Sample Specifications for Grounds Maintenance
Seattle Wa, ( PNW )

This is not a legal document. I am not an attorney.

I think there is a serious problem with landscape contracts that fail to protect the user and ensure environmentally sound, up-to-date, professional standards are met - If nothing else, require that recommendations provided by the WSU King County extension are followed.

respectfully,

- don

____________________________
The contract and specifications together should have the following objectives:

1. To explain clearly the services to be furnished, and those to be excluded.

2. To list the legal and other qualifications required of Contractor.

3. To state billing and payment dates.

4. To spell out special provisions agreed upon with the Owner.

_____________________________
Services to be Furnished

The maintenance objectives are to follow sound horticultural practices so that the landscape is attractive throughout the year, and, to satisfy the Owner. For the regular services specified here, no extra charges will be submitted.

Contractor shall generally be guided by WSU County Extension publications in the performance of his or her work.
_______________________________
A. Lawns

1. Mowing

Mowing height is established by the second cut of the season and grass will be mowed afterwards before its length is half again as long. The lawn should have a uniform level and trim appearance that is maintained until the next scheduled mowing, without shredding of leaves or scalping of the lawn.
___________________
Mowing Schedule

Jan or Feb: 1 mowing ( frost free )
Mar: 2 mowings
Apr: 3 mowings
May & Jun: 4 mowings per month
July - Oct: 2 mowings per month
Nov: 1 mowing ( frost free )

Total estimated mowings: 24
(includes 1 likely additional mowing)

Designated High Maintenance lawns will be mowed weekly March through October, and once in January and November
(35 likely mowings).
____________________
2. Edging and Trimming

Edging is intended to keep a neat crisp line along sidewalks, pathways, driveways, curbs, and stepping stones, and to outline the bed areas.

Trimming is performed wherever the lawn mower is unable to reach, to include unusual dips, around poles, foundation walls, fences, trees, and along bed perimeters.

Edging and Trimming will be performed at every mowing.

Rocky, gravelly area's, or otherwise dangerous area's, will be designated and will be seviced at Contractors discretion.
____________________
3. Grass Clippings

Clippings will be left to disintegrate and return valuable nutrients to the soil.

Clippings will be removed or dispersed if they are generally visible or likely to be visible more than a day after mowing.
____________________
4. Fertilizing

Lawns will be fertilized in June, and November, using a fertilizer of the following approximate specifications: 3-1-2 NPK ratio; 50% slow release nitrogen from ureaform, IBDU, SCU or organic sources; potassium from potassium sulfate.

This is a slow release, low salt, complete fertilizer, containing no pesticide. Fertilizer is applied at a rate of 1 lb. nitrogen per thousand sf. lawn, per application.
____________________
5. Weed Control

Contractor will monitor weed populations and suggest non-toxic (as defined by the EPA) options to the Owner to keep weeds at acceptable aesthetic levels.
____________________
6. Moss Control

Iron will be applied in late March and early October to mossy areas, unless the area is meant to be permanently mossy. If a lawn area is more moss than grass, the mossy area will be overseeded and topdressed immediately after the product is applied.
____________________
7. Leaf Cleanup

Six weekly late fall leaf cleanups will be scheduled, approximately Nov. 1 through Dec. 15, to keep leaves off of lawn areas, pathways, and sidewalks. Leaves will be used to mulch planting beds wherever practical, with the Owners approval.
____________________
B. Shrubs, Trees, and Groundcovers

1. Pruning

Plants will be generally pruned to a natural open structure.

Plantings will be separated from each other and cut back from passageways, structures, and parking areas, and kept to an appropriate size.

Dead and crossing branches will be removed, and interior branches at least 1" in diameter will be thinned to allow air and light into the plant.

However, the interior of hedges are frequently very woody and the Owner will designate to what degree they should be thinned out.

Groundcovers will be edged along sidewalks and bed perimeters. Semi-woody groundcovers will be sheared or mowed bi-annually to prevent woodiness, improve density, and to renew young growth.
____________________
C. Beds

1. Planting beds will be fertilized in spring with organic fertilizer.

2. Beds will be kept cultivated and raked each visit.
____________________
D. Landscape Monitoring

The grounds will be routinely monitored for weed, bug, insect and disease problems, and the Owner will be informed of recommended options. However, Contractor will not be liable for failure to detect existing or potential problems.
____________________
E. Cleanup

All sidewalks, pathways, patios and driveways will be blown off or swept at the end of the job.

Debris generated from work done will be removed from site if there is no on-site receptacle.
______________________________________
E. Not included in this contract

Specific designated instructions need to be agreed to by both the Owner and Contractor, as part of this agreement, in order to be valid.

Contractor is not responsible for any work not specified in the contract.

The following are extra charge items performed on request of Owner, unless specified elsewhere in the contract.

1) Watering: There are three warm, dry months in the Seattle area; July, August and September. The need for water will vary depending on amount of exposure to sun, type of grass, soil, and thatch. One inch per week of water is recommended to maintain a lawn during these months.

2) Weed, Insect and Plant Disease Control.

3) Aeration: Aeration can benefit certain lawns which are compacted or have a water-resistant thatch layer. If the soil beneath the lawn is getting wet after a good rain, the lawn doesn't need aeration.

4) Renovation: Lawns that have deteriorated may require any combination of dethatching, aerating, topdressing, and overseeding to restore them to health.

5) Treework or treatment of trees above 12 feet maximum working height.

6) Sprinkler System Repairs and Service not caused by Contractors negligence.

7) Landscape construction and installation, including mulch applications.

8) Annual/Perennial Flower plantings and bed renovation.

9) Sweeping and Cleanup of Parking Lots and Service Areas, other than debris from operations covered under this contract..

10) Replacement of plant materials lost due to reasons beyond Contractors control.