Landscaping Liability: Common Issues That Could Cost Your Commercial Property

When you look around your commercial property and see overgrown shrubs, cracked concrete and dead tree branches, you’re not just looking at a mess.

You’re looking at liability problems that could cost you money. Neglect key parts of your landscape and you’re creating dangerous safety hazards. 

What are common commercial landscaping liability issues? Tripping hazards. Dead or dying tree branches. Overgrown shrubs. Slick, icy surfaces. 

Keep reading to learn more about commercial landscaping liability, including:

• Tripping Hazards
• Dead or Dying Tree Branches
• Overgrown Shrubs and Plants
• Slippery Winter Surfaces
• Water Management Issues
• How to Avoid Commercial Landscaping Liability? 

1. Tripping Hazards 

It doesn’t take much to catch the edge of a shoe or cause someone’s ankle to twist. 

What tripping hazards might be lurking on your commercial property?

• A low spot in your turf can cause pedestrians to trip and fall or twist their ankle.
• Weeds love to grow in sidewalk cracks and obscure the edges of curbs.
• Sometimes sprinkler heads get stuck, protruding a couple inches above the ground instead of staying safely tucked below ground level.
• Tree roots that are too close to the pavement can actually lift it up, making the surface a real tripping hazard.
• Pavers in walkways or patios can come loose, and concrete pavement can crack and heave, becoming tripping hazards, and common landscaping mistakes. 

2. Dead or Dying Tree Branches

Weak or damaged tree branches can crash to the ground at any time, posing a real risk to people and property and becoming a serious commercial landscaping liability. The risk increases in winter, when those vulnerable branches are loaded with heavy snow or ice.

3. Overgrown Shrubs and Plants

Overgrown shrubs don’t seem too dangerous, right? But plants grow fast, and letting them get out of control is among common landscaping mistakes that can cause safety and liability issues. 

Why are overgrown plants dangerous? 

• Out-of-control tree limbs can snag people walking by or cover up important security lighting.
• Shrubs growing too tall can block the view of pedestrians and drivers.
• Overgrown shrubs are a security risk, too, obscuring security cameras and providing  the perfect hiding spots for unwanted activities and intruders.

4. Slippery Winter Surfaces

Nothing causes dangerous slipping and falls like slick snow and ice.
These mishaps are one of the most common commercial landscaping liability issues. 

A property owner can be considered negligent if they fail to take "reasonable" steps to address a known hazard, including failing to shovel a walkway, de-ice a slippery path, or clear a parking lot of ice and snow.

5. Water Management Issues 

When water doesn’t drain properly, it can damage the foundation of a building, meaning costly repairs. Excess water can cause mold, too. 

Where’s the commercial landscaping liability? Pools of water become treacherous areas of ice once the temperature dips below freezing.

How to Avoid Commercial Landscaping Liability? 

As a property manager, you already have a lot on your plate. You need a commercial landscaping partner that prioritizes safety on your property and takes a proactive approach to spotting potential issues before they become liability risks. 

How should your landscaping company help you avoid landscaping liability risks? 

Offer Skilled, Dependable Snow and Ice Management 

You need a comprehensive snow and ice removal plan — from a company you can trust. 

Look for quality work, quick turnaround times and a focus on safety.

Also, Consider a Seasonal Snow Removal Contract

A seasonal snow removal contract means Level Green will service your site whenever there’s a legitimate risk of snow or ice. You don’t have to worry or decide whether you want your property treated.

You'll receive constant communication on what's happening and the plan, but you don't have to be involved in making decisions. It’s taken care of, which offers you tremendous peace of mind about your property’s safety and helping you avoid landscaping liability risks.
 
Bonus: A seasonal snow and ice management contract means you pay a set amount for snow and ice services for the season — no matter how much snow falls or how many visits crews make to your property. 

Snow and ice crews show up dependably to keep your property safe and you have double peace of mind — your property is clear of dangerous snow and ice, and you know exactly how much you’re going to pay for it. No worries.

Be Proactive About Solving Landscaping Hazards

Level Green account managers conduct regular comprehensive property audits, always on the lookout for potential safety hazards.

What are we looking for? All the things that pose landscaping liability on commercial properties: 

Tripping hazards. Dead or damaged tree branches. Overgrown shrubs. Excess water pooling. Slick surfaces. 

Other ways Level Green is proactive about avoiding landscaping liability risks: 

• Account managers can help you choose a snow and ice management plan to help keep your property safe.
• They can also recommend a tree care plan to help prevent dead or damaged branches from toppling — and help you create a budget to make the cost manageable.
• Our crews receive regular, comprehensive safety training, including in the safe operation of our landscaping equipment.
• When account managers and crew leaders are on a property, safety concerns are the first thing they’re looking for. They fix them immediately if they can, or submit a proposal right away to fix it.
• Level Green crews take photos of any problem areas we see so we can report them to property managers right away. That extra time we take could make a big difference in the safety of your property. 

Avoid Landscaping Liability Risks with Level Green

Safety is our first priority at Level Green. Yes, it’s important for your commercial property to look beautiful and inviting, but it’s crucial for anyone on your property to be safe. 

Safety is a human issue, but it also affects your bottom line. You don’t want expensive liability issues that stem from landscaping negligence or mistakes. 

Choose a commercial landscaping partner who puts safety first.
  
Level Green provides commercial landscaping services in DC, Virginia and Maryland for commercial properties like office buildings, homeowner associations (HOAs), mixed-use developments, condominiums, retail, institutions and government entities.

Contact us today at 202-544-0968 or by filling out our form online.

We’d love to hear from you.