Many landscaping businesses are flooded with contracts during the fall season. Managing staff, organizing labour, materials, overhead, and project planning can get hectic. As each project is unique, making a mistake or two is inevitable no matter how long you have been in the industry. What is important to understand is that mistakes are okay! You can learn from mistakes and make the appropriate adjustments going forward to avoid them. At FSI Landscaping Supply, we are in contact with many landscaping professionals and contractors. In today’s article, we are sharing common landscaping mistakes to avoid this fall season.

Underestimating the project

Landscaping professionals and landscaping contractors have as many projects to complete in the fall as they would in the spring or summer months. The first landscaping mistake to avoid is running low or running out of landscaping supplies and materials. Low stock can delay projects. Project delays could result in unhappy customers or loss of potential customers, ultimately leading to bad reviews and no referrals. When business is booming, and contracts are coming in regularly, it is easy to misjudge or miscalculate the amount of materials required for a particular job. Therefore, it is always best to have more than not enough.

Waiting for a good deal

Some business owners and landscaping professionals make the mistake of waiting for the end of the season to stock up on items that are marked down at the local hardware store. Discounts or end-of-season sales do not mean quality. End-of-season stock is like a clearance rack. You may find an item or two; however, it most likely won’t get the job done. It is best to contact a reliable landscape supply company. A landscape supply company will always offer quality material in bulk to support landscaping companies on a small and large scale. At FSI Landscape Supply, we provide various landscaping materials in bulk that can suit any size budget.

Hardscaping maintenance

Forgetting to address hardscaping areas is second on our list of landscaping mistakes to avoid this fall. Stones/natural stones need to be maintained, cleaned, sealed and in some cases replaced. Steppingstones, patio slabs, paving stones, or interlocking stones can shift out of place, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic. These pavers, stones, and slabs need to be put back into the proper placement, including the aggregates or sand used between the joints. Re-sanding or refilling the joints is an essential part of maintaining hardscaped areas. Aggregates or sand need to be replaced as a result of foot traffic, rain and wind.

Overlooking problematic areas

Water drainage should be addressed each season. Slopes encourage water runoff, uneven ground, or bare soil areas are prone to collect water. Therefore, precipitation in the form of rain, snow, ice, or sleet must be managed and re-directed.

Problematic areas may also include areas that lack illumination. Outdoor lighting assists with curb appeal, acts as a security feature by deterring onlookers with bad intentions and can help individuals/homeowners navigate safely outdoors.

At FSI Landscape Supply, you will find high-quality landscaping supplies and materials to complete any project, big or small. Contact us today for more information!