I find commercial landscape maintenance easy and simple. I even see some beauty in the simplicity. Sometimes, when I get to do it, I reflect on the differences between commercial site work and residential or multi-family strata complexes.
The key differences
Commercial landscape maintenance is flexible and can be done on weekends. Unlike strata complexes. Those are the key points that make it so attractive.
If you have to start early on a Sunday, it’s OK because no one lives on site. Do you need to run a blower at 7am? It is totally fine. It wouldn’t be OK at a strata complex because Mr. Dolittle works nights and sits on strata council.
Your daughter has a speech on Sunday? You can easily do your work on Saturday. The flexibility is beautiful. What if your weekend is totally packed? Again, it’s not a problem. You can easily squeeze the work in after hours.
Simplicity
Usually the work is basic up-keep. The business grounds have to look decent for employees and clients. Your job is to cut the lawns nicely and line trim the edges. Then you ought to check all beds for weeds. You will do your seasonal pruning. This normally involves shearing laurels like Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’. They are periodically power sheared into tight shapes. Courtesy blow of the entire site will be your last task.
Learning with Audible
When I work by myself I listen to audio books as I work. I use my iPhone with the Audible app. This allows me to make money and learn at the same time. This is extremely satisfying. Here are some titles I finished while working solo: Lab girl and The Hidden Life of Trees. I recommend this to anyone landscaping solo. It doesn’t work when you work with a crew.
Three huge drawbacks
Doing commercial maintenance has some drawbacks. One big drawback is theft. Remember, many commercial sites are situated in out of the way commercial zones where you can become a target. Machines can go missing. Your tools disappear. Unlocked trucks get ransacked. Passerby ask for cigarettes. It’s not pretty. Stay safe!
Safety
Speaking of safety, I always get suspicious when I see a white van cruising by more than twice. So it’s best to lock your machines with a chain and lock. Also, remember to move your truck so it’s visible at all times.
To illustrate my point, one worker I know got hit by thieves when he parked too close to a large sign. The bad guys used it to hide their getaway vehicle and to hide themselves from view. As a result, the poor dude was down a blower before he knew it and the cell call to his boss was awkward. Even building security cameras don’t deter thieves! Watch out!
You can read my blog post describing my worst-ever day at work. Incredibly, I lost four (4!) machines that day to thieves at a church. Somebody is going to hell.
Drawback number two is this: Don’t expect to see any beautiful plants on site. You have lawns, some rhododendrons, roses, hydrangeas, heathers and trees. The work is fairly simple and repetitive. It fits our acidic soils.
The third drawback is that you are on camera all day. Incidentally, you can count on getting to know mobile security people. It’s part of the package. I learned to ignore it. I seriously doubt anybody watches hours of landscape maintenance footage anyway.
Conclusion
In conclusion, commercial landscape maintenance isn’t as lucrative as strata contract work. However, the flexibility is fantastic. I suggest you enjoy it.
