ᐅ Is this landscaping contractor’s quote reasonable or way too expensive?
Created on: 15 Sep 2018 17:40
R
R.Hotzenplotz
Hi!
I received a quote from a landscape contractor and I’m curious to know if you think it’s reasonable or excessively high. I knew from the start that it wouldn’t be the cheapest, but it would still be interesting to get your take on it.
It’s a bit disappointing that he initially said he could complete everything for €125,000 (around $135,000), including even a pool and lighting package, but now many things aren’t included at all—no lighting, no irrigation system, etc.
Unfortunately, in this area, there aren’t many alternative quotes available. If you don’t plan from the beginning and are ready to proceed, it’s hard to get other options offered.
I received a quote from a landscape contractor and I’m curious to know if you think it’s reasonable or excessively high. I knew from the start that it wouldn’t be the cheapest, but it would still be interesting to get your take on it.
It’s a bit disappointing that he initially said he could complete everything for €125,000 (around $135,000), including even a pool and lighting package, but now many things aren’t included at all—no lighting, no irrigation system, etc.
Unfortunately, in this area, there aren’t many alternative quotes available. If you don’t plan from the beginning and are ready to proceed, it’s hard to get other options offered.
R
R.Hotzenplotz16 Sep 2018 00:57haydee schrieb:
Are these really pharmacist prices?What I meant is that when someone is asked to provide a comparative quote, they might think it’s about undercutting and therefore cannot offer their standard prices, which are presumably in line with competitor rates. I didn’t want to criticize that. After all, they need to make a living too.
I only thought about this because my site manager once commented on whether we really want to spend that much. He says that the finishing works are very expensive (around 40%) and that the earthworks items are overpriced. But so far, I have no way to compare.
I don’t know how much higher quality, for example, “natural stone gravel 03/32 for €91.68 per m³ (39.4 per yd³)” really is compared to just “gravel” at €39.90 per m³ (17.6 per yd³) from the earthworks related to site preparation. The site manager just smiled about that.
On the other hand, it’s strange; the alternative he mentioned to contact is supposedly also a landscaper. But I can’t find a website or anything under that name online. I was asked to send the documents to an @aol.com email address. That certainly doesn’t seem like a meaningful option for requesting a quote (but I emailed it anyway out of curiosity).
R
R.Hotzenplotz16 Sep 2018 01:06Sorry, I only just saw after the last post that much more was written....
1,085m² (11,676 sq ft)
About the pool... when the landscaper introduced himself, he actually suggested a pool and said that with the given budget of €125,000 it would include a pool, a lighting concept, as well as the robotic mower and the irrigation system. Now none of that is visible anymore.
Then that works out. Perfect. I prefer it that way too, because in terms of work, I believe I can trust the provider well.
Basically, yes. I wouldn’t say “invite” though. I call them, explain the situation, and ask if they’re interested in preparing an alternative offer. Do you find that unusual? I do that with every furniture purchase. Then they always react like “We only have the 40% off on brand X today, what else do you want?” And then you get it cheaper somewhere else. I’ve been telling them for years to spare me their percentages and just give prices in euros I can compare.
We did the same for the house build. The house was fully planned, and then we took the general contractor’s offer elsewhere to have it checked. They said it’s a top offer; they can almost match that price but no better. They even admitted that both providers have a similar reputation and it’s fine to build there.
The playground equipment is built by the landscaper himself. We want quality wooden equipment, not plastic. If you know any good alternative sources, please share. As for the fire bowl, I have no idea. I haven’t seen it yet and it definitely won’t be commissioned.
Otherwise, initially, only the exterior area in front and at the terrace is supposed to be paved. I think we told him around 55,000 euros for that first step. But then it’s over for now, as new funds will only come in December, and until then I still have to pay all trades…
So if the assessment is that the offer fits, which I’ve heard so far, I’m actually happy. Because I have a very good feeling about the provider. However, surprisingly many people ask me about my pulse when they see or hear about the offer. They don't think it’s normal.
Bookstar schrieb:
How big is the plot?
1,085m² (11,676 sq ft)
About the pool... when the landscaper introduced himself, he actually suggested a pool and said that with the given budget of €125,000 it would include a pool, a lighting concept, as well as the robotic mower and the irrigation system. Now none of that is visible anymore.
haydee schrieb:
We had cubic meters of natural stone gravel 0/32 at 20 euros per ton without delivery, should be 35 euros per cubic meter, 90 euros are charged for material, delivery, placement, and compaction. I find that reasonable. These are not small quantities being processed
Then that works out. Perfect. I prefer it that way too, because in terms of work, I believe I can trust the provider well.
Snowy36 schrieb:
So you invite someone and tell them to give you a comparative offer? Because you already have someone but their offer is too expensive? Or how should I understand that?
Basically, yes. I wouldn’t say “invite” though. I call them, explain the situation, and ask if they’re interested in preparing an alternative offer. Do you find that unusual? I do that with every furniture purchase. Then they always react like “We only have the 40% off on brand X today, what else do you want?” And then you get it cheaper somewhere else. I’ve been telling them for years to spare me their percentages and just give prices in euros I can compare.
