25 Jul 3 Key Factors That Drive the Cost of Landscape Care
When it comes to caring for your property, the words management and maintenance may sound similar—but they’re not the same.
Landscape Management vs. Landscape Maintenance: What’s the Difference?
- Maintenance implies nothing changes: mowing the lawn, trimming the hedge, and keeping things neat.
- Management recognizes that landscapes are living systems that grow, adapt, and respond to changes in climate, pests, and time. What looked perfect the first season will look different five years later as trees mature, shade shifts, and planting beds fill in.
The 3 Key Drivers of Landscape Management Costs 🌿
During a recent open studio with local landscape architects, our Estate Care team shared lessons from the field. Beyond the obvious factor of property size and scale, three considerations shape how landscapes evolve—and what it takes to care for them.
- Plant Selection: Choosing the right plant for the right place is the foundation of long-term success. Along the Rhode Island coast, for example, native plants thrive with less intervention, while imported species often require ongoing attention (and yes, added cost) to survive.
- Plant Density: It’s tempting to plant beds tightly so they look “finished” right away. But overcrowding leads to stressed plants that decline sooner. On the flip side, leaving too much open space invites weeds. Striking the right balance at the start prevents unnecessary labor down the road.
- Aesthetic Expectations: Some homeowners love a naturalized, meadow-like look. Others want a crisp, manicured finish. Neither is “wrong,” but each requires different levels of care. The more manicured the look, the more hours of labor it takes to achieve—and that directly drives cost.
How We Bring Precision to Estimates
We’ve also invested in technology to make estate care more predictable. Using GPS satellite mapping, we measure each property by type of space—lawn, perennial garden, meadow, and more. Combined with real-world production rates from our crews, this ensures estimates are consistent, transparent, and grounded in experience.
Planning Ahead for Your Landscape
As fall approaches, it’s the ideal time to reflect on your own property:
- What’s working well this year?
- Where are the challenges or opportunities?
- How do you want your landscape to look and feel in the year ahead?
Is Estate Care For You?
Our typical Estate Care client is someone who:
- Wants to arrive at their property knowing the landscape will be perfect—ready to enjoy.
- Has an appetite and commitment for an annual contract that covers all essential services needed to keep their property healthy and beautiful.
- Values a partner with the expertise to not only maintain but also manage enhancements and improvements—offering customized solutions as needs arise.
The Estate Care Approach
Estate Care is designed to simplify and elevate the care of your landscape. We begin with our Estate Care Essentials Program, which ensures every core aspect of your property—from lawn care to seasonal cleanups—is handled. This creates the foundation for your year-round care plan and delivers the threshold of services needed to protect your investment and ensure ongoing beauty and health. From there, our experts can tailor additional solutions to meet the unique needs of your property—ensuring every detail is managed with precision.