Condo Media - August 2010 - 28

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

Garrick-Santo Landscape Company
Experience the Difference
by Pamela Schweppe hey say you never have a second chance to make a first impression. What first impression does your condominium complex make? Chances are, the first thing people notice is whether it looks attractive and well cared for. And that has everything to do with landscaping. One of the leading landscapers in the region is Garrick-Santo Landscape Company, which has been serving clients in the North Shore and greater Boston area for nearly 30 years. Garrick Landscape Company was founded by Richard (Rick) Gottschalk Jr., with no more than station wagon and a lawnmower, in 1981. In 2003, Garrick Landscape Company joined forces with Robert (Rob) Santo’s Santo Landscape Services to create Garrick-Santo. Today, the firm serves a mix of residential and commercial clients, including many condominium associations.

Full Service, Fully Professional
Just what it is that Garrick-Santo provides is a little more difficult to pinpoint. “We’re not just strictly landscaping,” declares Donna Verolla, Garrick-Santo’s administrative manager. “We’re truly a full-service landscaping company.” In addition to basic maintenance and lawn care, the company provides design and installation services such as hardscaping (walls, patios and outdoor living areas), plantings and seasonal enhancements. To provide these services, the company employs a diverse staff of 25 to 30 landscape professionals, many of whom are TWIC Certified by the Department of Homeland Security, and many hold industry certifications,

including Industry Certified Landscape Managers, a national designation, and Massachusetts Certified Landscape Professionals (MCLP). Specialty licenses, including hoisting and pesticide applicator, are held by many of the field personnel. “It’s unusual to find so many licensed and certified employees on staff,” Verolla says. What’s most important, according to R. Gottschalk, CLP, MCLP, is making sure the property retains its “curb appeal” over time. “We’re maintenance oriented,” he says. Vice President Santo, MCLP, agrees. “We don’t want to just sell our clients stuff,” he says. “We want to improve the property in a way that makes sense.” He points out further that the physical appearance of a condominium property has a direct impact on the market value of individual units and that being proactive is the best way to maintain quality — and avoid costly and unexpected repair bills.

A Philosophy Rooted in Service and Safety
Garrick-Santo’s service goes beyond the aesthetics of the landscaping. Safety also is a crucial concern. Overhanging branches, crumbling walkways and other issues can create hazards for residents that can easily be avoided. Part of what the company likes to call the “Garrick-Santo Difference” is that it keeps close watch for such issues among the communities it services through complimentary site visits, and a site evaluation is conducted each year for every association property under contract. “We don’t just mow with our heads down,” notes Santo. The client or property manager is provided with a report

that can be presented to the board of trustees. “If the board comes to us and says, ‘We have a budget of X,’ we have the expertise to show them how to get the best value for it,” says Santo. Adds Verolla, “We don’t have a onesize-fits-all mentality. We work with the unique needs of each community, which is another difference we think clients will experience with us.” To further address staff and client safety, all new employees of GarrickSanto undergo extensive safety training from day one. “Safety kits” for eye, ear and hand protection are provided for every crew, and employees are monitored regularly to make sure they are following protocol. In addition, safety meetings are held weekly to cover seasonally related topics, as well as to share ideas and best practices on issues that come up on site. “Input from our employees is important,” says Anita Gottschalk, CLP, MCLP, the company’s design install manager. That kind of concern for clients and employees alike is embedded in the company philosophy and motto: “We care!” As Verolla puts it, “Our deep commitment to our clients is one of the differences new customers will notice in working with us. It also contributes to our ability to forge longlasting relationships with them.” That attitude is appreciated by Lorraine Rava, chairperson of the board of trustees for Dexter Estates, a 49-unit complex in Malden, Mass. The property has a large grassy area in front, as well as backyard picnic tables and a swimming pool surrounded by tall shrubbery for privacy. “It’s the only place in the city with so much grass,” Rava declares. “A lot of

Condo Media - August 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Condo Media - August 2010