Landscaping and Grounds
Landscaping and grounds covers routine maintenance like mowing, trimming, bed care and litter pickup, along with installation, irrigation, tree work and snow removal. It is usually bought as a recurring contract with seasonal extras.
Guide updated Oct 29, 2026. Written for operators, with input welcome from people who do this work.
Why this matters
Grounds are the first thing prospects and parents see on a pre-leasing tour, and they set the tone before anyone walks into a model unit. A property that looks neglected in tour season or at move-in is harder to lease, and overgrown areas can also become safety and lighting problems.
When you need it
- Ahead of pre-leasing tours, when curb appeal shapes first impressions.
- Before move-in day, when families see the property for the first time.
- When your grounds contract comes up for renewal or service has slipped.
- Before winter in colder markets, to line up snow and ice service.
Common challenges in student housing
- Litter, cigarette butts and trash around buildings need more frequent attention than at other properties.
- Foot traffic wears paths through lawns and beds where residents cut across.
- Irrigation breaks can go unnoticed and waste water or flood areas.
- Overgrown shrubs and trees can block lighting and create safety concerns.
- Scope creep happens when extras are added without a clear price or approval process.
What to look for
- A written scope with a visit schedule, listing mowing, trimming, beds, leaf removal and litter pickup.
- A plan to have the grounds looking their best before pre-leasing tours and move-in day, with extra visits if needed.
- Clear pricing for the base contract and for extras like seasonal plantings, mulch, tree work and irrigation repair.
- Irrigation checks and repairs, and who is responsible when a head or line breaks.
- Snow and ice service in colder markets, including response triggers and priority for walkways and entrances.
- A way to report what was done each visit and how quickly they fix missed items.
- Any licensing your state requires for chemical application and a certificate of insurance that names your property.
How pricing usually works
- Routine maintenance is usually a monthly or seasonal contract tied to a visit schedule.
- Seasonal color, mulch, tree work and irrigation repairs are often priced as extras.
- Snow and ice service may be priced per push, per event, per season or by the hour.
- Installation and landscape upgrades are typically quoted per project.
How prices are usually structured, not what they cost. Actual prices vary by market, property and scope, so compare written proposals.
Questions to ask a supplier
- What exactly is included in each visit, and how often will you come?
- Can you schedule extra visits ahead of pre-leasing tours and move-in?
- How do you price extras, and what approval do you need before doing them?
- Who is responsible for irrigation repairs, and how are they billed?
- How will you report what was done each visit?
- What triggers your snow and ice service, and which areas get cleared first?
Landscaping and Grounds suppliers 26
Pick your state in the filter to see grounds companies that serve your market, plus nationwide providers. Look for the "Mentions student housing" tag to find companies that describe apartment or campus work.
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ABC Landscaping LLC
Serves AZ
Maintains landscaping, irrigation, trees, planted beds and shared outdoor areas for Phoenix-area apartment communities.
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BrightView Landscapes
Serves nationwide
Provides apartment communities landscape design, turf and tree care, grounds maintenance and seasonal cleanup.
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CAM Property Services
Serves CA
Provides multifamily properties exterior pressure washing, steam cleaning, landscaping and facility maintenance in California.
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CoCal Landscape
Serves CO
Maintains landscaping, irrigation and outdoor grounds for multifamily apartment and condominium communities in Colorado.
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Cornerstone Landscape
Serves FL
Maintains apartment landscaping, irrigation, trees and hardscapes and performs landscape improvements across west-central Florida.
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DJ's Landscape Management
Serves IN, MI
Provides multifamily apartments landscaping, mowing, irrigation, plant care and snow removal across Michigan and Minnesota.
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DLC Landscape & Arbor
Serves CO
Maintains lawns, gardens, trees and irrigation and removes snow for Denver-area multifamily apartment properties.
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Earthy
Serves FL
Provides multifamily community landscape maintenance, irrigation, outdoor renovations and property enhancements in South Florida.
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Granite Hills Group
Serves NC, SC, VA
Maintains multifamily community landscapes, irrigation, plant health, hardscapes and grounds across southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states.
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Grassco Landscape Management
Maintains multifamily grounds and provides turf care, irrigation, planting, drainage and landscape improvements in the Southeast.
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Green Impact Landscape
Maintains apartment community lawns, shrubs and trees and provides property inspections and landscape improvement planning.
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Greenscapes Landcare, Inc.
Serves AZ
Provides apartment communities landscaping, tree care, irrigation maintenance and grounds upkeep in Arizona.
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Lawn Capital
Serves GA
Provides multifamily communities weekly grounds maintenance, irrigation care, mulch, seasonal planting and pruning using electric equipment.
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Mill Brothers
Serves CO
Provides multifamily landscape maintenance, irrigation repairs, seasonal improvements and snow removal around Denver.
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MM Contracting Services
Serves nationwide
Provides janitorial and custodial support for residential and multifamily properties, including ongoing occupancy cleaning and site maintenance.
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Nasim Landscape
Serves WA
Maintains landscapes, irrigation, turf and common-area grounds for multifamily apartment communities in western Washington.
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Optimal Facility Services
Serves nationwide ยท Mentions student housing
Cleans multifamily and student housing common areas, amenities and vacant units, including clubhouses, gyms and make-ready turnovers.
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Rain Key Landscaping
Serves AZ
Maintains grounds and irrigation for Arizona multifamily properties and provides landscape renovations, planting and turf conversions.
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SavATree
Serves nationwide
Commercial tree, shrub and lawn care for apartment and multifamily communities, including pruning, plant health, risk assessment and removal.
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Sentry Property Service
Serves CO
Maintains apartment community landscaping, irrigation, trees and shrubs, including seasonal grounds cleanup and snow services.
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Specialty Landscape
Serves CA
Maintains turf, plant beds and common grounds for multifamily apartment complexes and condominium communities.
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Terracare Associates
Serves CO
Maintains landscapes, irrigation systems and grounds for multifamily apartment communities and commercial properties.
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The Davey Tree Expert Company
Serves nationwide
Provides multifamily communities tree care, grounds maintenance, landscape improvements, water management and snow services.
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U.S. Lawns
Serves nationwide
Provides apartment communities landscape maintenance, irrigation repairs, tree care and seasonal grounds services through local operators.
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Unlimited Landscaping and Turf Management
Serves GA
Maintains multifamily community landscaping, irrigation, trees and plant beds across greater Atlanta.
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Yardnique
Serves FL, GA, NC, SC
Provides multifamily apartment landscape design, grounds maintenance and irrigation through its Landmark division across southeastern states.
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