ᐅ Landscape gardening disaster or does it really have to be that expensive?

Created on: 5 Sep 2018 16:31
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Caidori
Hello,

unfortunately, we are still looking for a company to help us with our garden and to pave our terraces and paths, or to cover the driveway with gravel.

We had actually thought (perhaps naively) that our planned budget of 20,000 for the garden and carport would be sufficient, but based on the quotes we have received so far...

For reference: we requested paving of 110 sqm (1,184 sq ft) including the crushed stone base underneath, and filling 120 sqm (1,292 sq ft) of driveway with a layer of gravel where crushed stone is already present. For the paving, we initially asked only for standard 10x20 cm (4x8 inches) concrete blocks.

Not only do you have to chase companies to even get an appointment or, after the appointment, to receive a quote. No, the first two quotes would have made us reach for a drink: one was 28,000 and the other 25,000 – are they crazy???

I know they are all very busy, but this is just not acceptable anymore.

We are still waiting on the last three companies, but if this continues, I’m not optimistic. Honestly, I just find this outrageous.

Have your experiences been similar, or have we just been unlucky?
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nordanney
5 Sep 2018 18:52
Unfortunately, prices are normal.
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hemali2003
5 Sep 2018 18:57
I think it’s easy to underestimate this. My husband built the driveway, terrace, and splash guard himself, and so many hours of work went into it… it’s hard to believe! I wouldn’t do it that way again.
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Alex85
5 Sep 2018 19:42
Here, people mention 100€/m² (approximately $100/m²) for paving. Adding the carport and so on, a total of 20,000€ (around $20,000) would have been rather optimistic.
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Caidori
5 Sep 2018 20:50
That might have been an unfortunate choice of words; overall, it’s 100 square meters (1,076 square feet) of paving.
The driveway only needs the top layer now, and the quotes for that are all around 2,500 euros.

And if it’s normal for 100 square meters (1,076 square feet) of paving including gravel underneath to seriously cost more than 20,000 euros – well, cheers to that.

Earlier, I found a thread from October last year – unfortunately, I can’t find it again now – back then, about 100 square meters (1,076 square feet) of paving was around 8,000 euros.
A price increase of over 100% in one year, wow…
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Caidori
5 Sep 2018 20:53
Alex85 schrieb:
People here talk about €100 per square meter for paving. Adding a carport and so on, a total of €20,000 would already be optimistic.

Oops, sent too early. Yes, at €100 per square meter I wouldn’t have said anything either. Our quotes are over €200 per square meter, but apparently it’s just my perception that it seems expensive :/
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Nordlys
5 Sep 2018 22:39
I also find it expensive; our landscaping cost 18,000 gross, which already included plants and a Biohort shed. But I can’t give you any advice on who might do it cheaper, since my landscaper definitely won’t be working in NRW.