Maintaining common areas is one of the board’s most basic responsibilities. To fulfill that responsibility, the board has contracted with a professional landscaping company. Before signing the contract, the board sought bids from several potential companies, carefully considered the competence and expertise of each company, checked references, and compared fees.
These fees may seem like an added—or even unnecessary—expense; but, in the long run, the additional cost will be less than the losses we would face without professional help. Consider the advantages:
Professional Expertise: It takes more than a green thumb to maintain attractive and functional landscaping. Our contractor employs professional staff and trained labor crews. This expertise translates into a cost-effective and successful landscape maintenance program for our community.
Bulk Purchase Savings: Our landscape contractor purchases plants and supplies in bulk quantities at reduced prices and passes the savings along to us.
No Equipment to Buy or Maintain: The association doesn’t have to purchase, store, insure, maintain, or buy fuel for equipment.
Improved Plant Survival: Trees, turf, shrubs, and other plantings are costly. Without proper care, they don’t survive, especially immediately after installation. The landscaper guarantees newly planted shrubs and trees, so we don’t have to pay for replacing dead plants.
Reduced Liability: The association’s landscape contractor is properly insured and knowledgeable about—and in compliance with—all local and federal environmental requirements and safety regulations. Our contract shifts responsibility to the contractor and reduces the association’s liability.
Landscaping is very important to the community’s quality of life and its image and value. Maintaining it can be very expensive. Is it worth what the association pays for these services? Yes! In fact, failing to invest in professional landscape maintenance is a false economy because curb appeal makes our neighborhood desirable and contributes to the value of our individual homes.
