Want to land big clients like Walgreens? They’re known for their high-value landscaping contracts that bring reliable work, provide great brand visibility, and foster long-term business growth. 

But only if you win the bid.

This guide will show you how to bid on Walgreens landscaping contracts, breaking it down into simple steps: 

1. Research Walgreens facilities’ needs

2. Visit the site and assess the situation

3. Develop a detailed project plan

4. Get prequalified as a vendor

5. Prepare your bid package

6. Submit your proposal

7. Follow up 

You’ll also discover other essential information, such as the benefits of securing such a contract, where to apply, what qualifications you need, and common pitfalls to avoid. 

How do you bid on a Walgreens landscaping contract?

Bidding on a Walgreens landscaping contract is a structured process that requires preparation, compliance, and strong proposal-writing skills.

You need to spot opportunities, meet Walgreens’s vendor requirements, and position your landscaping company as the best partner. 

In short, you follow these steps: 

1. Research Walgreens facilities’ needs

The first thing you do is understand what Walgreens cares about most, such as clean parking lots, trimmed shrubs, or snow-free sidewalks. The company also sets strict safety standards, especially during the winter months when the walkways are slippery. 

2. Visit the site and assess the situation

You likely want to bid on a specific store or region. If so, then go to the location in person and evaluate the existing landscaping to identify potential issues and opportunities for improvement.

The purpose is to understand the site’s unique needs, not make general observations. Think unruly hedges, icy slopes, or a puddle that always forms by the entrance when it rains. 

By noting these specific problems, your bid will stand out among the more general pitches. Make sure to take photos or videos of the site to document its current condition, and explain how your team would keep it flawless. 

3. Develop a detailed project plan

Next up: map out in detail what you’d do. 

Start by turning your notes from the earlier assessment into specific steps on how your landscaping company would improve the area. Break them down into weekly, monthly, or even seasonal tasks (e.g., mowing each week, cleaning leaves in the fall, etc.). 

Create a detailed timeline for your project, including estimated times for each task and completion dates. Don’t forget to consider the necessary equipment and resources to finish the project efficiently and calculate the labor and overhead costs to achieve the desired profit margin. 

4. Get prequalified as a vendor

To bid on Walgreens projects, register as an official vendor. The registration process involves providing information about your company, its services, and contact details.

Sounds easy enough: you just have to register through the Walgreens portal and voila! 

The not-so-fun part is that it includes a vendor screening program, so a Walgreens manager will have the final say on whether you’re approved. 

If your services align with the company’s specific requirements for upcoming projects, congrats! The last step involves submitting documents such as insurance, licenses, and other paperwork. 

5. Prepare your bid package

This is your time to shine and prove you’re not just a landscaper, but the right landscaper for the job. 

Make sure your proposal is impeccable by including: 

• Detailed pricing: Break down costs by service and by frequency (weekly, seasonal, emergency). Be as transparent as possible. 

• Scope of services: State exactly what’s included in the package so there’s no guesswork, such as ‘snow removal within 4 hours, weekly lawn care.’ 

• Value: Highlight what makes your landscaping company unique, such as smart irrigation systems or 24/7 emergency availability. Remember: Walgreens loves efficiency and sustainability. 

• Social proof: Add satisfied reviews from other clients, photos of past projects, and other certifications that set you apart from the competition. 

6. Submit your proposal

So, you’ve created the best proposal you possibly could, but it will be worthless if you don’t submit it on time. 

Walgreens RFPs (requests for proposal) are strict, which means you have to follow these rules to the letter to avoid rejection: 

• Only submit your proposal through the official vendor portal unless otherwise specified. 

• Match the requested format, such as PDFs. 

• Meet deadlines (very important) as late submissions are rarely even opened. 

• Double-check everything and ensure all attachments are included. 

The idea is to create a well-organized and detailed proposal that addresses all project requirements. 

7. Follow up 

You’ve submitted your proposal—now what? 

You don’t just cross your fingers and hope for the best. Follow up with your contact at Walgreens and express your interest in the project (without sounding too eager). 

Wait a week or so before you check in, and be prepared to answer any questions or provide additional information if the contact person requests it. 

If you’re not selected, ask for feedback on what you can improve for future bids. Building a relationship with Walgreens helps your company stay on the radar for future projects as contracts open regularly. 

Let’s discuss the benefits of bidding on Walgreens landscaping contracts.

What are the benefits of securing a Walgreens landscaping contract?

A Walgreens landscaping contract could be a game-changer for your business, and here’s why: 

• Steady income: The location requires year-round maintenance, from mowing in the summer to removing snow in the winter, so you’ll have a predictable cash flow. 

• Reputable client: Having a recognized, respected brand like Walgreens as your client is a huge credibility boost. 

• Long-term opportunities: Many Walgreens contracts are multi-year agreements, so if you perform well, you secure repeat business across multiple locations. 

• Growth and networking: Proving yourself to Walgreens can open doors to other large retailers, as the brand works with top vendors nationwide. 

Next, let’s show you where to apply for Walgreens landscaping contracts. 

Where do you apply for Walgreens landscaping contracts?

You apply through the firm’s official facilities and supplier portals, which are the primary entry points for landscaping and facilities services: 

• Walgreens Facilities’ 'Become a Partner' page: This page is your first destination in becoming a partner. You click on the 'Get started' button and follow the three steps: 

Step 1 involves selecting the services you want to provide and checking whether you meet the requirements. 

