You can save money on commercial landscaping by planning your supplies early, and this is doable by forecasting seasonal supply needs before demand peaks and consolidating orders across multiple commercial properties. You can also check inventory before reordering supplies and coordinate supplier deliveries with the work schedule.
The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) says that the top goal for 79% of commercial landscape contractors is to grow their revenue, and 71% want to acquire new customers. There are many strategies to use regarding revenue growth for a commercial landscaping company, but one area of focus is to optimize your budget.
Business owners should take a closer look at their spending and optimize their budgets.
What Are the Four Types of Landscapes?
The four types of landscapes are:
- Natural: Features elements like forests, mountains, rivers, and grasslands, and focuses on preserving native vegetation and protecting wildlife habitats
- Urban: Found in cities and developed areas, and includes parks, public gardens, courtyards, rooftop gardens, and landscaped commercial properties
- Rural: Includes farmland, countryside properties, and open spaces, and often combines functional land use with ornamental plants and natural boundaries
- Coastal: Happens near oceans, seas, and shorelines, and there needs to be careful plant selection due to salt spray, sandy soils, and strong winds
If you first understand which type of landscaping you're dealing with, then you can choose the right plants and materials, as well as maintenance strategies.
How Can You Save Money on Commercial Landscaping by Planning Your Supplies Early?
Making good use of your commercial lawn care company's budget means you need to plan ahead of time. Here are the ways you can save money by doing so.
Forecast Seasonal Supply Needs Before Demand Peaks
One of the biggest pre-season ordering benefits is that you can avoid seasonal price increases and last-minute purchasing. Before the busy period starts, you should take a look at your property portfolio and estimate how much of the following you'll need:
- Mulch
- Soil amendments
- Fertilizer
- Replacement plants
- Irrigation components
The next step is to compare previous purchasing records with your planned maintenance schedules, as you can get realistic estimates this way. Make sure you account for newly acquired properties and planned landscape renovations separately.
Consolidate Orders Across Multiple Commercial Properties
If you have several commercial landscapes, then centralize purchasing for all site managers. When you combine orders, you'll often get supply discounts from suppliers, and you'll reduce administrative work, too.
To make things easier, standardize specifications for frequently purchased materials. Avoid doing this if individual properties have different soil conditions, plant requirements, or design specifications, though.
Don't forget to factor in delivery logistics, too. A large order may not necessarily be cheaper if you have to transport materials across large distances, as this may require freight charges or extra handling.
Check Inventory Before Reordering Supplies
Without an organized inventory system, you may accidentally pay for materials you already own. Check the following before placing seasonal orders:
- Storage areas
- Maintenance vehicles
- Site-level supply cabinets
Record the quantities and storage locations, as well as the purchase dates. Noting down the expected usage can be useful as well. Consider using simple spreadsheets for smaller operations and inventory software for larger businesses.
Another thing that's important to do is to distinguish between usable inventory and materials that have deteriorated, expired, or become unsuitable. You may have bulk turf products, but if they're incorrectly stored or forgotten, then this can create waste.
Coordinate Supplier Deliveries With the Work Schedule
Getting down the delivery times can make things much easier and more manageable for professional landscape management. In addition, it'll save you money. For example, if you order too late, you'll have to pay rush delivery fees, but if you order too early, you may face storage expenses and theft risks.
To coordinate supplier deliveries, create a procurement timeline that includes:
- Approval deadlines
- Order dates
- Expected delivery windows
- Installation dates
You should also confirm delivery requirements; that way, you can build reasonable buffers into your schedules. By finding out more info about Green Dividends Early Order Program, you can plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Cheapest Way To Do Landscaping?
The cheapest way to do landscaping is to work with the existing space instead of completely redesigning it. Retaining the following can significantly cut upfront costs:
- Healthy trees
- Established shrubs
- Usable pathways
- Existing soil
You can also choose plants that are suited to the local climate, as these can require less watering and ongoing care. To further save money, consider reusing suitable materials, such as existing edging or salvaged pavers.
Those dealing with larger properties should complete improvements in stages. This can make budgeting more manageable.
What Makes the Most Money in Landscaping?
What makes the most money in landscaping is a combination of strong customer demand, recurring contracts, and efficient labor and equipment use.
In commercial landscaping specifically, these can all offer worthwhile profit opportunities:
- Commercial maintenance contracts
- Irrigation installation and repair
- Landscape design and installation
- Seasonal services
Do note that actual profitability will depend on several factors, such as local competition and pricing. You should track gross profit by service instead of judging success by overall revenue alone.
What Are the Five Principles of Landscaping?
The five principles of landscaping are used to create outdoor spaces that are cohesive, and they make the spaces feel comfortable and function effectively, too. They are:
- Unity: All landscape elements should work together
- Balance: Visual weight should be distributed thoughtfully
- Proportion: Plants, structures, pathways, and decorative features should suit the scale of the property
- Rhythm: Repetition and gradual changes guide the eye through the landscape
- Focalization: A focal point gives the landscape a visual anchor
If you follow these principles, then you can avoid making your space feel crowded or disconnected.
Plan Ahead for Your Commercial Landscaping Supplies
It's always a good idea to plan ahead for your commercial landscaping company, as running out of supplies is never good. When you secure deliveries with the right timing, not only can you save money, but you can also ensure that everything your crews need is available.
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