The competition for grounds maintenance jobs is fierce. This article should, at the very least, give you a fighting chance in securing such a job. We are Keith’s Tractor Mowing, serving the Greater Fort Worth area with affordable acreage mowing. When it comes to mowing the big jobs in Fort Worth, nobody does it better. Call us today for a free price quote.
What is grounds maintenance?
Grounds maintenance is the process that maintains outdoor and green indoor areas. It can include everything from planting trees and pest control to mowing lawns and keeping a sidewalk free of snow. The main goal of grounds maintenance is to maintain property value and ensure that landscaped areas retain functionality and remain pleasant.
Keeping these areas clean, organized, and aesthetically pleasing cannot be underestimated. A study from the University of Vermont found that landscaping and groundskeeping can add up to 14% in the value of a building and grounds.
What skills do you need?
Skills commonly used in grounds maintenance include, but are not limited to:
- Landscaping design
- Horticulture knowledge
- Irrigation management
- Pesticide application
- Turf maintenance
- Equipment operation
- Soil fertility
- Tree pruning
- Weed control
- Snow removal
- Safety protocols
- Pest management
- Job bid skills
Do you need all of these skills for all grounds maintenance contractors jobs? No, but chances are excellent that at some point you will need them all at some point in your career.
Types of workers you will need:
Groundskeepers or Grounds Managers – Groundskeepers or grounds managers typically have the horticultural and technical education to head a grounds maintenance team or department. They are the top-of-funnel leaders responsible for general grounds maintenance like snow removal, grass mowing, leaf raking, shrub and tree trimming, and grounds maintenance equipment and tools.
Arborists – Arborists are contractors with specialized training in the care and maintenance of trees. Their study has made them acutely astute in maintaining, pruning, shaping, and treating trees for longevity and beauty. Arborists will know which kind of trees to plant around a building to increase shade and help save on summer cooling costs, or which may provide better cover and protection from winter’s frozen grasp and the soaring heating costs it brings.
Landscapers or Grounds Technician – Landscapers and grounds technicians are the backbones of the grounds maintenance staff. They are the ones directed to perform all necessary work from a groundskeeper. Work can include but is not limited to planting trees and flower beds, trimming shrubs, weeding, keeping walkways free of snow and ice, and general outdoor maintenance.
Contractors –Groundskeepers may also have outside contractors on staff. These contractors may perform the grounds maintenance duties of arborists or landscapers including tree trimming and planting flowers.
Do not bite off more than you can chew.
It is a competitive world out there. Lots of people scrambling for few quality jobs, and this is definitely true when talking about commercial lawn services jobs and grounds maintenance jobs. There can be a tendency to want a job so badly that common sense is overridden by enthusiasm.
If you do not know how to do a specific job, no faking in the world will cover up that fact, and the worst thing you want to do, from a business standpoint, is to promise something you are not capable of delivering.
In other words, don’t bid for a job you are not qualified to perform. It is a kiss of death for your business; word of mouth spreads quickly, and it can quickly kill your business/company.
A final word about Keith’s Tractor Mowing.
Keith’s Tractor Mowing is locally owned and operated. Call us for all of your big mowing jobs, including ranch mowing, pipeline mowing, church mowing, and all other mowing jobs over an acre in size.