There’s an old saying that goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” The problem is that humans do just that all the time. And we do it really quickly.
A person will make a snap judgement on specific criteria like status, trustworthiness, and attractiveness in just a few seconds.
But what does this have to do with commercial landscape maintenance? Well, your company frontage is your window on the world. People will see (and make a judgement about) where you work before they’ve even met you.
Below, we outline some of the top reasons to get your business landscaping into shape.
Increases Your Property Value
Are you the owner of the land your business is on? Or perhaps you manage commercial properties as rentals? Investing in your company’s curb appeal can improve its value or allow you to raise the rent.
A Virginia State University study found that perceptions of different landscaping styles varied between 5 and 12 percent among participants. This points to a possible 12 percent (at least) increase in a property’s value if you get the landscaping right.
Most of the research into this area is done on homes, but you can expect similar returns on your investment when it comes to company land.
Shows You Care About the Environment
Even if your property is small, you can choose to create natural, wildlife-focused landscaping. Green spaces filter dust and air pollution from the environment. They create ecosystems in which local insects and animals can thrive.
Some areas to focus on include:
- Rainwater collection and irrigation system
- Solar energy arrays or farms
- Native lawns
- Insect attracting plants
- Trees for windbreaks and shade
There are cost benefits to being more sustainable with your commercial landscape maintenance, too.
Carefully crafted planting and landscaping can lower overall energy use by as much as 25 percent. And that’s going to save you on your monthly climate control bills.
Consumers increasingly care whether the companies they buy from are reducing their impact on the environment. So, you might even help your bottom dollar by going green, so to speak, with your landscaping.
Saves Time on Maintenance
How much time do you or your staff spend picking up trash, clearing snow, sweeping, and fixing the land around your business? Even just the necessities of maintenance take time and money to get right. And there’s the possibility of someone hurting themselves while performing chores they’re not adequately trained to do.
If you invest in professional landscaping, you’re paying someone to do that work for you, freeing up your time to work on your business. A professional landscaping company can also help you craft low-maintenance designs that are more environmentally friendly and save you money in the long run.
It’s Free Advertising
A driveway covered in potholes or dead shrubbery at the entrance just isn’t a good look for your business. What is a good look, however, is beautifully manicured lawns, deftly trimmed hedgerows, or a rainwater harvesting pond carefully lined with natural stone.
Well-designed commercial landscaping welcomes customers into your business. It presents the image of a company that cares about its employees, products, clients, and even the Earth.
And if your exteriors are really attractive, you might even get walk-ins–depending on what business you’re in. Or, at the very least, people walking or driving by will notice your brand.
It’s not enough to get your property landscaped once and forget about it. You need to have the lawns and gardens regularly maintained, so you can continue to create lasting first impressions.
Your Employees Are Happier
Spending time in nature provides a plethora of health benefits, from reducing stress levels and lowering blood pressure to improving sleep duration.
You don’t have to go as far as installing sports grounds (like Nike HQ did) to get these benefits. Even the smallest outdoor landscapes can provide your employees with better access to nature. You just need to think carefully and cleverly about your commercial property management.
Add living walls to small, walled-in spaces. Top your roof with a green roof rather than traditional roofing materials. Create outdoor seating spaces where employees can work with their laptops, eat their lunch, or work out.
And make sure your interior design includes large windows for natural light and views over lawns and gardens. Studies have shown that even a glimpse of nature through a window has an impact on employee wellbeing.
Improves Security
While it might seem like landscaping for businesses provides mostly aesthetic benefits, there are practical reasons to create a garden. A well-maintained property contributes to the safety and security of the building and the people who work there.
Attractive fencing keeps people out of secure areas and serves as a mounting for security cameras. Trees and bushes make it harder for thieves to access the property. And keeping everything well maintained means employees and visitors wouldn’t trip on uneven paving or injure themselves on a stray branch.
And don’t forget about lighting. Bright lighting is essential for keeping employees safe when walking to and from their cars at night or in the early morning.
Security lighting doesn’t have to look ugly, either. Chat with a landscaping specialist about your options for functional and attractive commercial lighting.
Work With Landscape Maintenance Professionals
From proving you’re a company that cares about the environment to creating a safe and happy workspace for employees, the benefits of quality landscape maintenance are undeniable. And what might seem like a significant investment at first will quickly pay off in improved sales and increased productivity. However, to get the best results, you need to work with professional landscapers.
If you’re thinking about getting your Alberta commercial property landscaped, don’t hesitate. Contact Pro Property for a free quote today.
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