When you’re responsible for commercial properties, you don’t just need snow and landscape services, you need peace of mind. Unfortunately, most property managers sign “set-it-and-forget-it” contracts without really digging into whether their vendor is reliable, responsive, or truly acting as a partner. The result? Unsafe conditions, tenant complaints, skyrocketing costs, and even liability exposure.
Here are the three biggest mistakes we’ve seen property managers make when planning snow and landscape contracts and how you can easily avoid them.
Mistake #1: Choosing an Unreliable Snow and Landscape Vendor
Reliability isn’t just about showing up, it’s about showing up every time, with the right equipment, the right crew, and the right plan. Too many companies oversell their capacity, leaving you scrambling when storms hit or when seasonal landscaping tasks pile up.
Ask questions like:
- How long have you been in business?
- How many sites do you serve?
- What is your company’s total capacity?
- What types of equipment do you have?
- What do you do in case of an equipment breakdown?
- What kind of training does your team receive?
- How have you handled properties like mine?
If you can’t get clear answers, you can’t count on consistent service. At Earth Development, we’ve been trusted by over 700 customers across 14 states for more than 25 years. That kind of track record means you don’t have to wonder whether we’ll show up — you know we will.
Mistake #2: Working With an Unresponsive Commercial Property Maintenance Company
When the weather moves fast, slow communication can cost you. Landscape issues left unresolved create poor curb appeal, and snow or ice left untreated creates immediate risk for accidents. Yet many vendors leave you waiting for updates or callbacks when you need answers most.
Key questions to ask include:
- What kind of emergency support do you offer?
- How and when do you track what service is done?
- How do you use technology to schedule, dispatch, and record activities for sites?
- How do you plan for each weather event? Do you utilize a private meteorology partner?
- What happens if there are property damages?
- What if I’m not happy with my service?
- How do you handle billing?
If you can’t get immediate responses, you’re putting your property at risk. Earth Development’s hotline doesn’t send calls to voicemail, and our average answer time is about 17 seconds. That’s the responsiveness property managers need to make decisions in real time.
Mistake #3: Settling for a Vendor Instead of Securing a True Snow and Landscape Partner
A snow and landscape provider who’s not invested in your long-term success can create more problems than they solve. Short-term thinking leads to unclear landscape contracts, unmet expectations, and higher liability.
To find out if a company is a true partner, ask:
- How detailed are your service contracts?
- What kind of service levels do you offer and how do you decide which level is right for me?
- What happens if I need additional services or out-of-scope work on an occasional basis? Do you have the comprehensive capabilities and flexible approach that allows for these add-ons?
- How do you measure how much salt I get?
- Can I see a service log?
- What happens if there is a slip and fall?
- What kind and how much insurance do you have?
- How do you provide pre- and post-season inspections?
- What do you do to be environmentally friendly?
- When contracts expire, what is your renewal retention rate?
- How have you helped clients save money?
At Earth Development, 98% of clients renew with us year after year. That’s not just a statistic — it’s proof of lasting partnerships built on clarity, flexibility, and results.
The Smarter Way to Plan Your Contract
Every property manager deserves confidence that their site will be safe, professional, and well-maintained in every season. That starts with avoiding the mistakes of unreliable, unresponsive, or short-term vendors.
Earth Development offers a Snow and Landscape Risk Assessment to help you see where your property might be exposed and to create a contract tailored to your needs. With our Toolbox strategy, you’ll have the questions, the answers, and the plan to make sure your contract works for you.
Request your free Toolbox and Risk Assessment today to avoid these costly mistakes and keep your property protected year-round.