Make Budget Season a Breeze with These Tips for Hiring a Landscape Contractor

Ah, the “-ber” months. It’s time for crunching leaves underfoot, pumpkin spice everything, and curling up under a cozy blanket.

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Unless you’re a business owner, that is - or anyone who’s responsible for making and setting budgets for a business.

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This time of the year, from midsummer through mid-autumn, is what’s known as “budget season” by those in the know. It can be a time of great stress and anxiety - will everything you need to pay for make the cut in this year’s budget?

If you’ve been spending your time biting your nails and wondering how you’re going to make everything work, take a deep breath. You might be feeling the heat - August and September, in particular, can be a real crunch time as you try to balance the books and make sure your properties are in tip-top shape. 

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You’re not alone. This can be a tricky time for everyone, but believe it or not, it is possible to master budget season without breaking a sweat. In this post, the team at Nasim Landscape will walk you through the process of budgeting for landscaping services - and give you some helpful tips for dealing with a high-stress budget season. 

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Grab a cup of coffee and pull up your Quickbooks - it’s time to start planning. 

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Tips for Dealing With a High-Stress Budget Season

One of the best ways to deal with a high-stress budget season is to plan for it to be stressful from the get-go. Although there’s a lot that goes into creating a budget for any business, the reality is that a bit of planning early on (and ideally, some thought into what your business needs throughout the year), can save you a lot of headaches when it’s crunch time.

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Here are some tips to make this budget season your least-stressful one yet, particularly as it relates to hiring a landscaping contractor. Pro tip - feel free to apply this advice to any other type of contractor you need to budget for, too!

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Set Clear Objectives

Before you even put pencil to paper or start thinking about numbers, you need to have a clear idea of what exactly you’re looking for.

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Does your business need a full-service landscape company that can handle everything from designing those lush gardens to maintaining them year-round? What about snow plowing? Or do you just need someone to keep the lawn mowed and the weeds at bay?

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This is an important distinction to make. A full-service landscape company offers design, installation, and maintenance work. They’ll have designers, account managers, and a comprehensive crew to provide you with everything you need, from constructing beautiful hardscapes to planting shrubs. 

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On the other hand, maintenance companies typically offer only basic lawn services like mowing, weed-eating, edging, leaf clean-up, and perhaps light pruning. 

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Knowing what type of service - or services - you’ll need will streamline the entire budgeting process, so start this brainstorming early on. Ask other team members what they think about your business's needs, and make sure you’ve written down a list of some must-haves and some nice-to-haves. 

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Come Up With a Plan

Once your objectives are clear, it’s time to start planning. You’ll need to find a contractor who meets the needs you’ve broken down above, but remember that your list of needs may evolve as you speak with contractors who recommend services or areas you haven’t considered yet. Be open to suggestions.

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If you opt for a maintenance company, know that many sole proprietors offer lawn maintenance services. These may be more cost-effective, but may not provide the breadth of services (or level of reliability) of a full-service company. Decide what’s most important for your property, then start listing potential contractors who fit the bill. 

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Consider All Expenses and Get Estimates

Budgeting isn't just about pulling numbers out of thin air. You need to consider all possible expenses and get estimates to ensure there are no nasty surprises down the line. 

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Get quotes from multiple contractors to compare prices and services, and don't forget to read the fine print. This will give you a clearer idea of what to expect financially and help you allocate your budget more effectively.

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When should you do this? Ideally, as early as possible. If you’re reading this in September (or October!) and are worried it’s too late, don’t worry - it’s not. Better late than never! But if you can gather up your quotes at the beginning of the second quarter - before summer is in full swing - that’s even better.

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Coordinate Across Departments (If Necessary)

If your business or property management decision-making involves multiple departments, make sure everyone is on the same page. Coordination is key, especially when it comes to big projects like landscaping. 

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Different departments might have different needs or priorities, so it’s crucial to align everyone’s objectives to avoid any potential conflicts.

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For instance, if you’re overseeing a landscaping project that involves both maintenance and aesthetics, the groundskeeping team may require specific plant selections that support low maintenance yet still enhance visual appeal. 

