Article How consolidating grounds maintenance contracts cuts school estate costs & risks Share: The challenge: Many schools and multi-academy trusts rely on multiple contractors for grounds maintenance services, driving up costs and compliance risks. The solution: Consolidate services into a single, multi-site grounds maintenance contract with an experienced partner. The outcome: Achieve up to 20% cost savings, improved compliance, and reduced liability across your school estate. Why do schools overspend on grounds maintenance? Managing a school estate is complex. Often, different suppliers are engaged for landscaping, sports pitches, arboriculture, and winter services. This fragmented model creates: Duplicated administration across multiple contracts Inconsistent service levels between sites Increased compliance risk, particularly for health & safety and safeguarding Unpredictable budgets, with variable pricing and ad hoc charges By moving to a consolidated grounds maintenance framework, schools and trusts can reduce duplication, achieve economies of scale, and improve oversight. What Financial Benefits Can Be Achieved? ApproachIssues FacedIssues FacedMultiple contractorsDuplicated admin, fragmented SLAs, variable pricingN/ADuplicated admin, fragmented SLAs, variable pricingStandardised pricing, reduced admin, centralised reporting10–20% contract cost reduction Consolidation delivers measurable cost control and efficiency. Schools that consolidate typically achieve 10–20% savings in their first year, based on industry benchmarks. How does consolidation reduce risk? Consistency across all sites: One SLA, one compliance framework. Clear accountability: A single partner responsible for safety and liability. Expertise built-in: From sports turf to tree surveys, all services under one umbrella. Reliable delivery: 98% of school site inspections completed within SLA. This includes critical compliance services such as Winter Gritting, where delays or missed treatments can expose schools to slip-and-fall claims. Regular mowing, edging, and grass cutting services that keep open spaces healthy, accessible, and neat throughout the year. Find out more about Grass & lawn management Grass & lawn management Specialist care for synthetic and natural pitches in schools, public parks and sport stadiums to maximise performance and safety. Find out more about Sports pitch maintenance Sports pitch maintenance Regular upkeep of community play areas, and open public spaces to ensure accessibility, safety, and compliance. Find out more about Park services and green space management Park services and green space management Keeping play areas safe, clean, and compliant for communities. Find out more about Playground maintenance Playground maintenance Professional line marking for sports fields, car parks, playgrounds, and communal spaces to improve safety, guide movement, and create a neat, compliant appearance across your site. Find out more about Line marking Line marking Expert arboriculture solutions with a focus on quality, sustainability, compliance, and long-term care to ensure healthy, well-managed environments. Find out more about Arboriculture & tree services Arboriculture & tree services Keeping your school safe and operational during winter with proactive gritting and snow clearance services, reducing risks and downtime Winter gritting and maintenance Cleaning and maintenance of hard landscaping, paths, playgrounds, and carparks to ensure safety and visual consistency across your estate. Find out more about Hard surface maintenance Hard surface maintenance Safe, controlled vegetation clearance, weed removal services, and invasive weed management – including Japanese knotweed removal. Find out more about Vegetation management & clearance Vegetation management & clearance Full service offering What should estates & procurement leaders ask themselves? Are we duplicating spend by managing multiple contractors? Do we have full visibility of SLA compliance across all sites? Could a single contract deliver stronger budget control? Who is accountable in the event of an on-site safety incident? These questions often highlight where consolidation can unlock value. Why partner with Nurture Grounds Maintenance? Proven Delivery on Multi-Site Contracts A trusted partner with a strong track record in managing complex portfolios efficiently and consistently across regions. Supporting the Education Sector Experience working with schools, academies, colleges, and universities to maintain safe, high-quality outdoor environments. Transparent Reporting for Accountability User-friendly dashboards provide procurement and estates teams with clear insights into performance, compliance, and value. Comprehensive Grounds Services A fully integrated offering that includes landscaping, tree care, sports turf maintenance, and winter gritting. Specialist Tree Management Expertise Decades of arboricultural knowledge applied to multi-site contracts, ensuring safety, health, and sustainability of tree stock. Discover more through our grounds maintenance case studies. At a glance for Senior Leaders C-Suite & ESG Directors Reduce costs through supplier consolidation. Estates Teams Improve compliance and simplify contract management. School Governors Protect budgets and free resources for teaching and learning. Ready to consolidate grounds maintenance contracts across your school estate? Talk to our Grounds Maintenance team Get in touch with our Grounds Maintenance team Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Tell us a little about your site and maintenance goals and we will get back to you shortly to discuss your requirements.Name *Email *Phone number *Postcode *Tell us about your site * Postcode Name Email Privacy policy *I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.Newsletter opt inI’d like to receive occasional updates about Nurture Landscapes’ services, sustainability initiatives, and industry insights.Submit enquiry Frequently Asked Questions Will consolidating contracts disrupt service standards? Transition plans are phased site-by-site, ensuring continuity and stability. How quickly can savings be realised? Most schools and trusts experience cost and efficiency gains within the first 12 months. Can specialist services (e.g. sports turf, tree surveys) be included? Yes. All services are delivered under one framework, reducing the need for multiple suppliers.
