If you are a new landscaper or even an experienced landscaper, you might sometimes struggle with estimating the correct cost for your landscaping jobs. It is pretty standard as every landscaping project is different, and it might be hard to figure our various costs. Before we move on, you can shop for any tools or sets up you might need for your landscaping jobs from Chorestop.
Landscaping jobs are creative and harrowing. According to statists, the most contractor only profits from three out of every five jobs. Thus, we are here to provide you with our expert advice and help you estimate landscaping jobs.
How To Estimate Landscaping Jobs?
This section has provided a step-by-step guide on how you can draw up a draft to calculate an estimated price for the jobs you will do as a landscaper.
1. Consult the Client
Your first step as a landscaper in any landscaping job is to consult with your clients. You will need to meet up with your client and ask about their vision. Discuss what they want in detail, and do not hesitate to ask a lot of questions.
We also suggest that you take a trip to the landscaping site with your client and get a visual of what you will be working on. You will also need to take all the measurements, of course. It will also be a good idea if you draw up a sketch of the final plan instead of having the idea "in your head."
Listen to the client and their ideas. This is extremely important. Your clients probably already have the idea of what they want; you only need to bring it to life with the right finishing touches. You can, of course, tell them about some landscaping factors, such as:
- Desired landscaping style
- Types of materials and plants required
- Location
- Required Features
- Soil quality
2. Material Costs
Once you have all the plans ready, you need to figure out the material costs. By this point, you should already know which materials you will use to do the job, such as cement, mulch, gravel boulders, patio pavers, etc. To calculate the estimated material costs, you will need to measure the landscaping site and figure out the number of materials you will need.
3. Overhead Costs
Overhead costs are an essential part when you try to estimate landscaping jobs. Around 20% of your total costs will go to overhead costs, do not underestimate it. Some of the overhead costs include equipment repair and maintenance, tools, insurance, uniforms, vans, gas, etc.
Therefore, make a list of everything you will need to complete your job that will fall under the overhead costs.
4. Labour Costs
You will have to pay wages or salary to your team. Therefore, estimate an amount that will be make up for the hours your labourers will spend on the job. It is always best to calculate at an hourly rate.
5. Subcontractor Costs
In this part, all you will have to do is send the details of your job to a subcontractor and ask them to give the price of the job. The provided price will be the total cost of your job.
6. Add Markup
If you want to make a profit, you will have to charge at least 15 to 20 percent markup on the overall total cost of the job.
7. Total Price
Finally, add the landscaping job's total cost, markup, and sales tax to determine your landscaping job's total estimate.
Landscaping Prices
As a landscaper or a homeowner who wants to hire a landscaper, we think it is important you are aware of average landscaping prices.
We did a little research and gathered all the information that will be helpful to you. We have drawn up a chart listing all the average landscaping prices for your benefit.
Landscaping |
Average Price (Cost) |
Landscaping Permits |
Up to $1000 |
Tree Removal |
$12 - $13/foot |
Lawn Mowing |
$25 - $50 |
Landscape Design |
$50 - $100 per hour |
Land Aeration Costs |
$75 - $250 |
Landscaping Maintenance |
$100 - $200 per month |
Lawn Grading |
$125 per cubic yard of dirt |
Fill Dirt and Topsoil Costs |
$150 - $600 |
Gravel Installation |
$180 - $1,800 |
Mulching Costs |
$200 - $500 |
Tree Trimming |
$250 - $500 |
Lawn Seeding |
$300 - $700 |
Landscape Curbing |
$800 - $1500 |
Misting System Installation |
$1000 - $2500 |
Sod Installation |
$1100 (for sod); $3000 (for installation) |
Cinder Block Wall Cost |
$1500 - $6000 |
Sprinkles System Installation |
$1800 - $5200 |
Water Fountain Installation |
$2000 |
Pond Installation |
$2155/ $3218 |
Artificial Turf Installation |
$3000 - $10,000 |
Landscaping Installation (from scratch) |
$3000 - $15,950 |
Conclusion
To conclude, landscaping jobs are fun, but you need to put on long hours of work too. As a landscaper, you will need to make a profit otherwise, the jobs will not be satisfying anymore.
We hope our guide will help you in your landscaping career down the road. If you follow our guide carefully and implement your ideas from experiences, you are bound to end up having quite a profitable business and a successful career.