Landscapers work hard year-round to make sure our homes are looking their best and keep us from running afoul of HOA regulations, but they do it at considerable risks to themselves. Think about it – they’re often working in extremely hot conditions using dangerous chemicals and their equipment has lots of sharp edges. If even one tiny thing goes wrong, the impact could be disastrous on many levels.

Aside from the demanding physical nature of the work, landscape company owners still have to focus on running their businesses and keeping them afloat. Whether it’s meeting with potential customers, servicing existing accounts, paying bills or hiring new employees, they’ve got a lot on their plate at all times, and it’s certainly not easy.

“The landscaping business is incredibly competitive,” said Patrick Moraites, a partner and VP at Tampa-based Axis Group. “If these companies want to survive long-term, they need to find resources that will give them an edge over all the other companies who are doing the exact same thing.”

And one of the best resources out there is a Professional Employer Organization, better known as a PEO. What’s a PEO, you ask? Great question! It’s a single-source provider of integrated services that allows business owners to efficiently and cost effectively outsource many of their administrative tasks. They can also play an integral role in helping companies get workers’ comp coverage from A-rated carriers at rates that won’t break the bank. And on top of all that, when you work with a PEO, there are no deposits or audits and the policies are pay-as-you-go.

“A lot of landscape companies have slow seasons,” Moraites said. “By having a predictable payment cycle, you can plan ahead to maintain a steady cash flow.”

Another key way that PEOs provide value relates to the risk management component we touched on above.

“A representative from the PEO can go out and do safety inspections to make sure the employees have the appropriate gear and they can also do training with them,” Moraites said. “These are extremely important measures to take if you want to limit your workers’ comp claims.”

PEOs can also handle:

• Human resources tasks
• Payroll processing and tax compliance
• Wellness programs
• Health insurance
• Unemployment claims
• Drug screenings
• Background checks
• Labor law compliance

For Richard V., the owner of Quality Landscape, working with Axis Group to hire a PEO was one of the best professional decisions he’s ever made.

“Axis Group educated us on human resources, payroll and compliance,” he said. “The work comp premium and tax savings made our decision easy.”

If you’re considering going the PEO route, Axis Group can provide you with the guidance you need to make the choice that’s right for you. Our team will perform a thorough evaluation of your business to determine potential cost-saving areas and customize a solution that fits your unique situation. And when you have questions, our client care experts are always available to lend a helping hand.

“Thanks to Axis Group and their knowledgeable staff, we’ve been able to grow and hire more quickly,” Richard said. “Without them, our company would have struggled to survive the pandemic, let alone grow like we have.”

To learn more about what a PEO can do for your landscaping company, contact the team at Axis today by clicking here.