8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Commercial Landscape Services
You have seven seconds to make a first impression on your customers and clients. As a brick-and-mortar business, that seven seconds starts as soon as they see your property. If it’s not in good condition, that first impression is going to be sub-par.
Why not invest in commercial landscape services to help boost your outdoor aesthetic and keep your property looking its best?
You might be wondering how to find a good commercial landscaping company that will suit your needs. You want to make sure they get it right! We’re here to help.
Read on for some of the best questions to ask a commercial landscaping company to see if they’re right for you.
1. What Services Do You Offer?
What exactly do you need from your commercial landscaping company? There are many types of commercial landscaping services, and some businesses may prefer to specialize. Because of this, it’s a good idea to ask upfront what types of services and landscaping options are available if they’re not listed on the company’s website.
Start your inquiry by asking about the range of services the commercial landscape company offers. This may include things like lawn maintenance, irrigation, landscape design, tree care, snow removal, and seasonal clean-up services, among others.
If you have something specific in mind that you don’t see on the site, don’t be afraid to ask. It may be an uncommon service that the company doesn’t use often enough to advertise, but that they’re still completely capable of.
2. Are You Licensed and Insured?
It’s wise to make sure the landscape company is licensed and insured to perform commercial landscaping services in your area. This helps protect you from liability in the event of accidents or property damage while the workers are completing the job.
A proper landscaping company should be able to bring up proof of their license and insurance upon asking. When it comes to your commercial property, you don’t want to risk hiring a landscaper that doesn’t have all of the proper documentation. It protects both of you.
3. What Experience Do You Have?
It’s totally appropriate to ask about a company’s experience in the commercial landscaping field, or even to ask about the experience of individual workers in a larger company. Again, this is your commercial property at stake, and you want to know it’s in safe hands.
Ask how long the company has been in business, and if they have experience working with properties similar to yours in size and style. If a company has worked on properties like yours in the past, they’ll be more helpful when it comes to making suggestions about your landscaping options. They’ll also be more likely to finish the job to your satisfaction!
4. Can You Provide References or Examples?
On that note, it’s always a good idea to ask for references or photo examples of the company’s work. Anyone can say they have experience. Any good commercial landscaping company will stand behind their work and show it off with pride, especially if it means they’ll be getting more customers.
Request references from previous clients of the company or examples of past projects similar to yours. This allows you to determine whether their work is suitable for your needs and you can get valuable feedback from other customers.
If no references are available, consider checking out online reviews (but take them with a grain of salt).
5. What Is Your Maintenance Schedule?
Find out if the company offers contracts or agreements for ongoing landscape maintenance services. If so, this can make your life a lot easier. The company may even have suggestions for the best maintenance plan for your commercial property.
Once you’ve confirmed that ongoing maintenance is an option, ask about the company’s maintenance schedule and how often you can schedule visits. Ask how often they’ll perform specific maintenance tasks (like mowing, fertilizing, and so on) to make sure your property looks its best year-round.
6. How Do You Communicate With Clients?
Communication is key in all areas of life, and this is no exception. The better you can communicate with your landscaping company, the better your results will be (in most cases). You want to be on the same page.
Ask how the company communicates with clients. Do they take written requests via email, or is it best to schedule over the phone? How can you reach them in the event of emergencies or concerns?
Take note of how they’re communicating with you during your inquiry. If they’re responsive and respectful, that’s a good sign.
7. What Is Your Pricing Structure?
It’s perfectly acceptable to request a detailed breakdown of pricing for the services you’re interested in. Many people are hesitant to ask about prices, but remember that this commercial landscaping company is selling you a service. If the price isn’t right, it’s best that you know before making any commitments.
Be sure to ask about any additional fees or charges that may apply. Some commercial landscaping companies may charge extra for things like equipment rental or specialty services.
8. What Happens If a Customer Isn’t Satisfied?
Sometimes, even the best commercial landscaping companies may have miscommunications with the client, and it’s possible that things don’t go to plan. While rare, all good companies will have a plan in mind for how to handle this in a way that’s satisfactory for everyone involved.
You can ask about the company’s process for addressing customer satisfaction concerns. Make sure they know that you trust their work, but you just want to know the proper procedure just in case.
Find the Best Commercial Landscape Services for Your Property
There are many companies that offer commercial landscape services, but you need to find the one that will be right for you and your needs. If you ask the right questions, you’re sure to set yourself up for success so you can have a property you’re proud of.
At Ground Control USA, we have 30+ years of experience in the world of landscaping, and we’re ready to share that experience with you. We’d love to make your property look its best.
Schedule a call with us today.