It’s important to understand the differences between costs incurred by various landscaping jobs. For example, you might set different prices for just mulching or lawn care:
How to price mulching jobs:
Mulching is an isolated task typically performed infrequently, so it makes sense to price it using factors like square footage of area mulched, materials, and either hourly or project-based labor.
How to price lawn care jobs:
A more holistic lawn care service involving several aspects (planting, mowing, irrigation, etc.) might take the course of several months or years. It could be billed per-appointment, or on a daily, weekly, or monthly cycle.
These prices would likely be lower than a bid for building a whole garden, but they might be higher than planting a tree or installing a large planter.
How to bid on commercial landscaping jobs:
Pitching to a commercial client is different than having a conversation with a neighbor. To begin with, word of mouth may not be enough to land commercial jobs. While businesses may have a sense of your reputation, you will likely need to showcase your work. This is why it’s important that you create a portfolio!
Doing so will allow you to provide examples of previous jobs, including pictures, videos, and testimonials of the work you’ve performed.
In terms of pricing, whereas you might find yourself giving private clients ballpark estimates, businesses often require detailed, itemized quotes. As a general practice, being able to itemize your invoice or contract for any client is a great way to put your most professional foot forward.
No matter the job, understanding the factors that influence pricing is the only way you’ll be able to price your bids perfectly.