Leveraging Technology to Keep Your Crew Energized and Efficient

While landscaping revenue is projected to grow, profitability remains under strain, with business owners experiencing compressed margins and less employees available to support the workload.

Strategic equipment choices can help offset these challenges. With guidance from industry experts and access to proven technology, SiteOne supports contractors looking to improve efficiency, control costs and protect long-term profitability. When contractors have the right machine, their margins reflect it.

Using Technology to Control Cost Per Thousand

In the green industry, cost per thousand is the benchmark used to track unit-based operational costs. It helps contractors understand how material use and labor time affect profitability across services. For lawn care/weed control, calculations are made by estimating the cost of goods per 1,000 square feet or per 1,000 units of product.

Formula:
Expense of Property = Property Size (Sq. Ft.) *[(Labor (time $) + Materials ($))/1000 sq ft.]

Landscaping businesses use the cost per thousand benchmarks to ensure they cover material costs and labor time for specific services. Proper calculations depend on controlling material use, not just finishing a job faster, to ensure higher profitability. Improper application rates impact the efficacy of a product and overapplication impacts profitability every single day. 

LESCO® Battery-Powered Push Spreader

Equipping crews with technology-driven equipment supports consistent output and predictable cost per thousand. That consistency reduces waste and improves job-to-job profitability. Repeatable ground speed and application rate means more accurate job quoting and repeatable profitability metrics for the business.

The new LESCO BPS80 is the first battery-powered spreader designed for professional use through the workday. It covers more area in less time, so crews finish the job faster and use less materials along the way. With an 80-pound capacity, it can complete up to 10,000 square feet per hour, and its consistent spread patterns help reduce overapplication. Plus, the battery-powered operation lowers physical strain compared to traditional push spreaders. Less fatigued crew members leads to more consistent output across a full day of work. For more information on the LESCO BPS80, check out this video.

Calibration Is the Real Efficiency Lever

Even the best equipment requires proper calibration. Output should be calibrated based on material rates and the walking speed of specific crew members. Operator size, stride and fatigue affect output more than teams expect, thus changing cost per thousand over time.

Small calibration errors multiplied across different projects add up quickly. Material savings alone will justify the investment in properly calibrated equipment. Reducing overapplication can offset equipment investment over time. 

In fertilizer and control product applications, costs are typically evaluated using 1,000 sq. ft. as the target. Most applications are below an acre, so 1,000 sq ft. is the industry standard. SiteOne’s Project Calculators can help you determine how much product you need for a specific project, helping you keep the money you earn. 

Equipment Investment and Crew Retention

Equipping crews with proper, tech-focused machinery that reduces fatigue helps experienced associates stay productive longer. Consistent, efficient tools reduce crew frustration and retraining, supporting crew retention. Retaining good operators protects quality, safety and customer relationships.

By equipping crews with the right tools and training them to use resources like the Profit Calculator and the LESCO BPS80, contractors can effectively control cost per thousand, reduce material waste through calibration, lower physical strain, retain skilled associates and turn operational discipline into measurable profit.

Visit your local SiteOne branch today to discuss practical ways to support both profitability and crew performance. Or, for more information on SiteOne equipment and financing, check out this article.