4 Tips for Choosing Commercial Landscape Companies in Houston

Hiring a commercial landscape company in Houston is no easy task. There are many companies to choose from, and you only want to do this once.

You don’t have time to deal with another company that won’t return your phone calls or just provides average landscape management service. Let’s check out four tips that can help save you some time and select a commercial landscape company in Houston that is the right fit for your property.

Tip 1- Know What Services You Need

Not all commercial landscape companies are the same. Some specialize in installations and repairs, while others may pass that task to a subcontractor. Create a list of the top two or three landscape management services you will need to utilize and begin your research there.

Remember, you are selecting the company based on their team actually providing the services. For instance, a subcontractor will not likely provide the same communication or timeliness of services as the commercial company you actually hire. Below are some of the services you should confirm the commercial landscape company you select provides in-house for a top tier landscape management program:

• Landscape Maintenance- lawn mowing, mulching, plant health care, lawn treatments, tree pruning, soil testing, and seasonal color plantings
• Irrigation Management- system inspections and repairs, updates, winterizations, smart water management, and installs
• Landscape Enhancements- site inventory, landscape design, existing landscape remodel, new landscape installation, plant installation, hardscape installation, drainage solutions

Tip 2- Check Qualifications

Spend some time looking into the awards, affiliations, and certifications a commercial landscape company holds. At the very least, the company should have experience with your type of property and must be insured and licensed in order to protect your property in case of an accident.

You know that just because a commercial landscape company belongs to several organizations, has won awards, or holds a ton of certifications doesn’t mean they are going to be the right fit. It does however tell you a lot about the company.

If they belong to several organizations, it shows they care to stay educated on what is new in the Green Industry, which can be a huge benefit for clients. If they have won several awards, it demonstrates they are industry leaders and can likely handle the type of work you need to be completed. If they claim they are certified in many areas, this likely means they don’t subcontract work out much and invest in their team.

We recommend looking for the following certifications:

• Certified Arborists
• Licensed Irrigators and Technicians
• Certified Nursery and Landscape Technicians
• Licensed Chemical Applicators

Tip 3- Do Some More Research

A commercial landscape company’s website is the easiest way to do research without having to be stuck on the phone. A website can tell you a large amount of information by what you find and more importantly, what you don’t find listed.

Check out the Photo and Video Portfolio

Photos and videos are one of the best tools to decide if a commercial landscaping company can handle your property.

• Investigate if they have similar properties pictured. Are the photos professional? Do these properties look how you want your property to look? Is the scope of clients narrow, focusing only on HOAs for example?
• Search for photos of their team and equipment. Are the team members uniformed? Does the equipment look in good shape? Do they have their own equipment or do they have to rent it out?

Dive into their About Page

The about page of many websites is commonly skimmed over, but it can provide you with great tools to help make your decision.

Look for this information on a commercial landscape company’s website:

• How long have they been in business?
• Do they have any processes or guarantees listed? These may speak to how well they communicate.
• What do they talk about? Does it seem like they understand your needs?
• Usually, a list of awards, affiliations, and certifications, as we mentioned above, can be found on the about page too.

Tip 4- Reach Out

Before you narrow your list of potential commercial landscape companies, we recommend you contact the company by phone or through their website form. This will immediately show you how effectively and efficiently they communicate. Making this one phone call can end up ruling out companies that are not right for you, saving you time that would have been wasted during a consultation meeting.

Have a list of the most important things you need to be answered, and see how the representative responds. A phone that isn’t answered, a message never returned, or a representative that has no idea how to begin answering your questions can help make an easy determination of which companies move on to the next phase.

Taking the Next Step

After you have completed these four tips, it's time to sit down for a chat with the company you think may be the right fit. An in-person meeting can clarify any questions you have remaining after doing your own research and give you an immediate idea if the company seems like a match.

This initial screening meeting is a great time to ask the potential commercial landscaping company if they have any references that you can speak with. You can dive into pricing and ask about their processes or if you will have one consistent point of contact.

Trusting Monarch with Your Commercial Property Management

While there is no shortage of commercial landscaping companies in the Houston area, we hope these four tips will help guide you in your search. Taking the time to screen commercial landscaping companies can ensure that you make the right choice. Making one great commercial landscape company hire can not only help your property shine, but it can make you look great too.

We encourage you to spend a moment researching Monarch Landscape Management just as you would any of our competitors. We’d love to spend time answering any questions you may have and welcome the chance to explain what we feel sets us apart from the rest.

If you are ready to work with a commercial landscape management company that will devise a plan, communicate efficiently, and handle all the details, then we are here to help. Get started by filling out our consultation form. We’ll meet to learn more about your property and work together to protect your investment.