Questions for potential Landscapers

IMO . . . in the search for a new landscape contractor, the Board does not begin with what questions to ask landscapers. The Board begins with developing (if not already developed) the specific specification/requirements that you have for your landscaping needs.

Things to consider for your speciation/requirements:
- grass to be cut and other land to be maintained and frequency
- mechanical edging of areas and frequency
- mulching of beds, trees, etc. and frequency
- weeding of mulched areas and frequency
- turf treatments (fertilizer, weed treatment, etc.) and frequency
- shrub trimming/pruning and frequency
- tree pruning and frequency
- watering and frequency
- etc.

Then after your specification/requirements development, you decide what other info you need from interested companies:
- proof of insurance
- references (specifically other HOA references)
- certifications/licenses (e.g., for turf treatment)
- any specific questions you want to ask them (e.g., years in business, prior job experience, capabilities/skills other than landscaping which may be needed by your HOA (hardscaping, masonry, etc.) company-owned equipment, number and company personnel and specific positions, etc.).

From there, you look for companies interested in submitting proposals. Then after reviewing any proposals that come in by whatever date you require them to be submitted, you will have virtually apples-to-apples comparison between companies. Only after all of that can you ask any other lingering questions you may have.

I suspect the new breed wants to find someone who may be cheaper - that's ok and after 16 years, a shakeup could be useful if you wind up with a vendor who provides the same quality of services at a more competitive rate. To be fair, use ND's suggestions with all vendors, including the current one. If they want to keep your business, they'll work harder to make that happen.

I'd also ask the board members why they want a new vendor - these days, I say if it isn't broke, why take a hammer to what's worked well. If they have issues, they should be specific. Has the board discussed those issues with the vendor - if not, why not? They should be given a chance to make things right and if that doesn't know they'll understand why they lost a client.

We’re experiencing the same thing. Here in Florida where everything grows all year round, we are living in fear of losing one of our landscaping contractors because we could never find a new one to take the job now.

We went through three landscaping companies in the last five years. First the board went with cheapest. You get what you pay for. Then went with more expensive but unresponsive. Finally found one we like but not perfect.

To us the biggest issue is communication. Who’s your point of contact. Can you reliably reach them. How do they respond to homeowner complaint? What’s the process for a damage claim?

Also frequency of service. How many times will they trim bushes or cut trees? Make sure you compare apples to apples on bids

This would not be the year I would be looking for a new landscaper. No one is at their best because there’s simply no labor to be had.