In step 2, you complete the vendor application and submit the required information. 

The last step is application review, which will be completed only if your services align with specific Walgreens needs for upcoming projects. 

• SupplierNet portal: Once approved and registered, use SupplierNet, the company’s internal vendor management platform, to communicate with the brand. 

In summary, you use the Facilities site to submit your application and begin the partner process. Once you’ve submitted it and been approved, register with SupplierNet, the hub for receiving RFPs, submitting proposals, and managing your vendor profile. 

What qualifications do you need for Walgreens landscaping contracts?

You need more than just good working equipment to meet the standards required by Walgreens. At a minimum, expect to show off your: 

• Experience: Proven history of handling commercial and multi-site landscaping projects. Think photos or videos of consistent curb appeal across multiple locations.

• Certifications and licenses: State business licenses, landscaping certifications, and OSHA safety compliance are some of the documents that’ll impress Walgreens. Depending on the region, you may also need specialized credentials, such as those for pesticide application.

• Insurance: Up-to-date proof of liability insurance, workers’ compensation, and auto coverage that protects both parties in case of incidents. 

• Capacity: While Walgreens values sustainability and fair wages, it also seeks partners with the workforce and equipment to handle large-scale maintenance year-round. 

Walgreens expects nothing but the best from its partners, so make sure your company delivers reliable, safe, and consistent landscaping services at scale. 

How do you estimate costs for a Walgreens landscaping bid?

Here’s how to accurately estimate costs for a Walgreens landscaping bid: 

• Assess site conditions and project scope: Reviewing the proposal and thoroughly understanding the services required is vital. If it’s in your area, visit the site to evaluate the condition, such as existing vegetation and square footage.

• Calculate material costs: Identify all the materials needed for the project. Consider the quality and sustainability of the materials, and account for delivery fees. 

• Estimate labor costs: How many hours of labor are required to finish the project? Factor in crew size, hourly wages, and any overtime, as well as benefits, insurance, and taxes. 

• Account for overhead: Overhead ranges from ten to 30% of total costs, including administrative expenses, insurance, and equipment maintenance. Also, apply a profit margin that aligns with your business goals, usually between ten and 20%. 

With so many calculations, avoid costly mistakes by leveraging estimating software like Aspire to streamline the process. 

Aspire’s intuitive estimating functionality makes bidding on projects easy. It simplifies estimating by allowing you to create templates that combine commonly used services, pricing, and language, fit for every kind of work. 

Not only that, but your proposals are more accurate due to Aspire’s margins and markups you’ve set up that are automatically factored into your estimates to ensure profitability. 

Even better, Aspire allows designated users to update the average price of your catalog items as needed based on historical spending habits. 

Common mistakes when bidding on Walgreens landscaping contracts

Here are the most frequent errors landscaping businesses make when bidding, and how to avoid them: 

• Underbidding: Lowballing your offer catches people’s attention, but it won’t secure you the win. Plus, it leads to razor-thin margins and poor service delivery. Try to price realistically by factoring in labor, materials, and overhead.

• Missing documentation: Incomplete applications will disqualify you immediately (e.g., missing proof of insurance or licenses) so double-check all paperwork before submitting. 

• Ignoring scope details: Overlooking site-specific needs causes costly surprises later. Tailor your bid to actual conditions, and not just to bid requirements. 

• Generic proposals: A one-size-fits-all bid won’t impress anyone. Make sure to highlight your unique strengths, such as eco-friendly landscaping, to stand out from the crowd. 

Even experienced contractors can stumble when bidding on major landscaping contracts but avoiding these common errors will improve your chances of clinching the deal. 

How can you improve your chances of winning a Walgreens landscaping bid?

It takes more than just filling out forms to secure a Walgreens contract. The secret is proving you’re reliable, professional, and capable of handling multi-site and large-scale projects efficiently. 

Here’s what to do: 

• Highlight relevant experience: Showcase past work with commercial clients or how you handle multiple locations. Anything that proves your expertise will help: photos, videos, or case studies, for example. 

• Maintain full compliance: Walgreens requires insurance, licenses, and safety certifications. Show them all of that by keeping your documentation current and organized. 

• Provide strong references: Include testimonials from existing happy clients, especially if they’re a large national brand. 

• Offer competitive but realistic pricing: Walgreens looks for value, not just a low price. Don’t sell yourself short. Use Aspire, for instance, to accurately calculate labor, material, and overhead while still maintaining your profit margin. 

• Emphasize unique points: Highlight the value you bring to the table, such as quick response or a water-saving irrigation system.

How long does the Walgreens landscaping bid process take?

The process typically takes four to eight weeks from initial application to contract award. But the timeline varies depending on the number of bids submitted and regional needs. 

After submitting your application, you’ll receive an update or requests for clarification within a few weeks. If you’re eager, you can track the status of your application through SupplierNet. 

Over to you!

Bidding on a Walgreens landscaping contract takes a sharp proposal and preparation. With the right strategy, you position your company for steady income and long-term success, making the payoff well worth it. 

From estimating costs to managing proposals and tracking performance, Aspire helps landscaping businesses land bids every time—while protecting profit margins.

Book a demo with Aspire today and see how it can level up your bidding game.