Professional Landscape Estimating

Professional landscape estimating involves a number of factors essential to landscape architecture. Materials are among the most important of these factors, as they heavily influence both the aesthetic and functionality of structures and forms. Cost studies have to be conducted to determine in which materials are best suited to build certain structures. If budget is a concern, basic materials will have to be used in order to trim costs.

Some people are willing to pay more to have an opulent or luxurious look. For these clients, landscape estimating has to factor in the customization factors of both the design and construction phases. It takes much more time draw up plans that feature a high level of craftsmanship and ornamentation, and the cost of the materials needed for such sophistication is almost always higher.

One highly variable component of professional landscape estimating is labor costs. Depending on the complexity of structural design, the amount of time needed to complete the project will vary significantly. Larger structures are naturally going to feature more square footage and open vertical space, and this, of course, will directly impact project completion time. Also, certain structures may require the expertise of subcontracted professionals who bring their own labor costs to the table.

It may be necessary at this stage of the landscape estimating process to pause and take a step back. We may need to scale down the size of some of these structures in order to keep costs within client budget. Or, we may need to implement the project in phases so that the client can pay for each stage of the project in an installment plan.

Because so many variables factor into the final price of landscape design, estimating this total accurately would be impossible without first developing a master plan. This is why Exterior Worlds takes so much time in the consultation process to develop every detail of the plan before cost are every finalized. There are two reasons for this. First, laying a detailed schematic in front of the client allows us to see where the project can either be scaled down or completed in phases if the client has a fixed budget to work with. Secondly, it shows our team exactly where additional expertise will be required from subcontracted professionals in specialized disciplines.

There are many different types of subcontractors that can be brought in on any given project. Lighting design professionals are hired to illuminate landscape elements so they can be clearly seen and enjoyed at night. Many hardscapes require specialists in concrete or masonry. Pools are always built by pool contractors hired to construct a design we have already specified in the master landscape plan.

Estimating the costs of subcontractors requires us to add their price for labor and materials to the final invoice. It also involves factoring in the number of subcontract layers that constitute the entire labor force for the project, and the amount of management time we must invest in overseeing multiple specialists to ensure their product is developed in accordance with the scope and vision of our master plan.