Getting the right help

Choosing the right commercial landscaping company

Here are a few criteria to consider before entrusting a contractor to work on your grounds.

Which services do you require?

Landscaping is a broad term covering many aspects, some of which require considerable investment in specialist training and mechanical equipment:

• Design – advice and designs of feasible options to fulfil the owner’s vision within site and budget parameters.
• Hard Landscaping – construction of drainage systems, hard surfacing, walls, fencing; installation of gates and barriers, bollards, water features, outdoor amenities, lighting, erosion control.
• Soft Landscaping – tree and shrub planting, preparation and laying of lawns.
• Maintenance – a regular programme of pruning, weed control, grass-cutting, leaf clearance, mulching, fertiliser and pesticide treatments throughout the seasonal cycle.
• Winter gritting and snow clearance – often done outside normal working hours.
• Tree surgery – high-risk work by skilled arboriculturists with specialist equipment.
• Green Roofs and Living Walls – installation by a specialist project team.
• Clearance of development sites – large mechanical plant and equipment required.
• Treatment of Invasive weeds – a specialist service with long-term benefits.
• Grounds Management – a complete service capability including all the above.

Not all commercial landscapers have the resources and expertise to provide every service. For smaller properties, a multi-skilled service capability may be unnecessary, but for larger or multiple sites a ‘one-stop shop’ Grounds Management company is usually preferable, saving the inconvenience and expense of trying to get specialist tasks done as and when they arise.

Environmental credentials

Checking a company’s environmental credentials is becoming increasingly important in the way we do business: sustainable sourcing of materials, carbon footprint reduction, waste management and recycling, electric vehicles and eco-friendly working practices. Yet the degree to which they implement these in practice can vary considerably.

Certifications & Accreditations

As in most trades, to protect against ‘cowboys’ there are a number of recognised bodies that vet contractors to make sure they meet regulatory standards in relation to Health & Safety, insurances, staff training, financial stability and the environment.  Many larger organisations will only use contractors accredited by, for example, Safecontactor, CHAS, Constructionline, SMAS and the like. A company’s website will often hold all this information.

Account management

Before you enter into a service contract, find out how they will manage the account. Who will be responsible to make sure the work’s carried out properly, and who will be your regular point-of-contact?  Having your account managed by a person who you know, and who knows your site, helps to ensure a successful working relationship, and makes any problems easier to resolve.

References & Testimonials