How to Find Suppliers for Your Landscaping Business

Wholesale suppliers are critical to boosting profits and productivity for landscaping businesses.

Thousands of companies, small businesses, and organizations depend on supplier relationships for their landscape maintenance needs because they deliver benefits that impact your bottom line and operations.

1. Cost Savings: Wholesale prices mean higher profit margins for landscapers. Buying in bulk reduces the cost per unit of materials, so you can go further with your budget.

2. Expanded Inventory: Wholesale suppliers provide a wide array of materials in one place, including plants, mulch, topsoil, and hardscaping supplies. This means you can meet more client needs and take on bigger projects.

3. Relationship Building: Building strong relationships with wholesale suppliers means better terms and reliable delivery. Consistent communication and loyalty can mean discounts, priority service, and inside knowledge of new products.

4. Competitive Advantage: Access to unique materials and new products can set you apart from the competition. Offering high-end, exclusive materials attracts high-end clients and boosts your reputation.

5. Streamlined Operations: Working with reliable suppliers means timely material delivery, reducing project delays, and improving workflow. This means a steady supply chain is crucial for big landscaping projects.

Wholesale suppliers are the backbone of any successful landscaping business and the cost, inventory, and competitive advantage.

Now, find wholesale landscaping suppliers for your business.

How to Find Wholesale Landscaping Suppliers for Your Business

Finding reliable wholesale landscaping suppliers is key to a steady supply of materials and the success of your projects to meet your client’s needs and expectations.

Here are a few ways to find the best suppliers for your landscaping company.

Research Online Directories

Start with reputable sources like online directories and trade publications on their websites. Examples include:

• National Association of Landscape Professionals Supplier Directory

• Landscape Hub

• Total Landscape Care Supplier Directory

These directories have extensive lists of suppliers categorized by their supply materials, so you can find what you need quickly. Many directories also have ratings and reviews from other industry professionals and homeowners, so you can see how reliable and good the suppliers are.

Attend Industry Trade Shows and Events

Trade shows and events offer great networking opportunities, such as the GIE+EXPO and the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ annual events. 

Meeting suppliers in person means building relationships, seeing the materials for yourself, and staying updated with industry trends. 

At these events, you can see product demonstrations and compare suppliers in one place. Trade shows also have seminars and workshops to learn about the latest products and best practices in the landscaping industry.

Ask for Referrals from Other Landscapers

Peer recommendations are gold. Ask other landscapers about their job experiences, roles, know-how, responsibilities within the landscaping industry, and experiences with different suppliers. Their advice can help you find good suppliers and avoid the pitfalls.

For example, a fellow landscaper might recommend a supplier that can supply mowers for mowing jobs but deliver quickly and at the best prices. They might also warn you about a supplier with a history of bad service so you can avoid the problems.

Explore Online Marketplaces and Platforms

Use digital options to source materials. Online marketplaces make comparing prices and products easy with a few clicks, and you can use credit cards, bank transfers, or options like PayPal when you checkout. Examples include:

• Amazon Business

• Alibaba

• ThomasNet

You can browse products and suppliers from the comfort of your office and compare the best prices for landscape supplies. They also have user reviews and ratings to see how good the suppliers are. Many online marketplaces also have order tracking and inventory management tools.

Finding the right suppliers involves online research, networking, and peer recommendations from other team members.

Now, let’s look at the factors to consider when evaluating suppliers.

Factors to Consider When Evaluating Potential Suppliers

Choosing the right commercial landscaping supplier is key to the success of your landscaping company. The right supplier will give you timely delivery, high-quality products, and good customer service, all of which are essential for smooth operations and meeting client’s expectations.

Key Factors to Consider:

• Price and Minimum Order Quantities: Compare suppliers based on their pricing and minimum order requirements to get the best value without overcommitting financially.

  • For example, if one supplier has lower prices but bigger minimum orders, do you have the storage capacity and project volume to justify the purchase?

• Product Quality and Variety: Inspect samples and check references to ensure high-quality products. A wide range of materials means you can meet different landscaping needs and improve a property’s appearance.

  • For instance, having access to different types of mulch, topsoil, pesticides, and plants can help you offer customized solutions to your clients and improve your service offerings.

• Delivery Options and Reliability: Timely delivery is crucial for keeping your landscaping projects on schedule, including maintaining turf and other landscape features.

  • For example, a supplier with a history of late delivery can delay your project timelines and affect your reputation with clients.

• Customer Service and Communication: Responsive and helpful customer service is gold. Good communication helps resolve issues quickly and builds a good working relationship. Check out their social media accounts to see how they respond to feedback from customers.

  • For instance, a supplier who answers your queries and provides solutions can help you avoid project delays and keep your clients happy.

• Financial Stability and Reputation: Work with established businesses with a good financial background and reputation. This reduces the risk of supply disruptions and ensures long-term reliability. Research and check out any certifications they hold.

  • For example, a financially stable supplier is less likely to go out of business suddenly and ensure a continuous supply of materials for your projects, including the planting and maintenance of trees.

Choosing the right supplier involves evaluating these factors carefully.

Now let’s look at tips for building strong relationships with suppliers.

Tips for Building Strong Relationships with Your Suppliers

Nurturing and maintaining good working relationships with your suppliers is key to the success of your landscaping business. Strong supplier relationships mean better terms, reliable delivery, and a smoother supply chain.

Key Tips for Building Strong Relationships:

• Open and Honest Communication: Emphasize the importance of clear expectations and feedback. Regular communication helps resolve issues quickly and ensures both parties are on the same page.

  • For example, monthly check-in meetings with your suppliers can help address any concerns and plan for upcoming needs.

• Negotiation and Payment Terms: Discuss how to get the best deals and payment options. Negotiating good terms and paying on time builds trust and can lead to better pricing and service.

  • For instance, agreeing on a net 30 payment term can give your business some financial flexibility while showing your supplier that you are reliable.

• Loyalty and Consistency: Explain how regular orders can lead to better terms and priority service. Consistent business fosters loyalty and can result in preferential treatment and discounts.

  • For example, committing to a monthly order of mulch and topsoil can get you bulk pricing and priority delivery slots.

• The Right Landscaping Software: Aspire’s landscaping business software can help you manage your relationships with your suppliers. It has automated purchasing, real-time inventory tracking, and reporting. By using Aspire, you can ensure timely orders, keep accurate records, and improve supplier management.

  • For example, setting up automated reorder points in Aspire can help you avoid stockouts and keep lawn care projects moving.

Strong supplier relationships make your business more efficient and reliable, so you always have the materials for your jobs.

Now go ahead and put these tips into action in your business.

Manage suppliers more efficiently with Aspire’s landscaping business software.

Finding the right wholesale landscaping suppliers and building relationships with them is key to the success of your landscaping business. You can get the best value by getting timely deliveries and high-quality products. By communicating openly, negotiating good payment terms, and ordering consistently, you will stand out in the landscaping industry.

Ready to streamline your supplier relationships and boost your business’s efficiency?

Book a free demo with Aspire today and see how our end-to-end business management system can transform your landscaping services.