A landscaping estimate template handles the variability of landscape work — site conditions, plant selections, and soil surprises — with allowances and stated assumptions, so you can give a real number fast without owning the unknowns.
Use this landscaping template See the general estimate template
Sample Landscaping Estimate Line Items
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site prep — strip turf, grade 600 sq ft | 1 | $950 | $950 |
| Topsoil and amendment | 8 yd | $55 | $440 |
| Plant material allowance | 1 | $1,400 | $1,400 |
| Mulch, delivered and installed | 6 yd | $95 | $570 |
| Labor — planting and finish | 24 hrs | $55 | $1,320 |
| Equipment and disposal | 1 | $380 | $380 |
How to Build a Landscaping Estimate
Landscape work varies more than most trades, so the estimate leans on measurement plus allowances:
- Measure materials by volume. Topsoil and mulch by the cubic yard, sod by measured area — landscape volume is easy to underestimate by eye.
- Carry a plant allowance. Set a dollar figure for plant material until the client selects, and reconcile to actual cost.
- Bill labor by the hour or day. Planting and finish at roughly $50–$70 per person-hour, with equipment and disposal as separate lines.
Worked example. $950 site prep, $440 topsoil (8 yd), a $1,400 plant allowance, $570 mulch (6 yd), 24 labor hours ($1,320), and $380 equipment/disposal total $5,060. The soil assumption (“diggable soil; rock and roots are change orders”) is what keeps a hard-dig day from eating the profit.
What to Include
- Measured areas for sod, mulch, and grading — not eyeballed
- Plant material and irrigation repair allowances
- Soil assumption: diggable soil; rock and roots are change orders
- Plant warranty terms and the watering conditions that void them
- A maintenance option line on every install estimate
Common Landscaping Estimate Mistakes
- Eyeballing material volume. Soil and mulch add up fast — measure the beds and order by the yard.
- No soil assumption. Rock, clay, and roots double dig time; state your assumption and re-price trigger.
- Underpricing disposal. Green waste fills trailers quickly; price haul-off by the load.
- No maintenance upsell. Every install estimate should carry a maintenance option line — it’s recurring revenue the client will need anyway.
Recommended Terms
Take 25–50% deposit on installs to cover plant orders. Include weather-delay language for seasonal work, and state disposal pricing by trailer load — green waste volume is easy to underestimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you estimate a landscaping job?
Measure materials by volume (soil and mulch by the cubic yard, sod by area), carry a plant allowance until selections are final, and bill labor at roughly $50–$70 per person-hour with equipment and disposal as separate lines.
Why do landscapers take a deposit?
Plant material is ordered specifically for the job and often can’t be returned, so a 25–50% deposit covers those purchases and protects against a canceled install leaving you holding perishable stock.
What is a soil assumption on an estimate?
It’s a stated expectation — usually “diggable soil in normal condition” — that sets the baseline for labor. Rock, heavy clay, or extensive roots found on site are re-priced as change orders rather than absorbed into the quote.
Start from the free estimate template, compare the landscaping quote template, or browse all quote and estimate templates.