Before you interview anyone
Agree as a board on what matters most: curb appeal at the entries, lower water bills, fewer resident complaints, or a long-term plan for trees and aging irrigation. Then give every company the same written scope, so you're comparing companies, not guesses.
Once the proposals come in, use our guide on how HOA boards should compare landscape proposals to line them up side by side.
Questions about the company
1. What share of your work is HOA communities?
HOAs have their own rhythm: board meetings, architectural committees, resident requests and reserve studies. A company that mostly does single-family yards or retail centers may not be set up for it.
2. Can we see your ROC license and certificates of insurance?
Check the license on the Arizona ROC website and ask for certificates naming the association. If your management company uses a vendor platform, confirm the landscaper is already set up on it.
3. Who is our day-to-day contact, and how fast do you answer?
Get a name, not a department. Ask about response times for routine requests and for emergencies like a broken main line on a Saturday.
Questions about the crew and the work
4. Will the same crew service our community every week?
A steady crew learns your problem spots, your residents and where the irrigation valves hide. Rotating crews relearn your property every visit.
5. How do you prune shrubs and trees?
Shearing everything into boxes and balls is fast, but it's hard on desert plants. Ask about selective pruning and whether tree work follows a plan, especially before monsoon season.
6. What's your weed control plan for granite areas?
Pre-emergent timing makes a big difference in the East Valley. Ask when they apply it and what happens between visits.
Questions about water and irrigation
7. Are irrigation checks part of every visit?
Irrigation is often the biggest cost a landscape contract doesn't show. Ask what's checked, how often, and how leaks are reported to the manager.
8. How are irrigation repairs priced?
Included, per item, or time and materials? Get it in writing, with an approval limit for the community manager.
9. Can you help us use city water rebates?
Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and Tempe each run their own programs for grass removal, smart controllers or water audits. Start with our guides for Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and Tempe, or the Valley-wide comparison.
Questions about the contract
10. What's included, and what's extra?
Tree pruning, plant replacements, overseeding, storm cleanup and irrigation repairs are often billed separately. Ask for their rates for extra work up front.
11. What are the term, renewal and termination terms?
Look for a fair notice period and clear rules on price changes during the term.
12. How would you plan for our community's next five years?
The best answers mention tree health, irrigation upgrades and turf conversions timed to your reserve study, not just next week's mowing.
Answers that should make you nervous
- "We'll figure out the scope after you sign."
- "Irrigation is included" with no detail
- No named contact, or only a toll-free number
- No references from HOAs of similar size
- A price far below everyone else's with no explanation
Put Pro Turf on your list
We maintain HOA communities across Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and Tempe with steady crews, irrigation checks on every visit and line-item proposals built for board packets. See how we work with HOA communities, or request a walk-through and bring these 12 questions. We'll be happy to answer them.
