My yard is mainly xeriscaped, but the previous owner didn’t take care of it and now it’s a big mess of weeds. I have been looking to add rock and gravel to a large portion to make my life easier from the weeds growing (I know it will still take work to maintain but hopefully a little less than if left alone.) I have received quotes anywhere from 5,000 to 25,000. Why am I seeing such varying estimates? Is there something I should be wary or consider because obviously I am leaning towards the 5,000 quote. The cheaper quote is from a general contractor where the higher quotes are from landscaping professionals. I did see a job done from a neighbor that the General contractor did and it looked great. Any insight would be appreciated!!
by natalathea
8 Comments
Don’t pick the cheapest. Don’t pick the most expensive
If you like the work at your neighbor’s house I don’t see why you wouldn’t go with the cheaper contractor. Did you discuss specifics with each? Did they both give you the scope of the work in writing? Did you or can you ask your neighbor how much they paid the contractor?
I would trust a general contractor to do some landscaping before I’d trust a landscaper to build a house. With that being said, if you have reference of the contractor and he’s the cheapest then I would go that route.
Make sure to get everything in clear and concise writing so that there’s no questions on either side as to what should be the end result.
Reference and proof of quality are what matters.
I would see if the itemized writing of scope is different. If the landscaper was say grading or building a drainage layer and the GC isn’t thats a decent disparity.
Personally my thought on gravel and rocks is that they are really uncomfortable to walk on, they heat up and can burn out your wanted plants and weed control is endless with them.
You have such a cool yard that you could plant veggies and fruits and flowers in and create pavers in
Are you providing a specific scope of work you’re interested in, or are you asking for how they would approach the situation with only general ideas as to what you want? If it’s the latter, that could explain why you’re getting such a large range as they’re quoting very different projects.
Your yard doesn’t look too bad honestly. I would just mulch the heck out of it where it wants it and kill the weeds that survive
Landscape professionals know better than a GC. For example 70% standard size Tennessee river (3/4 to 1 1/2) and 30% small Tennessee ( 1/16th – 1/8 ) at an application depth of 2″ calculating by 100sf / Y³
Based on fence panel size of 8′ / panel your yards square footage is about 6,000 subtract 25% for the raised beds and misc areas and you’re looking at and installation area of 4,500 sf.
You will need a true 5.8oz commercial dual layer fabric with 1 6″ galvanized 9 gauge per 4 sf. 1 Y³ per 104 sf of area.
Materials should be approximately
Staples – 1,125 staples = $275
5.8 Oz Dual Layer Fabric – 6′ x 300′ per roll (1,800 Sf / roll) 2.5 roles = $679 – $890
3/4 – 1 1/2 Tennessee – 31 y³ = $10,790
1/16th – 1/8th Tennessee – 13 y³ = $4,225
Total materials = $16,180
Total labor hours expected = 20
Average labor rate = $275
Total anticipated labor = $5,500
Total anticipated quote value = $21,680
Actual quoting is more in depth but that’s a basic inside look at how landscapers price a job.