What Do Most Landscaping Jobs Cost?
On average, landscaping costs between $4 and $12 per square foot. Much of the cost goes toward labor. It follows, then, that a job that requires multiple laborers will cost more.
The services of a landscape designer, which performs a comparable role to an architect, cost more than those of laborers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, landscape designers charge a mean hourly wage of $36.05.
Average Hourly Rates
In 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that landscapers earn a mean hourly wage of $16.94. This varies according to location. Landscapers in California, for example, get paid more than their counterparts in other states.
How to Estimate a Landscaping Job
Putting together an estimate for a landscaping job requires thinking through a range of factors, including the client’s vision, the materials required (including plants), the accessibility of the job site, whether the land needs to be reshaped, and whether any demolition needs to occur.
What’s a Typical Markup?
Be sure to include a markup in your estimate. This is a hidden cost that you can use to cover your overhead, which includes such expenses as gas and insurance. Most landscaping contractors use a markup of 20% of the total job.
Average Landscaping Material Costs
(Source: Forbes)
Features to Include in a Landscaping Estimate
- Contractor’s contact information
- Estimated material costs
- Estimated labor costs
- Estimated cost of equipment rentals
- Applicable taxes
- Markup
- Payment terms
- Accepted payment methods
- Date estimate expires