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.
hampshire schrieb:
Gardener is the general term, landscape gardening is a specialized field. Like mammal and dog. You already know that landscape gardening is the abbreviation for garden and landscape construction, right?
Here in the south, there is the earthworker, called when the landscape gardener can no longer move the stones or when a lot of soil needs to be moved.
If you want curbstones, trees and shrubs, seating areas, then you call the landscape gardener.
If you want hedges and lawn trimmed or some flowers planted, you hire the gardener.
H
hampshire18 Sep 2019 16:18tomtom79 schrieb:
Do you already know that Garten-Landschaftsbau is the abbreviation for Garten und Landschaftsbau?Of course. My comment referred to the text quoted from "Berufenet," which classified the two terms in a hierarchical manner. In practice, many companies registered as garden and landscaping contractors (Gala Bau) undertake a lot of road construction. Unlike civil engineers or heavy construction contractors, they are not required to pay contributions to the construction workers’ social fund (SoKa Bau) and can therefore usually expect lower additional labor costs.
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hampshire18 Sep 2019 16:24Joedreck schrieb:
At least on relatively flat terrain. Otherwise, a mini excavator is rented and the L-shaped concrete blocks delivered in winter are installed. Or they are made on site.
It’s not rocket science, as long as it stays a simple project. Mini excavator on a slope – well, cheers to that. It’s not rocket science, but that’s how accidents with amateurs start – these machines tip over far too easily.
H
hampshire18 Sep 2019 17:57You guys are really jokers with your "I would do it myself" claims @HilfeHilfe, @Joedreck, @tomtom79, etc. A mini excavator is great for many projects, and DIY is fine too. But there has to be a limit somewhere. The second stone on the driveway weighs well over 2 tons – what is a mini excavator supposed to do with that? The slope at that spot was already 60 degrees. It’s only about 8 m (26 feet) down to the road, but that’s quite different from falling off a ladder. Respect to anyone who does it. This is no longer a typical homeowner’s DIY project.
DIY is great when you enjoy it (we do) and/or when it saves you money. Some of us earn more in an hour of professional work than we would pay for an hour of labor, and some can scale their hours. That quickly changes the calculation.
DIY is great when you enjoy it (we do) and/or when it saves you money. Some of us earn more in an hour of professional work than we would pay for an hour of labor, and some can scale their hours. That quickly changes the calculation.
We did a lot ourselves, but our plot only has a 3m (10ft) elevation difference!
For example, at the back of the house, we only have planting rings, which are now green and the bees are happy.
With your 5-6m (16-20ft) difference, I probably wouldn’t have done anything myself either, let alone bought the plot, since money also plays a role.
For example, the foundation at the back of the house doesn’t need to look nice because it is now several centimeters (inches) deep underground.
One of the many excavators we rented together with the neighbors.
Here, we are even leveling an entire street.
For example, at the back of the house, we only have planting rings, which are now green and the bees are happy.
With your 5-6m (16-20ft) difference, I probably wouldn’t have done anything myself either, let alone bought the plot, since money also plays a role.
For example, the foundation at the back of the house doesn’t need to look nice because it is now several centimeters (inches) deep underground.
One of the many excavators we rented together with the neighbors.
Here, we are even leveling an entire street.
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