Four Smart Tips to Start a Commercial Landscape Budget – It’s SWOT

Part 1

Studies show a beautiful commercial landscape can raise your property value and attractiveness by as much as 20%. Simply, through careful planning, a well-maintained property can transform into a place people will enjoy year round. This all starts with a budget.

During the month of August, we will provide you a 5 part series on how to easily create your 2018 budget, with the help of your commercial landscape company. Below are the links to the other blog posts in this series:

It’s SWOT

Start with a walk through with your landscape provider. This opens the discussion on four key areas:

Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats or challenges

A SWOT analysis breaks down the property’s features into good or challenging areas and evaluates the property as a whole. Even better, it builds a dialog between you, the property manager, and your landscape account manager on expectations and priorities. Discuss with your Terracare representative the following as you walk the property.

Strengths	Weaknesses
• What do you like about the property? • Are the property entrances a focal point and well kept? • Are there shade trees throughout the property? • Do you have enough color?	• Do you have irrigation issues? • Are there quick fixes like mulch you can take care of today to improve quickly? • Are there any menacing pests that will harm trees or plants? • Does your turf need more luster?
Opportunities	Threats or challenges
• Think long term. • What projects would you like to do, if costs were not part of the equations? • Consider upgrading your irrigation system to be eco-friendly and conserve water usage significantly. • Plant replacement or converting turf area to more sustainable plants. • Ask your landscape provider how to help build a 3-year landscape plan and start in stages.	• What limitations do you have on the property? • Will there be more growth? • Will foot or car traffic increase in the future? • Look at areas that are more vulnerable, and if left untreated this might have a costly outcome. •Do you have defined outdoor areas for future visitors or workforce?

Strengths

Weaknesses

• What do you like about the property?

• Are the property entrances a focal point and well kept?

• Are there shade trees throughout the property?

• Do you have enough color?

• Do you have irrigation issues?

• Are there quick fixes like mulch you can take care of today to improve quickly?

• Are there any menacing pests that will harm trees or plants?

• Does your turf need more luster?

Opportunities

Threats or challenges

• Think long term.

• What projects would you like to do, if costs were not part of the equations?

• Consider upgrading your irrigation system to be eco-friendly and conserve water usage significantly.

• Plant replacement or converting turf area to more sustainable plants.

• Ask your landscape provider how to help build a 3-year landscape plan and start in stages.

• What limitations do you have on the property?

• Will there be more growth?

• Will foot or car traffic increase in the future?

• Look at areas that are more vulnerable, and if left untreated this might have a costly outcome.

•Do you have defined outdoor areas for future visitors or workforce?

What’s next? – start now, schedule your property walk through with a SWOT in your hand and simplify the decision with this assessment tool. It’s a smart way to begin your budget process. See part 2 next week on how to prioritize your landscape projects.

Schedule an Appointment.