Landscape Contract Red Flags: Terminology to Watch for in Commercial Landscape Contracts

When evaluating commercial landscaping agreements, you’ll want to keep some red flags in mind as you review the landscape contract terminology.

There are certain things that should at least give you pause, and others that might be a big warning to consider a different commercial landscape maintenance and construction provider.

Jump to Section

• How to Identify Red Flags in Landscape Contracts?
• Understanding Important Terminology in Landscape Service Contracts 
• What Should Be Included in Commercial Landscaping Contracts?
• Tips for Reviewing Commercial Landscape Contracts 
• Choosing Commercial Landscape Maintenance & Construction in Greater Chicago

In this article, we’ll dive into how to identify red flags in commercial landscaping agreements. We’ll also discuss some important things to look for and how to compare different contracts.

How to Identify Red Flags in Landscape Contracts?

Seeing vague language or missing information is one of the best ways to identify that something might be amiss with your landscape contract. Here are some of the biggest landscape contract red flags that should sound the alarm bells.

Unclear Expectations & Vague Scope of Work

It’s important that your landscaping contract is both thorough and detailed. You shouldn’t have many questions after reading through the expectations and scope of work. If this language isn’t clear and well-defined, that’s a landscape contract red flag.

Your contract should include details for all services, including mowing, edging, fertilization, pruning, mulch installations, and spring and fall cleanups. In addition, any extra services, such as edging and pruning, will be noted if they are included in the service package.

Upfront Payment Requirements or Undefined Pricing Structure

Understanding exactly how you’ll be expected to pay is also important. However, if the commercial landscaper you’re meeting with asks for a large payment up front without doing any work on your property, then that might be a landscape contract red flag.

You should agree to payment terms that fit your budget and needs, and then those should be clearly outlined in your contract.

Missing Communication Details

When your commercial landscape contract is finalized, it should include preferred methods for contacting your commercial landscape company to ask questions or address issues.

This is something you need as a property manager to ensure that, if you have special events or requests, you can reach out quickly and get them accomplished.

No Proof of Liability or Workers’ Compensation Coverage

When you hire a commercial landscape company without insurance, then you’re at risk if they do any major damage to your property or if one of their workers gets injured while working on your property.

A reputable company should be able to show you proof of up-to-date insurance, so you don’t have to worry or include this documentation in your commercial landscaping agreement.

No Contract At All

Finally, this might be obvious, but the lack of a contract is also a red flag! You should have a robust, detailed contract that spells out the commercial landscaping terms & conditions in writing.

When hiring a commercial landscape company, avoid verbal agreements. You want the company you hire to be accountable for the work they said they’d perform, with signed documentation to prove it.

Understanding Important Terminology in Landscape Service Contracts 

Understanding landscape contract terminology can help ensure that you are interpreting the contract correctly and have appropriate expectations. Sometimes disputes occur when landscape contract terminology is not fully understood.

Here are a few things you ought to know.

Maintenance vs. Enhancements: These are two different things, and understanding what falls under the “maintenance” classification vs. “enhancements” (often “extras”) is important. Maintenance work is routine and recurring. Examples would be mowing and blowing. Enhancements are non-routine and include things like plant replacement, mulching, and irrigation upgrades.

Scope of Work: The scope of work in the contract is a detailed description of all services to be provided.

Service Frequency: A contract should also outline how often these services are performed and which locations are included. Your contract should specify the basic services along with any extra services. For example, edging and pruning should be listed as included, so you won’t be charged separately for these tasks later.

Contract Term: The contract term should also be outlined. This should include start date, end date, and renewal conditions.

What Should Be Included in Commercial Landscaping Contracts?

A commercial landscape contract agreement must be thorough, detailed, and understood by both parties. You have standards, and they should be represented in writing.

Some of the must-haves in a commercial landscaping contract include:

• Scope of work

• Frequency of service

• Defined areas to maintain (site map)

• Commercial landscaping terms and conditions

• Communication details

• Any rules or regulations of your site
  

Tips for Reviewing Commercial Landscape Contracts 

It’s quite likely you are reviewing more than one bid for landscape maintenance at your Greater Chicago area commercial property. Comparing commercial landscaping agreements side by side isn’t always easy, as the contracts may use different landscape contract terminology.

Be sure to watch out for some of the landscape contract red flags discussed in this article. Also, make sure your contract is detailed and includes everything you need.

Let your voice be heard in the review process. You can never ask too many questions when you’re reviewing your commercial landscape maintenance contract. By the time you are close to signing, you should feel confident in your decision. There should be no lingering questions at that point.

Don’t be afraid to drill down into bids to ensure you are making the right choice.

This process should also be about building confidence in the service partnership you're creating. That trust goes a long way in keeping the process smooth throughout the season.

Choosing Commercial Landscape Maintenance & Construction in Greater Chicago

Doing your research and being prepared is always better than jumping into contract terms in landscaping that you didn’t agree to, don’t understand, or that don’t help you or your property.

This is why it’s so important not to rush through the review process. Ask plenty of questions and don’t be afraid to inquire about things you don’t understand or that seem unclear.

In the end, you want a commercial landscape company that is going to meet all of your specific needs for your Greater Chicago commercial property.

A company that takes you seriously, listens to your needs, and presents a well-thought-out, professional image and a detailed maintenance contract is the one that will help you feel confident you’re making a great choice. After all, a company that communicates and focuses on details in the beginning is going to bring that same attention to detail to your commercial property.

Ready to see how KD Landscape can better manage your Greater Chicago commercial landscape? We’d love to share our expertise with you and deliver a property that stands out. Get started today with an on-site consultation. Together, we can prepare a plan that works best for you.