Our tropical climate means lawns, hedges, weeds and gardens can change quickly, particularly through periods of rain and rapid growth. For property managers, body corporate committees and business owners, having a practical maintenance plan can make the difference between continually reacting to problems and keeping the property consistently presentable.
At FNQ Landscapes, we work across Cairns and the Northern Beaches providing landscape and property maintenance services for commercial and body corporate properties.
1. Lawn mowing and edging
For properties with lawn areas, regular mowing is usually the foundation of the maintenance program.
But presentation is not just about cutting the grass. Edges around pathways, garden beds, buildings and common areas help give the whole property a finished appearance.
The appropriate maintenance frequency can also change throughout the year. Cairns growing conditions mean a schedule that works during slower periods may need adjusting when growth accelerates.
2. Garden bed maintenance and weed control
Garden beds are often one of the first things residents, tenants and customers see.
Regular maintenance can include removing weeds, managing unwanted growth, pruning plants and keeping garden beds tidy.
Rather than treating every property exactly the same, we prefer to look at what is actually happening on site and develop the maintenance around the property's requirements.
3. Hedge trimming and pruning
Hedges and tropical plants can grow quickly in Far North Queensland.
Routine trimming helps maintain their shape and keeps vegetation from encroaching onto pathways, driveways, entrances and other areas around the property.
Regular attention can also avoid reaching the point where a much larger cut-back or clean-up is required.
4. Keeping common areas presentable
For a body corporate property, the landscaping is not just someone's backyard.
Entrances, pathways, lawns and gardens are shared by residents and visitors, so their presentation contributes to the appearance of the entire complex.
For commercial premises, those same areas can form part of a customer's first impression of the business.
That is why we look at the overall presentation of the property, not simply whether the lawn has been mowed.
5. Green waste and general clean-up
Pruning a hedge or maintaining a garden is not finished if piles of clippings are left behind.
Depending on the agreed scope of work, grounds maintenance can include removing green waste and leaving lawns, paths and garden areas tidy when the work is completed.
Properties can also occasionally need a larger garden or property clean-up before moving onto regular maintenance.
This can be particularly useful where landscaping has been neglected, a tenancy has changed or growth has simply got away from the property.
6. Irrigation and identifying landscape problems
Regularly being on a property also provides an opportunity to notice issues.
A struggling lawn, damaged irrigation, excessive weeds, drainage concerns or plants that are not performing well may indicate something that needs attention beyond routine mowing.
Where appropriate, these issues can then be raised before they develop into a larger landscaping problem.
Commercial grounds maintenance is not one-size-fits-all
A small professional office does not have the same requirements as a large unit complex.
That is why we do not believe every property needs exactly the same maintenance program.
Depending on the site, a commercial or body corporate maintenance program may include:
- Lawn mowing and edging
- Garden maintenance
- Hedge trimming and pruning
- Weed management
- Mulching
- Green-waste removal
- Irrigation checks
- Seasonal maintenance
- One-off property clean-ups
- Landscaping improvements
- Turf installation or lawn restoration where required
The frequency and scope should be based on the property itself, its presentation requirements and the time of year.
Looking for commercial or body corporate grounds maintenance in Cairns?
If you are a body corporate committee, property manager or business owner looking for help maintaining your outdoor areas, FNQ Landscapes can assess the property and discuss what level of maintenance makes sense.
We service Cairns and the Northern Beaches, with both ongoing maintenance and larger one-off clean-ups available.
You can also view our landscaping services and garden clean-up services.