Foundations of Real Estate Management BOMA International Module 5: Putting It All Together Landscaping and Snow Removal ® ®

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 2 ® Objectives  Describe various landscaping tasks, including: cleanup, spring cleanup, mowing and trimming, edging, chemical applications, shrub maintenance, ground cover, tree management, leaf removal, planting beds, irrigation, and weed control  List at least ten best practices for managing snow removal

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 3 ® Landscaping  Management of plant materials  Grading of soil to improve natural contours  Installation of rocks, stones, and other hardscapes  Good landscaping increases curb appeal  Storm water management

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 4 ® Landscaping  Landscaping scope depends upon  Location  Class  Owner’s vision  Position in the market  Type of property  Not all buildings have landscaping  Urban buildings

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 5 ® Landscaping Vendors  Small landscapers  Regional (mid-range) landscapers  Full service landscapers A good landscaper is both an artist and a scientist

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 6 ® General Landscape Maintenance  Cleanup/Curb Appeal  Spring Cleanup  Leaf Removal  Edging

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 7 ® Edging Photos courtesy of The Brickman Group Limited

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 8 ® Irrigation Techniques to reduce water use  Read the water bill  Choose plants wisely  Xeriscaping v. Zero-scaping  Reduce/eliminate large flower beds  Maintain mulch  Drip irrigation  Use gray water or rain water

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 9 ® Irrigation  Irrigation controller  Senses need for water  System does not come on unless soil conditions warrant it  Irrigation at right time of day

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 10 ® Turf Management Mowing and trimming  Mulching mower  Compost or recycle  Cut to right height (2.5” to 4.5”)  Remove 1/3 of blade of grass at a time  Match mowing schedule to needs of turf – not calendar

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 11 ® Chemical Applications  Fertilizer  Broadleaf weed control  Crabgrass control  Spot treatments  Soil test  pH (maintain between 6.0 and 7.0)

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 12 ® Turf Rejuvenation  Aeration  Overseeding Photo courtesy of The Brickman Group Limited

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 13 ® Plant Material Management  Deciduous  Evergreen  Shrub Care  Never use electric clippers on shrubs!  Use hand pruners

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 14 ® Groundcover  Fills in planter bed areas or areas where grass will not grow  Groundcover is chosen based on  Shade/sun  Wet/dry  Aesthetics

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 15 ® Tree Management  Pruning  Insect and disease control  Tree care is part of any landscaping contract – don’t wait until there is a problem to call in a tree crew

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 16 ® Tree and Shrub Care Very poor tree pruning techniques

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 17 ® Planting Beds  Perennials  Annuals  Bulbs  Mulch  Repels weeds  Maintains moisture at roots  Weed control

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 18 ® Interior Plantscaping  Not usually handled by exterior landscaper  Temperatures constant year round, so plant material can be tropical or exotic  Balance art and science  Aesthetics  Good management of plants, insects, etc.

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 19 ® Snow Removal Potential liability  Cost of lawsuit pales in comparison to cost of snow removal  Aggressively manage snow and ice  Prepare for snow well in advance  Make sure everyone knows the expectations

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 20 ® Snow Removal Guidelines  Meet with team, vendor, and tenants long before first snow  Over communicate  Manage snow and ice regardless of accumulation  Make sure vendor has plan for large storms with significant snow

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 21 ® Snow Removal Guidelines  Larger equipment (higher price) for fewer hours (lower overall cost)?  Stock up on equipment and supplies before season  Perform maintenance on machinery and equipment before season  Use appropriate chemicals for concrete areas and parking structures

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 22 ® Snow Removal Guidelines  Give instructions for managing snow/ice on parking deck/garage  Expansion joints  Coatings  Weight limits/height limits  Document site before and after with photos

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 23 ® Snow Removal Guidelines  Use snow stakes  Provide site plan for snow plow trucks  Push snow to low side of property  Remove snow from parking surfaces as soon as possible  Treat ice aggressively

Foundations of Real Estate Management Module 5: Putting It All Together 24 ® Snow Removal Guidelines  Manage vehicles on parking lot  Fleet vehicles  Shift workers  Don’t plow snow against loading dock!