If you’re in the lawn and landscape business, you know that spring and summer are more than just busy—they’re make-or-break seasons. The warmer months bring an influx of customers, requests, and opportunities to grow revenue. But without a plan, the rush can lead to chaos, wasted time, and missed profit.
That’s where a landscape maintenance checklist comes in. By preparing now, you’ll minimize costs, maximize efficiency, and set yourself up for a thriving season.
Lawn and Landscape Busy Season Checklist
1. Check Your Equipment
Maintenance is key to keeping jobs on schedule. Inspect every truck, mower, trimmer, and tool. Handle repairs and preventative maintenance now so you’re not scrambling later. Develop a routine maintenance plan for high-use equipment to prevent downtime.
2. Take Inventory
Audit your supplies, including service and office materials. Stock up on high-use items before demand spikes. Clean out old or broken equipment and clear workspace clutter so your team starts fresh.
3. Avoid Overbooking
Overpromising leads to disappointed customers. Build schedules that reflect your crew size and capacity. Anticipate absences, plan workloads realistically, and hire temporary help if needed.
4. Plan Your Routes
Efficiency matters. Assign crews to tight geographic zones and map routes to reduce gas costs and wasted time. Proximity-based scheduling helps maximize billable hours.
5. Calculate Costs Accurately
Factor in more than labor. Include gas, insurance, equipment wear, admin time, and customer service overhead in your pricing models. This ensures profitability and prevents hidden cost creep.
6. Track All Business Metrics
To grow season over season, track:
- Advertising ROI
- Workflow efficiency
- Customer acquisition and retention
- Routes and billable hours
- Employee costs
Use this data to find inefficiencies and improve operations next year.
7. Stay Current with Billing
Quick invoicing = steady cash flow. Set systems for same-day or next-day billing, and schedule regular follow-ups for overdue accounts.
8. Train During the Off-Season
Don’t waste peak months on training. Invest in professional development during winter so your crew is sharp, confident, and efficient when the rush arrives.
9. Build Partnerships
Leverage local partnerships to increase brand exposure. Team up with nurseries, supply stores, or real estate agents to cross-promote your services. Referrals are gold during peak season.
10. Be Ready to Multitask
Your time is precious. Use commutes or solo work to listen to business podcasts or audiobooks so you’re building knowledge while managing jobs.
11. Set Motivational Goals
Keep morale high with company-wide goals and incentives. From weekly targets to summer-long rewards, motivation keeps burnout at bay.
12. Streamline Business Processes
Don’t juggle everything manually. Tools like Slingshot’s Central Inbox simplify customer and team communication. Consider outsourcing HR, sales, or data analysis through Business Process Outsourcing so you can focus on client-facing work.
13. Strengthen Customer Service
Don’t let customer service slip when demand peaks. Empower your CSR team with tools and training. If you lack a dedicated team, consider outsourced support so every client feels taken care of.
14. Launch a Spring Marketing Campaign
Start early. Run targeted local campaigns and consider Slingshot’s Sales and Lead Response services to supercharge your outreach and conversions.
15. Don’t Forget to Breathe
Busy season is intense, but it’s also temporary. Use your landscape maintenance checklist to stay organized, take short breaks when needed, and remind yourself of the rewards waiting during the slow months.
Script Tips for New Customer Acquisition
A checklist sets the foundation for logistics, but it also helps you win new clients. Use these scripts to prepare your team:
- Introduction Script
“Hi, this is [Your Name] with [Your Company]. We’re helping homeowners in [Neighborhood] prepare for the busy season with efficient, affordable landscape maintenance. Would you like me to share our spring specials?” - Handling a “No”
“I completely understand. Many customers told us the same thing at first. But when they saw how quickly we respond and how easy scheduling is [or other value proposition], they changed their minds. Would it help if I gave you a free estimate so you can compare?”
Pro Tips for Customer Retention
Getting new customers is only half the battle—keeping them is where the real growth happens and the most important part of your landscape maintenance checklist.
- Follow Up After the Rush: Send thank-you emails or postcards reminding customers you’ll be available for fall or winter prep work.
- Add Personal Touches: Remember details—like kids’ names, pet-friendly lawns, or favorite services—and mention them in follow-ups.
- Offer Off-Season Specials: Even after summer, promote gutter cleaning, snow prep, or soil treatments to stay top of mind.
- Reward Loyalty: Small perks (like a free edging or discount on the next service) show clients you value their continued business.
Slingshot Can Help You Succeed in Peak Season
The rush is coming—are you ready? A clear landscape maintenance checklist gives you the systems, scripts, and strategies to thrive. With the right preparation, you’ll not only survive peak season but also build long-term customer loyalty that carries your business well beyond summer.
Reach out to Slingshot to take the extra—but vital—tasks like scheduling, invoicing and other administrative tasks off your plate! Whether it be pest control or landscaping, we’ve got you covered.
