Unsure about your landscape contract renewal strategy? Here are four ways you can extract the most value.

Posted by Eastern Land Management on

For most property management companies, a wide-range of suppliers, vendors and partners are essential to meet the demands of daily operations, whether for the smooth running of the office or the way landscape and grounds significantly improve asset value.

The need for seamless continuity requires a life cycle of renewal that, despite its transactional nature, is an opportunity to safeguard relationships as well as an opportunity for both parties to achieve maximum value.

For properties pursuing initiatives that reduce energy, water, carbon and advance sustainability goals, ELM landscape contracts can take the process one step further with actionable steps that include specific solutions and provisions that protect and enhance local ecosystems, decrease the amount of chemicals, water and waste, and establish larger frameworks for continuous improvements in planting strategies.

  • Start early

Your landscape needs may have changed since you initially signed the contract.  Start the negotiation process early – prior to the existing season ending – and discuss options well before your contract expires. This gives you the opportunity to talk about pricing, learn more about new features and benefits, and discuss continuous refinements that meet green performance goals. On a practical level, getting your wish list in early gives your landscape contractor enough time to procure materials, and newer products and smart technologies that may have a waiting list. 

  • Get maximum value

Preparation is important if you want to extract maximum value. To achieve the best outcome, don’t cut corners. Give the contract process your full attention. It’s an excellent opportunity for both parties to achieve the best possible outcomes. build stronger relationships and renegotiate terms that are can be more favorable to both.

  • Reduce administrative burden

Most landscape contracts are automated with project management software that can make the administrative process fast and as easy as possible. If everything goes smoothly, it can be an opportunity to make the best use of the services and knowledge your landscape contractor offers. Having your contracts in place prior to spring – when the growing season begins – allows everyone to spend time on helping your property reap strategic benefits, such as higher ROI, enhanced oversight, decreased risk and higher performance.

  • Gain a seamless experience

Communicating and planning throughout the year – especially during winter and non-peak growing seasons – is crucial to success. By implementing the contract renewal process early, property managers can save time, extract more value, resolve problems faster, and stay ahead of important milestones and performance goals.

Email us  or call: 203-316-5433 to learn more.

5 Ways to Look Beyond Cost When Sourcing Landscape Services

Posted by Eastern Land Management on

Bridging the relationship gap between client and contractor can be complicated. But when it works well, the payoff can be impressive in terms of performance improvement, increased revenue, and results.

When we are invited to the table for strategic planning with our commercial real estate clients, we contribute knowledge and insight. We don’t sell. This is the difference between a transactional approach and a partnership approach, and one we take seriously as a landscape services firm committed to help property and facility owners and managers find competitive advantage.

From our years of experience working and partnering with commercial real estate professionals, we’ve narrowed the conversation down to just five talking points, and what we’re doing to help you look beyond cost and source a landscape firm that can work with you to achieve greater alignment on goals.

  • Innovation

ELM is committed to accelerate meaningful change. We have invested in EV, automation and technology, artificial intelligence, renewable fuels, and training that improves time and logistics management, client communication, and resource efficiency—from water conservation, and rainwater and stormwater management, to energy-efficient equipment, to tax rebates, lower utility and maintenance costs, and zoning and drought allowances. We built a dedicated facility for snow operations, make our own eco-friendly de-icing applications, and mitigate environmental risk across our service lines.

  • Scalability

ELM’s nimble operating model allows us to scale up or scale back processes and resources to continually enhance productivity across all functions.  ELM has flexibility built into its systems that all but eliminate the need for you to anticipate and respond to extreme weather events–creating a superior experience for you that is marked by expertise, speed and better outcomes.

  • Efficiency

ELM’s high-value services help your organization stay lean and agile, maximize your profitability, improve the quality and performance of your landscape and open spaces, and reduce liability. You gain the efficiency of the latest training, technologies and processes, access to specialized talent, and experienced subject matter experts that can help you improve your operational resilience.

  • Benchmarking

ELM is a metric-driven culture that uses data and smart analytics to benchmark across criteria. This improves weather and budget forecasting, helps meet conservation goals, and provides a baseline for accountability

  • Environmental Sustainability

ELM is focusing on strategies that help you maintain your momentum and leadership on climate action. These include site improvements, beautification programs, building and maintaining landscapes that sequester more carbon; and increasing waste minimization through improved landscape operational practices. We’re using earth-friendly alternatives, mitigating environmental risk across landscape, grounds and open spaces, and committing to increased plant and ecosystem health through continuous improvement in best practices.

If you’re looking to improve your approach to strategic sourcing, remove inefficiencies, better manage risk, and gain a partner that aligns with who you are and where your business is going, contact company president Bruce Moore Jr. at (203) 316-5433.

Photo: The Innovation Center at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield CT.  Landscape and grounds sustainably maintained year-round by Eastern Land Management.