How to Estimate a Landscaping Job

Landscaping job estimates have more moving parts than most trades. Material quantities drive much of the cost — mulch by the cubic yard, sod by the square foot, topsoil by the cubic yard, seed by the pound. Calculating those quantities accurately from measurements requires consistent formulas.

For mulch installation, calculate the area in square feet, multiply by the depth in inches divided by 12, and divide by 27 to get cubic yards. For sod, measure the area in square feet and add 5 to 10 percent for waste. For topsoil, calculate the same as mulch.

Labor rates for landscaping vary by task — installation work is priced differently from maintenance and cleanup. Maintaining separate rates for different task types protects margin across a diverse service mix.

BidForeman calculates landscaping material quantities automatically from the dimensions you enter during the job site walkthrough.

Ready to run your business better?

BidForeman handles the estimates, proposals, follow-up, invoicing, and scheduling so you can focus on the work.