We’re right around the corner from the growing season, and the time of year when landscape services need to step up their game in order to keep a site well-maintained. It’s also the time of year when property/business owners decide on whether they stick with their current landscape service or seek greener pastures.

This brings up the question: How do you pick the right landscape service for your commercial property or business?

A good landscape service should go beyond the weed pulling and mowing—the word “service” being a key word.  Here are some tips to consider, as you seek (or stick with) a landscape service.

• Landscape Assessment – Did your current landscaper provide you with a review of your site before providing a bid? Landscape assessments should provide recommendations and point out issues that will be addressed during the life of the service.
• Scope of Work –Review your current or prospective landscaper’s scope of work and see if it matches your property/business needs. Ask if they are full-service or if they focus on certain aspects of landscaping.
• Quality Control – Check if your landscaper offers a quality control plan. It’s very important to have a representative visit sites to ensure that services are being conducted and that a property is up to standards.
• Frequency Plans – One size does not fit all. Ask your service provider about the frequency plans they offer or if they can create one that best fits your site or business needs.
• Contracts – Who likes contracts? If your property is making your customer say “ew” instead of “wow”, then your landscaper isn’t keeping their end of an agreement. If this is the case, are you stuck with them for the life of the contract? Are there penalties if you cancel the agreement?
• Billing – What billing options do they offer? E-mails, mail, auto payments, etc. Do they offer a form of billing that’s most convenient for your business?
• Customer Service & Trust – Like all relationships, it comes down to trust. Do you trust that your current landscaper will return to your property if you’re unhappy, or will they simply give you an excuse? Your landscape service should be a call or e-mail away…are they?

What’s the best way to find the right landscape service for your business? It all starts with a meeting, and you should get a sense whether it’s the right fit fairly quick.