ToolbeltDocsHow to use this estimate template
- Enter your business details, the customer and the property address, then choose the type of work, the area and how often you'll visit.
- Add plants by size and quantity, materials by volume or area, and labor — or pick them from the landscaping item list.
- For maintenance, enter the number of visits as the quantity so the estimate shows the season total.
- Add the plant guarantee, who requests utility marking, tax and a deposit.
- Check the preview and download the landscaping estimate as a PDF, Word or Excel file.
What should a landscaping estimate include?
A landscaping estimate should describe the area being worked on, list plants by size and quantity, price materials by volume or area — mulch in cubic yards, sod in square feet — and show labor, hardscape and irrigation separately. It should also say whether the work is a one-time job or a recurring service, with the visit schedule, and include any plant guarantee and watering instructions.
- Area and layout
- Which beds, lawn areas or yards are included, with square footage.
- Plants by size and quantity
- Each plant type with container size (1 gal, 3 gal, 15 gal) and count.
- Materials by volume or area
- Mulch, topsoil and compost in cubic yards, sod and fabric in square feet, gravel in tons.
- Site prep and removal
- Removing old plants, sod or debris, grading and soil amendment.
- Hardscape and irrigation
- Patios, walls, edging, irrigation zones and controllers as separate lines.
- Visit schedule
- For maintenance: what's done each visit, how often, and the season or contract period.
- Plant guarantee and watering
- How long plants are guaranteed and what watering the owner must do for the guarantee to apply.
- Utility marking
- Who requests underground utility marking before digging.
- Haul-away
- Removal of green waste and old materials.
Landscaping estimate example
Example only Here is a filled-in example for renovating a 180 sq ft front planting bed: removing overgrown shrubs, adding compost, new shrubs, perennials and a small tree, steel edging and mulch. The prices are made up for illustration only — your plant, material and labor costs will differ.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remove overgrown shrubs and haul away | 1 job | $350.00 | $350.00 |
| Compost, mixed into beds | 2 cu yd | $65.00 | $130.00 |
| Shrubs, 3 gal | 6 ea | $38.00 | $228.00 |
| Perennials, 1 gal | 12 ea | $14.00 | $168.00 |
| Ornamental tree, 15 gal | 1 ea | $245.00 | $245.00 |
| Steel bed edging | 40 lin ft | $7.50 | $300.00 |
| Mulch, installed 3 in. deep | 3 cu yd | $85.00 | $255.00 |
| Labor – planting and installation | 10 hr | $55.00 | $550.00 |
| Subtotal | $2,226.00 | ||
| Sales tax (0%) | $0.00 | ||
| Total | $2,226.00 | ||
| Deposit (25%) | $556.50 | ||
| Balance due on completion | $1,669.50 | ||
Sales tax is left at 0% in this example because whether landscaping labor, plants and materials is taxable depends on your state. Check with your state's department of revenue before adding tax.
Tips for a better landscaping estimate
- Work out mulch in cubic yardsSquare feet × depth in inches ÷ 324 = cubic yards. A 180 sq ft bed at 3 inches deep needs about 1.7 cubic yards, so round up.
- Price maintenance per visitShow the per-visit price and enter the number of visits as the quantity. The customer sees both the visit price and the season total.
- Put watering in writingMost plant losses happen in the first weeks. Tie your plant guarantee to clear watering instructions.
- Say who calls for utility markingNote on the estimate who requests underground utility marking before any digging, so it doesn't get skipped.
- Keep hardscape separatePatios and walls have different costs and risks from planting. Separate lines make it easy to drop or phase them if the budget is tight.
How we built and tested this
This landscaping estimate template was written from scratch for its job and is checked by automated tests every time the site changes. Here is what it is based on and how the math is tested.
- Written for this template. The 6 extra fields, the 4 starter lines and the 29-item list of common items were written for this landscaping estimate template, not copied from another website.
- Exact math, tested automatically. All money is calculated in whole cents, so there are no rounding errors, in a fixed order: subtotal, discount, tax on the discounted amount, total, deposit, then balance due. The site has 72 automated tests, 33 of them for the calculation engine, and they run on every change.
- Honest examples. The example above uses made-up prices, labelled as an example, and its totals are calculated by the same code as the tool.
- No legal or tax rules stated as fact. Where rules depend on your state or country, the page says so and points to the official body to check.
Built and tested by Muhammad Zaid · Last updated
Frequently asked questions
Is this landscaping estimate template free?
Yes. Build and download landscaping estimates as PDF, Word or Excel at no cost, without creating an account. Your entries stay in your own browser.
How do I calculate how much mulch to put on an estimate?
Multiply the bed area in square feet by the depth in inches and divide by 324 to get cubic yards. For example, 180 sq ft at 3 inches deep is 540 ÷ 324 ≈ 1.7 cubic yards; round up when you order.
How should I price recurring lawn and garden maintenance?
Price each visit, list what's included in a visit, and multiply by the number of visits in the season. Use the visit frequency field so the customer can see how often you'll come.
Should a landscaping estimate include a plant guarantee?
It's your choice, but if you offer one, write down how long it lasts, which plants it covers and the watering the customer must do. A clear guarantee avoids arguments if a plant fails.
Do I need to call 811 before digging?
In the US, 811 is the national call-before-you-dig number for getting underground utilities marked. When a call is required, and how far ahead, depends on your state, so check your state's 811 center before the job.
Can I use this for hardscape or irrigation jobs?
Yes. Choose hardscape or irrigation as the type of work and add pavers, wall block, gravel, zones and drip line from the landscaping item list.
How do I estimate sod for a lawn?
Measure the area in square feet, then convert it to the unit your supplier sells, such as square feet, rolls or pallets, and add extra for cutting along edges and curves. Coverage per roll and pallet varies by supplier, so check theirs before you order.
Should I take a deposit for a landscaping job?
Many landscapers take a deposit to cover plants and materials before the job starts. Put the deposit on the estimate so the customer agrees to it, and check your state's rules, because some states limit deposits on home improvement work.
How do I send the estimate to my customer?
Download the PDF and attach it to an email or a text message. On phones that support it, the "Share PDF" button that appears after the download sends the file straight to Messages, WhatsApp or email. Either way the file goes from your device to the app you choose, not through our servers.
Is my information safe? Is anything uploaded?
Nothing you type is uploaded. Your estimate is filled in and turned into a PDF, Word or Excel file in your browser, on your own device, so your customer details, prices and logo never reach our servers or anyone else. Your draft, the documents in "My documents" and, if you tick "Remember my business details", your business details are saved only in this browser, and clearing your browser data removes them. The site's analytics and ads count visits and downloads but never include what you type. On a shared computer, delete your documents from "My documents" when you are done. The privacy policy has the details.
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