We talk a fair amount about grounds maintenance and its benefits, what you need to think about and the different things to focus on depending on the time of year. But we don’t often go back to basics and explain why businesses need grounds maintenance in the first place, and why it’s worth the investment to do it regularly. Even though it’s something we get asked about all the time! So today we’re going to answer exactly that.
Create An Inviting Premises
When you have visitors to your property, you want them to feel welcomed and at home. Maybe even a little impressed! A neat, tidy environment from the second they enter the grounds is not only aesthetically pleasing but inviting and comforting too, making both guests and employees feel at home. Overgrown grass, litter and general scruffiness don’t create a comfortable environment, and this can make visitors anxious and on edge. If your grounds are tidy, you are more likely to get repeat business and happy customers.
Of course, this is more important for some businesses than others. Hotels, sports grounds and country clubs all need to present a certain standard, and this should be reflected in your grounds as well as your business. This can help members justify fees, and convince on-the-fence members that they will be getting a quality experience.
Fewer Pests
Did you know that pests are attracted to certain types of plants or even specific environments within your business premises? Piles of leaves that haven’t been collected, unkept ponds or fountains, long grass, fallen branches, weeds and even cracked paving are all the perfect home for pests, and if you aren’t removing them regularly then you’re basically laying out the red carpet for them. Rodents, spiders, beetles and ants are all common pests for commercial properties, and without proper maintenance, you will find yourself struggling with them. But by doing proper grounds maintenance on a regular basis, you can make sure they never have a reason to come, and you will have significantly fewer pest problems.
We wrote a more detailed blog about grounds maintenance reducing pests, which you can read here if you want to learn more.
More Functional Space
In one of our previous blogs we talked about the benefits of working outdoors to employee health and productivity. Not only does regular grounds maintenance mean your grounds are a nice place to be, but it allows you to create more functional space for your business too. Outdoor meeting zones, lunch areas and relaxation spaces can all be hugely beneficial to your employee’s mental health, motivation and satisfaction at work, all of which can be created and sustained with regular grounds maintenance.
Protect Your Investment
Let’s face it, running a premises isn’t cheap. But it is an investment into the future of your business, and one you should want to protect. Neglecting your grounds maintenance doesn’t just leave you with untidy looking grounds. It can actually cause damage to the plant life, local ecosystem, paving and even the structure of the building itself. So if at any point in the future you decide to sell the property, it will likely have lost some of its value. Even if you’re renting the premises, keeping the grounds in good order will be a part of your tenancy agreement, and neglecting to do so could mean you lose money or are even asked to leave. Regular grounds maintenance ensures your property exterior is kept in good order throughout, and by protecting it from any damage you can actually increase its value over time!
At Pod Landscapes, we specialise in all areas of grounds maintenance for commercial premises. Our team of experts can put together a maintenance plan that fits your business and your budget so that you can have immaculate-looking grounds all year round. If you would like to find out more, just get in touch with the team today for your free, no-strings-attached consultation.
