Why Comparing Landscaping Estimates Isn't Always Apples to Apples
One of the most common things I hear from homeowners is:
"We got three bids and they were all over the place."
One contractor came in at $20,000.
Another came in at $35,000.
A third came in at $50,000.
Naturally, the homeowner wants to know why.
The assumption is often that one contractor is charging too much and another is offering a better deal.
The reality is usually much more complicated.
In my experience, landscaping estimates are rarely identical because contractors often include different scopes of work, materials, assumptions, and construction methods.
That's why it's important to compare estimates apples to apples.
The Lowest Price Doesn't Always Mean the Lowest Cost
A lower estimate may look attractive initially.
However, homeowners often discover later that certain items were never included.
Common omissions include:
Demolition and disposal
Drainage systems
Irrigation modifications
Electrical conduit
Compaction requirements
Permit fees
Engineering requirements
Cleanup and haul-away
When these items appear later as change orders, the project cost can increase significantly.
What's Included in the Scope?
The first thing I tell homeowners to compare is the scope of work.
A good estimate should clearly explain:
What is being removed
What is being installed
Material specifications
Quantities
Construction methods
Assumptions
Exclusions
If one estimate contains two pages of detail and another contains a single paragraph, they're probably not pricing the same thing.
Materials Matter
Two patios may look similar on paper.
One may use:
Higher-quality pavers
Better base materials
Improved drainage
Stronger edge restraints
The other may not.
The difference won't always be obvious immediately, but it can become very apparent years later.
Case Study: The Missing Drainage System
I've seen projects where one estimate was thousands of dollars less than the others.
At first glance it looked like a better deal.
After reviewing the proposals, we discovered that drainage wasn't included.
The lower estimate wasn't necessarily wrong.
It simply wasn't pricing the same project.
Once drainage was added, the pricing became much closer.
Beware of Assumptions
Every contractor makes assumptions when preparing an estimate.
Examples include:
Soil conditions
Existing utilities
Root systems
Concrete thickness
Accessibility
The more information available during estimating, the more accurate the pricing becomes.
Why We Invest in Design First
This is one reason we encourage homeowners to complete a landscape design before construction.
The design creates a roadmap and allows contractors to price the same scope more accurately.
It helps eliminate guesswork and creates a more realistic comparison between bids.
Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask
Before accepting an estimate, ask:
What is included?
What is excluded?
How are unforeseen conditions handled?
Is drainage included?
Is irrigation included?
Are permits included?
Is cleanup included?
What assumptions are being made?
These questions often reveal significant differences between proposals.
Final Thoughts
The goal shouldn't be finding the cheapest estimate.
The goal should be understanding what you're actually buying.
A clear scope, realistic assumptions, quality materials, and proper construction methods often provide far more value than the lowest number on the page.
When comparing estimates, make sure you're truly comparing apples to apples.
