Founder and owner of Specialized Property Care, Charles Haddock, wanted to build a company homeowners could rely on.
“This industry has a reputation for poor communication, missed appointments, and companies that don’t always follow through,” said Haddock.
The Sioux Falls business began in 2015 as one truck and a push mower, and has grown into a trusted outdoor service provider for thousands of properties across the region. Today it operates with seven full-time crews with more than 35 years of combined experience (including a 24/7 snow removal team in the winter) and has completed over 2,500 projects.
Along with lawn and turf care and snow removal, the company is known for pest control, irrigation, seasonal cleanup services, and holiday and permanent lighting.
“Many of our clients have been with us for a long time and use multiple services throughout the year,” said Haddock. “We really try to become their one trusted company for taking care of their property.”
The owner is a “systems-focused entrepreneur” and says he used his personal experience and frustrations to build his business, services, and—most importantly—the team.
“I’m trying to build a company that invests in its people, develops leaders, and creates opportunities for our team to grow.”
CHARLES HADDOCK
“I think it really comes down to our people and our culture,” said Haddock. “We spend a lot of time building systems, training our team, and trying to improve every year. We don’t want to just be another lawn care company.”
The crew is focused on building longterm relationships instead of just trying to “make a sale.”
One example of that is the new popularity of permanent lighting for homes for anything from holidays to game day to accent lighting. While the easy thing to do would be to sell it to as many clients as possible, Haddock says he knows the trend isn’t always a fit.
“It really comes down to how you plan to use it—I don’t recommend permanent lighting for everyone,” he said. “I would rather have an honest conversation with a homeowner than try to sell them something they don’t need. For a lot of people, traditional seasonal lighting is still the better option.”
Holiday lighting has become one of Haddock’s favorite services they offer. Whether it’s the desire not to climb a ladder or to avoid inclement weather, Specialized Property Care can design and install everything (including maintenance and removal) so the client can just enjoy it.
“I love driving around town during the holidays and seeing homes lit up, especially knowing our team had a part in making that happen,” said Haddock. “It really changes the look and feel of a home.”
In the same realm, the company also isn’t focused on only installing new irrigation systems, and aims to help homeowners keep the systems they already have working properly. Specialized Property Care performs a lot of sprinkler repairs, troubleshooting, maintenance, spring startups, and fall winterizations.
“In the spring, we have a full-time irrigation technician who often works five, six, and sometimes even seven days a week just keeping up with repairs,” said Haddock.
In his 20 years of experience, one piece of advice Haddock would give homeowners is to not skip the winterization. The owner has seen clients spend hundreds of dollars fixing their irrigation system from winterizing incorrectly.
“Blowing out your irrigation system in the fall is one of the best investments you can make,” he said. “Every spring we repair systems that weren’t blown out, or were winterized by someone who wasn’t using the right equipment. Those repairs can get expensive very quickly.”
Hiring a professional for property care in general saves time, reduces stress, and helps protect one of the homeowner’s biggest investments. Most people would rather spend their weekends with family than worrying about mowing the lawn or shoveling snow, says Haddock.
“We help give them that time back, while keeping their property looking its best,” he said.
Along with the services they provide, communication is just as important. Whether it’s running behind or something changing with a project, Specialized Property Care always strives to let the client know immediately.
“Homeowners are busy; they shouldn’t have to wonder if a company is going to show up or call them back,” said Haddock. “Good communication builds trust. It’s a simple thing, but it makes a big difference.”
Trust has helped with the company’s growth, which started in Sioux Falls and has now expanded services into Brandon, Harrisburg, Hartford, Tea, and other nearby areas.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES BEHIND EVERY SERVICE THE VALUES FOR HOW SPECIALIZED PROPERTY CARE OPERATES.
Accountability
Communication
Continuous Improvement
Ownership
Reliability
When asked what his favorite part of his job is over the 20-plus years he’s been in business, Haddock said, “Without a doubt, it’s building a great team. I enjoy finding good people, earning their trust, helping them develop, and watching them grow both professionally and personally.”
He recalled a moment in his career that really stood out when he saw a house with impressive new landscaping with a small retaining wall and concrete edging.
“I remember saying, ‘That looks really nice. It’s about time they did something with that yard,’” said Haddock, only realizing later that it was a Specialized Property Care project.
His team had met with the client, designed it, sold it, completed it, and he had absolutely nothing to do with it.
“It was a strange feeling at first, but also a really rewarding one,” he said. “It reminded me that we’ve built a team that doesn’t need me involved in every decision. As a business owner, that’s a pretty special milestone.”
He continued, “If we can build a great company, develop great people, and make a positive impact in our community, I’ll consider that a success.”
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