How to Get High-Paying Commercial Landscaping Clients

You want bigger jobs. Steady contracts. Higher profit margins.

That means commercial clients — not just Mrs. Johnson’s backyard. But here’s the truth:

Commercial clients don’t care about your stripes. They care about value, reliability, and results.

This guide breaks down exactly how to land more commercial landscaping contracts, price them right, and lock down repeat business.

Step 1: Know What Commercial Clients Actually Want

If you’re pitching the same way you would to a homeowner, you’re doing it wrong.

Here’s what corporate clients actually care about:

• Curb appeal that brings in business
• Low-maintenance upkeep
• Clean, safe, accessible grounds
• Fast response times
• Reliable, consistent service
• Vetted crews and insurance
  

Bottom line: They want fewer headaches, not just pretty bushes.

Step 2: Offer the Services That Make You Stand Out

These are the top services commercial clients are actually looking for:

• Lawn mowing & seasonal cleanups
• Snow and ice management
• Irrigation systems
• Mulching & bed maintenance
• Tree and shrub care
• Landscape enhancements (lighting, signage, etc.)
• Hardscaping and maintenance
  

Offer these services in tiered packages (basic, standard, premium). It shows professionalism and makes decision-making easier.

Step 3: Stop Guessing — Here’s How to Bid Commercial Jobs Like a Pro

You don’t get second chances with big contracts.

One bad bid can kill your profit for a year.

Use this simple system from Aspire’s bidding guide:

1. Get clear specs – square footage, scope of work, frequency.
2. Estimate labor hours accurately — include drive time, breaks, unloading, and loading.
3. Factor in material costs and add at least 10% for markup.
4. Don’t forget overhead — equipment, fuel, insurance.
5. Add profit — aim for 15–20%. Don’t race to the bottom.
   

Step 4: Get Found by Decision Makers (Not Just Random Shoppers)

You want property managers, business owners, and facility directors finding you. Here’s how:

Marketing Tactics That Work:

• Cold outreach to local businesses – DM them, call them, email them.
• Run Google Local Ads with commercial keywords: “commercial landscaper [city]”
• Local SEO – optimize your site for terms like “commercial landscaping [region]”
• Use LinkedIn – connect with decision makers in property management and commercial real estate
• Before & after photos of your commercial work — post everywhere.
• Google reviews — specifically from commercial clients.
  

Bonus: Set up a “Commercial Clients” page on your website with photos, services, and testimonials. Make it easy for them to say “yes.”

Step 5: Price for Profit — Not Just to Win the Job

Commercial clients want value, not the cheapest number on a spreadsheet.

Here’s what the pros do:

• Charge more for reliability and speed. They’ll pay it.
• Bundle services into monthly retainers, not one-off jobs.
• Offer 12-month contracts with built-in seasonal services.
• Build in inflation increases yearly. Lock it in now.
  

Smart commercial clients know that cheap usually means “do it twice.” Be the pro who gets it done right the first time — and charge accordingly.

Final Word: Stop Thinking Small

Most landscaping businesses stay small because they:

• Don’t know how to bid
• Undervalue themselves
• Market like amateurs
• Waste time on unprofitable jobs
  

Commercial clients are out there right now, actively searching for landscapers they can trust. Be the one they find.

TL;DR – How to Win More Commercial Landscaping Clients

• Offer services that matter: maintenance, irrigation, snow, enhancements.
• Build packages, not one-offs.
• Bid using clear math, not gut feelings.
• Market directly to decision makers
• Price like a pro. Don’t be the “cheap guy.”