--- title: Ask These 5 Questions Before Hiring a Commercial Landscape Company description: A Leader of commercial landscape companies in Palo Alto CA, San Mateo County area, serving commercial properties, office condo's, and industrial parks. image: https://blog.floraterra.com/hubfs/landscaping%20services%20for%20building%20complexes.jpg --- [![Floraterra](https://blog.floraterra.com/hs-fs/file-711332346-gif/images/floraterra-logo.gif "Floraterra")](http://www.floraterra.com/San-Jose-Bay-Area-Landscape-Management.asp) ![tagline](https://blog.floraterra.com/hs-fs/file-711332351-gif/images/tagline.gif) - [![see FloraTerra on Facebook](https://blog.floraterra.com/hs-fs/file-705840289-png/images/facebook_24.png?width=24&height=24&name=facebook_24.png "see FloraTerra on Facebook")](http://www.facebook.com/pages/FloraTerra-Landscape-Management/112209338895454) - [![see FloraTerra on Twitter](https://blog.floraterra.com/hs-fs/file-705840284-png/images/twitter_24.png?width=24&height=24&name=twitter_24.png "see FloraTerra on Twitter")](https://twitter.com/#!/Flora_Terra) - [![see FloraTerra on Linkedin](https://blog.floraterra.com/hs-fs/file-705840294-png/images/linkedin_24.png?width=24&height=24&name=linkedin_24.png "see FloraTerra on Linkedin")](http://www.linkedin.com/company/flora-terra-landscape-management) Call Today: 408-275-1200 # Commercial Landscaping Blog for The San Jose | Bay Area, CA ## [Ask These 5 Questions Before Hiring a Commercial Landscape Company](https://blog.floraterra.com/5-important-questions-for-commercial-landscape-companies-in-palo-alto-ca) Posted by [Elizabeth Mendoza](https://blog.floraterra.com/author/elizabeth-mendoza) on May 28, 2019 6:38:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png)](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.floraterra.com/5-important-questions-for-commercial-landscape-companies-in-palo-alto-ca&media=https://offers.floraterra.com/hubfs/landscaping%20services%20for%20building%20complexes.jpg) When considering your next [commercial landscape company in Palo Alto CA](https://www.floraterra.com/commercial-landscape-maintenance-companies-palo-alto-ca/), it’s important to know that all commercial landscape maintenance contractors are not created equal. We have seen many commercial property management companies sign a maintenance contract based on price, personality and convenience. Moreover, after several months of reoccurring disappointments, they concur their [commercial landscape maintenance contractor](https://www.floraterra.com/) was not qualified, did not have the experience, and did not have the available resources to deliver what was promised. ![commercial landscape company, Palo Alto CA](https://blog.floraterra.com/hs-fs/hubfs/landscaping%20services%20for%20building%20complexes.jpg?width=1000&name=landscaping%20services%20for%20building%20complexes.jpg) Commercial Real Estate Managers have the responsibility on their shoulders for making big decisions. Regardless if you are investing your hard earned dollars into sustainable landscape improvements, irrigation management, landscape maintenance, landscape installation or tree care, please consider an Commercial Landscape Maintenance Contractor in Palo Alto Ca that has the qualifications, experienced with the available resources to deliver what was promised and agreed. ### **ASK THESE 5 QUESTIONS BEFORE HIRING YOUR NEXT COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPER ** **1.) ARE YOU A FULL SERVICE COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE CONTRACTOR?** What does a [full service commercial landscape company](https://www.floraterra.com/) entail? Many Commercial Landscape Maintenance Contractor in Palo Alto Ca claim they offer full service landscaping, besides that you want to partner with one that can provide a multitude of services above and beyond basic maintenance. Please ask and clarify that other services they offer. Although you may be looking for a local Commercial Landscape Maintenance Contractor in Palo Alto Ca in the interim, it’s equally important to consider all future projects that may occur later. For example, does the [commercial landscaper](https://www.floraterra.com/) do all their work in-house such as architectural designing, concrete work, water efficient lawn conversions, drip irrigation conversions, and tree care? Many Commercial Landscape Maintenance Contractors in Palo Alto Ca use sub contractors, please clarify which services will be outsourced, do the sub-contractors have the proper licenses, insurances, experience and credentials to perform the work? **2.) ARE YOU A SUSTAINABLE COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE CONTRACTOR?** Whatever company you decide to hire, you will want to clarify their sustainable landscape practices and confirm what they have to offer. Considerations and questions include: Do they use California native plants, trees that are drought tolerant? Do they provide water management? What does your water management entail? Do they have a soft ware reporting system in place for tracking and budgeting water consumption? Do you have certified water managers on staff? What other methods do they implement that will contribute to water conservation?  Do they have a track record for saving water on large scale properties? These are all important questions to ask before making informed decisions on hiring your next contractor. **3.) DOES YOUR COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE COMPANY OFFER BUNDLED DISCOUNTING?