ᐅ Is the landscape gardener’s price justified – can anything be omitted?
Created on: 10 Sep 2019 15:18
C
chrisw81
Dear forum members,
Next year, we plan to start developing our garden:
Plot size 600 m² (about 6460 sq ft), house footprint 100 m² (currently being completed), shed 24 m² already on site.
Paving for the parking area about 50 m² (about 540 sq ft), plus a path to the house around 10 m² (about 108 sq ft).
Deck made of Bangkirai wood, max. 30 m² (about 320 sq ft).
Rainwater infiltration via drainage (concrete rings 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) deep).
Also need to level the ground (parts require raising by 10–20 cm (4–8 inches)).
The landscaper plans to remove and transport 15 cm (6 inches) of soil everywhere, with excavation for the parking and terrace being a bit deeper.
Due to the 15 cm (6 inches) excavation and ground raising, several cubic meters of new soil will be needed.
Rolled turf will be laid on top.
The total price for everything including materials is 48,000 euros gross, calculated for only 250 m² (about 2690 sq ft) of garden area, with a minimal estimate for the filling as well.
So, it could easily end up costing even more.
Transport costs for removal and delivery represent a large portion, and building the terrace alone costs €10,000 (which seems a bit high to me).
My question is: Is this price justified? I expected it to be considerably less. I would estimate material costs and transport fees at about €15,000 (maybe €20,000) net, leaving a rather high labor cost of around €15,000–20,000 net.
That seems quite a lot for roughly two weeks of work.
Unfortunately, the offer does not separate material prices and hourly wages.
Maybe there’s room to save in some areas, for example, is it necessary to remove 15 cm (6 inches) everywhere if some areas are going to be filled further anyway?
Have you paid similar amounts?
I look forward to your opinions and experiences.
I can also share the offer document if needed.
Next year, we plan to start developing our garden:
Plot size 600 m² (about 6460 sq ft), house footprint 100 m² (currently being completed), shed 24 m² already on site.
Paving for the parking area about 50 m² (about 540 sq ft), plus a path to the house around 10 m² (about 108 sq ft).
Deck made of Bangkirai wood, max. 30 m² (about 320 sq ft).
Rainwater infiltration via drainage (concrete rings 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) deep).
Also need to level the ground (parts require raising by 10–20 cm (4–8 inches)).
The landscaper plans to remove and transport 15 cm (6 inches) of soil everywhere, with excavation for the parking and terrace being a bit deeper.
Due to the 15 cm (6 inches) excavation and ground raising, several cubic meters of new soil will be needed.
Rolled turf will be laid on top.
The total price for everything including materials is 48,000 euros gross, calculated for only 250 m² (about 2690 sq ft) of garden area, with a minimal estimate for the filling as well.
So, it could easily end up costing even more.
Transport costs for removal and delivery represent a large portion, and building the terrace alone costs €10,000 (which seems a bit high to me).
My question is: Is this price justified? I expected it to be considerably less. I would estimate material costs and transport fees at about €15,000 (maybe €20,000) net, leaving a rather high labor cost of around €15,000–20,000 net.
That seems quite a lot for roughly two weeks of work.
Unfortunately, the offer does not separate material prices and hourly wages.
Maybe there’s room to save in some areas, for example, is it necessary to remove 15 cm (6 inches) everywhere if some areas are going to be filled further anyway?
Have you paid similar amounts?
I look forward to your opinions and experiences.
I can also share the offer document if needed.
H
HilfeHilfe17 Sep 2019 19:58fragg schrieb:
Exactly, for one task you need a landscape gardener. For the other, you need an Oleg, HilfeHilfe, or a DHL courier. fragg schrieb:
Exactly, for one task you need a landscape gardener. For the other, you need an Oleg, HilfeHilfe, or a DHL courier. Rough work is easier than the detailed, small-scale work in the garden...
fragg schrieb:
You need a landscaping contractor if you want proper landscape construction. These guys are gardeners, even if that might not be obvious to you. They enjoy paving with concrete pavers just as much as electricians enjoy chasing walls. No, they are not gardeners. They are more like earthmoving contractors with small excavators and cement mixers. For planting, you could hire gardeners, but be prepared to open your wallet for professional services. If you want it cheaper, you can take the landscaping contractor who offers planting as an additional service.
fragg schrieb:
Then just check the websites of the landscaping contractors in your area and look at their examples. If you want something like that, you need a landscaping contractor. But if you just want to have 50m² (540 ft²) of concrete pavers installed, then you don’t. Apparently the rule is: the dirtier the work, the lower the wage. As a building owner, you can take advantage of how the government regulates this. It's the survival of the building owner that matters, not that of the tradesperson.
ypg schrieb:
No. They are not gardeners. More like earthwork contractors with mini excavators and cement mixers. For planting, you could hire gardeners if you are willing to spend money on professional services. If you want it cheaper, you can use a landscaping contractor who offers this as an additional service.
.Fortunately, we are in Germany and everything is precisely regulated.
For those who find it too long: "Landscape gardeners design and maintain outdoor areas such as gardens and parks, sports and playgrounds, as well as recreational facilities. They work creatively with plants, stones, wood, and water."
What does this profession involve?
Gardeners specializing in landscaping design, for example, shape gardens and parks by properly planting lawns, trees, shrubs, perennials, and flowers. They construct outdoor areas of all kinds, from private gardens, terraces, and parks to playgrounds and sports fields, as well as traffic islands, and carry out planting along roads and in pedestrian zones.
They also pave paths and plazas within these areas, build stairs, dry stone walls, fences, and noise barriers. Additionally, they green roofs or building facades. They contribute to environmental and nature conservation by reclaiming landfills or gravel pits.
Source: BERUFENET — Status: 01.08.2019
H
hampshire18 Sep 2019 09:52fragg schrieb:
Gardeners specializing in landscaping and grounds maintenance“Gardener” is the general term, and landscaping is a specialization—similar to the relationship between mammal and dog.I would do it in stages anyway and mostly using elevation levels (EL).
The driveway, entrance, and terrace are the most important for me. The rest can wait. Especially now before winter, it’s a good time to plan calmly. At the end of the frost period, you install the irrigation system. Then you add the flowerbed borders, possibly ponds, and the foundation for the garden shed. All calmly and without rush. After that, you lay the cable for the robotic mower and then install the lawn.
At least on fairly flat terrain. Otherwise, you rent a mini excavator and set the L-shaped stones delivered in winter. Or make them yourself.
It’s not rocket science, as long as the project stays this simple.
The driveway, entrance, and terrace are the most important for me. The rest can wait. Especially now before winter, it’s a good time to plan calmly. At the end of the frost period, you install the irrigation system. Then you add the flowerbed borders, possibly ponds, and the foundation for the garden shed. All calmly and without rush. After that, you lay the cable for the robotic mower and then install the lawn.
At least on fairly flat terrain. Otherwise, you rent a mini excavator and set the L-shaped stones delivered in winter. Or make them yourself.
It’s not rocket science, as long as the project stays this simple.
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