Commercial landscaping contracts are the highest-revenue category in lawn care — a single HOA or office park contract can generate more monthly recurring revenue than 20 residential accounts. The key is getting in front of the right decision-maker with the right message before bid season.
The best commercial landscaping targets
- HOA communities and condominium associations (multi-year contracts)
- Office parks and corporate campuses
- Retail shopping centers and strip malls
- Hotels and resorts (curb appeal is revenue-critical)
- Municipal and government facilities (longer bid process, stable contracts)
When to reach commercial landscaping prospects
Timing is everything in commercial landscaping. Most contracts are bid in late fall (October-November) for the following spring season. The best time to reach new prospects is August-September, before they finalize their vendor list for the bid process. A second window opens in February-March for contracts that fell through or need emergency replacement.
How to find commercial landscaping prospects online
Google Maps: search "HOA," "homeowners association," "property management," "office park," and "commercial real estate" in your service area. Look for HOA management companies — each one manages 5-20 communities. Municipal open data portals also publish HOA and commercial property registrations for many cities. LinkedIn is effective for finding HOA board members and property managers directly.
What to say in your first email to a commercial landscaping prospect
HOA managers and property managers receive many landscaping solicitations. Stand out by being specific: reference their property by name or address, mention one observation about their current landscape (from Google Street View or a drive-by), and offer something specific — a no-obligation bid for the upcoming season, a reference list of comparable properties you serve, or a specific service they may be missing (irrigation audit, seasonal color program).