The Secret Behind Better Commercial Landscaping? It Starts With Employee Retention

Every commercial landscaping company has trucks, mowers, and equipment.

The real difference isn’t the equipment.

It’s the people behind it.

The crews caring for your property every week determine whether your landscape simply gets maintained—or truly thrives.

That’s why one of the most overlooked indicators of a commercial landscaping company’s quality isn’t its equipment or its pricing.

It’s employee retention.

At C. Caramanico & Sons, Inc., we’re proud to maintain an 88% employee retention rate from July 2025 through July 2026. That means just 12% annual turnover—a reflection of the culture we’ve built and our commitment to investing in our employees.

Crew Leaders Team

The Landscaping Industry Has a Retention Challenge

Employee retention has become one of the biggest challenges facing the commercial landscaping industry, particularly among frontline field employees like crew members, laborers, equipment operators, drivers, and enhancement crews.

According to industry workforce research from LMN, Gitnux, and other landscaping industry reports:

  • Approximately 45% annual employee turnover is common throughout the landscaping industry.¹
  • 84% of landscaping companies report difficulty finding and retaining qualified employees.²
  • 51% of companies report being unable to fill open positions.²

Several factors contribute to these workforce challenges, including:

  • Seasonal employment and winter layoffs
  • Competition from construction, transportation, warehousing, and municipal employers
  • Physically demanding outdoor work
  • Wage competition
  • Limited career advancement opportunities
  • Employee recruiting by competitors

In today’s labor market, retaining experienced employees has become one of the strongest indicators of a landscaping company’s culture, leadership, and long-term stability.²

Best Commercial Landscaping Company - Safety

How Does C. Caramanico & Sons, Inc. Compare?

While many landscape companies experience approximately 45% annual turnover—or about 55% employee retention; C. Caramanico & Sons, Inc. has built a team that stays.

Employee Retention ComparisonAnnual Retention Rate
Typical Landscaping Company~55%
High-Performing Landscaping Company70–80%
C. Caramanico & Sons, Inc.88%

We’re proud of that number, but what matters most is what it means for our customers.

A stable workforce creates better communication, greater consistency, stronger accountability, and a team that truly knows your property.

Safety & Training: Employee Retention

Why Employee Retention Matters

Employee retention isn’t just an internal HR metric—it directly affects the quality of service you receive.

🌿 Greater Consistency

Experienced crews become familiar with your property, understand your expectations, and recognize areas that need extra attention. That familiarity leads to more consistent results year after year.

Higher Quality

Long-term employees identify issues before they become costly problems, maintain higher quality standards, and take greater pride in their work.

🤝 Better Communication

Experienced team members understand company expectations and customer priorities, resulting in quicker responses, better follow-through, and greater accountability.

🛡️ Safer Operations

Ongoing safety and equipment training help experienced crews work more safely and efficiently, creating a more dependable experience for your property.

Picnic: Employee Retention

Why Employees Stay at C. Caramanico & Sons, Inc.

We believe exceptional customer service starts by taking care of our employees.

Our strong employee retention is built on four key principles:

📈 Career Growth

We believe in promoting from within whenever possible, giving employees clear opportunities to grow as our company continues to grow.

🎓 Continuous Training

From weekly Tailgate Talks and safety training to leadership development and technical education, we continually invest in helping our employees succeed.

❤️ A Family-Oriented Culture

As a fourth-generation family-owned company founded in 1946, we’ve built a workplace centered on respect, teamwork, communication, and long-term relationships. Many employees—and even multiple generations of the same families—have built lasting careers with us.

🏆 Employee Recognition

We celebrate great work through employee recognition programs, appreciation events, milestone celebrations, and performance awards because employees who feel valued are more engaged and committed.

Commercial Landscaping Crews

What This Means for Your Property

When you choose a commercial landscaping company with high employee retention, you’re choosing more than experienced employees—you’re choosing a better customer experience.

That means:

✔ Familiar crews that know your property

✔ Consistent, dependable service

✔ Better communication and follow-through

✔ Greater accountability

✔ Proactive recommendations

✔ Higher-quality workmanship

✔ Long-term relationships built on trust

At C. Caramanico & Sons, Inc., our 88% employee retention rate reflects the culture we’ve built over four generations. By investing in career growth, continuous training, employee recognition, and a family-oriented workplace, we’ve built a team that’s committed to delivering the consistency, professionalism, and quality our customers expect.

Because when employees stay, customers benefit.

Caramanico Flowers

Experience the Caramanico Difference

At C. Caramanico & Sons, Inc., we know exceptional landscapes begin with exceptional people. Our investment in our team translates directly into dependable service, proactive communication, and beautiful commercial properties season after season.

If you’re looking for a commercial landscaping partner with experienced crews, consistent service, and a team committed to your property’s long-term success, we’d love the opportunity to show you the Caramanico difference.

Contact C. Caramanico & Sons, Inc. today to learn how our experienced team can help your commercial property thrive throughout every season.

Chris DiRenzo

C. Caramanico & Sons, Inc. provides award-winning commercial landscape management services throughout the Greater Philadelphia area.

Properties We Serve: Healthcare FacilitiesSchools & UniversitiesOffice Complexes & BusinessesSenior Living CommunitiesApartmentsHospitalityRetail CentersChurches, Golf Courses & Country Clubs, and more!

Service Areas: Chester County, PennsylvaniaDelaware County, PennsylvaniaMontgomery County, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia County, Pennsylvania; Bucks County, Pennsylvania; Burlington County, New Jersey; Camden County, New Jersey; Gloucester County, New Jersey; Salem County, New Jersey; New Castle County, Delaware

C. Caramanico & Sons, Inc.’s mission is to build long-lasting relationships with employees, vendors, and clients by providing the highest level of commercial landscaping service in the Greater Philadelphia Region. We have rooted values of safety, quality, and customer satisfaction that will create success for our entire team and customers.

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80 Years of Commercial Landscaping Excellence Delaware Valley

Delivering Legendary Landscape Solutions

📍 Servicing the Greater Philadelphia Area since 1946
🌿 Rooted in Relationships. Focused on Results.


Sources

¹ Gitnux. Landscaping Industry Statistics. Available at: https://gitnux.org/landscaping-industry-statistics/

² LMN. State of the Landscaping Industry Report and workforce research. Available at: https://golmn.com/

Additional Industry Resources