There may be a few property managers that have never been through the process of changing landscape providers, but most likely at some point in your property or facility management career it will happen.
A top notch landscape provider will work hard to build partnerships and create relationships that benefit both the client and the company, but unfortunately no one can make everyone happy all of the time and sometimes a change is made. So when do you make that change?
Obviously if you are having re-occurring issues with your provider that is an indication that it may be time to look at making a change. If you have had changes made to your property budget which require a reduction in costs it may be an appropriate time to consider a change.
Many times a change is considered at contract renewal time simply because that is the standard procedure.
Whatever the reason, a landscape provider change may be needed, but it is important to consider what the timing of that change may mean for you, the property/facility manager and for the new provider.
Seasonal influence
Landscaping is affected heavily by the weather and by the season of the year. Many times changes are made in the spring because that is when people become unhappy with the service they are being provided.
Pruning, weed control and turf management become top priorities in the spring and early summer. When those tasks are not being performed satisfactorily it is very obvious, and many times a change is made. Of course this is the same time of year all landscape providers are working feverishly to stay ahead of those same issues city-wide.
Compare that to making a change in the late fall or winter. While still being very busy, landscape providers are not battling shrubbery, weeds and turf growing out of control.
If your property is large or if you have multiple properties, many times there is a learning curve for the new provider to become familiar with the property(s). The winter months allow not only for that learning curve to be accommodated, but also help the new landscaper set the property up for success. The several tasks they do during the winter months allow for a head start on spring pruning and weed control.
As the leaves fall and the temperatures drop, winter will soon be here. If you believe there is a good chance you will need to make a change with your landscape provider this upcoming year do yourself and your new landscape provider a favor and get them on the property now so that they can get familiar with the scope of the property and set it up for success this spring.
If you have questions or need assistance with this process, HighGrove Partners are here to help. Please call us at (678) 298-0550 or fill out the form to the right and one of our Client Relations Managers will be happy to assist you.
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