7 Reasons Denver Commercial Landscapers Get 1-Star Reviews (And How Energyscapes Eliminates Them)
Commercial landscaping should make your life easier, not create more headaches, more follow-up, and more surprises.
Yet across Denver, the same frustrations appear again and again in 1-star reviews of the industry’s biggest players.
At Energyscapes, we built our entire operating system to eliminate these issues from the ground up.
Here are the 7 most common failures in commercial landscaping and exactly how we designed our service to prevent them.
1. Slow Communication & Companies Going Dark
The complaint:
“Couldn’t get anyone to call me back.”
“I emailed three times and nothing.”
When issues arise on a commercial property, silence is the fastest way to destroy trust. Delayed communication leads to misunderstandings, safety risks, and unnecessary escalation.
How Energyscapes eliminates it:
We follow a simple rule: every client message is acknowledged quickly and followed through until resolved.
Clear communication isn’t a “nice to have,” it’s one of our core values.
Our team keeps you updated before you ask, with same-day replies, proactive updates during weather events, and transparent reporting after every major service.
2. Unreliable Scheduling & Missed Visits
The complaint:
“They didn’t show up.”
“They said Friday and didn’t come until next week.”
Commercial properties require predictable, professional service — not guesswork. Missed or rushed visits cost property managers time and credibility.
How Energyscapes eliminates it:
We plan our schedules with margin intentionally built in.
This means we never overpromise timelines, and when we complete work earlier, our clients are delighted — not disappointed.
Every visit has a clear plan, a documented outcome, and visible accountability. If adjustments are needed due to weather or site conditions, you’re informed early, not surprised later.
3. Messy Workmanship & “Mow-Blow-Go” Maintenance
The complaint:
“They left clippings everywhere.”
“The lawn looks worse after they come.”
Inconsistent quality is one of the industry’s biggest reputation killers. Rushed crews and “just check the box” service create a cycle of disappointment.
How Energyscapes eliminates it:
We operate on a quality-first standard: clean edges, clear beds, defined lines, and fully completed work every time.
Our crews follow detailed service checklists, document their work with photos, and review every property through a quality-assurance lens. If it’s not done right, it’s not done.
You will always know exactly what was completed and where improvements are recommended.
4. Surprise Charges, Confusing Contracts & Billing Friction
The complaint:
“They charged me for something without telling me.”
“We didn’t know that wasn’t included.”
Hidden fees and vague scopes are behind a huge percentage of negative reviews in this industry.
How Energyscapes eliminates it:
We operate with a No-Surprise-Invoice Promise.
Anything outside your maintenance contract is clearly communicated and formally approved before work begins.
Our maintenance agreements spell out what is and is not included — in plain English — so there are no surprises, ever.
Choose Truth is one of our core values. We would rather over-explain a scope than ever mislead a client.
5. Property Damage & Poor Safety Practices
The complaint:
“They hit our cars.”
“They damaged our irrigation system.”
“They never owned up to it.”
Damage to a commercial site is expensive, and dishonest handling is even more damaging.
How Energyscapes eliminates it:
We follow a strict Zero-Damage Protocol.
If something happens, even minor damage, it is documented immediately, communicated the same day, and addressed with professionalism and integrity.
We also train our crews continuously on high-risk zones, safe operations, and site-specific hazards. Preventing damage is non-negotiable, but when rare issues occur, transparency and fast resolution are standard.
6. A Lack of Proactive Guidance
The complaint:
“They never bring ideas.”
“They wait until something is a crisis.”
Most landscapers are reactive: they fix problems only after the property manager points them out. This creates unnecessary risk, escalated costs, and stressed ownership groups.
How Energyscapes eliminates it:
Proactivity is built into our DNA.
We provide ongoing Landscape Risk & Enhancement Assessments, photo-rich reports, and forward-looking improvement plans that help property managers:
Reduce liability
Improve curb appeal
Increase asset value
Plan budgets with confidence
We bring issues to you, not the other way around.
7. Constant Crew Turnover & No Site Familiarity
The complaint:
“New crew every month.”
“No one seems to know our property.”
High turnover leads to inconsistent service and a constant “starting over” experience for clients.
How Energyscapes eliminates it:
We invest heavily in our people and promote a values-driven culture that retains top talent.
Every property has:
A dedicated crew that knows the site
A clear site playbook, with documentation and site maps of where everything is, including irrigation backlflows, clocks, and zones, and hidden courtyards.
Defined service standards
An Account Manager plus additional redundancies to ensure quality and communication are owned through centralized ownership, but decentralized execution to eliminate key-person risk.
This creates true accountability and a dramatically better client experience.
Redefining What Commercial Landscaping Should Feel Like
Most of the industry accepts these seven problems as unavoidable.
At Energyscapes, we reject that entirely.
We built our company around a different philosophy, one rooted in precision, integrity, proactive communication, and innovation. Everything we do ties back to our Core Values:
Raise the Floor — continually improve the baseline
Choose Truth — be transparent and own reality
Be Joy — create positive energy in every interaction
Future Forward — use technology to work smarter and serve better
Rapid Response — communicate quickly and follow through
If you want a partner who sees and solves problems before you have to ask — not another vendor you have to chase — we’d love to show you what modern commercial landscape management looks like.