Budget season is always stressful. Everyone wants to keep costs as low as possible, while still accomplishing what they need to do, and avoid costly surprises as well.
So, how do I create a budget for commercial landscaping? When creating this year’s budget, last year’s budget and actual expenses are the best place to begin. This gives you a good idea of the pattern of expenses, and what “surprises” came along during the year. For budgeting, it is important not to just look at the needs of the moment but also the long-term ones, and not only the regular recurring expenses but the intermittent special expenses as well (such as removing and replacing shrubs).
Do not forget to budget for increases in materials and labor. Your landscape maintenance company should be able to provide you with accurate pricing for routine maintenance, but there are always non-routine items that come up during the year. A good landscape maintenance company will help you forecast some of those expenses by monitoring your property and advising you of upcoming expenses. Prevention is usually less expensive than cure, so choosing a landscaping maintenance company that will help you prevent smaller issues from becoming bigger ones (i.e. noticing and removing a single diseased tree before the disease spreads to other trees.) can really save you money in the long run.
When you are budgeting, be sure that you understand what is included in your maintenance contract, and what is extra. Nothing is worse than a surprise bill for something you thought was already included! Some of the services to think about are replacing plants/shrubs/trees that are nearing the end of their lifespan, maintenance for established trees (they require pruning that young trees do not), pond maintenance (for retention and detention ponds, there are code requirements to be met and not staying compliant can be very expensive), irrigation maintenance and updating (which can possibly save costs on utility bills).
Because there are always competing demands for spending, priority should be given to the focal points. These are the places that are seen by the most people: entrances, pool/tennis areas, signage and other highly trafficked areas.
Of course, the first and foremost priority should be safety. Dark spots, cracked and uneven pedestrian areas, overgrown trees and shrubs that obscure visibility can create safety hazards for which you may be liable if someone is hurt. Your landscape maintenance company should keep a careful eye out for potential hazards, and you should budget for repairs and maintenance of this sort.
The best way to avoid Landscaping Budget pitfalls is to hire a good commercial landscaping company to maintain your property. They will alert to small issues before they become big problems, give you accurate price quotes, and will be comprehensive in their maintenance so you are not caught unprepared by the unexpected.
Not sure that you want to invest in commercial landscaping? Read this short blog about the advantages of landscaping for commercial properties here.
Located in Summerfield, NC Southern Exposure Landscape Management specializes in the design, installation, and maintenance of residential and commercial projects throughout the Greensboro Triad Area (High Point, Jamestown, Burlington, Reidsville, Oak Ridge, Brown Summit, Summerfield). We are the premier Greensboro mulch installer. With over 20 years in business, Southern Exposure has the experience and knowledge to create beautiful garden features and flower beds in the landscape. Southern Exposure is the leading landscape management firm in Greensboro, NC. See why our clients choose us. Contact us today by web (online form) or phone (336.451.4969)
