Landscaping Contracts That Helps You Close Deals Faster
A landscape contractor plays an important role in maintaining residential and commercial properties. These landscape contractors can provide landscaping services like installation of design elements that are usually conceived by the landscape architects.
The landscaping companies often address both the softscape (this takes care of the organic elements like grass and trees) and the hardscape (this addresses the non-living parts of the property) requirements depending on the homeowner's request.
In simplest terms, landscape service providers are essentially builders. They install plants, flowers, grass, walls, yards, etc. to make it look appealing. Some of the common care services a landscape contractor provides are mowing, pest control, using pesticides, mulch.
Landscaper vs. Landscape Architect vs. Landscape Designer
In the United States, the terms landscaper, landscape architect, and landscape designer is often used interchangeably. But while a landscaper is an independent contractor who primarily is hired to design your garden, patio, or outdoor space, the landscape designers are experts in softscape landscaping of real estates. Landscape designers also do not have any formal training or certifications.
On the other hand, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), a landscape architect is someone who maximizes the use of the land within minimum disruption to nature. Contrary to landscapers, a landscape architect requires a bachelor's degree to start a business.
Most of the available landscape contracts can be used by all of them for commercial landscaping services.
Types of landscaping contracts
These are a few types of popular landscaping contracts:
- Landscape maintenance contract
- Lawn care contract
- Landscape construction contract
How to draft landscaping contracts that help you win deals?
It is important for business owners to draft constructive landscaping contracts that help to establish trust and clearly lays down the roles and responsibilities of both parties. However, technical documents can be tricky.
Here are a few key aspects to keep in mind-
- Knowledge is important: Be well versed with the industry standards such as price rates, recent trends, sought after practice. Customize your terms as per the requirements. This helps to avoid overstating or understating your offer especially if you have to include subcontractors in your job.
- Easy language: It’s important to keep in mind that your client is no expert in dealing with legal jargon. Communicate in simple language that is easier to understand and interpret. The better the customer understands, the faster they sign a deal.
- Detailing: Contract drafting should be based on the concept of “more is less”. It will be your reference point throughout the deal term. Ensure to include all the necessary details (clauses and terms) required to run the project smoothly. This will also help in case of any legal troubles.
- Objective: It’s essential to have a clear purpose. Discuss the scope of work patiently with your customer to make it a binding contract. Customize clauses as per your customer’s requirements.
- Review: It is important to review your final contract thoroughly. It will ensure minimal grammar or spelling errors. Also, it gives you the opportunity to examine, if the sections fulfill the requirements of the laws of the state. In addition, you get confident that your contract is perfect and has no flaws.
- Keep a check on your termination clause: Include your desired time frame here. List down situations under which termination can take place. For instance, if the client is not able to pay as per the contract, then you can provide notice for the termination of your services.
When does a landscaping contract help?
These are some of the benefits of having a landscaping contract in place:
- Help establish customer relationships: A e-signed contract is legally binding. Since a landscaping contract often includes terms and conditions, it ensures that customers pay on time and follows protocols as mentioned in the contract. Furthermore, in contract breach, these contracts also help protect the business. It also provides proof of what was agreed between you and the customer.
- Help prevent future misunderstandings - The contract clearly states start date, end date, cancellation and termination term, payment methods, etc. which helps to prevent misunderstandings and disputes.
- Help minimize liability - Since landscaping often involves a lot of implied conditions, if the landscape contract is detailed, it will ensure that no terms are left open to interpretations as it often leads to litigation and liability. Including a limitation of liability insurance helps safeguard the business in case of any damages.
Using commercial landscaping contracts by Revv
Revv's legally vetted landscaping contracts help safeguard business owners as well as homeowners.
Not only does the contract template have many specific details pertaining to the industry, but these service contracts also templates are completely customizable according to your business needs.
Sign up with Revv and customize the template and use features such as electronic signature, or even track the activity of the users on the document itself. You can also integrate your CRM or include direct payment links via Stripe.