Landscaping
Landscaping can be defined as all the activities used to alter a piece of land naturally. Either on a personal or professional level, the process involves beautifying an area through ornamental features, flora & fauna, plant & trees or shrubs, etc. The main objective is to create a natural phenomenon outside a building that is aesthetically pleasing.
On a personal level, this can be a DIY job and no doubt some people have great taste in gardening. But on a professional level, the larger-scale projects require sharper skills. For a broad area of land outside your office or dreamy landscaping outside your home, there are highly learned and experienced companies to rely upon. The professional studies have categorized the field in the construction industry as:
In Main CSI format, landscaping falls in Division 31-Earthwork and Division 32-Exterior Improvements.
While in Main CSI Subdivisions, landscaping is a part of
Division 31 23 00 | Excavation and Fill |
Division 32 84 00 | Planting & Irrigation |
Division 32 94 00 | Planting Accessories |
Division 32 90 00 | Planting |
Landscape Types and Methods of Measurement
Given the importance of this business, it is quite clear that the job is quite strategic and the market is saturated. The whole process undergoes a number of juggling and multitasking. So, the need for accurate estimation and quantity take-off is crucial. For quantity take-off in the landscaping business, some essential units play a vital role in the measuring process; for example,
- Square footage
- Quantity counts
- Linear measurements
- Cubic footage take-offs.
For the gathering of these measurements, estimators use two types of methods, usually. Although the decision is totally up to estimator, both of them are considered credible.
- Manual Take-off; including all the paperwork and formal take-off.
- Digital Take-off; including the latest software and digital screens.
However, sticking to the point, whichever method might be used, there are some secret tricks and tips to be precisely accurate in the estimation process. The main objective of every idea is to carry the landscaping process in a very logical and comprehensive manner and eventually reach the final goal.
Communicate with the Client
In the whole landscaping process, there is one crystal apparent factor; it has to be according to the Client’s taste. So the fundamental trick is to know what he has envisioned for his land. Ask questions, understand, give suggestions, and create a final plan. You’ll need a lot of information for designing a plan, but this one step would pave your way.
According to the site, you must have some options ready for him. For example, Mediterranean, Tuscan style Garden, English Cottage garden, etc. Communicate enough to analyze which style your Client desires for and give your professional suggestion of what should go on the particular land.
Materials
Once the style is selected, you’ll have to recognize what types of material you would need for that style. Check the availability of material and their local pricing.
The material can include
Timber, Floodlights, Gravel, Landscaping Rocks, Cement, Trees, Plants, Mulch, and Fertilizers, etc.
An eye on the Soil Quality!
Quality matters to a lot of extents. Study the soil patterns of the land to analyze what landscaping you can install there. OR is there any need to change the soil. If the location is remote, then what flexible changes could be made? Check if you can grade or slope the land.
Sod OR Seeding
Depending upon the magnitude and nature of the land, decide which one of these two would suit. Seeding has its pros and cons, while sod has different aspects. For example:
| Seeding | Sod |
Seeding means installing grass seeds to the whole area or maybe patches of land. | On the other hand, Sod has installed in the ground just like carpeting the floor. |
Seeding involves factors like the quality of seeds, fertilizers, quality of soil, etc. | Different types of sods are available, like Augustine sod or Bermuda sod. They vary in rates per square footage. |
Seeding will be more budget-friendly. | Sod would give you an instant finished look. |
Ornamental Features Installed Already
If the land is new and untouched, that’s a plus. You can mold it in your way, but if the property has already undergone some styling and you are to renovate it, the chances are that some extra cost should be included in the estimate. Some installments are so grounded and fixed that they require time and labor. Get rid of them before you start.
Estimate additional/Overhead Costs
Overhead costs can be the bug into your estimation process. Neglecting small costs like power supplies, rentals (if any), uniforms or security wears, accommodations of labors from other areas, telephonic costs, etc. can disturb the budget significantly. Usually, on limited budget estimation, such costs eat up a big chunk of your budget. So when you are working in a team, expect the unexpected costs.
Subcontractors & Labor Costs
Landscaping is surely a work of crafting plants ad tress artistically. This needs some other technical or professional contractors as well. The work is taken as a team and hence requires some expertise. For example, if you want to get a fountain installed in your lawn, there would be a person specialized in doing so. Their wages, availability, excellence, everything should be well estimated to excel in the task.
So the whole process of landscaping comprises three phases; Design, Ground preparation, and Installations. Now that you have planned everything, the first phase of the process is done.
- Developed a design/layout
- Estimated almost all the possible costs
- Checked the material lists
- Hired the subcontractors and labors
The second phase includes ground preparation, and the final is installation. Professional landscapers do these two steps, and they charge per hour of their work usually. They might have to provide some other but closely related services if needed. For example, eradication of already grown trees, fountains, etc. However, the final installation process is quite a long process. Installations may be of various types depending upon the design.
- Installation of seeds or sods.
- Installation of a pathway.
- Installation of fencing.
- Delivery of mulch, rocks, or soil.
- Installation of a pond.
Every landscaping project is unique in its nature and style. The first preference is what the family/owner wants and how to make that happen. In a family setting, there might be an outdoor dining area in demand. Or for a university land, there might be ornamented benches installed. So, a professional landscaper is one who identifies the need and desires and works accordingly.
Similarly, Paramount Estimators is a team of skillful estimators who deliver the accurate estimation for any landscaping. Residential, commercial, or industrial, all of the precise landscaping estimations can be offered in a single working day. We have been applying these secret tips in every step of the process and have successfully accelerated in the business. So, if you are looking for Estimators who can identify your envisioned landscape idea and create a workable plan for you, contact us!