Commercial Landscaping Contracts

In a previous blog this month, we discussed the things you needed to keep in mind when sorting through landscaping bids for your commercial property. Once a bid is selected, you will then work through the construction of a contract with this commercial landscaping company, which can be an equally strenuous process. Just like the selection of a bid requires the gathering of information, you need to know what your contract should look like. Many shady contractors and landscaping companies may try and pull one over your head, so being aware of the fine print is a must. We have a wealth of experience working with these contracts, know what can make the process easier, and what they should include. This is what you need to know when it comes to commercial landscaping contracts.

Pricing and Payment: Clear and Concise

Likely the most important part of any landscaping contract, is the way funds are allocated and transferred. One of the big benefits of working with a commercial landscaping company is the ability to budget out long term, as these contracts are typically at least a year in length. This allows you to have a consistent cost, and avoid variability. In your contract, ensure that amounts are set in stone and that the costs for each and every service are broken down accordingly. The payment structure and timeline should also be very clearly stated, so there are no surprises.

Scheduling of Services

Within the clear statement of individual services, there should also be a clear schedule, stating when these services will be performed. Reliability is a huge concern for property managers, so ensuring that it is promised is a must in your contract. Some companies will attempt to list services broadly, but this is lazy, and these should be broken down as fundamentally as possible.

Insurance and Liability

While everyone hopes for the safest of work environments, landscaping companies utilize a variety of large equipment, where people can get hurt. There are countless other hazards faced by landscaping employees, from foliage to auto accidents. You must ensure that you cannot be held liable for any of these accidents and that the company you are working with possesses all the proper insurance. The last thing you want as a property manager is to be dealing with a lawsuit on top of your other daily duties.

 

Keeping it Civil: Conflict Management

Although neither party enters the contract with the intent of ending up in a conflict, the possibility is real. There are many complex situations that may arise that can put you at odds with your landscape provider. This is why it is so important that the process by which these issues are solved is clearly outlined within the service contract. That way, when the time comes, things do not escalate. Properly managing these landscaping contracts is all about mitigating the risk for both parties involved, so you must keep the possibility of conflict in mind.

Pezza Landscape, Inc. is a full-service landscaping company proudly serving the greater Naperville area, including Warrenville, Wheaton, Winfield, Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, and the surrounding communities. Give us a call at (630) 393-7373 or visit our website to get in touch.