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Meanwhile, the event planning department might need to set up outdoor spaces for upcoming functions, which can clash with ongoing landscaping activities. 

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By coordinating these different departments, you can make sure that the landscape doesn’t interfere with event preparations. These kinds of considerations will maximize the functionality and appearance of your outdoor areas for everyone involved.

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Review Your Past Budgets

Take a trip down memory lane and review your past budgets. What worked? What didn’t? This can provide valuable insights and help you avoid previous mistakes. 

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Analyzing past budgets can also highlight areas where you might have overspent or underestimated costs, giving you a better framework for this year's budget.

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Research Potential Contractors Ahead of Time

Don't wait until the last minute to start looking for contractors. Research potential candidates well in advance. Look for reviews, ask for recommendations and referrals, and check out their portfolios. This will give you a sense of their reliability and the quality of their work. 

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Again, it might be tempting to go for the lowest bid, but remember - you get what you pay for. Take some time to research all the options, and you’ll likely find the perfect fit regardless of price.

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Interview Your Contractors

Once you have a shortlist of potential contractors, set up interviews. This is your chance to dig deeper and find out if they're the right fit for your property.

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What kinds of questions should you ask? Ultimately, these should be tailored toward your unique business, but some good ones to consider include:

• What is your experience with projects similar to mine?
• Can you provide references from past clients?
• How do you ensure that your projects stay on schedule and within budget?
• What is included in your estimate, and are there any potential additional costs I should be aware of?
• If I choose certain materials or plants that aren’t available at nurseries, how will you determine appropriate substitutes? 
• How do you handle unforeseen issues (including inclement weather) or changes during the project?
• What is your preferred method of communication throughout the project?
• Can you share your policy on warranties and post-project support?
• How many projects do you typically work on at once, and how will my project fit into your current workload?
• Do you have the necessary licenses and insurance for the work you’ll be performing?
• How do you guarantee safety on the job site?

Remember, the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask. Clear communication is key for any project, so don’t hesitate to ask more questions, even if you think they’re trivial. It’s better to be overly cautious than to regret not asking later (and no, you’re not annoying us).

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Carefully Read Through the Contract

You’ve found the perfect contractor - great! But before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you thoroughly read through the contract. 

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Look out for any hidden fees, clauses, or terms that might catch you off guard. Make sure that everything discussed during your meetings is included in writing.

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Regularly Review and Adjust

Once the project is underway, don’t assume everything will go according to plan. 

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Again, good communication is key here, but you also need to take the time to regularly review the progress and make adjustments as necessary. This will help catch any issues early and make sure the projects and scheduled services stay on track.

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Invest in Comprehensive Solutions

One of the most stressful aspects of budgeting is dealing with multiple moving parts. You have “x” amounts of money to dedicate to what feels like an unending list of required services. Investing in comprehensive solutions can save you time and stress. 

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Companies like Nasim Landscape, who offer everything under one roof, can help save you some stress. It’s like going to the supermarket to get all the groceries you need, rather than visiting the bakery, deli, florist, pharmacy, and farmer’s market separately. 

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This is especially important if you’re a property manager who's working to coordinate and budget for multiple services - and working with multiple vendors. Choose a contractor like Nasim, who takes care of the details, and you’ll find that your workload is significantly reduced. We’ll take care of the details for you!

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Why Nasim Landscape Should Be Part of Your Bottom Line

As you’re crunching the numbers this budget season, consider these reasons why Nasim Landscape should be your go-to choice:

Sustainability Initiatives 

In today’s eco-conscious world, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword - it’s a necessity. Unfortunately, there are far too many landscaping contractors out there that are talking the talk but are just not walking the walk.

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At Nasim Landscape, we take sustainability seriously. We use eco-friendly materials and sustainable practices that minimize our environmental impact, such as our integrated pest management approach that turns to chemical treatments and more aggressive pest control techniques only when absolutely necessary.