** Not only is it convenient to contract with a single [commercial landscape maintenance contractor](https://www.floraterra.com/), more importantly consolidated services will provide your property attractive cost saving discounts that will bring tears of joy to your bottom line! Whatever contractor you decide to hire, be sure they have the capability and resources for handling multiple services**. **Separate contractors will cost you dearly, consider one that can save you money. This added feature will save time, money, and resources, moreover, you will have one go to contact, and one that has the capability for stream lining multiple projects. **4.) WHAT CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES AND DESIGNATIONS DO THEY HOLD?** Any one can claim they have the experience, but having the right licenses, designations and certifications validates their commitment to training, professionalism, and their commitment to excellent customer service. For example, if you are having tree trimming performed, be certain they have a trained [ISA certified arborist](https://www.floraterra.com/professional-certifications-more/) performing the [Commercial Tree Care](https://www.floraterra.com/commercial-tree-care-office-parks-hoa-retail-san-jose-bay-area/), or if you are having a large irrigation upgrade, check to be certain they will have an [IA irrigation auditor](https://www.floraterra.com/professional-certifications-more/) performing the final water audit. In addition, a company that invests in their employee’s training and certification shows their level of commitment to their employee’s success and career path. Certifications ensure that your project is being performed to the professional standard that offer the best quality, service and value that your property can take pride. **5.) WHAT ARE YOUR QUALITY CONTROL PROCESSES FOR CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT?** Many [commercial landscaping companies](https://www.floraterra.com) claim they have a quality control process, a way to audit and measure the quality of their landscape maintenance; however there is more to this process than one might think. Obviously, you hired a commercial landscape maintenance company to maintain your landscaping; you expect they will, they say they will, and so on. But without a quality control process, what happens after six months or a year? Remember, what doesn’t get measured, doesn’t get done. ![commercial landscape companies, Palo Alto CA](https://blog.floraterra.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gardeners%201.jpg?width=1772&name=Gardeners%201.jpg) **10 QUESTIONS ON QUALITY CONTROL AND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY** 1. Do you audit, track and inspect your landscape maintenance? 2. Do you measure and quantify your gardener’s performance, at every level? 3. How do you report those findings? 4. Do you provide accurate data for insight, transparency and visual reports? 5. Do you have a rating system that provides accurate data for scoring your performance? 6. Do you have a cloud base software that includes site photos, time stamps and GPS for accuracy? 7. Do you have a client web portal for generating work orders, service requests that confirms progress? 8. Do you have a communication hub that guarantee’s easy and fast response time? 9. Do you have software that compiles monthly reports so your client can see your progress? 10. Do you have a definitive Quality Control Process? ### ***“Without a true measure, there’s no real way to determine if It got done, or not”*** As you can see, there must be a solid system in place for measuring the quality of any [commercial landscape company in Palo Alto CA](https://www.floraterra.com/commercial-landscape-maintenance-companies-palo-alto-ca/), it must be well documented, it must be measurable, the information must be visual and transparent, defects must be tracked, there must be a process in place for correcting deficiencies quickly, and a cloud base communication hub for fast response time and easy communication is even better. Many companies may promise to perform quality work, but without a true measurement process, there’s no real guarantee the work will get done. ###  WE LOVE ANSWERING QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL TODAY! 408.275.1200  [commercial landscape maintenance](https://www.floraterra.com/office-parks-home-owners-association-apartment-landscape-maintenance-san-jose-bay-area/), [landscape design, development](https://www.floraterra.com/commercial-landscape-architect-planning-san-jose-bay-area/), [irrigation & water management](https://www.floraterra.com/irrigation-services/irrigation-system-design-presentation/). Topics: [Landscape Maintenance](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/landscape-maintenance), [Tree Care](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/tree-care) ## SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL UPDATES ## REQUEST A ESTIMATE [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/345318/249e05e0-25b2-4245-a128-4363d6deb640.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/345318/249e05e0-25b2-4245-a128-4363d6deb640)     [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/345318/f618b049-7d7f-465f-a0c9-47d7e73778ef.