So you didn’t like your old commercial landscape contractor. Maybe they didn’t mow as frequently as they’d agreed to do. Maybe they left their equipment lying around in an unsafe manner. Or maybe your property was looking shabby and poorly maintained. Whatever the reason, you decided it was time for a change.
You did your homework. You found a new vendor who maintained many beautiful properties. You checked their references and put a contract in place.
Now what?
Not all landscape companies are created equal. That’s why you decided to hire a new one in the first place. They all do things differently. While you may have been hoping that your new landscape company could just jump in where the old one left off, there’s more to it than that, and there are a few things to keep in mind during the period of transition.
It takes time.
Each property is different and has its own unique properties and requirements and your new landscaper will have to take a complete inventory of your property because he will need to understand what your expectations are such as how often you would like them to mow, perform seasonal cleanups, what kinds of seasonal plantings should be done, etc. He will also need to understand the landscape itself such as what types of plants and trees you have and how to best care for them and make sure the watering systems are working properly. Presumably, there’s a reason you left your old landscape contractor and when your new vendor takes over, he will want to ensure that any problems that you had with your old landscaper are not repeated. The contract puts in place how often you get mowed. But its important to understand how many occurrences it takes to meet your expectations. If you are shopping for a new contractor and expect them to perform better, its unlikely they will be cheaper than the contractor you just replaced.
The Best Time to Switch
The most active time of year for landscapers is during the “green season” which typically runs from March to October. If at all possible, it’s best to switch to a new vendor before this busy season starts or after it ends, which will give your new vendor time to assess their needs for your property and make sure they have the right supplies such as weed control, fertilizer, pest control, to treat your property as well as having the right seasonal plantings on hand. A lot of preparation goes into making a landscape beautiful. Obviously, if your landscaper doing such a bad job that you can’t wait until you’re out of the “green season”, find a new landscaper immediately, but if possible, waiting until the busy season is over will make the transition go more smoothly for all of those involved.
Communication is Key
The most important thing about transitioning to a new commercial landscape company is communication. Discuss your expectations with them and include your budget. Be realistic. Your landscaper should hire quality people, keep their equipment up-to-date and well-maintained, and use products that are effective. All of these things cost money. If you want quality work, don’t hire a landscaper who’ll do the work for bottom-of-the-barrel prices. They’ll never live up to your expectations.
You should feel comfortable in talking to your landscape company. Your account manager can quickly address any issues you may have with your property or our crews, but they can only do this if they know about them. We encourage open communication with all of our clients, whether there’s a problem or you want to give us a pat on the back for a job well done. (We never tire of the latter!)
Often people switch landscape companies after they’ve experienced a pest infestation or plant disease that should have been noticed before they became a problem. Your landscape company should be quick to respond to any issue. Our employees are alert and openly communicate any issues that arise before they become big problems. We emphasize with all of our employees and our clients that communication is a two-way street and will always result in a productive and satisfying relationship.
If you’re unsatisfied with your current landscaper, call us at Bluegrass Landscaping and Maintenance and let us fix everything!
