How to Price a Landscaping Job

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Landscaping quotes vary wildly β€” turf, retaining walls, irrigation, and garden design all price differently. Here’s a framework that works for most residential jobs.

The pricing formula

Total = (Labour hours Γ— rate) + Materials (with markup) + Equipment hire + Margin buffer

Typical markups:

  • Materials: 20–35%
  • Subcontractor work (e.g. concreting): 10–15% coordination fee
  • Contingency on excavation/unknown ground: 10%

What to itemise on the quote

  1. Site prep and clearance
  2. Soil, turf, plants, mulch (quantities listed)
  3. Labour by phase (prep, install, finish)
  4. Irrigation if applicable
  5. Waste removal
  6. Warranty on plants/installation

Pricing by job type

Job typeHow to price
Lawn install$/mΒ² for turf + prep + labour
Garden bedPlant list + mulch + labour hours
Retaining wallMaterials per metre + labour + engineer cert if needed
Full redesignPhased quote with deposit per phase

Send a professional quote

Clients expect a clear PDF. EasyQuotes handles line items and tax β€” free to start.

For larger crews with scheduling, Jobber adds job management on top of quoting.

Try Jobber β†’

Our pick

Solo landscapers: EasyQuotes for quotes + a simple spreadsheet for material costing. Teams of 3+: Jobber or ServiceM8.

Need a quote right now?

Skip the spreadsheet. EasyQuotes lets you build a professional trade quote in under 2 minutes β€” free to start.

Try EasyQuotes free β†’

FAQ

What's the best free quoting tool for tradies?

For a simple quote without full job management, EasyQuotes is a good starting point. For all-in-one field service software, compare Jobber and Housecall Pro in our guides above.

Do I need invoicing software if I only send a few quotes a month?

If you send fewer than 5 quotes a month, a dedicated quote tool or template may be enough. Once you're invoicing regularly, accounting-focused tools like FreshBooks or Wave make tax time easier.

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Yes. We may earn a commission if you sign up through our links. Our comparisons are written independently.