ProScape Solutions

You’ve Built It… Now Who Maintains It?

Construction is complete. The ribbon’s cut. The new sod’s in, mulch is fresh, trees are staked, and the plantings look pristine. For a moment, everything is picture-perfect.

Then a few weeks go by.

The lawn’s browning, beds are overrun with weeds, and those newly planted trees? Already struggling.

What happened?

Too often, it’s a simple case of unclear handoff. When construction ends, the landscaping needs don’t. But who’s responsible once the dust settles: the General Contractor, the Property Manager, or someone else entirely?

The Danger of the “Default Handoff”

In many construction projects, landscaping is one of the final steps. And in the rush to close out, what gets overlooked is the care plan for everything just installed. Without a clear agreement, responsibility falls to whoever’s nearby, which might mean a maintenance tech with a string trimmer and a mower from 1998.

That’s not a plan. That’s a liability.

Why This Matters Sooner Than You Think

Landscapes are living systems. From irrigation programming to proper watering schedules and seasonal pruning, there’s a right way and a wrong way to care for new plantings. Doing it wrong (or not at all) means:

• Dead trees and warranty claims
• Replanting costs and visual damage
• Tenant complaints and reduced curb appeal
• Strained relationships between owners, GCs, and managers

All avoidable, if you plan ahead.

Proactive Handoff: Who Should Do What

To prevent finger-pointing and failures, we recommend clear landscaping handoff protocols, built into the construction timeline:

• General Contractor: Responsible for coordinating initial landscape installation and warranty timelines. Should also coordinate with landscape professionals to document what was installed, when, and what’s needed to maintain it.
• Property Manager: Should be looped in before turnover to understand landscape care expectations, schedules, and responsibilities. If landscape maintenance is part of their scope, they’ll need a professional partner in place from day one.
• Landscape Partner (Like Us): We help bridge the gap between installation and long-term care. From site walkthroughs to tailored seasonal maintenance plans, ProScape ensures what was planted survives and thrives.

Final Thought: Build With the End in Mind

If you’re a GC wrapping up a build or a Property Manager preparing for turnover, now’s the time to ask: Who’s got the landscape?

Let’s make sure the answer is clear, and that what’s been built stays beautiful.

Talk with ProScape about post-construction care plans before your next project wraps. Let’s build smart—and maintain smarter.