Time is money when it comes to landscaping. The most successful landscaping businesses have strategies in place to maximize efficiency, and this guide covers a few of the biggest time-wasters that could be costing you money. We’ll also review a few tips for being more efficient so that you can maximize your company profits.
Time Waster # 1 – Inefficient Equipment
Inefficient equipment can be one of the biggest drains on your and your crew’s time in the landscaping industry. Whether your equipment is defective, inefficient, or faulty, it can impact your crew’s productivity. Ongoing maintenance and timely repairs are just one step in ensuring your team always has the equipment it needs to do its job.
Providing your crew with extra equipment can also help them cut down on basic landscaping tasks, like mowing or cleaning. You can also speed up the time it takes to complete monotonous tasks like moving materials. Brush grapples for skid steers make it easier for landscapers to filter through rock, brush, and compost. This allows them to quickly seed through land materials to clear brush and begin new seeding.
Time Waster # 2 – Failing To Match Supply With Demand
As with any business, success is about matching supply with demand. Maintaining a crew that easily handles customer demand without overworking them is important. Some landscaping companies may find it difficult to scale, often leading to overworked crews or dissatisfied customers.
Careful planning and ensuring you have sufficient crew before building your business is an excellent start. However, it’s also essential to continue monitoring both supply and demand to ensure a good match. Focusing on creating a brand can also help set you apart from other landscaping companies in your area.
Time Waster # 3 – Poor Scheduling
In addition to failing to match supply with demand, poor scheduling can also impact how quickly your crew can complete landscaping duties. Sending different crews to the same area can lead to route backtracking, meaning they spend more time on the road versus with customers. The use of scheduling software and logistical planning can help maximize everyone’s time. As the company gets larger and customer demands become more unique in nature, it may even be beneficial to hire a project manager or scheduler.
Time Waster # 4 – Lack of Skilled Workers
Skilled workers are also an important part of an efficient workplace. Workers who are trained on the projects they complete and the equipment they work with are more likely to get the job done faster without sacrificing quality. Crew leaders and owners can ensure a team of skilled workers with ongoing training programs. Require all new employees to complete training that covers the proper use of equipment, safety, and efficiency tips. Ongoing training can also help current crew members further develop their skills. Additionally, training should be a priority anytime the crew takes on additional landscaping tasks or uses new equipment.
Learning how to utilize crew members’ strengths is also important. Different crew members will have different strengths, and recognizing and using these can be advantageous to everyone. Get a good idea of specific landscaping tasks that certain crew members enjoy and the ones they dislike. Watch your team work so you can understand who does what well. Getting to know your team member’s strengths and areas of improvement is also a good way to recognize leadership and choose a crew leader.
Time Waster # 5 – Unclear Communication and Expectations
Clear communication with your crew members and clients is important for scheduling and achieving project results. Ensure you clearly understand the customer’s expectations to translate them to the workers. It’s best to spend the time upfront meeting with clients to understand the services and schedule that best works for them.
Providing your team members with an easy method of contacting you can also be helpful. This allows them to ask questions or submit feedback, which could directly affect the efficiency of the project they’re currently working on and the final result. Clear communication with both can also help avoid backtracking, like when the customer may be dissatisfied with the job result or when a crew member misunderstands their role. Writing down expectations for crew members and clients and requesting a signature also ensures everyone is aware of the latest expectations.
The landscaping industry is constantly evolving, and making last-minute schedule changes and updating equipment is necessary for business success. Wasting time in the landscaping industry can cut into your profits and impact your ability to expand as a business. Recognizing these time wasters and finding ways to overcome them can help you maximize profits.
