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.
Matthew03 schrieb:
€13.65 as a delivery driver, if it's done properly But not with DPD. There, Romanian compatriots work as subcontractors for €5-6 per hour (about $5.50-6.60) for 12-13 hours a day.tomtom79 schrieb:
But not with DPD. Romanian compatriots work as subcontractors for 5-6€ per hour, working 12-13 hours a day.They are not Romanians. At least the DPD drivers here do not understand Romanian. Communication is not possible.
German, English, French, Russian, Romanian, Italian do not work.
M
Matthew0316 Sep 2019 09:39It was about DHL from the very beginning as well
haydee schrieb:
They are not Romanians. At least the DPD drivers here do not understand Romanian. Communication is not possible. German, English, French, Russian, Romanian, Italian do not work. In our case, they are Romanians, so I can communicate with them. Sometimes they also come from Moldova.
But anyway, I myself had bad experiences with an Albanian landscaper who drove a sprinter van when working on our terrace. He was very affordable, but now I have to lift the slabs myself again.
fragg schrieb:
You need a landscaping contractor only if you are doing proper landscape construction. These guys are GARDENERS, even if that is not clear to you. They enjoy laying concrete pavers just as much as an electrician enjoys chasing (cutting grooves) into walls.Gardener training offers the following specializations, from which one must be chosen during the course:- Tree nursery
- Cemetery gardening
- Garden and landscape construction (landscaping)
- Vegetable growing
- Fruit growing
- Perennial nursery
- Ornamental plant cultivation
Garden and landscape construction (landscaping) is characterized by activities such as earthworks, irrigation measures, and the installation of paved surfaces and pathways.
DHL / Deutsche Post currently charges 13.37
UPS charges 12.20
Then have a look at the websites of local garden and landscape contractors in your area and check out their examples. If that’s what you want, you need a garden landscaper. If you just want 50 m² (540 ft²) of concrete pavers installed, then you don’t.
Since apparently everyone in this forum has spent 50,000 on their front yard, I can only advise the original poster: pay your garden landscaper the 50,000 and enjoy neatly laid concrete pavers. Or have the DHL guy do it for 13.37€ (about $14).
UPS charges 12.20
kbt09 schrieb:
The gardener training program offers the following specializations, from which you must choose one during the training:
- Tree nursery
- Cemetery gardening
- Garden and landscape construction (GALA-Bau)
- Vegetable cultivation
- Fruit growing
- Perennial plant nursery
- Ornamental plant cultivation
Garden and landscape construction (GALA-Bau) is characterized by tasks such as earthworks, irrigation measures, and the paving of patios and paths.
Then have a look at the websites of local garden and landscape contractors in your area and check out their examples. If that’s what you want, you need a garden landscaper. If you just want 50 m² (540 ft²) of concrete pavers installed, then you don’t.
Since apparently everyone in this forum has spent 50,000 on their front yard, I can only advise the original poster: pay your garden landscaper the 50,000 and enjoy neatly laid concrete pavers. Or have the DHL guy do it for 13.37€ (about $14).
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