Evaluate and Prioritize your Landscape Projects

Published on January 23, 2018 by Jackson Holliday

Part 2

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:

Where to Start

Now that you have considered the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) of your property, this is a great time to decide where your projects fit into your budget. In addition, phasing and scheduling out when each project will occur will help ease and relax your budgeting season. Most importantly, you have a plan for all of your property’s landscape needs.

Determining Your Costs

As a property manager or owner, you almost certainly are assessing costs, but how do you identify projects, prioritize and offer continual improvements to the surrounding landscape? To simplify, let’s break it down into two distinct budgets.

Why is this important? Because some property managers and owners may think adding one installation or simply performing monthly maintenance is enough. In reality, it is a combination of regular maintenance and planned upgrades that keep your property in pristine condition. It’s not in the best interest for your property to just submit the same budget as last year. In the end, carefully reviewing the operating and capital budget with your landscape service company will minimize urgent repairs, protect precious resources and be cost effective.

3-Year Plan

Think long term. We recognize budgets are limited and most properties have multiple goals for improvements. It can be over-whelming and sometimes seem impossible to get all of the projects complete in one year. Here is where you can get the advice from your commercial landscape maintenance provider on phasing and scheduling out projects:

This year – what are some quick fixes you have money to support this year? Is it mulch to spruce up an entrance, fall flowers to plant in planters or additional lawn care for healthy turf. Consider starting some improvement projects now.
The first year is geared toward general maintenance improvements. Improvements may include additional lawn care treatments, plant health care needs, comprehensive pruning and trimming beyond monthly maintenance requirements. This year may be a good time to begin large multi-year projects with phases.
The second year is focused on enhancements and major repairs or upgrades. This may include, irrigation repairs, plant and tree replacement, and drainage upgrades.
The third year is focused on multi- year project completions and may include, water conservation strategies or drought tolerant plantings.

Whether you are clear about the commercial property landscape goals or you need help to define a plan, take a moment, and schedule a consultation with your Account Manager at Terracare. It’s worth the time!

Need more budget help?.

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

Published on January 18, 2018 by Jackson Holliday

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.

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.

The Benefits of Creating Outdoor Space on Your Commercial Property

Published on January 22, 2018 by Jackson Holliday

Many property owners think improving their property’s landscape only adds aesthetic value, therefore many believe implementing new landscape projects won’t pay off. In fact, maintaining and enhancing your property, not only adds value, it can add usefulness too. However, creating functional outdoor space for employees can be a great investment to attract employees to the property. Research shows that spending the entire day indoors can have negative effects on mental and physical health, causing employees to be less productive and to feel dissatisfied in the workplace. Giving employees an outlet to escape the office and get some fresh air has countless benefits. Spending as little as 20 minutes a day outside can improve memory, reduce stress, encourage team building and improve social interaction. Companies that offer employees access to an outdoor space attract workers and support an employee-centric company culture, which can increase the employee retention rate and attract more applicants.

There’s a variety of ways to create an outdoor space for your company, no matter what type of property you have.

Rooftops or balconies

For buildings located in urban areas with limited space, rooftop green spaces are a great option. If you install outlets and a Wi-Fi connection, employees can enjoy a nice change of scenery without straying too far from their desks.

Patios

If you have pre-existing green space on your property, building a patio is an easy way to give your employees a place to escape the office. It can be used as a place to re-charge while eating lunch, or a peaceful alternative to the conference room for meetings.

Walking trails

If your office building is on a large plot of land, creating a walking trail encourages exercise and team building. Employees can take a quick walk to get their creative juices flowing, or have business discussions that would have otherwise taken place over cubicle walls. As an added bonus, companies that encourage exercise as part of a wellness program often receive discounted rates on healthcare.

If you’re interesting in enhancing the outdoor space on your commercial property, Terracare Associates can help. Just check out our website to see the variety of services we offer to make your dream a reality.

The Three Biggest Landscaping Trends for 2017

Published on January 22, 2018 by Jackson Holliday

Environmentally friendly landscaping practices have been growing in popularity for many years, and 2017 is no exception. The biggest landscaping trends this year focus on protecting the environment and preserving local resources.

Naturescaping

Naturescaping is a landscape concept that involves selecting plants for your property that grow naturally in the area. Since these types of plants are already evolved to grow under local conditions, the landscaping does not need to be drastically changed to suit them. Not only is this type of landscaping low maintenance, it is environmentally friendly because it requires less watering, less pesticide use and less fertilizer.

Water conservation

Regulating water use is a top priority during drought conditions, but water conservation tends to slip people’s minds when precipitation levels return to normal. However, water regulations are becoming the new norm year-round due to unpredictable weather conditions across the United States. Choosing drought-resistant plants for your property can drastically reduce the amount of water needed for irrigation. Drip irrigation is another great way to accomplish this. Drip irrigation drips water slowly onto the roots of a plant through a system of pipes and valves, rather than saturating plants with a sprinkler system. This minimizes nutrient loss and greatly increases the efficiency of watering. The simplest way to conserve water is to reduce unnecessary water usage before it happens by regularly checking irrigation equipment for leaks and cracks.

Technical advances in irrigation

New technology is constantly being developed to help landscapers and property owners more easily and effectively manage irrigation on their properties. One of the most popular innovations is wireless irrigation controllers that run on Wi-Fi. These are used in conjunction with rain sensors, so they can track weather trends in the area and soil moisture levels to detect how much water needs to be dispensed on your property.

Visit our website website to learn how Terracare Associates can help you and your properties keep up with the latest landscaping trends.