Lines Of Communication: Who Gets To Boss Around The Landscapers?

One of the largest contracts an association often holds is a landscaping contract. Keeping common areas well maintained is one of the most basic association responsibilities. And, of course, one of the most expensive and time-consuming contracts to obtain is a landscaping contract. Finding a professional, well-respected, and affordable landscaper can be quite the task for a Board. Once hired, it is also crucial to work successfully with the landscaper and the crew to ensure that the association’s curb appeal is preserved.

One of the biggest complaints that landscapers have when dealing with community associations is unnecessary interaction with owners. It is human nature for owners and landscaping crews to have different ways of doing things. But it can be very distracting for a landscaping crew to be criticized by owners while on the job.

Oftentimes, owners feel the need to teach a landscaping crew how to do a certain job or to complain that the job is not being done to his or her liking. Sometimes, owners demand that a job be done a certain way. For instance, it is not uncommon to hear about an owner asking the crew to not edge around a particular flowerbed or to cut the grass near a patio shorter than in other common areas. Sometimes, owners feel the need to openly voice an opinion about the crew’s poor performance.

These owners must be reminded that it is the Board’s duty to monitor the performance of the landscaping crew and to ensure that the proper maintenance is completed. Of course, if there are complaints regarding the quality of the service being performed, those complaints should be reduced to writing and submitted to the Board or the property manager.

Owners must be reminded that they may not direct complaints, criticism, or advice directly to the landscaping crew.

It is also important to discuss these issues when contracting with a particular landscaping company. The Board can explain to the landscaper that its crew should not take direction from individual owners and that any change in services will come directly from the Board. It would be inefficient if each owner gave different direction to the crew and would most likely result in the contravention of the contract terms.

To aid with this, the landscaping contract should provide a clear, comprehensive guide for the landscaper to follow, complete with maintenance specifications and schedules. That way, a crew can easily determine that the suggestions of owners are not in agreement with the contract terms.

If you have specific problems with your owners pestering your landscaping crew, or any other vendor, please contact us for individualized guidance.

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