Reading Your Landscaping Bid
Landscaping bids range from a one-page napkin sketch to a 20-page design document. Regardless of format, certain elements should always be present. Let's walk through a realistic backyard landscape and patio bid to understand what each line means.
Sample Landscaping Bid Walkthrough
Green Valley Landscapes — Proposal #L-2024-091
Customer: The Martinez Family | Property: 567 Sunstone Way, Scottsdale, AZ
Scope: Backyard paver patio + landscape renovation (~800 sq ft patio, ~1,200 sq ft planting area)
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Line 1: Site Preparation — Demolition, Grading, Debris Removal — $2,200
Removing existing sod/plants, grading the site for proper drainage (slope away from house at 1-2%), and hauling away all debris. This is the foundation of everything that follows — proper grading prevents water issues.
What to check: The quote should specify the drainage slope direction. "Grade to drain away from structure" is what you want.
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Line 2: Paver Patio (800 sq ft) — Belgard Cambridge Cobble, Toscana Color — $12,800
This breaks down to $16/sq ft, which includes: excavation (8 inches deep), 6-inch compacted gravel base, 1-inch sand leveling bed, pavers, edge restraints, and polymeric sand for joints. Belgard Cambridge Cobble is a quality mid-range paver.
What to check: $14-$22/sq ft installed is the typical range for quality paver work with proper base. Below $12/sq ft usually means corners are being cut on base preparation. Verify the paver brand/style matches what you selected.
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Line 3: Landscape Plantings — $3,400
Should include a detailed plant list:
- 3x Desert Museum Palo Verde (24" box) — $280 each = $840
- 6x Texas Sage (5-gallon) — $45 each = $270
- 12x Autumn Sage (1-gallon) — $12 each = $144
- 8x Agave (5-gallon) — $55 each = $440
- 200 sq ft Desert Marigold groundcover (flats) — $320
- Planting labor: $1,386
What to check: Every plant should be listed by species, container size, and quantity. Verify that the plants are appropriate for your climate zone and sun exposure. "Assorted desert plants" is not acceptable.
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Line 4: Soil Amendments & Mulch — $680
Compost, topsoil, and 3 inches of decomposed granite mulch over all planting areas. Mulch retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and gives a finished look.
What to check: The type of mulch matters. Decomposed granite is standard for desert landscapes. Wood mulch is standard for other climates. The depth (3 inches) should be specified.
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Line 5: Drip Irrigation System — $2,400
Automated drip irrigation covering all planting zones with a dedicated timer. Includes: manifold, valves, drip tubing, emitters, filter, pressure regulator, and timer/controller.
What to check: The system should be zoned — trees, shrubs, and groundcovers have different watering needs and should be on separate zones. Ask about the controller: a smart WiFi controller ($150-$300) adjusts watering based on weather and saves water.
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Line 6: Landscape Lighting — 8 Path Lights + 4 Uplights — $1,800
LED low-voltage landscape lighting. Path lights illuminate walkways; uplights highlight trees and architectural features. Includes transformer, wiring, and fixtures.
What to check: LED fixtures last 30,000-50,000 hours. Specify LED — not halogen. The transformer should have 20-30% extra capacity for future additions.
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Quote Total: $23,280
This is a comprehensive, fair quote for a significant backyard renovation in a mid-to-high-cost metro. For reference: a basic patio-only project might be $8,000-$15,000; adding plants, irrigation, and lighting brings the total to $18,000-$30,000+.
Red Flags: What's Missing From Your Quote?
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No specific plant species or sizes listed
Why it matters: Without species and container sizes, you can't verify pricing or ensure you get what was discussed..
Notes:
No base preparation details for hardscaping
Why it matters: The base is invisible but critical. Without specifying excavation depth, gravel base thickness, and compaction, you can't assess quality.
Notes:
No drainage plan or grading specification
Why it matters: Proper drainage prevents the most expensive landscaping failures..
Notes:
No plant warranty
Why it matters: Quality landscapers guarantee their plants for at least 90 days to one year..
Notes:
No irrigation included for new plantings
Why it matters: New plants in hot climates without irrigation have very high mortality rates..
Notes:
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