company will be happy to explain or elaborate for you.
Here are five critical items your contract should include:
Scope Of Services
This gives you the details you need to know about exactly what services you’ll get.
The more detail, the better. What services are included? Certainly mowing and fertilizing. But does it include edging? Adjusting your irrigation?
Look for how often each service will take place. You want to know how extensively they’ll take care of your property.
Is snow removal involved? When does plowing begin? When will your paved areas get treated?
Be clear on all the details up front — it will help avoid disputes later.
Payment Terms
There should be no gray areas about pricing. What are the rates for services? When are payments due? Are there late fees?
Avoid any uncertainty when it’s time to pay.
Insurance Coverage
Be sure your contract states your company carries general liability, auto liability, property, and workers compensations insurance. They should be able to show you proof of insurance if you ask.
Why is this important? If one of their employees is injured on your property, and they don’t have the proper coverage, you’re responsible.
Can You Make Changes To The Contract Later?
Changes happen. Maybe you decide to add a service, or update decisions you made earlier.
Can you do this? If you want a change, you and the company both need to agree on it. Be sure to note any changes in the contract, and both of you should sign it.
A Policy For Disputes
Nobody wants to assume there will be problems. Still, it can happen.
Your contract should outline what steps will be taken if disputes arise between you and your landscaping company.
Look for a clause that states how and when a contract can be terminated. If your company doesn’t come through with the services they promised, and doesn’t make things right, that’s a breach of contract. That should mean you can cancel the agreement.
Be aware it’s a two-way street. If you don’t follow the agreed-upon payment schedule, the company could end your contract.
Trust Your Commercial Landscape Maintenance to Greenscape
At Greenscape, we’re crystal clear about all of our services and costs. You’ll find everything you need to know in your contract.
Questions? Just ask us.
We’re confident that Greenscape should be your first choice for all your commercial landscape design and maintenance needs.
We’ve been meeting the full-service landscaping needs of commercial and residential customers in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary areas for more than 35 years.
We offer landscape management and lawn care, design and build services, irrigation, landscape lighting and more.
Call us at 919-552-7742 or fill out our online form to request a free consultation and learn how we can transform your landscape.
We can't wait to hear from you.
