Why Going Fast Isn’t Always Good on Lawn Care Jobs 

While all clients and property owners prefer speedy results from their lawn-care service providers, work crews who routinely rush jobs to completion could end up being a real liability. Working too quickly often leads to results that are sloppy and inconsistent. Prioritizing consistent results and budgeting enough time and resources to ensure that all jobs are able to be completed without issues, oversights or other missteps are concerns that business owners would do well to consider.

Attention to Detail is Essential

Lawn care services that fail to deliver results that are consistent, dependable and of superior quality rarely last for long. Ensuring that workers are crews are not rushing things, especially on properties and sites that are visited frequently, can go a long way towards improving both the quality of work and the satisfaction of the client. When it comes to quality, attention to detail is of paramount concern and lawn-care businesses that make whatever changes are needed to their operations and policies in order to ensure that work is not being rushed may be able to minimize or outright eliminate any issues they may be having with the work quality or the consistency of their results.

Scheduling and Time Management

From fuel costs to employee compensation, time is money to a landscaping service and spending any longer than is necessary on a job could quickly result in lost opportunity or increased overhead. Efficient scheduling is essential for ensuring the profitability of an operation, but placing too much pressure on workers to get the job done or failing to allocate enough time for the work can be a recipe for disaster. A firm understanding of how much time is needed to get the job done right can allow businesses to avoid the additional complications and potential problems that cutting corners often creates.

Minimizing the Risk of a Work-related Accident

Pushing work crews to finish a job too quickly could lead to bigger problems than a simple oversight. Rushing through a job or hurrying to finish in time can greatly increase the risk of an accidental injury. Workers compensation, medical costs and the delays caused by a work related injury can quickly erase any financial gains that may have been made by rushing through a job. Workplace safety is of critical importance and taking a more cautious, careful and thorough approach to every job can go a long way towards preventing accidents.

Adopting and Implementing the Right Policies

Every operation is different and there is no one set of policies and practices that may fit every need. Landscaping services would do well to assess their existing policies in order to identify any areas of their operations that may require further attention or improvement. Workflow processes and operational policies that stress the importance of efficient time management can help to eliminate many of the problems that are commonly caused when rushing through a job. Businesses often find that it is well worth spending a few extra minutes to ensure each and every task is done correctly.

Training New Lawn Crew to Take Care of Machines 

For many lawn care services and landscapers, the cost of equipment and machinery often accounts for the bulk of overhead expense. Improper use or neglected maintenance can drastically reduce the lifespan of the machinery and other equipment being used on a landscaping job. Providing all workers with the training and instruction they need in order to property utilize and maintain their equipment may space employers having to cover the costs of having to replace machinery that has worn out prematurely. Preventative maintenance and a little care helps to ensure that all equipment is able to last as long as possible.

Investing in Quality Resources

Purchasing quality machinery and more durable equipment is always the first step towards ensuring that resources are able to remain free of mechanical problems and maintenance concerns. From riding mowers to simple hand tools, there is a wide range of quality difference among the resources that employers have available and organizations that make their selections and purchases more carefully stand to benefit a great deal. Well-made equipment and quality machinery can often last much longer than their cheaper counterparts and typically provide owners with greater overall value over the long term.

Preventative Maintenance

Preventing equipment from wearing out or breaking down rather than dealing with mechanical issues once they develop is often the most cost effective way to approach the situation. Unexpected breakdowns can result in other problems, especially in the event that equipment failure creates a bottleneck which might interfere with a job. Training all employees to properly care for their machines, tools and other resources an making routine maintenance efforts part of an established policy can eliminate many problems. Landscaping service providers who are tired of the aggravation, delays and additional costs that equipment breakdowns may be causing would do well to make effective maintenance a top priority.

On-site Repairs

Being able to quickly repair broken machinery ensures that a simple mechanical failure is less likely to result in larger problems or more costly issues. While it may not always be possible to teach every employee how to repair broken equipment, training a handful of select workers to perform basic or even intermediate repairs on machinery and equipment can allow them to more easily address any maintenance or repair issues that may crop up from time to time. Even a single worker who have been trained to perform on-site repairs on key pieces of equipment can be a tremendous asset, especially when provided with the transportation needed to provide repair services and support for multiple work crews.

Providing Employees With the Best Training

Work crews who have been poorly trained and staff that lack the basic instruction needed to properly utilize their tools can become a major liability. The added times and labor costs needed to ensure that all new and existing employees have been provided with adequate training regarding the care and maintenance of their equipment can often provide a superior return of investment. Proper training can allow business owners to minimize the cost of machinery repairs and equipment replacement.