HOA landscaping is one of the many challenges in community management. For potential tenants, the landscaping of outdoor areas is one of the first things they notice about the association. Residents are also interested in and invested in landscaping, since it affects their living spaces. Ensuring that outdoor spaces are well-maintained will increase property value, which is crucial to your role. In this article, we will go through ten useful tips and strategies from experts working in the HOA landscaping industry.
Landscaping Improves Properties’ Value
Landscaping improves a home’s overall value by as much as 12%, according to Realtor® Magazine. This is a huge amount and something that the board must bear in mind when they’re deciding where to allocate their budget.
Just to add to that, Serpico Landscaping reports that this value can be even higher for homeowners associations. So for HOAs, which on average already have homes valued at 5% to 6% higher than those in non-HOA communities, this increase is even larger.
Any potential buyer that enters an HOA will base their first impression on the landscape and outside areas. Having a nice and well-kept community area is important for residents as it makes them feel happier about where they live.
Dedicate Part Of The Website To FAQs On Landscaping Issues
According to Yellowstone Landscape, most residents get confused over what their responsibilities are when it comes to landscaping. It’s not clear whether some duties are theirs to take over or the landscaper’s.
For example, some residents may expect a landscaper to cut their grass, when in fact it’s the residents who should do so. This information is most likely stated in the HOA’s guidelines or bylaws, but we know residents often overlook these documents. So, having a specific place where residents can find this kind of information with one click can avoid confusion and save board members’ time.
A good place to post this information is on your website or secure portal. Vinteum allows board members to create, update and manage a community website with just a few clicks. Without any need for technical knowledge or coding.
Ready to see it in action? Schedule a free demo of Neigbrs by Vinteum to get a digital presence and an all-in-one management platform!
Great Communication Is Key
Brightview said, “There’s no excuse for poor communication.” And we completely agree with that.
There are plenty of best communication practices. A great one is for board members to have only one point of contact within their partner landscape company, to help prevent miscommunication. If you live in a large HOA, setting up a Landscape/Maintenance committee could improve communication among board members, residents, and the landscape company.
As Holden from Greenscape says, ”The best relationships I see are where there’s a strong HOA board, a strong property manager, and a strong landscaping company. It’s a circle where everybody is supporting the community.”
You can publish a seasonal newsletter on your community’s portal to let residents know what is happening in their community, including events, meetings, and scheduled maintenance.
Avoid Working With Multiple Contractors
John Dougherty from Juniper Landscaping said he has rarely had a good experience working with multiple contractors for one HOA. This is probably because the more people work on a project, the more complex it gets, especially communication. Sticking to one company may be wiser for your HOA to keep track of the whole process, maintain costs and build a long-term relationship.
Make a Plan And Have a Written Schedule
As a board member, you need to define your partner landscape company’s schedule. You should also plan with them what they will do and when. This will align both parties and ensure they know exactly what to expect and when to expect it. Having a clear plan and schedule will help easily keep track of the work being done, clearing any confusion or questions residents may have.
Consider Preventive Landscape Maintenance
Landscaping accounts for a large part of the HOA’s annual budget. Board members would do whatever it takes to avoid unexpected maintenance repairs, as it can become very costly. The idea of preventive landscape maintenance is to avoid problems before they arise, saving a fair amount of the association’s money.
According to Yellowstone, here are three good ways to apply preventive landscape maintenance:
- Keep your irrigation system tuned up
- Invest in growth regulators
- Prune tall trees on schedule
This is something you can talk to your landscaping company about to ensure you’re both on the same page.
Choose Native Plants For Your HOA Landscaping
Native plants grow better and more easily in local conditions than non-native plants, since they have been present in an area for many years. This doesn’t mean that they don’t need to be looked after; they just require less nurturing and adapt well to the local environment and climate.
According to NativeLandDesign, “adding native plants to areas or your HOA site means less maintenance and water use and a more sustainable property.”
It’s also definitely something you can include on your website as a point of interest in your community. If you have many seasonal residents, being surrounded by local plants is a bonus!
Get Your Trees Ready Before Hurricane Season
Here, Brightview advises us to schedule an assessment with a certified arborist before the Hurricane Season, as a way to understand which trees are most vulnerable to damage.
Falling trees pose a major threat during Hurricane Season. Removing weak and dead branches can drastically reduce the risk of damage or injury.
They also suggest discussing a pre-authorized plan for post-storm clean-up with your landscape partner. This will save you time and money after a storm when you need work done quickly.
Palm Trees Are Not Regular Trees
If you live in Florida or California, it’s normal to have palm trees in your HOA. As John Dougherty from Juniper Landscaping mentioned during our webinar, “Palm trees are not like regular trees. First, you need to fertilize palm trees at least three times a year.”
Something to look out for is lethal bronzing, a disease that is spreading fast and could affect your palm trees irreversibly. The good news is that trunk injections can prevent lethal bronzing. But be careful: only certified professionals should perform trunk injections, as they require specific knowledge. Applying trunk injections without having the proper know-how can have detrimental outcomes.
Two Words: Less Water
Water is our most precious resource on earth, and we are all aware of how limited it is and how important it is to preserve it. Thanks to technology and innovation, you can use smart irrigation systems that reduce water consumption. All landscaping companies mentioned in this article offer the latest irrigation technologies that provide precision and save water and money.
“Heavy and less frequent watering encourages deeper roots to grow,” says John from Juniper Landscaping.
Frequently Asked Questions On HOA Landscaping (FAQ)
Who is responsible for mowing the grass in front of my house?
The maintenance of your specific yard often falls on you. Usually, the landscaper handles the common areas and the big sweeps of green in the HOA.
Is it better to use one landscaping company or bid out different tasks?
It’s tempting to think three different crews would be cheaper, but it’s usually a logistical nightmare for the board. When you have one partner, it builds a long-term relationship in which the crew actually knows the quirks of the soil and the trees in the HOA.
How to save water in our HOA?
You could start by adopting smarter irrigation practices. Instead of just flooding the grass every day, you could focus on heavy, less frequent watering. This helps the roots grow deeper and makes the plants hardier.
Wrapping Up On HOA Landscaping
Although it’s easy to see why proper landscaping practices matter in an HOA, implementing them can be complicated. But, as we learned here today, being organized and making proper plans are essential for any landscaping project. Preventive maintenance and smart irrigation systems will also help you save money and be more sustainable. To make all your projects run as smoothly as possible, the key is communication.
If you wish to learn more about improving your communication, download our free kit below!
