Full landscape installation is one of the most complex estimates in the trades — it combines design, bulk materials (soil, mulch, rock), plant material at markup, irrigation, edging, and labor into a single project. Breaking it into phases and material categories is essential.
Landscape Installation Estimate Structure
Total = Site prep labor + Soil/amendments + Plant material at markup + Mulch installed + Irrigation materials + Labor + Irrigation labor
Example
1,200 sq ft planting bed: $800 prep + $650 soil + $2,400 plants at markup + $600 mulch + $1,200 irrigation materials + $1,800 labor = $7,450
Waste factor: 15% on plant material (mortality allowance); 10% on bulk materials
Walk the property and measure each zone: lawn area (sq ft), planting beds (sq ft), hardscape areas (sq ft), and linear footage of edging. Sketch a simple site plan. Each zone has different pricing — never price the whole yard at one flat rate.
Test soil drainage: pour a bucket of water and check if it absorbs in 30 seconds (fast — may need amendment for moisture-loving plants) or 5+ minutes (slow — drainage improvement needed). Clay soils require $0.50–$1.00/sq ft of soil amendment (compost, gypsum). Sandy soils need moisture-retention amendment. Document findings.
List every plant by botanical name, common name, size (1-gal, 3-gal, 15-gal, 24-inch box), and quantity. Price at wholesale cost + 50–100% markup. 3-gal plants: $8–$14 wholesale, bill at $18–$28. 15-gal trees: $55–$120 wholesale, bill at $110–$240. Never show wholesale prices — bid at your price.
1 cubic yard of mulch covers 100 sq ft at 3-inch depth. Standard planting bed: 3-inch mulch depth. Delivery cost: $50–$150/yard. Installed price: $75–$125/cubic yard. Include delivery coordination in your price.
Drip irrigation for planting beds: $0.75–$1.50/sq ft. Spray irrigation for lawn: $1.00–$2.00/sq ft. Irrigation controller: $150–$500 installed. Backflow preventer: $200–$400 installed. Price each irrigation zone separately — it makes change orders easier if zones are added or removed.
Provide a detailed plant list on every estimate
List every plant by name, size, and price. Vague estimates ('assorted shrubs — allowance $2,500') create disputes about plant quality at installation. A detailed plant list closes more jobs at your price and prevents substitution arguments.
Offer a two-phase approach for large budgets
For clients with $15,000+ projects, offer to phase the work: Phase 1 (irrigation, soil prep, trees, lawn), Phase 2 (shrubs, perennials, mulch). Phasing manages the client's cash flow and keeps your relationship productive over multiple seasons.
Photograph existing conditions before site prep
Before any excavation or grading, photograph the entire property from multiple angles. Existing damage (erosion areas, buried debris, drainage issues) that you encounter during installation will be disputed if not documented.
Landscape design (measured drawings, plant selection, design plan) runs $75–$150/hour or a flat fee of $500–$3,000 depending on project size. Some landscapers offer design as a free service bundled with a minimum installation contract ($3,000–$5,000). Others charge design separately and credit it toward installation. Both models work — choose based on how you want to position your business.
50–100% over wholesale cost is industry standard for nursery plant material. A 3-gal shrub at $10 wholesale should be billed at $18–$22. A 24-inch box tree at $300 wholesale should be billed at $500–$600. Markup covers sourcing, transport, handling, plant warranty risk, and your expertise in selecting appropriate species.
Yes — standard practice is a 30–90 day plant warranty covering plant failure due to installation defects. Explicitly exclude failure due to client neglect (not watering, mowing over plants, etc.). State this on the estimate and invoice. A clear warranty builds confidence and reduces disputes.
Drip irrigation for planted beds: measure bed sq ft, divide by emitter spacing (18 inches typical), calculate pipe runs from the controller. Lawn spray zones: calculate GPM required from head flow rates, size the controller valve. Budget $750–$2,500 per zone including controller, backflow preventer, and installation.
Suparate turns your estimate into a branded proposal with e-signature, deposit collection, and payment tracking — free to start.
Try Suparate Free →