Strabala Grounds Management puts functionality first

Nate Strabala is, in his own words, “an awful salesman.” It’s perhaps the biggest appeal of his business, Strabala Grounds Management, in Wellman.

“I’m not going to sell somebody something that they don’t necessarily need,” he said. “If somebody calls me and they want a retaining wall in a certain area, I will be up-front and transparent about the fact that they may not need it, and we can attack that in a different way that’s more cost-effective … it’s just the way that we want to operate, where the customer knows we’re thinking about functionality first.”

That’s not to say Strabala Grounds Management isn’t up for sophisticated projects. Quite the opposite: the landscaper offers a wide range of services including retaining walls, patios, fire pits and steps, among others. And the business happily works jobs of any size, whether they’re residential or commercial.

“I don’t pigeonhole myself into just one type of customer,” Strabala said. “I’m proud that we will take on a $500 project just as fast as we would take on a $50,000 project. I’m open to working with just about any type of landscaping project somebody may have.”

Strabala sometimes gets calls from would-be consumers who misunderstand the brand’s name. Despite having “grounds management” in the name, the business does not mow or spray lawns.

The landscaper does, however, offer turf and seeding services for property owners, and keeps an eye on practical property management concerns on every job, ensuring customers not only like the look of their landscapes when work is finished, but can keep it in top condition for years to come. That means making sure the property won’t require more upkeep than the owner’s prepared to take on.

“We don’t want to set them up for failure,” Strabala said. “We would love to put in these huge, elaborate landscapes, but sometimes that’s just not practical. They’re going to look great for that first year, but if the homeowner can’t maintain it, or do the upkeep, it’s better that we find something more practical that fits their needs.”

That period, after Strabala’s crew has finished its work and left the property looking nicer, is the best part of the job.

“I love that when our crew leaves a job site, the customer gets to enjoy it,” he said. “They get to sit out by that fire pit, making memories with their family, they get to work in their garden space and plant their flowers. Or it may be as simple as they don’t have to worry about getting water in their basement anymore.”