Sourcing the most cost-effective commercial landscaping company for your property may seem like the number one search criteria. Creating a clear and concise request for proposal (RFP) is a better option for matching your property’s specific needs to the right services. Businesses will save money and time by outlining exactly who they are, what they need, and the parameters for budgetary constraints.
Requests for proposals do the heavy-lifting of the selection process for your commercial landscape. RFPs gather details and make your compare and contrast decision-making easier and more timely. The applicant that you ultimately go with will be the one that surpasses several other proposals for the best fit for your company. You can also use this process to gather reviews and background check information.
When creating the request for proposal, include a profile about your business, in addition to just the property's needs. Having a clear understanding of what a business does, and how it operates, can help landscaping companies better understand your total needs. Also, include a point of contact. If proposals have any clarification questions or require follow-up, you will want them to be able to promptly reach the correct person.
.jpg)
Including the measurements of the commercial property on the request for proposals is always a good idea. This helps the landscaping company come up with a more accurate number for the price proposal for your business. Be sure to also include whether your business incurs any foot traffic. Heavy foot traffic will change the way that an installation works and is designed. It may also be important to include information about the terrain, irrigation of the area, and what existing landscaping is already present if any.
Be abundantly clear here. Identify the number range that you would like to be in and then also clarify the number that you cannot breach by company mandate. Finding a landscaping company that is interested in working within your desired range, rather than your max range, should help you in deciding which company might be best for your commercial property.
After you have decided on which information you need to communicate for a successful proposal, format it clearly and concisely. Make clear the timeline with which you are working and identify the deadline for all RFP submissions. Your high expectations will be clearly communicated when you communicate non-negotiables like deadlines on submissions and rigidity on hardline budgetary issues.
When deciding on proposals, be sure to look for the ideal candidates that truly meet your needs. However, ‘within budget’ and ‘ability to provide native plant installation’ aren't the only indicators of a good match. Also, consider the following for the most stress-free and professional experience:
• Background checks
• Insurance coverage
• References
• Years of service
• Adherence to RFP and deadline
After receiving the proposals back, be sure to respond in kind. Let the landscaping companies know the timeline to expect to receive a response from you. It is a good business practice to respond even to the proposals that you ultimately do not accept. Occasionally, you will find that a proposal is matched in the selection response process.
Contact Monarch Landscape to learn more about how to format a successful request for proposal or contact us with your request for proposal so we can match your commercial landscaping needs.