We did the same for the house build. The house was fully planned, and then we took the general contractor’s offer elsewhere to have it checked. They said it’s a top offer; they can almost match that price but no better. They even admitted that both providers have a similar reputation and it’s fine to build there.
Fuchur schrieb:
At least things like robotic mowers, playground equipment, and the fire bowl don’t necessarily have to be done by the landscaper as a complete package. You can conveniently find something suitable yourself. And what kind of fire bowl is that? We also bought a forged 100cm (39 inches) one, but for less than 200€.
The playground equipment is built by the landscaper himself. We want quality wooden equipment, not plastic. If you know any good alternative sources, please share. As for the fire bowl, I have no idea. I haven’t seen it yet and it definitely won’t be commissioned.
Otherwise, initially, only the exterior area in front and at the terrace is supposed to be paved. I think we told him around 55,000 euros for that first step. But then it’s over for now, as new funds will only come in December, and until then I still have to pay all trades…
So if the assessment is that the offer fits, which I’ve heard so far, I’m actually happy. Because I have a very good feeling about the provider. However, surprisingly many people ask me about my pulse when they see or hear about the offer. They don't think it’s normal.
I’m a bit speechless right now.
We’re talking about an amount of over €100,000, and you don’t get any comparison quotes because the original provider might get upset and "close ranks"?
Take the offer, remove the prices, keep the quantities, and use it as a basis to ask other providers for quotes. That way, you’ll get a real comparison.
This is definitely more meaningful than someone living 300km (185 miles) away comparing their prices with yours here in the forum.
You yourself say by now that the offer isn’t anything special. Then surely someone else should be able to do the garden landscaping for regular earners as well.
Just the story with the landscape gardener—initially talking big about including pool, lighting, etc. in that price, and now none of that is there—makes me doubt whether they can calculate even a little.
These aren’t small items missing here.
Who says the other items are calculated correctly and it won’t end up being €180,000 (around $190,000) in the end? Billing is based on actual consumption, not what’s quoted.
We’re talking about an amount of over €100,000, and you don’t get any comparison quotes because the original provider might get upset and "close ranks"?
Take the offer, remove the prices, keep the quantities, and use it as a basis to ask other providers for quotes. That way, you’ll get a real comparison.
This is definitely more meaningful than someone living 300km (185 miles) away comparing their prices with yours here in the forum.
You yourself say by now that the offer isn’t anything special. Then surely someone else should be able to do the garden landscaping for regular earners as well.
Just the story with the landscape gardener—initially talking big about including pool, lighting, etc. in that price, and now none of that is there—makes me doubt whether they can calculate even a little.
These aren’t small items missing here.
Who says the other items are calculated correctly and it won’t end up being €180,000 (around $190,000) in the end? Billing is based on actual consumption, not what’s quoted.
For this project – and considering the well-known landscaping company with the green river name – I would not recommend 100x100x8 cm (40x40x3 inches) precast concrete slabs, but rather Bergischer Grauwacke with the prominent “Q” in the name.
This material is available, for example, in 4 cm (1.5 inches) thickness, which is almost as heavy as concrete (in a gravel bed), costing around 136,- (free lengths) or 164,- gross (flamed finish, fixed lengths) per square meter on direct purchase. We typically use 100x50x4 cm (40x20x1.5 inches). They can cut everything precisely to millimeter accuracy according to your specifications or supply thicker slabs directly cut from the blocks.
The concrete slabs themselves are already priced at about 99,- for the material. According to the company’s website, the landscaping provider also has sufficient experience with Grauwacke.
This material is available, for example, in 4 cm (1.5 inches) thickness, which is almost as heavy as concrete (in a gravel bed), costing around 136,- (free lengths) or 164,- gross (flamed finish, fixed lengths) per square meter on direct purchase. We typically use 100x50x4 cm (40x20x1.5 inches). They can cut everything precisely to millimeter accuracy according to your specifications or supply thicker slabs directly cut from the blocks.
The concrete slabs themselves are already priced at about 99,- for the material. According to the company’s website, the landscaping provider also has sufficient experience with Grauwacke.
R.Hotzenplotz schrieb:
On the other hand, it's also strange; the alternative he suggested for requesting a quote is supposedly also a landscaping company. But I can't find any website, and nothing comes up on Google under that name either. I was supposed to send the documents to an @aol.com email address. That’s probably not the alternative where requesting a quote makes sense (I emailed them anyway out of curiosity).You’re still chasing those glossy brochures. Then you just have to pay accordingly. After all, the money for marketing and talkative specialists has to come from somewhere.
Our pavers, plasterers, screeders, window installers, and the carpenter also don’t have a website.
The carpenter says: why bother? If I need jobs, I just hang out at a local fair, and then I’m booked for at least 6 months... That’s how it currently works for smaller tradesmen.
The carpenter says: why bother? If I need jobs, I just hang out at a local fair, and then I’m booked for at least 6 months... That’s how it currently works for smaller tradesmen.
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