We know that it's not easy to compare landscaping proposals.

So we've developed the following guideline to help you understand the method that most companies use to come up with their numbers.  By reading this you'll know WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK and WHAT ANSWERS TO LOOK FOR.

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

Most companies arrive at this price using a simple calculation (# of man hours x man hour rate x the number of services per year).  The problem is that when looking at the monthly or yearly cost, it’s easy to overlook the # of man hours that’s been allowed to perform the service.

This is where most relationships fail; without an adequate # of man hours to correctly perform the service, things just won’t get done, no matter how good the company’s intentions are.

Remember, it’s easy to manipulate this price just by decreasing the # of man hours.  MAKE SURE THAT EACH COMPANY IS ALLOWING THE APPROPRIATE MAN HOURS TO DO THE JOB.

HORTICULUTRAL SERVICES

A term you may be more familiar with is fertilization & pest control services.  This price is derived using another simple calculation (square footage x square foot price x the number of services per year).  It’s important to compare the square footage and the number of services per year. 

Make sure that each company has included all of the areas to be serviced and that each company has proposed the same number of services per year.  Lawn applications should never be less than 6 applications per year; shrub applications however can vary between 4 and 6 applications per year, depending on the level of quality and service desired and more importantly your budget. 

Another good question to ask, knowing that you’ll never really get a straight answer, is whether or not their square foot price allows for the purchase of the necessary products to properly treat the property.  There is a big variance in the cost of fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides, which directly reflects the quality or the effectiveness of the product. 

The truth is that you’ll never really know what’s being applied, but the results will be obvious.  Don’t settle for excuse after excuse as to why your property is not green and healthy.

IRRIGATION REPAIR SERVICES

There’s a lot to consider when hiring a company to handle the water management needs for your property.  The damages that can be caused by improperly maintaining your irrigation system can be devastating, not to mention the roller-coaster effect it can have on the curb appeal of your property.

Let’s start with the inspection; you can either be proactive in your approach to maintaining your irrigation system or reactive; and it all starts with a proper inspection.  If properly bid, the technician should be allowed to spend anywhere from 8 to 15 minutes per zone, depending on the size of the property and/or the size of the zone.  Assuming the technician is not being lazy; this will allow him/her the time to make any necessary adjustments and to identify any needed repairs.

Then we get into repairs, this is where the customer plays a big part.  Make sure to budget an adequate amount of money to pay for any necessary repairs.  This amount will depend on three key factors: the age of the system, the type of property it is and the amount of traffic or vandalism.  This is a good place to stash money in your budget, it will be there if you need it and if you don’t, it will be there to cover any other unexpected expenses.  Realize that a hundred dollar repair can cause thousands of dollars in damage if left ignored. 

Another important thing for you to get comfortable with is whether or not the company you choose has the knowledge to properly evaluate your irrigation system and to determine the most effective approach to any needed repairs.  In most cases time is of the essence. 

It also wouldn’t hurt to question the company’s ability to quickly respond to emergencies such as lightning strikes or mainline breaks and don’t forget to ask whether or not they’re available after-hours. 

ENHANCEMENT SERVICES

Whether you choose to pay for mulch installation and/or annual replacement monthly or as an extra, make sure to compare the quantities.  Unit prices are always pretty competitive; however there can be a significant difference in quantities, especially if left up to each company to determine. 

The best way is to dictate these quantities to the bidders, so you’re getting good comparable numbers.  The second best way is to determine which company has the best handle on the proper quantities and adjust the quantities in the other proposals accordingly.

ARBOR CARE SERVICES

The only arbor care services probably included in your proposals will be for palm tree trimming and this is pretty cut and dry.  Just make sure that each company has included all of the palm trees and that they’re being trimming at the same frequency per year. 

It’s also important that your Sabal palms and Washingtonia palms are trimmed after the seed pod growth each year.  Trimming them too soon will only result in a waste of time and money, because you’ll end up with nicely trimmed palms with unsightly seed pods hanging.