How to Estimate a Landscaping Job

Complete a landscaping estimate by knowing your material costs plus the cost of your labor. In order to successfully bid your job you need to know all aspects of what it is going to cost in order to complete the job. Purchase materials from the best source possible in order to profit more. Use a simple computer program such as Microsoft Word or simply write your landscaping estimate by hand.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Printer
• Paper

Instructions

Completing Your Estimate

1. Visit the site. In order to properly estimate what landscaping services are going to cost the customer, you need to visit the site and conduct an interview with the customer. Ask the customer what services they wish to have performed and how they wish to design their property. Use a measuring tape and take note of how much removal is required such as weed removal, spraying weed killer and debris removal. Measure the length of PVC pipe, sprinkler system and drip line.

2. Estimate your materials costs. After interviewing your customer, you will have a general idea of what the client wants. For inexpensive landscaping materials go to Home Depot or Lowe's. Get costs for the type of plants, shrubs or flowers the customer wanted. Find the cost of PVC, sprinkler materials, timer box, weed kill, fertilizer, topsoil and bark or rock. Estimate the appropriate material costs according to your measurements.

3. Write your estimate. Enter your company name and phone at the top of your estimate. Use a heading of "Landscaping Bid" and below the heading write the name and address of your customer. Separate your estimate into four columns: item, quantity, price and total. For example:

   Item, Quantity, Price, Total

   Pinus Plants, 6 ea., 32.00, 192.00
   PVC, 18-10 ft. pcs., 1.99, 35.82
   Sprinkler, 6 ea., 2.37, 14.22
   Drip Line, 1 roll, 24.00, 24.00
   Material, 1 roll, 68.00, 68.00
   Sprinkler Valves, 4 ea., 18.93, 75.72
   Timer / Box, 1 ea., 48.87, 48.87
   Weedkill, 1 gallon, 19.47, 19.47
   Fertilizer, 1 yd., 32.00, 32.00
   Top Soil, 4 yd., 16.00, 64.00
   Bark, 5 yd., 12.00, 60.00

   Next, subtotal your material costs and then add your labor costs. Landscaping labor costs range between 1.5 to 2.5 times the materials costs. Add the two and enter a grand total at the end of your estimate. At the bottom of your estimate write the following, include a date and signature line for the both of you.

   "The signatures below constitute an agreement for services rendered. Payable by ½ down ½ upon completion."

References

• Lowe's - Drip Irrigation
• Lowe's - Guide to Fertilizer
• Lowe's - Buying Soil

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish