Cost-Effective Strategies for Commercial Landscape Maintenance

Managers of commercial properties are aware that a lovely landscape raises the curb appeal and value of their establishment. It also decreases safety hazards and saves on costly OSHA fines and insurance claims. Lawn, landscape, and tree maintenance companies must take every opportunity to reduce costs to succeed in the long term. Here are some of the best strategies for doing just that.

Implement a Regular Maintenance Schedule

Whether it’s an office park, hotel, hospital, or retail center, your commercial property will attract and retain more visitors with a well-maintained landscape. It also helps your organization look more professional and trustworthy and is a great way to build employee pride and loyalty. Regular landscape maintenance, like mowing and trimming, is essential to the health of your commercial property and your company’s image. Commercial properties in warm climates with long growing seasons require more frequent landscaping services, which can add up quickly. A proactive, eagle-eye commercial landscaper is crucial to keeping the budget in check and catching extra costs before they add up. 

Invest in Energy-Efficient Upgrades

A lush green lawn or colorful flowerbeds set a business apart from its competition, creating an inviting atmosphere for employees and customers. But a well-managed landscape doesn’t just improve the appearance of a company; it also saves energy and cuts costs. For example, a green roof or living wall helps reduce the urban heat island effect caused by paved surfaces absorbing sunlight and raising temperatures. Planting trees can reduce energy consumption by providing natural shade and reducing air conditioning costs.

Other energy-saving landscaping techniques include:

• Mulching the soil to prevent weed growth and preserve moisture.
• Implementing smart irrigation construction to minimize water waste.
• Regularly checking and maintaining equipment to avoid costly problems down the road.

These small landscaping upgrades add up to big savings in energy costs each month.

Utilize Native and Low-Maintenance Plants

Lush landscape beds draw the eye, provide color throughout the seasons, and bring life to office areas and outdoor meeting spaces. These features are a great way to add visual interest to commercial properties and increase perceived property values. However, they can also require a lot of care to maintain. When introducing new greenery, consider native plants and trees adapted to your area’s climate zone. These plants will require less watering, fertilizer, and pruning. They’re also naturally resistant to diseases and pests, which reduces the need for invasive pesticides.

Try native shrubs such as barberries or smoke trees that are disease-resistant and aesthetically pleasing. Or, let an area of the commercial landscape grow wild, which will help pollinators and lower utility costs by reducing mowing time and energy consumption.

Utilize Mulching for Health and Savings

Mulching is more than a cosmetic element in your commercial landscape. It contributes to soil health, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and improving disease resistance. Mulch insulates soil to protect plants from hot summer temperatures, helps conserve soil moisture by reducing water evaporation, and suppresses weed growth. In addition, organic mulches enrich the soil with valuable nutrients and improve its structure, so roots receive better oxygen and moisture penetration.

Using shredded wood or another natural mulch can reduce your company’s plastic waste and save money on commercial landscaping. You can use a sustainable landscape strategy that uses drought-tolerant and native plants for lower water consumption. A well-planned strategy can significantly reduce water bills and maintenance costs.

Enroll in a Regular Maintenance Contract

Balancing the visual appeal of a commercial landscape with prudent maintenance costs requires a delicate balance. Fortunately, there are many cost-effective strategies that property managers and commercial building owners can use to ensure their property remains attractive, healthy, and affordable. A good way to control landscape maintenance costs is to enroll in a regular contract with a reputable landscaping company. It prevents overspending and streamlines service scheduling.

A good maintenance contract should include detailed service specifications with clear schedules. For example, the contract should list the specific tree trimming services requested and their frequency. It should also have a course of action for dispute resolution. It protects both parties and helps ensure a positive working relationship.