Budgeting for Landscape Maintenance: A Guide for Property Managers

Commercial property managers wear many hats — and one of the most important is managing a maintenance budget that keeps the property looking professional without overspending. Landscape maintenance is often one of the largest recurring exterior expenses, and budgeting for it properly can be the difference between consistently great results and emergency patchwork.

If you manage properties in Boise, Nampa, or anywhere across Idaho, here’s how to plan and budget effectively for your landscaping needs.

1. Know What Landscape Maintenance Typically Includes

Before creating a budget, it’s essential to understand what services you’re paying for. A standard commercial landscape maintenance plan may include:

• Lawn mowing and edging
• Shrub and tree trimming
• Fertilization and weed control
• Irrigation checks and seasonal adjustments
• Seasonal cleanup and mulching
• Trash and debris removal
• Optional enhancements like flowers or bark

Tip: Ask for a detailed scope of work from your landscaping partner so you know exactly what is included in recurring services vs. enhancements or one-time projects.

2. Factor in Seasonal Needs and Weather Patterns

Idaho’s climate brings a wide range of weather — from hot, dry summers to snowy winters — all of which affect landscaping demands.

For example:

• Spring: Fertilization, aeration, planting, irrigation start-up
• Summer: Increased watering, mowing, and pest control
• Fall: Cleanup, trimming, and sprinkler system blowouts
• Winter: Snow and ice removal, storm damage repairs

Be sure to budget extra for seasonal transitions and any weather-related services specific to your region.

3. Plan for Emergencies and Unexpected Issues

Even with a great plan in place, emergencies can (and will) happen — from irrigation system failures to storm cleanups or vandalism repair.

We recommend setting aside 10–15% of your total landscape budget for unexpected costs like:

• Irrigation leaks or controller issues
• Emergency tree removals
• Snow events exceeding service thresholds
• Storm-related cleanup or fence repair

4. Get Quotes for Enhancements Separately

Enhancements like flower installations, bark refreshes, or landscape lighting are valuable, but they aren’t typically included in your base maintenance contract.

Budget separately for:

• Seasonal color rotations
• New planting beds or tree installations
• Mulch or bark replenishment
• Hardscape additions (benches, planters, etc.)

This allows you to keep your core maintenance budget steady while still enhancing curb appeal over time.

5. Work with a Transparent Landscaping Partner

The key to smart budgeting is clear communication. Choose a landscape company that:

• Provides itemized proposals and contracts
• Helps you prioritize services based on budget constraints
• Offers flexible packages or phased upgrades
• Communicates proactively about issues or opportunities to save

At Cutting Edge Landscape, we tailor each commercial plan to your property’s size, goals, and financial parameters — and we make it easy to track where every dollar goes.

Ready to Build a Smarter Landscape Budget?

Cutting Edge Landscape works with commercial properties across Idaho to create custom landscape service plans that balance beauty, performance, and cost-efficiency. Let us help you budget with confidence.