Resources for Homeowners

This page is intended to provide some useful information and links for owners and residents of Home Owners Associations whose association boards and management companies have selected Rancho California Landscaping, Inc., as your landscaping provider.

Our Relationship With Homeowner / Residents:

Part of the attraction of living in a planned community is that many services are provided as part your the association fees. In your community, Rancho California Landscaping, Inc., has been chosen as the provider of landscaping maintenance services, for the common areas of the property only. The upkeep of the landscaping and trees on your individual property (private patios/decks, areas behind your fences, etc.) is your responsibility. If you are uncertain as to whether portions of the landscaping fall within the common area or your private property, please check with the board of your association or the management company for assistance.

We take great pride in our landscaping work at your community and want to create an environment which is beautiful and pleasant for all residents and homeowners. While we are happy to quickly fill any resident's requests that fall within the scope of our maintenance contract for the property, all work above and beyond that scope must be approved by the association board and/or the management company before we can comply with your request.

Our Relationship With The Board Of The Association & The Management Company:

We were hired by the management company with the approval of the board of your association and on the instructions of the board. Although most of our day-to-day interaction is with the staff of the management company, we may also deal directly with members of the board, meet with board members for "walkthroughs" of the property, and occasionally attend board meetings to provide information to the board.

Frequently Asked Questions:

The following questions are ones, which often arise, while they are not "all inclusive," we list them here to help you understand our relationship with the residents, board members, and management companies at the properties we maintain.

1. What do I do if I have a landscaping maintenance emergency?
   
2. There is some landscaping work in the common area of my community that I feel should be done. How do I go about this? Who should I contact?
   
3. What type of work is typically included in the maintenance contract for my association? What is not included and needs special approval?
   
4. There is a tree near my home that I have been trying to have trimmed for months. Last week your crew was trimming my neighbor's tree. When I asked them to come over and trim mine, they said they couldn't. Since the crew was already here, why couldn't the work be done?
   
5. There is some work that needs to be done in the common area near my home. I called the management company and your employees came out to inspect the work and discuss it with me. That was several weeks ago and nothing has happened since. What's going on?
   
6. Can I hire your crew to work on my private property and pay for the work privately?
   
7. Can I hire your company to work on my private property?

What do I do if I have a landscaping maintenance emergency?

We provide 24-hour emergency service. In the event of a landscaping maintenance emergency, first, take accurate note of the nature of the emergency (sprinklers running for several hours, tree about to fall over, etc.) and the EXACT location in the landscaping (east corner, outside unit "A" etc). Next, notify your management company and follow their emergency procedures. In the unlikely event that you are unable to contact your management company, contact Rancho California Landscaping, Inc., and follow our emergency procedures. [back]

There is some landscaping work in the common area of my community that I feel should be done. How do I go about this? Who should I contact?

The best thing to do is to contact the board of your association, or your management company and discuss the work with them. The management company will then bring your request to our attention. We will inspect the area that you feel requires attention. If the work falls within the scope of our maintenance contract for the property, we will take care of the request promptly. If the suggested work falls outside the scope of the maintenance contract, it will result in an extra charge. In this case, we will report our findings and submit a proposal to the management company (which may in turn have to refer the item back to the association board for approval). When the management company notifies us that the work has been approved, we will schedule it as soon as possible.[back]

What type of work is typically included in the maintenance contract for my association? What is not included and needs special approval?

The scope of service can vary from contract to contract and from association to association depending on the needs and budget of the particular community. Typically, most of the "routine" work that you see our crews performing at your property - mowing and edging grass, trimming hedges, raking leaves, litter pick-up, some tree trimming (trees under 10 feet), and minor irrigation repairs - are included in the routine maintenance.

Examples of work that is usually not included in the contract, or is offered as an optional service, are tree trimming (over 10 feet ), tree removal, irrigation repairs, planting of seasonal flowers, upgrading of the landscaping, replacement of plant material (unless covered under warranty), and pest control service in trees over 10 feet high.

For detailed information about what is included in the contract for your property it is best to consult with your board members or your management company. [back]

There is a tree near my home that I have been trying to have trimmed for months. Last week your crew was trimming my neighbor's tree. When I asked them to come over and trim mine, they said they couldn't. Since the crew was already here, why couldn't the work be done?

When trimming trees (or any work outside the scope of our normal maintenance work), our employees can carry out only the specific work that has been authorized by your board and management company. Sometimes a specific tree will be trimmed because it may pose a public safety hazard if not attended to right away or because it may damage the landscaping. Some species of trees have growing patterns such that it is best to trim them only at specific times of the year. [back]

There is some work that needs to be done in the common area near my home. I called the management company and your employees came out to inspect the work and discuss it with me. That was several weeks ago and nothing has happened since. What's going on?

If the requested work is not included in the maintenance contract and may result in an extra charge to the association, we will submit our recommendations and proposal to the management company. We must then wait until we are given authorization to proceed with the work. In many cases, the management company must submit the proposal to the association board for approval. The proposal may have to be placed on the agenda and discussed and voted on at a board meeting; this can sometimes be a lengthy process. If you wish to check on the status of your request, it is best to contact your management company which may in turn refer you to the board of your association. [back]

Can I hire your crew to work on my private property and pay for the work privately?

While our employees are on your property during a regularly scheduled maintenance visit, are wearing company uniforms and using company vehicles and equipment, they are on our payroll and are not allowed to accept private work. Doing so may expose them to disciplinary action. Please do not ask our employees to do any private work during their normal working hours; doing so will place them in an uncomfortable position. [back]

Can I hire your company to work on my private property?

Rancho California Landscaping, Inc. may be willing to work on your private property providing any such work has received the prior approval of the association board and/or the management company. [back]

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