July 14, 2025
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First impressions matter—and when it comes to commercial properties, they often start long before someone walks through the front door. Whether it’s a retail center, office park, medical campus, or industrial site, the look and feel of your exterior spaces can have a direct impact on your bottom line. It’s not just about looking good. Thoughtful landscaping adds real, measurable value.
For property managers, owners, and directors who oversee commercial spaces, landscape investments may not always be a top priority in the budget. But they should. Well-maintained, thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces aren’t just attractive—they’re strategic. They support higher tenant satisfaction, boost retention, attract quality clients, and help justify higher rents or resale values.
If you’ve been thinking about trimming your landscape budget or delaying upgrades, here’s why that might cost you more in the long run—and how a strong landscaping plan can pay off in more ways than one.
In commercial real estate, landscaping ROI (return on investment) means more than just a prettier property. It translates directly to financial performance. A professionally maintained landscape:
Studies consistently show that potential tenants, customers, and investors form impressions about a property within seconds of arrival. And outdoor aesthetics—plant health, lawn care, walkways, signage, and lighting—play a significant role in shaping that perception.
Think of your landscape as part of your business’s public face. A clean and well-maintained exterior conveys a message of professionalism and attention to detail. Neglect, on the other hand, sends the opposite message—and may even be a red flag about how the rest of the property is maintained.
Landscaping is often the first interaction a visitor has with your site. Whether it’s a leasing prospect, a potential buyer, or a regular tenant’s customer, their experience begins in the parking lot or walkway.
Simple improvements—like fresh mulch, trimmed shrubs, weed-free flower beds, and seasonal pops of color—create an inviting atmosphere. Even a clean, edged lawn and neatly maintained signage can help someone feel more positive and at ease before they even walk inside.
On the other hand, if outdoor spaces are weedy, dead, overgrown, or poorly lit, people may subconsciously (or openly) question what the rest of the experience will be like. That can lead to reduced leasing interest, lower perceived value, and higher tenant turnover.
Tenants want to take pride in where they do business. Customers want to feel safe and welcome. A strong landscape design supports both, and can make your property stand out from the competition in a saturated market.
Waiting to fix problems after they arise is one of the most expensive ways to manage landscaping. Letting irrigation systems break down, allowing turf to die off, or ignoring drainage issues doesn’t just hurt curb appeal—it leads to considerable repair costs and unhappy tenants.
Proactive maintenance helps you stay ahead of seasonal issues, keeps plants healthy, and preserves infrastructure like walkways, retaining walls, and drainage systems. When minor problems are identified early, they’re easier and less expensive to address.
And while it may seem like you’re saving money by scaling back landscape services, it’s often a short-term win with long-term consequences. Deferred maintenance tends to catch up quickly, especially when weather, pests, or wear and tear accelerate its decline.
Not every outdoor feature brings the same return. Some landscaping elements consistently deliver a greater return on investment. These tend to be the features that are most visible, most used, or most likely to affect perception.
Here’s what tends to offer the best return on investment:
When these components are installed and maintained correctly, they don’t just look good—they work together to extend the life of your investment and make your property easier to manage.
Coordinating with different vendors or addressing issues as they arise can lead to inconsistency and gaps in care. That’s where a comprehensive landscape maintenance plan really shines.
A well-structured plan encompasses all the essentials, including lawn care, trimming, plant health, irrigation, seasonal cleanups, and preventative inspections. It brings consistency, accountability, and peace of mind. When one team manages the full scope of your landscape, they’re more likely to notice subtle changes, spot early warning signs, and take a long-term view of how to keep the property looking and performing at its best.
This kind of approach also makes budgeting more predictable. Instead of bracing for surprise costs or emergency fixes, you can plan with confidence, knowing that your landscape is being monitored and maintained year-round.
For commercial property stakeholders, landscaping is often viewed as a “nice to have” instead of a “must-have.” But the data doesn’t lie. Properties with attractive, consistent landscaping tend to lease faster, command higher rents, and retain tenants for longer periods. The math adds up.
Well-maintained outdoor spaces create a sense of pride, increase traffic, improve safety, and shape the overall experience for everyone who visits or works there. When managed thoughtfully, landscape improvements are not just aesthetically pleasing—they’re financially savvy.
Before you cut your landscape budget, ask yourself what that space is saying about your property. Does it reflect the kind of business you want to attract? Does it feel welcoming, safe, and polished? If not, it might be time to rethink the role of curb appeal in your overall property strategy.
Want to protect and grow your property’s value? Twin Oaks Landscape offers full-service solutions tailored to your commercial needs. Contact us today to learn more.
Our experienced and talented team of landscapers can take care of even the biggest projects. Contact us today, and let’s start talking about your new landscape!
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