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/345318/f618b049-7d7f-465f-a0c9-47d7e73778ef) ### Popular Posts ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Landscape Planning (419)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/landscape-planning) - [Landscape Maintenance (414)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/landscape-maintenance) - [Tree Care (224)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/tree-care) - [Sustainable Landscaping (218)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/sustainable-landscaping) - [Landscape Water Management (88)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/landscape-water-management) - [commercial landscape design (82)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-design) - [Water Management (79)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/water-management) - [irrigation management (26)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/irrigation-management) - [HOA Landscape Designers (19)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/hoa-landscape-designers) - [commercial landscape company in San Jose Ca (18)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-company-in-san-jose-ca) - [Redwood Shores HOA Landscapers (16)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/redwood-shores-hoa-landscapers) - [Homeowners Association Landscape Services (15)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/homeowners-association-landscape-services) - [commercial landscape design group (14)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-design-group) - [commercial irrigation and landscape design (13)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-irrigation-and-landscape-design) - [commercial landscape designers (12)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-designers) - [condominium landscape designer in redwood city ca (11)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/condominium-landscape-designer-in-redwood-city-ca) - [homeowners association landscape designer (11)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/homeowners-association-landscape-designer) - [HOA Landscape Companies in the Bay Area CA (10)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/hoa-landscape-companies-in-the-bay-area-ca) - [bay area commercial landscape designers (10)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/bay-area-commercial-landscape-designers) - [commercial landscapers in San Jose Ca (10)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscapers-in-san-jose-ca) - [common grounds hoa landscape designer (10)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/common-grounds-hoa-landscape-designer) - [Bay Area Commercial Landscaping Company (9)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/bay-area-commercial-landscaping-company) - [HOA Landscape Contractors (9)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/hoa-landscape-contractors) - [Commercial Landscape Maintenance for Businesses (7)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-maintenance-for-businesses) - [Synthetic Turf (7)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/synthetic-turf) - [commercial landscape design and development (7)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-design-and-development) - [commercial landscape services (7)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-services) - [Commercial Landscape Improvements (6)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-improvements) - [HOA Landscape Companies in Redwood City CA (6)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/hoa-landscape-companies-in-redwood-city-ca) - [commercial landscape companies (6)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-companies) - [commercial landscaping services (6)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscaping-services) - [Commercial Landscape Designers in Santa Clara (5)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-designers-in-santa-clara) - [HOA and condo association water management (5)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/hoa-and-condo-association-water-management) - [HOA lawn maintenance service (5)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/hoa-lawn-maintenance-service) - [commercial gardening companies (5)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-gardening-companies) - [commercial gardening services (5)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-gardening-services) - [commercial landscape designers in San Jose (5)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-designers-in-san-jose) - [commercial landscape designers in the bay area (5)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-designers-in-the-bay-area) - [hoa landscape services (5)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/hoa-landscape-services) - [retail landscape service (5)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/retail-landscape-service) - [shopping center landscape service (5)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/shopping-center-landscape-service) - [Commercial Landscapers in Santa Clara (4)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscapers-in-santa-clara) - [HOA landscape maintenance companies (4)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/hoa-landscape-maintenance-companies) - [commercial landscape designers in San Jose Ca (4)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-designers-in-san-jose-ca) - [water management for commercial properties (4)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/water-management-for-commercial-properties) - [Landscape Jobs (3)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/landscape-jobs) - [commercial landscape design services (3)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-design-services) - [commercial landscape planning (3)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-planning) - [landscape designers for retail shopping centers (3)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/landscape-designers-for-retail-shopping-centers) - [multi