We can hear you waffling.
Need mowing? Of course! But maybe not every week...
Want your weeds gone? Absolutely! But maybe cut out a few visits...
Need bright, beautiful flowers to attract customers? Well, hmmmm, maybe....
Cut back on essential commercial landscape services and you’ll regret it later, says Chris Pierce, operations manager for commercial maintenance at Michael Hatcher & Associates. You might even pay more in the long run to repair the damage.
“Customers say, ‘We want to get the price down.’ This is how it all starts,” Pierce says.
Pierce explains why you shouldn’t skimp on commercial landscape services.
Here are the top five places you might be tempted to cut — but shouldn’t.
1. Fertilizer and Weed Control
“A lot of customers want to reduce the number of times we visit,” Pierce says. “Instead of seven applications of fertilizer, pre-emergent, and post-emergent, they say, ‘Let's do four or five.’”
He can do that. But be prepared for some fallout.
“Your turf won’t be as clean,” Pierce says. “There will be more weeds.”
It won’t be as green and healthy because it lacks fertilizer.
“If you want everything to look perfect, but then you start taking things away,” he says, “you have to lower your expectations.”
2. Monthly Irrigation Inspections
Looks like water is spraying out of the sprinkler heads, so everything must be fine, right?
Why do commercial landscape services suggest so many irrigation inspections?
There’s a lot going on with your irrigation system than meets the eye.
”It’s often out of sight, out of mind,” Pierce says. “When customers see us out there mowing and pulling weeds, they see the value in that. But with irrigation, as long as they see water coming out, they assume everything is ok.
”Some customers say instead of monthly, maybe come three times, or not at all.”
Meanwhile, out on your commercial property, valves could be leaking. Heads might be clogged or broken. Your controller might be set to water too many times for the season, or not enough.
You could be wasting a ton of water. Or your lawn and landscaping might be struggling if it’s not getting the water it needs.
During these monthly irrigation inspections, technicians check everything over, testing each of your zones to make sure the right amount of water is hitting all the right places, and nothing needs repair.
A commercial irrigation inspection will zero in on any water waste. Irrigation technicians will also spot the little issues that can lead to bigger problems later, from cracked lines and leaky valves to clogged nozzles or broken spray heads.
“When an irrigation tech checks your system every month, that’s an extra set of eyes making sure everything is working properly,” Pierce says.
If our tech sees something amiss during a monthly inspection, they can often take care of it right there.
If you don’t have regular inspections, you’ll pay an extra service charge for a tech to come out and investigate.
3. Weekly Mowing and Maintenance: a Commercial Landscape Services Must
Lots of customers ask about bi-weekly service instead of weekly, Pierce says. What difference does one extra week make?
Plenty.
Your curb appeal is at stake.
Potential customers and tenants can show up at any time — not just during the few days after your landscaping company visits.
Here in the mid-South, things grow fast. During that extra week, weeds take over, your lawn gets shaggy, seed heads sprout.
Don’t risk it. Weekly maintenance by commercial landscape services means crews stay on top of things before they embarrass you.
4. Weekly Leaf Removal
“Some customers decide they want leaf removal every other week in the fall, and assume that will cut the cost in half,” Pierce says.
Sorry, nature doesn’t work that way.
“The same amount of leaves will fall,” he says. “Whether you have eight visits or four visits, we still have to pick up the same amount of leaves.”
And you’ll pay for the labor. So why not ensure your property looks as tidy as possible? Have commercial landscape services pick up those leaves weekly.
5. Seasonal Color and Mulch
Most of our commercial landscape maintenance contracts here at Hatcher include seasonal color and mulch.
But some customers balk at paying for these commercial landscape services, Pierce says, wondering if they’re really necessary.
“They want us to tell them when it’s time to do it, and then they’ll decide if they want to pay for it,” he says.
Guess what? By then, there’s often no money left in your budget. No seasonal color or fresh mulch for you.
Big mistake, Pierce says. You can’t beat vibrant, colorful flower beds surrounded by rich brown mulch. Everybody notices them.
“Curb appeal is huge for retail properties,” Pierce says. “That money is well spent if it gets people through your door.”
And the cost savings isn’t worth it if it means you lose a tenant to a competitor with more impressive curb appeal.
“I say roll it all into one price,” Pierce says. “It helps with your budget if you pay the same price every month and know that everything’s included.”
Prioritize Your Commercial Landscape Services with Hatcher
Need help prioritizing your commercial landscape services?
Trust the pros at Hatcher & Associates to help you sort out what will give your commercial property the most curb appeal and the biggest jump on your competitors.
Are you ready to boost the appeal of your commercial property with high-priority commercial landscape services that will make your property shine? Talk to one of our commercial landscaping experts today! We’ll meet at your property, create a custom plan, and get you on your way to enjoying a beautiful, worry-free property.
