When it comes to taking care of commercial properties, way too many property owners and managers are overly focused on only maintaining the buildings they’re in charge of. Building maintenance is essential, but make sure you don’t overlook the grounds of your property or else you could be making a negative impression on visitors, customers, tenants, and potential buyers.
When visitors come to your property, if all they see is dead grass and a few trees, they’ll start making assumptions about your business based on that first impression. If your landscaping is neglected, they’ll assume that the buildings and businesses are also. When visitors are presented with attractive landscaping upon entering the grounds, they can sense the care and attention that you put into your commercial property.
Enhancing the landscaping of your commercial property not only creates a better impression on people, it also increases property value. In fact, well designed and maintained landscaping has one of the highest returns on investment when compared to other property improvement projects.
With benefits like these, there’s no good reason to continue putting your landscaping off. If you’re not sure what landscaping improvements will have the most impact or how to start the process, here’s a quick guide to help you out.
Making improvements to the landscaping of your commercial property doesn’t have to be complicated. The number one way to improve your business’s curb appeal and raise your property value is to keep the grass looking its best.
That doesn’t mean your maintenance crew has to spend every waking hour waiting for weeds to pop up to catch them before they spread. Producing a yard that your customers, tenants, and visitors will admire just requires:
Having your maintenance team care for the grass isn’t expensive, but it does require an investment of their time. If you prefer to have your maintenance crew attend to other matters, there are more options available; you could hire a reputable lawn-care professional to keep your landscaping looking its best.
Consider sod for a quick fix if your commercial property's grounds are in rough shape. It's ideal for attracting tenants or buyers quickly due to its low cost and rapid results.
If your commercial property has grass and nothing more, it may be easier to maintain but it will leave your grounds looking plain and unappealing. Add a little more life and color to your landscaping by planting trees, flowers, and shrubs; that will make your commercial property look lively and inviting.
Adding a few trees to your grounds will make a huge difference when it comes to beautifying your commercial property. Most people prefer to visit areas with mature trees that provide shade while removing carbon dioxide and pollution. Trees are a unique asset because, unlike other additions to your property, they actually increase in value over time.
If the grounds of your property already contain mature trees, make sure that your maintenance crew takes proper care of them so they remain healthy. Trees need plenty of water in order to thrive so keep them watered and place mulch at the base to retain moisture.
Mature trees also need to be pruned to remove dead limbs and encourage growth, but be careful not to cut them back too much. Over-pruning can negatively affect a tree’s health, structural integrity, and appearance. If you have any doubts about your maintenance team’s ability to properly prune trees, contact a reputable local tree trimmer.
When it comes to selecting flowers and shrubs for your commercial property, make sure that you have a thorough plant strategy in place. It’s best if you choose plants that are not just visually appealing, but hardy, low-maintenance, and seasonally balanced as well.
You’ll want your landscaping to look good year-round. Choose plants that thrive year-round, not just in spring and summer. Consult local experts for climate-specific advice.
To make your flower beds even more visually appealing, have your maintenance crew spread mulch between the plants. Not only does the mulch create a more uniform and professional look, it also helps the plants hold onto moisture. Mulch is an inexpensive addition to your landscaping that will work to increase your property value.
For your business exterior, customers and others seek more than just healthy grass. They want an attractive outdoor area that’s ideal for taking a break, enjoying the scenery, and socializing.
If your commercial property does not currently have an outdoor seating area, you might want to consider adding one. Patios, gazebos, and other seating areas are a good investment because they recoup more than the amount it costs to have them installed.
Outdoor areas with added functional or ornamental features recover even more of their initial investments. A pergola, dining area, or water feature is certain to increase the value of your property and impress visitors and tenants alike.
The ideal is to create a space that serves as an outdoor oasis. If you’re limited on how much you can invest and want to keep your upgrades simple, stick with adding some benches or a gazebo. Even with that straightforward upgrade, your commercial property value will increase.
Don't let your beautiful landscaping vanish at sunset after improving your commercial property's aesthetic value. Add outdoor lighting to your landscape will make a lasting impression any time, day or night.
Lighting can be used to highlight the most attractive features of your property. For example, you can place focus on your gazebo by hanging lights from it or have a light directed at a prominent tree on your grounds.
Good lighting serves multiple purposes. It helps people find your business easily, deters intruders, and makes visitors feel safe on your property.
Don't let landscaping deter tenants, customers, or property sale at a good price. Your grounds have loads of untapped potential. Invest a bit of time, attention, and money into your landscaping, and you’ll soon be reaping the rewards.