ᐅ Quotation Evaluation: Creating and Planting Garden Beds

Hello everyone,

Last year, we completed the terrace, turfing with rolled sod, and fencing. Now we are focusing on creating flower beds, including lawn edging and planting. We have received an initial quote and would appreciate your opinion on the price (cheap? reasonable? expensive?). Here are some background details:

• Garden area is approximately 10x15m (33x49 ft) excluding the terrace.
• The entire area currently consists of lawn.
• The lawn was professionally prepared last year (fine grading, rough grading) including the installation of rolled sod.
• Espalier trees will be planted at the back of the property. These are not part of the quote.
• Along the outer edges (left & right), curved flower beds are to be created and planted with perennials of varying heights.
• Location: North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), medium-sized city.

Quote:

• Removal of 2.5m³ (3.3 yd³) of turf and soil excavation: €800
• Edging: excavate trench for 30 linear meters (98 ft), install natural stone paving with a sloped edge in concrete including 1 ton of small pavers: €950
• Flower beds:
• Cultivate 40m² (430 ft²) area, install 1m³ (1.3 yd³) of sand and substrate: €450
• Supply 2m³ (2.6 yd³) of compost: €180
• Supply 300 perennials (ground cover, solitary plants, small shrubs): €1600
• Plant perennials: €700
• Total: €4680 (GROSS PRICE)

Additionally, around €1,000 will apply for the espalier trees including supports. This is not included in the quote and will be sourced and planted by us.

We are also considering which parts of the quote to possibly remove, as we would like to do some of the work ourselves.

I look forward to your feedback!

Best regards,
Conny

Sounds normal to me.
Anyone who has done this work themselves knows that it's not just a quick job. A few days ago, we finished our curved pathways with edging; before that, there was just grass. Everything is about half the size compared to yours, which is why we did it ourselves.

ConnyJash schrieb:

I would like to get an assessment regarding the price (cheap? average? expensive?).

No idea. In my 51 years of life, you’re the first person I’ve come across who hires a professional for beds in a normal/small garden.

nordanney schrieb:

No idea. In my 51 years, you’re the first person I’ve come across who hires a professional for beds in a normal/small garden.

We hired a waste disposal service for the turf sods. They don’t accept cigarette butts. We did the rest ourselves.

A good wheelbarrow and a planting plan are important. A paved bed edging looks nice but takes longer to install than expected. 300 plants on 40m² (430 sq ft) seems a bit much to me. However, we also worked a lot of deadwood into the bed; the work on the railway line provides plenty of great material for free. This naturally means fewer perennials per square meter.

We are located in a new development area. Some people will probably still need to do some filling, and there might be a chance to offer neighbors the soil and excavation material.

I have a garden plan showing beds, trees, a playhouse, and more. I have also made a rough preliminary selection of plants. The hope is that the landscape gardener will have some good additional ideas.

Here in North Rhine-Westphalia, everyone always goes to Venlo for shopping. Either Leurs or budgetplant