Maintaining commercial grounds is about more than just appearances – elmit’s about safety, brand image, functionality, and long-term value. As a professional groundskeeper working with businesses across the UK, we’ve seen common mistakes that can cost time, money, and even damage your reputation.

In this blog, we’ll cover the top five grounds maintenance mistakes made by commercial property owners and managers – and most importantly, how to avoid them.

1. Neglecting Regular Maintenance

The Mistake
It’s easy to let grounds maintenance slip down the priority list, especially when everything “looks fine” on the surface. But skipping scheduled upkeep – like mowing, weeding, pruning, or checking irrigation systems – leads to compounding issues.
Overgrown grass, untrimmed hedges, or blocked drains don’t just look bad, they can create hazards for visitors, attract pests, and result in expensive remedial work later on.

How to Avoid It
Create a seasonal maintenance schedule that outlines what needs to be done and when. Partnering with a professional grounds maintenance team ensures you stay ahead of seasonal changes and keep your landscape looking and functioning its best year-round.

2. Poor Lawn Care Practices

The Mistake
Commercial lawns are often treated as “set and forget.” But mowing too short, using blunt blades, or watering at the wrong time can lead to compacted soil, weed infestation, and patchy, unhealthy grass.
A neglected lawn not only looks unprofessional but may also become unusable for foot traffic or events.

How to Avoid It
Invest in proper mowing routines, regular aeration, and seasonal fertilisation. Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade at a time, and always use sharp blades for a clean cut. Consider overseeding in spring or autumn to keep the lawn thick and healthy.

If your site is large, an experienced contractor can manage this efficiently using professional-grade equipment.

3. Ignoring Tree and Shrub Health

The Mistake
Trees and shrubs are often left untouched until something goes wrong, whether it’s a broken branch, overhanging limbs, or signs of disease. Left unchecked, this can pose safety risks, especially near footpaths, car parks, and buildings.

How to Avoid It
Schedule routine inspections with a qualified arborist or grounds team. Prune trees and shrubs regularly to maintain shape and remove dead or hazardous limbs. Catching issues like fungal infections, root rot, or structural weakness early can prevent costly damage and liability risks.

This is particularly important in public-facing spaces, where falling branches could injure staff or visitors.

4. Overlooking Hard Surface Maintenance

The Mistake
Paths, driveways, car parks, and paved courtyards are just as much part of your landscape as lawns and borders. When not maintained, these surfaces can become slippery, cracked, or weed-infested, creating trip hazards and reducing kerb appeal.

How to Avoid It
Schedule regular cleaning, moss control, and repair work for all hard surfaces. Pressure washing and weed removal should be part of your routine maintenance, especially in high-traffic areas. Check for pooling water or uneven surfaces after rainfall to catch early signs of drainage problems.

A proactive approach not only improves appearance but extends the life of your surfaces and keeps your site compliant with health and safety regulations.

5. Using a One-Size-Fits-All Approach

The Mistake
Every site is different but too often, grounds care is delivered using a generic approach. This leads to mismatched plant choices, poor turf performance, and unsustainable maintenance plans that don’t suit the local environment or property use.

For example, a corporate office park will have very different needs from a retail centre, school, or industrial estate.

How to Avoid It
Work with a team that takes the time to understand your site, business goals, and user needs. This includes soil testing, sun exposure analysis, and tailored planting schemes. Customised service plans ensure the right care is delivered at the right time; saving money and delivering better results long term.

Why It Matters: The Cost of Poor Maintenance

Neglecting grounds care doesn’t just affect how your site looks. It can also:

  • Create health and safety liabilities
  • Damage your brand image
  • Lead to higher long-term costs for repairs or replacements
  • Reduce property value or rental appeal
  • Cause compliance issues with local regulations or insurance policies

In contrast, well-maintained grounds make a strong first impression, keep visitors safe, and reflect positively on your organisation’s professionalism.

Get the Right Support

Avoiding these common mistakes starts with having the right plan, and the right team in place.

At Proscape Landscapes, we specialise in commercial grounds maintenance across Manchester, offering bespoke plans for business parks, schools, care homes, retail premises, and more. Our services include:

  • Lawn care and turf management
  • Tree and hedge maintenance
  • Soft and hard landscaping
  • Weed, pest, and moss control
  • Seasonal planting and clean-ups
  • Grounds audits and risk assessments

Ready to Improve Your Outdoor Space?

If you’re unsure where to start, we offer free site assessments and tailored maintenance plans to help you avoid common pitfalls and keep your grounds looking their best all year round. Contact us for a quote today on 0161 748 0211