Maybe your lawn isn’t as green and healthy as you’d like, even after your commercial landscape maintenance company has been on the job for months. Maybe they never return your calls, or your flower beds always look tired and shabby.
The bottom line: you’re not happy with your landscape maintenance company’s work.
So, what’s your next step? Can you get out of your contract? And when you’re looking for a new vendor, how do you make sure you don’t make the same mistake again?
Here’s what to do.
First, Communicate
You might be able to solve your problem with simple communication. If you’re unhappy with your landscaping company, tell them what’s bothering you. It might just be a matter of perception.
Maybe your vendor thinks your property looks great, and doesn’t see the thing that’s driving you crazy.
It might be an easy fix — once he knows.
Don’t Feel Stuck In Your Contract
Even when property managers are unhappy with their commercial landscaping company, they often feel like they have to stick it out. After all, they have a three-year contract.
Don’t feel stuck. Almost all contracts include clauses that allow a property manager to terminate a contract for a valid cause — including underperformance on the job.
How To Prevent This Trouble Again
So it’s back to square one, and you need to start the Request For Proposal, or RFP, process again. We know — it’s not your favorite task.
But there are some steps you can take to make sure your next commercial landscape maintenance contractor is the right one:
Be Choosy About Who You Ask To Bid
Only ask three qualified contractors that you have vetted. Make sure you’ve seen their work and talked to their current clients.
That goes a long way toward weeding out unqualified contractors.
Create A Thorough RFP
When you create your RFP, list everything you need when it comes to landscaping on your property. Be specific. That will make it easier for you to compare apples to apples when reviewing the proposals that come in.
Break down each service — mowing, pruning, mulch, fertilization, annuals, irrigation — with a price broken out for each section.
Be thorough, and it will really help you when you review the proposals.
Need some help? Here at Level Green Landscaping, we’ve created a list of RFP specifications that will help you compare providers. We’re happy to share them.
Don’t Just Go With The Lowest Bid
Of course you’re concerned about price. But there’s a lot more to choosing a landscape contractor than just the cost.
Before you sign a contract, make sure the contractor really understands the scope of your job and has a realistic proposal.
Is the company big enough to handle all of your property’s needs? Are they small enough to offer the personal service you want?
Are they efficient? Effective? Reliable?
If you only care about the cost, you’ll likely end up unhappy — again.
Share Your Past Beefs
When you do choose a new landscape maintenance company, be sure to tell them what you didn’t like about the last vendor, so they don't make the same mistakes.
You’ll Be Happy With Level Green
It can be stressful to look for a new commercial landscape maintenance company — especially if you were unhappy with your last vendor.
We’d love to show you why Level Green Landscaping could be your perfect choice.
We welcome all your questions. We’re happy to show you our past and current projects. Want to talk to some of our current clients? We’d be delighted.
Our service area includes Washington DC, Maryland and parts of Virginia. We focus on commercial property maintenance for offices, retail spaces, mixed-use sites, HOAs/condominiums, distribution centers, municipalities and institutions.
Our in-house team of experts has made our commercial landscaping company one of the most trusted in the region.
Contact us at 202-544-0968 or by filling out our form online. You can also schedule a free consultation to talk with us about how we can enhance and maintain your commercial landscape.
