For more than a decade, Mazelis Landscape Contracting has operated with the mindset that it’s more efficient and profitable to leave landscape bed maintenance to a dedicated crew.

“Mowing crews mow only; bed maintenance crews tend to beds either monthly or bimonthly,” says Stephen Mazelis, owner of the Nesconset, N.Y.-based company. “We’ve done it both ways and find this way to be the most productive, efficient and profitable.”

The company’s lawn maintenance crews used to mow, in addition to caring for clients’ beds for a small upcharge. This method didn’t work. When crews ran behind schedule they often skimped on the bed service or skipped it altogether, leaving homeowners unsatisfied.

Now, Mazelis charges $50 per man-hour for bed maintenance, which includes manual weed removal, bed cultivation and bed edging.

The company dispatches several two-man crews on Mondays with work-orders in hand and GPS on the trucks for any hour disputes.

“Customers seem to like it, and they seem to be willing to pay that money to keep beds neat and tidy,” Mazelis says.

In addition to the extra revenue, the bed crews’ efficiency has improved because they’re focused on one task only, which also improves quality.

“The lawn maintenance guys are more efficient, too, plus I’m just sending out a truck with a few tools, not with $50,000 in equipment sitting on it.”

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