How much should landscaping cost? If only there were a simple answer.
In reality, many different factors come into play. You’ve got the cost of labor and materials. Then you’ve got your overheads. And let’s not forget about planning for unexpected experiences that will likely (see: definitely) pop up along the way.
In this guide, we’ll demystify how to set the right price for high-end projects.
First, we’ll explore the value of taking on those higher-cost landscaping projects. Then, we’ll list some of the key price considerations to make.
We’ll give you a step-by-step cost breakdown. And we’ll explain how to set the right price.
To finish up, we’ll share our top takeaway tips. Let’s get started.
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Understanding the Value of High-End Landscaping
High-end landscaping refers to high-cost projects. They are the luxury watches of the landscaping world.
They usually include:
- A mix of softscaping and hardscaping
- High-quality materials with premium finishes
- Specialty extras, like landscaping around a pool or a full irrigation system
According to Angi, the average cost of professional landscaping is $3,511. On the low end, it’s $200. And on the high end, it’s $14,480.
These estimates might be a little conservative. Bankrate’s averages go all the way up to $50,000.
That’s why it’s so important to have a robust pricing strategy in place. There’s a lot to think about, and you don’t want to undercharge for costly materials or extra labor.
You don’t want to push your price too high either. This might encourage the homeowner to look elsewhere. If this happens, you miss out on the benefits of taking on high-end projects, which include:
- Larger profit margins
- A boost to your brand reputation
- More visibility among other high-end clients
- The opportunity to bring your most creative and innovative ideas to life
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Key Considerations for Pricing High-End Landscaping Projects
How much should landscaping cost? The answer really depends on these considerations:
- Start with the client’s vision. Do they have grand and lavish plans for their backyard? Will this require a lot of hardscaping? If so, the cost will rise.
- Think about the time to design the project—not just execute it. You need to be paid for all the revisions and back-and-forth too.
- Consider whether you’ll need to create custom solutions. This might involve hiring a subcontractor.
- Calculate roughly how long the project will take. What is the opportunity cost? In other words, what will you lose by not taking smaller or lower-cost projects?
- You’ll likely need to use high-quality materials, which will cost more. But don’t discount the extra expenses that come with installing these products. The job must be completed to an exceptionally high standard—no excuses.
- Ask your clients whether they’re interested in sustainable or eco-friendly solutions. These might cost more upfront but could deliver savings in the future.
Cost Breakdown for High-End Landscaping Projects
To calculate the cost breakdown for high-end landscaping projects, follow these steps:
Step 1: Determine the Cost of Labor
You’ll need to hire the best in the business. This will cost more but will also reduce the risks of mistakes. It’ll also help you meet your client’s timeline expectations.
Step 2: Add the Cost of Materials
Higher-end materials will make up a big portion of the project’s costs. So, this needs to be accurate.
Conduct some online research. Reach out to local suppliers for up-to-date market prices. If you feel confident, you could even negotiate a discount.
Step 3: Consider Your Overhead Costs
Overhead costs are things like:
- Insurance
- Marketing
- Business licenses
- Vehicles and fuel
- Ongoing training
- Website maintenance and hosting costs
You need to make sure these are covered.
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Step 4: Think About Project Management
The more complicated a landscaping job, the more hands-on you’ll need to be. Consider how much time you or your project manager will need to spend on the project.
Don’t underestimate this. Organized management is what makes everything run smoothly.
Step 5: Preserve Your Profit Margin
Make sure the project is profitable for your business. To do this, aim for a profit margin of about 10 to 30%.
Step 6: Account for Hidden Costs
What happens if something goes wrong? What if there’s a delay? Or a material shortage?
You need to protect your financial health—whatever comes your way. So, you might add an additional 10% or so to the overall cost.
Setting the Right Price for High-End Landscaping Projects
You’ve broken down the costs. Now, it’s time to set a price. Here are some final factors to think about:
Strike a Balance
Luxury landscaping jobs are expensive. But that doesn’t mean you should rip off your client. It also doesn’t mean you should undercut your price just to win the job.
Instead, focus on the unique value your business provides. Do you use sustainable materials? Do you specialize in native planting? Are you really great at designing unique or innovative gardens?
Honesty Is the Best Policy
Honesty builds trust. Trust wins businesses. It benefits you today and in the long term, as strong client relationships are more likely to result in repeat work.
Be 100% upfront about how you calculate costs. This will help your client feel more comfortable moving ahead. Plus, it avoids budget surprises later.
Offer Value-Added Services
Take your proposal to the next level with extra service options. For example, you might suggest outdoor lighting, custom seating areas, or automated irrigation systems.
These extras can turn a great project into something exceptional. They can also add value to the property.
Discuss Maintenance and Sustainability
Make sure clients understand the maintenance required for their design. Suggest lower maintenance and sustainable options like drought-resistant plants or native species.
You can also offer a maintenance package. This increases the customer’s lifetime value.
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Top Tips for Pricing High-End Landscaping Projects
High-end landscaping projects are exciting. Delight your customers and protect your bottom line with these tips:
- Get up-to-date labor and materials costs. Don’t rely on prices you have from last year. Do your research and make sure these elements of the total cost are accurate.
- Be creative. Your client has a vision. If you can offer them an innovative or even more sustainable way to achieve it, you give yourself an edge. They might even be willing to pay you more.
- Don’t forget your overheads. Your business has bills to pay that aren’t directly related to the project’s cost. Be sure to add these in too.