Landscape Quote

aaurora · Oct 02, 2007 10:16 am

We have gotten a quote from a landscape guy who has been lanscaping the just built house next door. His prices seem quite reasonable (but this is the first quote I have received) and I would just like to ask you guys what you think of his prices.

I am not a very good gardener but I do enjoy plants/gardens so I'm thinking it's worth paying someone to do it. I am not sure if there would be a significant saving if we did it ourselves.

This is for our front section which we are making into our main front garden area

Trim and Grade site $110
Install retaining wall 6.6m2 in total $1056
Install concrete garden edging, like that kwik kerb stuff $192
Supply and place topsoil to front area $850
Supply and plant:
1 x 300mm feature plant
12 x 200mm sculptured plants
7 x 200mm shrubs
25 x 140mm border plants $634

total $ 2842

And we are going to put the mulch in ourselves and do the turf ourselves during the 'rain season'

Any thoughts??

arkraider · Oct 02, 2007 10:31 am

There is no reason why you can't ask him, if the price drops by you giving him a hand to do the planting or raking of the top soil. Thereby cutting down on his labour.. Just a thought..

Amber · Oct 02, 2007 6:40 pm

Having started this process myself I would say go for it!!

Unless you love hard work then I would never recommend a landscaping project from scratch. Mind you, in saying I am enjoying the hard work but if we could afford to get it done, we would at a price like you've been given.

At least for a few grand you have the basics of a good garden and you can add to it as you please later on.

Based on what we have spent so far (and we don't have much to show for it) it sounds like a reasonable price to me.

Good luck!!

Michelle · Oct 02, 2007 8:24 pm

I do all my own landscaping….but I think this quote sound reasonable!

Less that 3k for all of that work…get more quotes just to make sure. Now you have a good sounding post for others.

I can go to the nursery and spend $100 just on 5 shrubs….it ads up! :cry:

Adrian B · Oct 02, 2007 8:58 pm

That seens to be a very reasonable quote, I would go with it.

aaurora · Oct 03, 2007 10:42 am

Thanks guys! I think I might get him to do it (I will get another quote before I decide).

I am considering doing the buying and planting of the plants myself but I will have to have a scout around some nurseries on the weekend to check on prices, etc.

It would certainly be easier to get someone to do it and even if you have to pay a little bit of labour charge at least I know it's going to get done!

Michelle · Oct 03, 2007 10:59 am

For all the new home owners…… and inspiring landscapers and gardeners!!

I suggest you all go out and purchase at least 1 good all round garden book!

“Yates Garden Guide” is a basic good priced garden guide and will help you with lots of things.

I bought my daughter one for xmas last year, a NICE coffee table one, great photos, looks good and still helps with garden….and coast me over $50. You don’t need to spend that much money! :shock:

BUT…..get something! Its money waisted if you don’t have the basic knowledge for gardening and you keep killing your expensive plants!

penjay · Oct 03, 2007 11:39 am

When we bought our land, the developer included landscaping to the front to the value of $2000. We could let them do it or do it ourselves and claim the money back. They are levelling, adding topsoil and mulch and we could choose one large tree and 20 plants from a list. I looked at prices and we could get a lot more if we did it ourselves and also choose plants we really wanted (the list was a bit limited) but we both dislike gardening and decided it was easier to let them do it. I chose 20 seaside daisies so I can then plant other taller things that I want in the spaces. It's a large area so 20 plants will be quite sparse.
Your quote sounds reasonable and if you don't like gardening a much better option and probably quicker too!

vpande · Oct 03, 2007 11:46 am

I think the price is great. Did u get 3 quotes?
I feel one thing to add would be allowance for drip watering pipes into garden beds prior to any concrete edging is placed. The water source should be able to be connected to rainwater/ mains water or greywater depending on what future holds for us.
Regarding the 'supply and plant' different plants you should be given a choice of plants which u can check out in a nursery and then decide.

Just my 2 cents

bmp · Oct 05, 2007 8:51 pm

Michelle's suggestion is a great idea regarding a book. My husband bought me "Learn to Garden" by the royal horticultural association. It's a beautiful hardcover coffee table book with great pictures and really easy reading. And it was from QBD for only $15.00 on special from $25.

Also i think you are in Brisbane Aurura and the markets here are fantastic. I went to Fernvale markets and bought 3 native frangipanis for $10. They are quite large and established and i've had them since May with no problems. Worth checking out as you can get so much more for your money. (Definitely let someone else do the hard work of planting etc tho!)

bmp · Oct 05, 2007 8:52 pm

Michelle's suggestion is a great idea regarding a book. My husband bought me "Learn to Garden" by the royal horticultural association. It's a beautiful hardcover coffee table book with great pictures and really easy reading. And it was from QBD for only $15.00 on special from $25.

Also i think you are in Brisbane Aurura and the markets here are fantastic. I went to Fernvale markets and bought 3 native frangipanis for $10. They are quite large and established and i've had them since May with no problems. Worth checking out as you can get so much more for your money. (Definitely let someone else do the hard work of planting etc tho!)

aaurora · Oct 08, 2007 9:34 am

I saw the gardener this morning and I have told him to go ahead with it as I believe his prices are reasonable.

We are not getting all of it done, just the trim and grading, the retaining wall, the top soil and the kwik kerb edging. We want to do the plants ourselves.

We went to a market yesterday and boy are the prices cheaper than a nursery! We have found a guy who has a local nursery from home nearby and will get most of our plants from there.

Agapanthus for $5 and Rhoeo for $3, a very good price!!

Will show piccies of the progress soon!

bmp · Oct 08, 2007 9:46 am

Just a warning that not many people realise. If you have or plan on having a dog stay away from planting rhoeo - they are one of the common causes in skin irritations. Most of the plants in that "purple" range can be a problem for dogs with sensitive skin.

I was growing a whole heap from cuttings in a separate area until a recent trip to the vet showed a display of plants to avoid for the sake of your pets.

TheGardenWhisperer · Oct 17, 2007 12:27 am

On the topic of good books could I suggest the ABC gardening Australia book called "Flora". It is as good as, or the same as, the old "Botanica" and is one of the more comprehensive plant books. smaller volumes are available on trees, shrubs, orchids... amking them a bit cheaper.

Another very very good book for the just starting out gardener is "the Complete Guide to Gardening" which is available from Bunnings with their name stamped all over it. It is a combination of two older publications (of which i can't remember one of them

) It is pretty much the old readers digest version that has been around for a loooooong time

only cost $20.

On the topic of your quote it sounds like a good one. Probably giving you a basic layout that will be tidy and hopefully ignite a passion for gardening and a sound foundation for a wonderful garden.