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IPM focuses on long-term prevention and uses a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, and resistant varieties. Imagine having a lush, green property that doesn’t harm the landscape - that’s the power of IPM, and that’s what we offer here at Nasim.

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We have the paperwork to back it up, too. We have a few different certifications that testify to our environmental dedication, including the Eco Pro Sustainable Landscape Professional certification that’s held by several members of our team. This shows that we follow the best practices for sustainable landscaping, from plant selection to water management.

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Proactive

Being proactive rather than reactive can save you a lot of stress and money always, but especially during budget season. At Nasim Landscape, we thrive on proactive planning. We’ll work closely with you so you can have budgets ready and proposals and assessments completed well in advance. This way, you’re not rushing at the last minute to get everything done.

With us, you won’t be waiting months for a bid. We’ll get you what you need ASAP so you can make decisions and meet your deadlines.

By planning ahead, you make sure that your property remains in top condition year-round, and you avoid any surprises that could throw your budget off track. Nasim Landscape’s proactive approach is one of our most standout features, setting them apart from other contractors.

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Data-Driven Decision Making

Data-driven decision-making is crucial in today’s business environment. Nasim Landscape leverages technology to provide insights that help you make informed decisions about your property. 

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From the health of your lawn to the efficiency of your irrigation system, you get detailed reports and actionable insights. These insights allow you to make the best decisions for your property, ensuring that it remains in pristine condition while also being cost-effective. 

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It's like having a crystal ball for your landscaping needs, guiding you every step of the way.

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Ability to Create Multi-Year Plans and Contracts

Budgeting isn’t just about the immediate fiscal year - it’s also about planning for the future. At Nasim Landscape, we offer multi-year plans and contracts that allow you to lock in prices and services for several years. This can be a game-changer for long-term financial planning and stability. 

With multi-year contracts, you won’t have to worry about negotiating terms or researching new contractors every year. Instead, you’ll have consistent, reliable service and accurate long-term budgeting. 

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Transparency 

Transparency is key to a successful partnership. Nasim Landscape prides itself on being transparent in all their dealings. From initial quotes to final billing, everything is laid out clearly, so there are no surprises.

This level of transparency builds trust and ensures that you’re always on the same page. It makes budgeting easier and helps maintain a healthy, long-lasting relationship between you and your landscape contractor.

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Community-Based Partner

We aren’t just service providers - we’re community-based partners. We understand the unique needs and challenges of our area, which means we can provide services that are tailored to your specific requirements. 

This also means that we’re invested in the success of your property and the health of the local environment. We offer a level of service that larger companies simply can’t match.

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Year-Round Services

Landscaping isn’t a one-time job; it’s a year-round commitment. Nasim Landscape offers comprehensive year-round services, from standard maintenance like mowing and edging to seasonal tasks like irrigation and fertilization.

With our year-round services, you can make sure that your property looks its best no matter the season. This consistent care helps in maintaining the value and appeal of your property, making it a more attractive option for tenants or customers.

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Smart Solutions

Incorporating smart solutions into your landscaping can save you time and money. Nasim Landscape uses smart irrigation systems like Weathermatic to make sure that your lawn gets the right amount of water without waste. This not only keeps your lawn healthy but also reduces water bills - helping you take care of another budget line item in the process. 

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Easy Measuring and Scheduling 

Our smart solutions extend to measuring and scheduling as well. With tools like Attentive.ai, we can quickly and accurately measure your property without having to schedule an in-person visit. This way, we can turn your quotes around faster and help you get that budget done sooner than you thought possible.  

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At Nasim Landscape, we don’t shy away from tech. We use transformative, all-inclusive software like Aspire to manage all aspects of your service. We’ll be able to give you a clear idea of exactly what we’re proposing - even without having to meet on-site. 

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Budget Wisely This Season with Nasim Landscape

Budget season doesn’t have to be a stressful time. By partnering with Nasim Landscape, you can make sure that your property is well-maintained, environmentally friendly, and, most importantly, within budget. 

Ready to make your budget season a breeze? Contact us today and take the first step toward a more beautiful, well-maintained (and budget-friendly!) property.

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