Landscape Add ons to monthly contracts

Hello,
I am the Board president for a 400+ Single Family home community. We are just starting our 2015/2016 budget prep. I have noticed over the years that we have been able to keep our monthly maintenance under control but in recent years I am seeing many additional sprinkler repair and other add on charges for Tree root mtce. Our community is 14 years old so this increase is to be expected but I am wondering if we are paying the going rate for these services. We are paying $60.00 per hour for the repairs to sprinklers and any tree root issues that arise. This rate seems high to me but we do live in Northern Ca. and everything seems to be a bit higher here.

My question is what do others pay for these repairs. We always use the same vendor that does our regular maintenance.

Thanks in advance.

Mark

Hi Mark,

Do you have a landscaping crew on your site daily? If so, perhaps you can discuss having them make the more simple irrigation repairs (broken sprinkler head, lateral line). Around $45.00/hr labor only does not includes parts for an irrigation tech is average here in Southern California. I'm not sure what you mean by tree root mtce? Landscaping is a huge expense for my HOA. It represents about 55-60% of the monthly dues. When in doubt, quote it out!