How to Save Money on Strata Landscaping in Langley
Strata properties in the Lower Mainland spend a lot of money on landscaping each year. Some pay tens of thousands of dollars. For strata councils trying to save money, this can feel like too much.
Did your strata council just get the yearly landscaping bill? Was it higher than last year? Before you pay it, you might wonder: are we spending more than we need to?
This guide will show you how to lower your landscaping costs in Langley. You will learn which services save money over time, where most stratas spend too much, and how to get a better deal from your landscaping company.
What Are the Best Ways to Save on Strata Landscaping?
Here are the best ways to cut landscaping costs for strata properties. You can use plants that need less water. You can replace grass with ground cover plants that need less care. You can have your landscaper come every two weeks instead of every week. You can also bundle services together to save money. Choosing a local Langley company helps too, since they don’t charge extra for travel. Using plants that come back each year costs less than buying new flowers every season. Smart watering systems also cut costs over time.
→ Learn more about strata landscaping services in Langley.
Why Landscaping Costs Are Different for Each Strata
Before you try to save money, it helps to know what makes landscaping cost more or less. This will help you talk to landscaping companies and get a better price.
In BC, the law says strata properties must take care of their shared outdoor spaces. This includes the landscaping.[1] So you have to pay for landscaping. The question is: how can you spend less while still keeping your property looking good?
Bigger properties cost more to maintain. A 50-unit building with lots of green space costs more than a small 20-unit townhouse row. How often the landscaper visits also matters a lot. Weekly visits cost much more than visits every two weeks. Many stratas pay for weekly service when they don’t really need it.
Langley has its own challenges too. Properties in Willoughby often have water drainage problems. Walnut Grove has older trees that need pruning. Newer areas like Yorkson have sprinkler systems that need regular care.
How you pay matters too. Some stratas pay by the hour. Others pay a flat rate each month. Packages that include spring cleanup, summer care, fall prep, and winter work often give you the best value.
What We’ve Seen: The stratas that pay the most are usually the ones with old contracts they haven’t looked at in years. Looking at your contract each year can help you find ways to save money.
Smart Ways to Cut Your Landscaping Costs
Now that you know why costs vary, here’s how to lower them. These tips will save you money without making your property look bad.
Use Plants That Need Less Water
Regular grass needs a lot of work. You have to mow it, edge it, feed it, and water it often. Plants like clover or creeping thyme need much less care once they grow in. These plants can use 30-50% less water than regular grass.
Choose Plants That Come Back Each Year
Yearly flowers look nice, but you have to buy new ones and plant them again and again. Plants that come back each spring cost more at first, but they pay for themselves in a few years. They also look good all year long.
Have Your Landscaper Visit Less Often
Try having your landscaper come every two weeks in spring and summer. In fall and winter, once a month is often enough. Most Langley stratas find their property still looks great with fewer visits.
Use Smart Sprinkler Controllers
Smart sprinkler systems change how much they water based on the weather. The EPA says these systems can save up to 15,000 gallons of water each year for a typical home. They also stop plants from getting too much water, which can cause damage.
Add Lots of Mulch to Garden Beds
Put 3-4 inches of mulch on your garden beds. Mulch stops weeds from growing. It keeps the soil wet longer. This means your landscaper spends less time weeding and watering.
Real Story: One of our Langley strata clients made three changes. They switched to visits every two weeks. They replaced flower beds with plants that come back each year. They put in smart sprinklers. These changes cut their costs by about 20%.
What You Can Cut and What You Should Keep
Some services are safe to cut back. Others are not. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide.
| Safe to Cut Back | Don’t Cut |
| Edge trimming (monthly is fine) | Sprinkler system checks |
| Leaf blowing (only needed in fall) | Drainage care |
| Bush trimming (once a year is enough) | Tree trimming for safety |
| Seasonal flower displays | Pest and disease checks |
| Frequent weeding | Spring and fall cleanups |
Here’s a tip about snow removal. Some companies give you a discount if you add snow clearing to your landscaping contract. Ask about this even if you use a different company for snow now.
→ Want to save money on your strata landscaping? Get a free quote from Splendid Landscaping.
How to Get a Better Deal on Your Contract
Once you know what you want, it’s time to get a better price. Here are some tips that work.
1. Ask for a detailed price list. When you can see the price for each service, you can spot which ones cost too much. This helps you decide what to keep and what to cut.
2. Ask about cheaper days. Visits on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday often cost less than Monday or Friday. Weekend visits usually cost the most.
3. Sign a longer contract. Many companies give discounts for two or three year contracts. Just make sure to limit how much they can raise prices each year.
4. Find out what costs extra. Things like hauling away branches, fixing sprinklers, or storm cleanup might cost extra. Get this in writing before you sign.
5. Choose a local company. Companies from Langley don’t charge for travel time like Vancouver companies do. They also know Langley’s soil and weather better. A local Langley landscaping company can often do better work for less money.
Contract Tip: Add a rule that says the company must ask before doing any extra work. This stops surprise charges. Also make sure the contract says how fast they must respond to problems.
How to Find a Good Landscaping Company
The cheapest price is not always the best choice. Use this list to find a company that does good work at a fair price.
What to Check
☐ Make sure they work with stratas. Companies that only do houses may not understand how stratas work. Stratas have shared spaces and need council approval for things.
☐ Check their WorkSafeBC coverage. In BC, most businesses must have this insurance. Ask to see proof before you hire them.
☐ Check their liability insurance. BC law says stratas must have at least $2 million in coverage. Your landscaper should have good coverage too.
☐ Ask for references from other Langley stratas. General reviews don’t tell you how they work with strata councils. Ask for names of stratas they work with now.
☐ Get at least three quotes. Make sure each company is quoting on the same work. If one price is very different, ask why.
☐ Watch for warning signs. Be careful if a company won’t give detailed prices, doesn’t visit your property before quoting, or pushes you to sign fast.
Taking time to check out companies now saves trouble later. You don’t want to switch landscapers in the middle of summer when they don’t do good work.
Get a Quote for Your Langley Strata
Every strata property is different. The size, layout, plants, and what your council wants all matter. One-size-fits-all packages usually don’t give you the best value.
Splendid Landscaping works with strata councils all over Langley. We serve properties in Willoughby, Walnut Grove, Murrayville, and Yorkson. We know the local area and give detailed quotes so you can see exactly what you’re paying for.
→ Get a free quote for your Langley strata property and see how much you could save.
Learn More
• Strata Landscaping Services in Langley – See our strata maintenance plans made for each property
• Langley Landscaping Services – Full landscaping services for homes and businesses in Langley
• Request a Free Quote – Get a custom quote for your property
References
[1] Province of British Columbia. “Strata Repairs and Maintenance.” Government of BC.
