Common-area lawns, garden beds and hedges are one of the most visible parts of an apartment block or townhouse complex. They are also one of the easiest things for a committee to get wrong, because the cheapest quote is rarely the best value. Here is the checklist I would use if I were on the other side of the table.
1. Insurance you can actually verify
Ask for a certificate of currency for public liability insurance, not just a statement that the contractor is insured. Check the amount of cover, the policy period and that the business name on the certificate matches the name on the quote and the ABN. Your strata manager will usually have a minimum cover requirement, so confirm what it is before you shortlist anyone.
2. Safety and background checks
People will be working around residents, children, cars and bin areas. It is reasonable to ask whether the contractor is police checked, how they manage hazards such as trimmers, hedge cutters and blowers near foot traffic, and whether they can provide a safe work method statement if your manager asks for one.
3. A clear scope and fixed pricing
A good quote spells out exactly what is included at every visit, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
- Lawn mowing, edging and whipper snipping
- Hedge trimming and pruning (and how often)
- Weeding of garden beds and paths
- Blowing down hard surfaces and removing clippings
- Green waste removal, and whether it is included
- Any extras that are charged separately
Fixed, per-visit or monthly pricing makes it far easier to budget and to explain to owners at the annual general meeting.
4. A regular schedule
Gardens look best on a predictable routine. Ask how often the contractor will visit through the growing season and the slower months, what happens when weather forces a reschedule, and how you will be told.
5. Reporting and accountability
How will you know the work was done? A short photo report after each visit gives the committee and the strata manager proof of work without anyone having to inspect the site. It also makes it easy to spot problems early.
6. Who actually turns up
This is the one most committees overlook. Some larger companies send a different crew every visit. Others sub-contract the work. Ask who will be on site, whether it will be the same person each time, and who you call if something is not right.
Consistency is what keeps a property looking cared for. It is much easier to maintain standards when the same person knows the site.
Red flags to watch for
- No certificate of currency, or one that does not match the business name
- Cash-only quotes or no ABN
- A vague scope such as “general garden maintenance” with no detail
- A price that is much lower than every other quote
- No written record of what was done at each visit
- A reluctance to put anything in writing
A quick checklist to copy
| Question | What a good answer looks like |
|---|---|
| Insurance? | Current certificate of currency for public liability |
| Safety? | Police checked, hazards managed around residents |
| Pricing? | Written, fixed price with a clear scope |
| Schedule? | Regular visits with a reschedule plan |
| Proof of work? | Photo report after each visit |
| Who attends? | The same named person every time |
How I approach it
I run Great Dane Mowing as an owner-operator in Ascot Vale, so I attend every visit myself. I carry $10 million public liability insurance, I am police checked, and I send a certificate of currency with every quote. If you are a committee member or strata manager looking for a reliable grounds contractor in Melbourne’s inner north-west, see how my owners corporation and strata grounds maintenance service works, or you are welcome to request a free quote or call me on 0408 536 228. You can also see the areas I cover on my Ascot Vale and Essendon pages.