Landscape contractors are constantly on the lookout for new planting techniques, erosion control methods and add-on lawn care services that can help their businesses grow. While hydroseeding is by no means a recent innovation, its rising popularity represents a profitable opportunity for landscapers, maintenance contractors and other companies in the lawn care industry. But to truly capture the attention of both residential and commercial customers, landscapers must be able to effectively market their hydroseeding services in ways that are accessible to the average layman.
Communicating the Value of Hydroseeding
Whether lawn care businesses use hydroseeding as a supplemental service or the basis for their entire operating model, the need for clear and transparent messaging is universal. Many homeowners and property managers are unaware that this planting technique yields better results than using sod or traditional hand-seeding practices – it’s more cost-effective, less labor intensive and typically produces healthier lawns, according to Landscaping Network. This is not only a net positive for customers, it also helps out landscape contractors by reducing labor and material costs. Some of the core benefits of hydroseeding include:
- Easy application for large areas and uneven ground
- Greater adaptability to soil, shade and other growing conditions
- Thicker grass growth due to moisture-retaining mulch
- Stronger root establishment and longer lawn lifespans
- Improved disease resistance
Despite the advantages, hydroseeding is by no means a flawless process, and lawn care businesses should understand the limitations before selling this service to their customers. For one, hydroseeding typically requires several follow-up visits to ensure optimal growth, including the reapplication of fertilizers, the tweaking of irrigation systems and more. Hydroseeded lawns also need around two months of intensive watering to ensure they’re fully established, which may be too long of a timetable for property owners looking for quick results.
Tips for Selling Hydroseeding Services
One reason hydroseeding is such a valuable revenue stream for landscape contractors is that it has a wide variety of uses – it can help establish and nurture new residential lawns and public spaces, improve erosion control and revitalize properties that have been neglected, according to Land & Landscape Magazine. As such, lawn care businesses can leverage this planting technique to diversify their customer bases and secure lucrative contracts from local and state government agencies.
Recognize a Need
The first step to increasing hydroseeding sales is to recognize specific situations where these services are particularly needed. For example, planting in irregular and hard-to-reach areas – along sidewalks, walkways and intersections – can be extremely time-consuming when using sod or hand-seeding techniques. As such, landscape contractors should keep an eye out for large-scale building projects and public works renovations in their areas to locate new business opportunities. Forming partnerships with local construction companies may also help establish a pipeline of contract work that can keep lawn care companies busy in the off season.
Stress Cost-Effectiveness
When speaking with homeowners and commercial property managers, focusing on the cost-effectiveness of hydroseeding is one of the best ways to market this type of lawn care service. According to research from the garden equipment manufacturer Finn Corporation, hydroseeding generally costs around 50% to 80% less than the price of sod. Since material and labor expenses are also lower compared to other seeding techniques, landscape contractors should be able to offer competitive pricing that will appeal to budget-minded customers.
Show the Results
While simply claiming that hydroseeding is the best planting method on the market may persuade a handful consumers, many will want proof. This is where a landscape contractors’ website can help drive sales and customer engagement: Publishing before-and-after pictures of residential properties and public spaces can not only demonstrate the superiority of hydroseeding, but also the expertise of the lawn care business itself. These types of visuals can also make marketing materials – online ads, physical mailers, brochures, etc. – more appealing to target audiences. Digital marketing as a whole is one of the most powerful tools in landscapers’ advertising arsenal, but leaving a lasting impact requires more than a few flashy images.
Ultimately, the best way to effectively sell hydroseeding services is to understand the needs and limitations of customers, and make adjustments accordingly. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to growing a lawn care business, but building trust with local homeowners and property managers is a great place to start.
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