Landscaping for Connecticut Property Management Companies: How to Choose the Right Landscaper

As a property management company, you choose every service provider carefully. You want to be sure that you work with only the best, most reliable vendors for each and every service. Property management companies and real estate agents in Southeastern Connecticut look for a seamless working relationship with vendors, and use detailed criteria when selecting landscaping companies.

If you are a property management company in Connecticut, here are some things you should know when choosing your landscaping company.

Services

The first thing you should look for when choosing a landscaping company is the specific services you need. Before you even approach any potential service providers for a quote, make a list of the services you are looking for. You may want to decide which services are most important to you, so that if you need to budget carefully, you already know how you can trim the list.

At MOXIE Landscaping, our services include lawn mowing, spring clean-ups, annual flower installation, landscape maintenance, mulch installation, weeding, hedge trimming, leaf removal, storm clean-up, and much more! Our mission is to exceed expectations by providing above-and-beyond services. We pride ourselves on taking a proactive approach, solving problems before they arise. For example, ensuring mulch is installed before weeds begin growing. 

Insurance and Licensing

Property management companies like MOXIE Property Management require their vendors to have the appropriate licenses and insurance. And for good reason! Proper insurance and licensing ensure that you can trust your service provider, even when something goes wrong.

For companies based in Connecticut, that license is a Home Improvement Contractor license, more commonly known as a HIC. Additionally, most property management companies require vendors to carry general liability, automobile, workman’s comp, and–in recent years–an umbrella policy.

Additionally, a property management group may require irrigation start-up, shutdown, and tree work services. All three of these services require specialized licensing in Connecticut. If you may need these services, it’s important to know in advance so that you can ensure you choose a company that has the proper licensing. Additionally, a trend with Massachusetts-based property management companies is asking for a waiver of subrogation–this is a waiver that ensures the property management company will not be held liable for damages that happen on their property. Property management companies also commonly ask for a certificate of insurance and a W9.

A well-organized property management company will have a vendor packet outlining the requirements for onboarding a new vendor. We highly recommend creating a packet before seeking out a landscaping company–it will protect your interests and ensure nothing is overlooked.

Scope of Work and Estimating

A scope of work outlines–in detail–the anticipated work to be performed by the landscaper. It can vary greatly but generally includes what services are needed, and often outlines how and when each of the services will be performed. For example, it may include a specified height to which the grass should be mowed. It may also discuss whether the grass clippings need to be bagged, and what time of day and which days of the week the service should be provided. Other services typically mentioned in a scope of work include weeding, mulch installation, edging, pruning, and seasonal color through annuals.

Property management companies may be very precise in asking for chemical applications like lawn fertilizing and pesticide control. The use of chemicals should be practiced carefully, with consideration for the specific needs of the outdoor space and the people who will occupy it–so the details in the scope of work are important.

MOXIE Landscaping has a vast network of vendors coordinating efforts to flawlessly execute any service required by a property management company. We know that you need a company to understand the scope of work, meet the specific timeline set forth, and anticipate your needs.

Timely Turnaround and Consistent Scheduling

Communication is key to providing excellent service. When you are choosing your landscaping service provider, look for a company that is transparent about its turnaround and scheduling practices.

MOXIE Landscaping provides timely turnaround and consistent scheduling to our commercial clients including condo associations, retail locations, and medical offices. We provide a detailed written estimate based on the scope of work provided by the property management company.

Real estate agents or property managers who manage single-family homes as rental properties should advise their owners to include the cost of landscape management with their properties. Too often, this is left to the tenant and can quickly become neglected. This can lead to exorbitant and unanticipated expenses during turnover. Truly an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure–and these are exactly the types of circumstances that require timely turnaround and consistent scheduling. You should feel confident that the landscaping company you choose will have your back in a time crunch.

A unique aspect of MOXIE Landscaping’s business model is our impressive turnaround time. The time from when the proposal is accepted to the start of the project is typically 48 hours (about 2 days).

Customer Service

As you reach out to landscaping companies, pay attention to how each one responds to you. Are they quick to answer your emails? If they aren’t available when you call, do they call back in a timely manner? Do they make it easy to get in touch with them?

Beyond the initial outreach, think about the experience of communicating with the company. Are they friendly? Do they take the time to answer your questions? Do you get to speak with the same few team members each time you reach out to them?

The customer service factor is one of the greatest benefits of choosing a local landscaping company. At MOXIE Landscaping, we’re a small business. Each client’s experience is important to us. We take that responsibility seriously, and we strive to show that in every client interaction.

Final Thoughts

If your property management company is in the process of choosing a new landscaping company, don’t stress! Take the time to cover all your bases, and keep all of the factors above in mind. If you are a property management company located in Southeastern Connecticut, reach out to MOXIE Landscaping to learn about our services!