Checklist template

Landscaping and grounds maintenance inspection

A ready-to-use checklist with 118 items in 6 sections, covering Turf, Beds and trees, Irrigation, Hardscape, Litter, Seasonal work. Use it as-is in InspectLoop, or adapt it to your own standards in minutes.

  • 6 Sections
  • 118 Items
  • 100 Yes / No checks
  • 6 Scored ratings
  • 130 Points

Use this template How audits work

1. Turf 18 items

  1. Turf is mowed to the height stated in the scope of work Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Mowing height measured (in or cm) Number
  3. Date of the last mowing Date
  4. Mowing took place at the frequency in the contract (ask the site manager) Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Mowing leaves no uncut strips or scalped spots Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Turf is free of ruts from mower tires Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Clippings are not left in clumps on the turf Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Clippings are blown off walks, curbs and parking stalls Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Edges along sidewalks and curbs are cut in a clean vertical line Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Grass is trimmed around poles, sign posts, hydrants and fences Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Tree trunks, sign posts and building siding show no string trimmer damage Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Turf is free of bare patches larger than 1 sq ft (0.1 m²) Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Broadleaf weeds (dandelion, clover, plantain) cover less than one-tenth of the turf in the areas sampled Yes / No 1 pt
  14. No crabgrass or other grassy weed seed heads stand above the turf Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Turf shows no brown patches from disease, grubs or drought Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Turf killed by de-icing salt along curbs has been reseeded or resodded Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Notices are posted after pesticide applications as required by local regulation Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Turf quality Rating
    • Dense, green and evenly cut 5 pts
    • Healthy with minor weeds or thin spots 4 pts
    • Weedy, patchy or unevenly cut 2 pts
    • Overgrown, bare or mostly weeds 1 pt

2. Beds and trees 19 items

  1. Planting beds are free of weeds standing above the mulch Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Mulch is 2 to 3 in (5 to 8 cm) deep in the beds sampled Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Mulch is pulled back from tree trunks, not piled against the bark Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Mulch has not washed onto sidewalks or pavement Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Bed edges are defined by a clean cut edge or intact edging Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Shrubs do not overhang walkways Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Shrubs do not block windows or signs Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Shrubs are kept at least 12 in (30 cm) clear of building walls Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Plantings at driveway exits are kept below 30 in (75 cm) so drivers can see traffic Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Dead shrubs and perennials have been removed Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Trees have no dead or hanging branches over walks or parking stalls Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Tree limbs give at least 8 ft (2.4 m) of clearance over walkways Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Tree limbs are clear of light fixtures and security cameras Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Tree limbs are clear of the roof and walls of the building Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Annual flower beds are planted for full coverage, with no gaps Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Plants in entrance containers are alive and watered Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Shrubs and trees show no untreated insect or disease damage (stripped leaves, webbing, cankers) Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Number of dead or missing plants to be replaced Number
  19. Condition of beds and trees Rating
    • Weed-free, pruned and healthy 5 pts
    • Minor weeds or pruning due 3 pts
    • Overgrown, weedy or dead plants 1 pt

3. Irrigation 21 items

  1. The irrigation controller is powered and shows the correct date and time Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Programmed run days and times follow local watering restrictions Yes / No 1 pt
  3. A rain sensor or weather-based shut-off is connected to the controller and not bypassed Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Number of irrigation zones run during the inspection Number
  5. Number of zones with a defect Number
  6. Every zone tested starts from the controller Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Spray heads pop up fully and retract after the cycle Yes / No 1 pt
  8. No head is broken, missing or gushing Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Heads sit upright and flush with the grade Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Spray does not hit the building, windows or signs Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Spray does not land on walks, parking stalls or the roadway Yes / No 1 pt
  12. No water runs to the curb or pools during the cycle Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Coverage reaches from head to head, with no dry spots Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Nozzles spray an even pattern, with none clogged Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Drip tubing is covered by mulch, with no cut or chewed lines Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Valve box lids are in place and flush with the grade Yes / No 1 pt
  17. No soggy ground between cycles points to a leaking line Yes / No 1 pt
  18. The backflow preventer on the irrigation supply carries a current test tag as required by local regulation Yes / No 1 pt
  19. A zone map is posted inside the controller cabinet Yes / No 1 pt
  20. Date of the contractor's last irrigation inspection report Date
  21. Irrigation system Rating
    • Every zone working with no waste 5 pts
    • Minor adjustments needed 3 pts
    • Broken heads, leaks or overspray 1 pt

