It’s a fair question — and one we hear often. You’ve invested in a beautiful landscape design and outdoor living environment, and now you’re being asked to invest again to maintain it. Why does that cost so much?
The short answer is because you’re not paying just for mowing and weeding. You are paying for expertise and the skilled labor needed to care for a custom designed outdoor living space.
Comprehensive landscape management and garden care protects your investment, prevents expensive problems, and keeps everything looking pristine as the day it was installed.
In a previous article we addressed the question “why does landscape design cost so much?” In that case, the cost is offset by the benefits of one-of-a-kind design and creativity. In the realm of landscape maintenance costs, expertise in the full range of horticultural and mechanical systems is the key benefit.
A great landscape design deserves great landscape maintenance to achieve its full potential. It’s about stewardship.
You’re Not Paying for Mowing — You’re Paying for Management
At the high end, landscape maintenance is total property management. Surrounds isn’t a “mow and blow” company. We oversee every aspect of your landscape:
turf and plant care
soil health
irrigation
water features
lighting
seasonal color and enhancements
And all of this is coordinated through one point of contact: your account manager. A single phone call replaces the juggling act many homeowners perform with multiple vendors — one for mowing, another for irrigation, another for turf care. Our clients appreciate that there’s one team watching everything, catching issues before they become problems, and taking full responsibility for results.
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What’s the difference between a conventional landscape company and one whose staff understands design, horticulture, and landscape systems? To find out, click the button below.
The Cost Effectiveness of “All-In-One” Service
Our landscape maintenance cost is based on a comprehensive all-in-one landscape maintenance and garden care service that is customized to the requirements of your landscape and your preferences. Responsiveness is built into the model.
For example, most companies subcontract irrigation and lawn applications. So, if a piece of equipment breaks or an insect infestation takes hold, you might find yourself on a contractor’s waitlist.
Surrounds keeps these services in-house. When we get a call, our people are there the same day nine times out of ten. And because of our proactive approach, we often alert the home owner, identify issues, and deal with them before they get out of control.
The Most Expensive Part of Landscape Maintenance: Training, Tenure, and Tools
The biggest line item and main driver of costs in any landscape maintenance service contract is labor. But that’s not just hours of work. It’s skill, experience, professional judgment, and the right tools.
In the best companies crew members go through ongoing training, from pruning technique to irrigation troubleshooting. Foremen attend winter seminars to stay current on plant health care and safety. Pruning crews disinfect their tools between properties to prevent spreading disease such as boxwood blight. Mowing teams rotate patterns weekly to avoid rutting the turf.
What your comprehensive landscape maintenance service contract covers :
Skilled crews and foremen
Dedicated account managers
In-house irrigation and lawn technicians
Plant health care specialists
Equipment, trucks, and specialized tools
Liability insurance and safety training
Software systems for scheduling and communication
Attention to Detail: Is It Worth Paying For?
The mark of a professionally maintained landscape is that nothing is accidental. It is carefully crafted to stand out. Edges are sharp. Beds are weed-free. Shrubs are pruned to highlight their natural form.
All those little things add up to a landscape that feels cared for. As one of our managers puts it, “When our trucks are parked out front, we want people driving by to know that’s a Surrounds property. Everything should look crisp, clean, and intentional.”
Communication Is Everything
For many clients, communication is as valuable as the work itself. Many of our Northern Virginia homeowners travel frequently or maintain multiple residences, so they rely on regular updates. Account managers send photos and reports after inspections.
That kind of personal attention builds trust. Some clients even share garage codes so our teams can respond to emergencies while they’re away. Others prefer minimal contact — just quiet, consistent care. Either way, the relationship is tailored to the homeowner’s comfort level.
Landscape Maintenance Cost: The Price of Doing It Right
So, why does premium landscape maintenance cost more? Because doing it right takes more. More training. More time. More care.
A few homeowners try to save by switching to a lower-cost provider — until weeds creep in, irrigation falters, and the “wow” factor fades. Many of them come back a season later, saying, “Now we understand.”
Great landscape maintenance isn’t expensive. It’s comprehensive.
- Your property always looks cared for — no excuses, no surprises.
- Issues are fixed before you notice them
- Crews are professional, punctual, and detail-oriented
- The design intent of your landscape endures year after year
So yes, premium landscape maintenance costs more. But so does anything done properly, consistently, and with pride. When it comes to nurturing the landscape you love, that’s money well spent.
Are you wondering how to bring out the fullest expression in your landscape and gardens? Our eBook: Choosing the Right Kind of Landscape Maintenance Firm, is full of valuable information to help you understand the fundamental differences between landscape maintenance companies.