I've wondered what sort of incentives are in place to keep property managers hustling and cheap. They must get a budget, and retain what's leftover?
IMHO, without a sense of ownership, the property manager is gonna go low-ball every time. The exceptions occur at exceptional properties, where the residents expect the best, are willing to pay for it, and demand that the property manager produce it.
I met such a rare bird last weekend, and the guy's pride in the property, and desire to improve areas that lacked, was impressive. We'll see if he goes for the bid...
Sometimes, you can produce quality and profit working with the "landscape committee", especially if they've blown a big wad on a landscape disaster. Expect plenty of hand-holding, but at least these folks are proactive, aware of the importance of greenspace, and able to get things done, like $ budgeted.
Most times though, you're left with a minimal budget, and residents who expect you to be at their beck and call. Not a model for a profitable business.
This Spring we planted some trees for a Condo Association, and one old bird wanted us to rip out a weeping Spruce at the corner of a building (we didn't even have the account for the beds!), and another was wondering if we could take a minute to move a hundred pound fountain into her second floor digs!
Sounds like the changing of the guard Nebraska, has left you working with the last group, cheap and demanding.
And I love that phrase "best and lowest bid"!
