Due diligence steps beyond the sales presentation — site visits, reference checks, equipment inspection, and crew interview techniques.
The quality of your commercial landscape outcome depends entirely on the crews who show up — not the sales team who pitched you. Before signing: (1) Request to visit 3 current properties of similar size and type to yours, unannounced. Drive by first to see real conditions, then schedule a reference call with the property manager. (2) Ask to meet the actual crew lead assigned to your property — not the account manager. Questions: How long have you been with this company? How many properties are you currently responsible for? What certifications do you hold? (3) Inspect the equipment fleet: are trucks and trailers lettered and professional? Is equipment current-generation and well-maintained, or patched and outdated? (4) Check crew tenure: high turnover (average tenure under 1 year) signals management problems that will affect your property. (5) Review their safety record: request the OSHA 300A log and EMR rating. (6) Ask for a sample monthly property report from a current client — if they can't produce one, their reporting to you will be equally weak.