community landscape service (3)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/multi-community-landscape-service) - [Condo Landscape Design (2)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/condo-landscape-design) - [HOA and Condo Gardening Service (2)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/hoa-and-condo-gardening-service) - [commercial gardening service (2)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-gardening-service) - [commercial landscape contractor (2)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-contractor) - [commercial landscape designers in Redwood City CA (2)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-designers-in-redwood-city-ca) - [commercial landscapers for bioretention (2)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscapers-for-bioretention) - [commercial landscapers for stormwater (2)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscapers-for-stormwater) - [commercial landscapers in the bay area (2)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscapers-in-the-bay-area) - [condominium and hoa landscape designer (2)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/condominium-and-hoa-landscape-designer) - [reduced cost landscape maintenance (2)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/reduced-cost-landscape-maintenance) - [smart watering systems (2)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/smart-watering-systems) - [Commercial Landscape Architect and Planning (1)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-architect-and-planning) - [Commercial Landscape Companies Around San Jose Ca (1)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-companies-around-san-jose-ca) - [Condo & HOA Lawn Mowing (1)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/condo-hoa-lawn-mowing) - [Industrial Landscaping Services (1)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/industrial-landscaping-services) - [commercial landscape architect around San Jose (1)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-architect-around-san-jose) - [commercial landscape contractors in the bay area (1)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscape-contractors-in-the-bay-area) - [commercial landscaping company in Santa Clara CA (1)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-landscaping-company-in-santa-clara-ca) - [commercial tree care (1)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-tree-care) - [commercial tree removal (1)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-tree-removal) - [commercial tree trimming (1)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/commercial-tree-trimming) - [common area landscape designers (1)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/common-area-landscape-designers) - [drought ready commercial landscape designers (1)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/drought-ready-commercial-landscape-designers) - [hoa & condo landscape designers (1)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/hoa-condo-landscape-designers) - [homeowners association lawn care in San Jose Ca (1)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/homeowners-association-lawn-care-in-san-jose-ca) - [lower cost option for retail landscaping (1)](https://blog.floraterra.com/topic/lower-cost-option-for-retail-landscaping) [see all](https://blog.floraterra.com/5-important-questions-for-commercial-landscape-companies-in-palo-alto-ca#) ### Follow Me Office: (408) 275-1200; 1702 Meridian Avenue Suite L, PMB #288 San Jose, CA 95125 - [Landscape Management](http://www.floraterra.com) - [Irrigation Management](http://www.floraterra.com/IrrigationManagement.asp) - [Tree Care Arborists](http://www.floraterra.com/Tree-Care-Arborists-San-Jose-San-Francisco.asp) - [Landscape Maintenance](http://www.floraterra.com/Landscape-Maintenance-San-Francisco-Bay-Area.asp) - [Sustainable Landscaping](http://www.floraterra.com/Eco-Friendly_Landscapes.asp) - [Site Map](http://www.floraterra.com/site-map.asp) ©FloraTerra Landscape Management 2016-2020. All rights reserved. Professional Commercial Landscape Management and Water Resource Management Services in The San Jose Bay Area  San Jose, South San Jose, West San Jose, East San Jose, San Jose Bay Area, Downtown San Jose, Willow Glen, Cambrian Park, Campbell, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Cupertino, Morgan Hill, South Santa Clara County, Gilroy, San Martin, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Menlo Park, Atherton, Palo Alto, Milpitas, Fremont, Newark, Hayward, Union City, San Mateo, Foster City, Redwood Shores, Redwood City, Woodside, San Francisco Bay Area, South San Francisco.  Tri-Valley Region - Pleasanton, Livermore, San Ramon, Dublin, Danville Central Coast, North Coast - Carmel, Pacific Grove, Monterey, Seaside, Salinas Valley, Half Moon Bay, Pacifica ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Elizabeth Mendoza", "url" : "https://blog.floraterra.com/author/elizabeth-mendoza" }, "dateModified" : "2019-05-28T13:38:05.179Z", "datePublished" : "2019-05-28T13:38:00.000Z", "headline" : "Ask These 5 Questions Before Hiring a Commercial Landscape Company", "image" : [ "https://blog.floraterra.com/hubfs/landscaping%20services%20for%20building%20complexes.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.floraterra.com/5-important-questions-for-commercial-landscape-companies-in-palo-alto-ca", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.floraterra.com/hs-fs/file-711332346-gif/images/floraterra-logo.gif" }, "name" : "Floraterra Landscape" } } ```