How to Manage Your Landscaping Budget Post – COVID

Nearly every industry has been affected by the coronavirus, and landscaping is no exception. Many commercial clients scaled back their budgets during restrictions. For our part, Earthworks has worked with our clients to ensure essential landscaping needs are met and that properties continue to look their best. 

This is also a time when many of our clients are planning 2021 budgets. Managing a budget is challenging on a regular year, but in a “recovery year” it can be especially difficult. At EarthWorks, we’re here to help simplify the process. Here are three things to consider as you write your post-COVID landscaping budget. 

Look at Everything

Many companies budget off the previous year’s actuals, but that is not possible in a year that has been scaled back. Instead, look at the past 2-3 years to get a more accurate assessment of your actual budgetary needs. 

You’ll also need to budget for anything that was scaled back this year because it will be especially important to make those updates next year. For example, some of our clients cut back on mulching scaled-down the frequency of their landscaping, or chose to forego a color change. While it’s fine to make those necessary cuts during a crisis, it’s important to add them back to next year’s budget. 

Don’t Be Timid

Multi-family living is a competitive market and landscaping can make all the difference in attracting prospective residents. This is not a time to hesitate or be timid with your budget. If neighboring properties are managing on a full budget next year, you’ll be struggling to maintain a competitive advantage. 

Don’t forget those wish list items, either! If there is something you wanted this year and didn’t get, speak up. If you send us your wish list, we can get updated numbers and designs to help you better budget for the items you want and need. 

Ask for Help

Your EarthWorks representative is here to help, so don’t be afraid to ask! We are happy to sit down and discuss what needs to happen to keep your landscape looking great long-term. We’ll provide you with updated estimates, time frames, and more. Best of all, if you ask (and budget) now, you may be able to get some items accomplished more quickly when general landscaping slows down in the winter months.  We don’t anticipate pricing increases for next year, but it’s important to contact your account manager now to get accurate estimates for your upcoming budget. 

The bottom line: Don’t continue to live in crisis mode. While coronavirus may not go away anytime soon, we can work together to get back to a new normal. Reach out to your EarthWorks representative to discuss how to make the most of your 2021 landscaping budget. 

Tag : Covid 19