4. Hardscape 18 items

  1. Sidewalk joints and cracks are free of weeds Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Curb lines are free of weeds Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Gutter pans are free of built-up sediment Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Parking lot islands are free of weeds growing through cracks Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Walks are blown or swept clean after each service visit Yes / No 1 pt
  6. No soil has washed from beds onto pavement Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Pavers and walkway slabs sit level, with no lifted edge that could trip a pedestrian Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Retaining walls stand plumb, with no bulging or displaced blocks Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Decorative rock is raked back into its beds, not scattered on walks Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Benches are free of broken slats Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Property line fences are upright and intact Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Fence lines are free of weeds and vines Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Storm drain inlets are free of leaves and clippings Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Drainage swales are mowed and free of debris Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Detention pond outlet structures are clear of debris Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Tree grates and tree well edging sit flush with the surrounding walk Yes / No 1 pt
  17. The perimeter of the dumpster enclosure is free of weeds Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Hard surfaces and site features Rating
    • Clean, weed-free and safe 5 pts
    • Minor weeds or debris 3 pts
    • Weeds, sediment or trip hazards 1 pt

5. Litter 16 items

  1. Pieces of litter counted on a walk across the front of the property Number
  2. Turf is free of litter shredded by mowers Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Planting beds are free of litter Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Shrubs and hedges are free of trapped bags and wind-blown paper Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Parking lot islands are free of litter Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Fence lines and the property perimeter are free of litter Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Landscaped strips at the rear of the building and the loading area are free of litter Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Exterior trash receptacles in the grounds contract are emptied on service days Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Fallen branches and storm debris are removed within the time in the contract Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Leaves are cleared from walks and entrances at each visit in season Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Illegal dumping (tires, furniture, bags) is reported to the site manager on the day it is found Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Collected litter is taken off site or to the dumpster, not left in bags on the property Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Green waste is hauled away, not dumped in back corners or over the fence Yes / No 1 pt
  14. No contractor waste (fertilizer bags, trimmer line, plant containers) is left on site Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Litter pick-up takes place at the frequency in the scope of work (ask the site manager) Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Litter on the grounds Rating
    • None seen 5 pts
    • A few pieces 4 pts
    • Litter in several areas 2 pts
    • Litter across most of the property 1 pt

6. Seasonal work 26 items

  1. Season of this inspection Choice
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
  2. Spring cleanup of leaf debris and dead stalks was completed by the contract date Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Winter sand and gravel were swept out of turf edges and beds Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Pre-emergent weed control was applied in spring as the program specifies Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Fresh mulch was applied by the contract date Yes / No 1 pt
  6. The irrigation system was started up and tested in spring Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Annual flowers were changed at the rotations in the contract Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Core aeration was done in the season stated in the contract Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Fall leaf removal visits continue at the contract frequency until the leaves are down Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Perennials and ornamental grasses were cut back in the season stated in the scope of work Yes / No 1 pt
  11. The irrigation system was blown out before the first hard freeze, in cold climates Yes / No 1 pt
  12. The irrigation backflow preventer was drained or insulated for winter Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Young trees and salt-sensitive shrubs were wrapped or screened where specified Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Plow marker stakes were set along curbs and beds before the first snowfall where specified Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Dormant pruning of trees and shrubs was done in the season specified Yes / No 1 pt
  16. The contractor inspected the site for tree damage after the last high-wind event Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Fertilizer applications are recorded with the product and the date Yes / No 1 pt
  18. The service schedule for the year is on file at the site Yes / No 1 pt
  19. A service ticket is left or sent for each visit Yes / No 1 pt
  20. Crew members observed wore the contractor's uniform or a high-visibility vest Yes / No 1 pt
  21. Extra work billed this season was approved in writing before it was done Yes / No 1 pt
  22. Date of the contractor's last visit Date
  23. Name of the contractor's crew leader or account manager Short text
  24. Name of the site manager Short text
  25. Overall performance of the grounds contractor Rating
    • Meets the contract in every area 5 pts
    • Meets the contract in most areas 4 pts
    • Falls short in several areas 2 pts
    • Does not meet the contract 1 pt
  26. Corrective actions requested from the contractor Comments

About this template

This checklist is part of the InspectLoop template library. Yes / No checks score 1 point when met; ratings score the points shown for each option. The overall score is the percentage of points earned, with N/A answers excluded. In InspectLoop you can add photos, assign corrective actions, require sign-off and compare results across sites.

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