For a landscaping business, "Recurring Revenue" is the holy grail. Residential clients can be picky—they complain about a single weed or pay late. Government contracts are different. They own thousands of acres of grass along highways, parks, libraries, and medians. They need it cut, reliably, forever.
Here is how to transition your landscaping business from residential lawns to commercial government contracts.
1. Scope of Services: It's Not Just Mowing
Government landscaping bids usually fall into three categories. Read the title carefully to know what is required.
ROW (Right of Way) Mowing
Mowing grass along the side of roads. Focuses on speed. You need batwing mowers and tractors. The finish quality matters less than the speed.
Grounds Maintenance
For City Halls, Libraries, and Parks. Requires detail work—edging, hedging, and mulching. Similar to high-end residential work.
Athletic Fields
Specialized turf management for baseball and football fields. Requires knowledge of fertilizers and pest control.
2. The "Cycle" Pricing Model
In private work, you might charge "per cut." In government contracts, you often bid a "Cycle Rate" or an "Annual Lump Sum."
Understanding Cycles
The contract will state "24 cycles per year." This means you cut every 2 weeks in summer and every 4 weeks in winter.
The Trap: If it rains for a week and the grass grows 10 inches, you still have to cut it for the same price. You must factor this risk into your bid.
3. FDOT Qualifications
If you want to mow state highways for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the requirements are strict.
MOT Certification Required
"Maintenance of Traffic" (MOT) certification means you need certified crew members who know how to set up orange cones and signs to divert traffic safely while your tractors are working.
4. Equipment Requirements
Government bids will often specify the equipment you must have.
“Contractor must have at least two 72-inch zero-turn mowers and one 15-foot batwing mower available.”
Warning: If you show up with a residential 48-inch mower, the inspector can shut you down for being too slow.
5. Finding Mowing Bids
Counties usually release these bids in the winter, preparing for the spring growing season.
Filter by Landscaping Keywords
Mowing
Landscape
Irrigation
Grounds Maintenance
Use Snepbid to filter for landscaping opportunities. Since these contracts are often multi-year deals (3 to 5 years), winning one gives your business stability for a long time.
Conclusion
Government landscaping is volume work. The profit per hour might be lower than a luxury residential job, but the volume and consistency make it worthwhile.
“Government contracts are the backbone of a successful seven-figure landscaping company.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to mow grass?
For mowing, usually no. However, if you apply fertilizer or pesticides, you strictly need a "Pest Control License" from the Florida Department of Agriculture.
What is "Litter Removal" in these contracts?
Most mowing contracts require you to pick up trash before you mow. If you mow over a glass bottle and shred it, you are responsible for the cleanup.
Can I sub out the irrigation work?
Usually, yes. Many mowing contracts include irrigation repairs. If you are not an irrigation specialist, you can hire a licensed subcontractor to handle that portion of the bid.
Ready to find landscaping contracts in Florida?
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