What’s the Magic Number? How much should you pay as an HOA for landscape management in North Florida?

The cost of Homeowners Association (HOA) landscaping in North Florida can vary based on several factors. Here are seven key considerations when determining how much to pay for HOA landscaping services:

1. Size of the Property

The size of the community or property managed by the HOA will significantly impact the cost. Larger properties with more landscaping features and green spaces generally require more maintenance and, therefore, a higher cost and a larger team.

2. Landscaping Features

Consider the complexity and diversity of the landscaping features within the community. If there are intricate gardens, specialized plantings, or unique hardscape elements, the maintenance requirements and costs may be higher.

3. Frequency of Service

The frequency of landscaping services, such as lawn mowing, pruning, weeding, and irrigation system maintenance, will influence the overall cost. Some communities may require weekly maintenance, while others may opt for bi-weekly or monthly services.

4. Contract Terms

The terms of the landscaping contract, including the duration and scope of services, will impact the cost. Long-term contracts or agreements that cover a comprehensive range of services may offer better pricing compared to short-term or limited-service contracts.

5. Local Market Rates

The cost of landscaping services can vary by region and local market rates. It’s essential to research and compare prices with other HOAs in North Florida to ensure that you are getting competitive rates. Overall Commercial Landscape management services are highly competitive and there is massive pressure on pricing. It is rare that a local company who has long term success is going to be overpriced in their market. The market will not allow that long term.

6. Additional Services

If the landscaping company provides additional services, such as pest control, fertilization, or seasonal plantings, these can contribute to the overall cost. Clarify what services are included in the agreement and whether there are any optional services available.

7. Professionalism and Reputation of the Landscaping Company

Established and reputable landscaping companies may charge higher rates, but they often provide higher-quality services. Consider the professionalism, experience, and reputation of the landscaping company when evaluating costs. Local providers know their environment much better than large companies who may bring in managers or a sales machine from California, Atlanta, Chicago, or areas that are nothing like North Florida. Buying Local is always a great benefit to the entire community. Your dollars stay local and are reinvested in local businesses. Bigger is often not better. Your local provider knows the local landscape environment well. Local providers can bring you decades of knowledge of varying seasonality that imported companies and employees often would not know.

Working closely with the chosen landscaping provider to establish clear expectations and guidelines can help ensure a successful and mutually beneficial partnership. If you are receiving “scratch your head pricing” from inexpensive landscapers, recall that fuel has doubled to tripled, insurance has doubled, labor has gone up 30% +, equipment has gone up 30%, chemicals and fertilizers have doubled in cost, and overall costs of operations have spiked massively these last years.

Just as your costs of living has spiked substantially, so has the contractors’ costs. If your landscaper quoting your work is quoting 2019 pricing, they will have to make up those costs somewhere. The most likely solution for them is to cut hours or costs or occurrences.. That will show up in your properties overall look and feel. That literally is the last thing you want to have happen when managing and trying to protect the values of your HOA.