Division 32 90 00: Planting and irrigation
Landscaping estimating services for commercial bids
Bidmere’s landscaping estimating services count every plant, measure every surface and take off irrigation by zone. Quantities are priced at your labor, material and equipment rates, ready for your bid form.
Fixed price in 2 business hours. Pay only after you accept.
- Fixed price and delivery date before any work starts
- Plan review is free, and no files are needed to get a quote
- You pay only after you accept the fixed price
- Single-trade estimates in 48 hours from complete documents
- Priced at your rates; your team sets the final number
Quick answer
Landscaping estimating services from Bidmere give landscape and grounds contractors measured takeoffs and priced estimates from planting, irrigation and hardscape plans. We count plants by species and size, measure sod, seed, mulch and topsoil, and take off irrigation by zone. Single-trade estimates are from $195 and ready in 48 hours.
What do landscaping estimating services cover?
A landscape estimate covers planting, turf, irrigation and the hardscape in your contract. Bidmere measures it by CSI section so the numbers line up with the specification.
- 32 91 00 Planting Preparation: topsoil, planting soil, amendments and fine grading.
- 32 92 00 Turf and Grasses: sod, seed and hydroseed.
- 32 93 00 Plants: trees, shrubs, groundcover and perennials.
- 32 84 00 Planting Irrigation: pipe, heads, valves, controllers and sleeves.
- Hardscape when in your scope: unit pavers, edging, boulders and segmental walls.
For maintenance contracts we build the price from the site inventory, service list and visit frequency instead.
What does a landscaping takeoff measure, and in which units?
| Scope | Unit |
|---|---|
| Trees by species and caliper or height | EA |
| Shrubs by species and container size | EA |
| Groundcover and perennials, by flat or pot | EA |
| Sod | SY or SF |
| Seed and hydroseed | SF or AC |
| Mulch and topsoil, area by depth | CY |
| Steel, aluminum or plastic edging | LF |
| Irrigation lateral and main pipe by size | LF |
| Spray heads, rotors, drip emitters, valves | EA |
| Controllers, sensors, sleeves | EA and LF |
Plant counts are checked against the plant schedule totals. Where the plan symbols and the schedule disagree, both numbers are shown.
How do you build a landscaping bid from the plans?
A sound landscaping bid starts from quantities, then adds your production and pricing.
- Read the specifications, bid form and every addendum.
- Count plants by species and size, then check the schedule totals.
- Measure each surface: sod, seed, beds, mulch and hardscape.
- Take off irrigation by zone, from mains to heads.
- Price labor from your production rates, materials with delivery, and equipment by day.
- Price establishment, warranty and maintenance periods as separate lines when the bid form asks.
- List qualifications and exclusions, then fill in the bid form.
You review the numbers, set markup and submit.
Which landscape plan conflicts change the estimate?
These conflicts appear on many planting and irrigation sets. Each one is logged with its sheet and the quantity it moves.
- Plant symbol counts on the plan do not match the plant schedule.
- Mulch depth in the specification differs from the planting notes.
- Planting soil depth or amendment rate is missing for beds or tree pits.
- Irrigation heads are shown, but the zone layout or main line is diagrammatic only.
- Sleeves under paving appear on the irrigation plan but not the civil plan.
- Container sizes in the schedule do not match the specification minimums.
- Sod is called out on the plan, but the specification describes seed.
Which landscape scope gaps lose money after award?
Landscaping is the last trade on site, so gaps from earlier trades land on you. We flag these splits for your team to assign:
- Fine grading vs rough grading: who brings beds and lawn areas to finish grade.
- Topsoil: stockpiled by the site contractor, or imported by you.
- Irrigation water source: tap, meter and backflow preventer by the plumber or civil contractor.
- Sleeves: installed by the paving contractor before paving, or bored later.
- Power to the controller: usually by the electrician.
- Erosion control and stabilization: sitework or landscape scope.
- Tree protection and removals: demolition or landscape scope.
For grading and topsoil quantities, see sitework and earthwork estimating.
What drives landscaping cost per square foot?
A per-square-foot number hides what really moves a landscape bid. These drivers matter most:
- Plant size and count: a 3 in. caliper tree costs far more to buy, set and warranty than a 2 in. tree.
- Planting soil and amendments: deep bed preparation adds material and labor.
- Irrigation type: drip, spray and rotor systems differ in parts and labor.
- Access and slope: hand work on slopes and courtyards is slower.
- Warranty and establishment: watering and replacements during the warranty period.
- Plant availability: substitutions and freight from distant nurseries.
See our construction cost per square foot guide for how unit costs are built.
Have plans for this scope? Send them over. Fixed quote within 2 business hours. Plan review is free, and you pay only after you accept.
Get a fixed quoteHow do you price a landscape maintenance contract?
Build an inventory of the site, then multiply each service by its frequency. Turf, beds, shrubs, trees, hard surfaces and irrigation zones each get a time per unit from your crews.
Crew hours per visit and per season come from that inventory. Seasonal work such as leaf removal, mulching and irrigation startup and shutdown goes on top. Unit prices for extra work protect you when the scope grows.
What should you send for a landscaping estimate?
- Planting plans with the plant schedule
- Irrigation plans, details and the water source information
- Hardscape, grading or site plans, if paving, walls or edging are in your scope
- Specifications, bid forms and addenda
- Your labor rates, material prices, equipment costs and markup
- For maintenance bids: the site map, service list and visit frequency
Start with a short description on the quote form. We arrange document sharing after confirming the work.
You receive an Excel estimate with live formulas, color-coded marked-up PDF plans, and a written list of assumptions, exclusions and open questions: plant counts, areas and irrigation by sheet, a cost summary at your rates, and the assumptions and open questions behind the number.
Landscaping takeoff software or a landscaping estimator?
Landscaping takeoff software measures areas and counts symbols. A landscaping estimator still reads the planting plan, plant schedule, details and spec.
Tools landscape contractors commonly use:
- STACK landscaping software measures linear and area quantities, handles curved beds with an arc tool and counts plan symbols.
- PlanSwift measures areas, lengths and counts on PDF plans and names landscape among its trades.
- Go iLawn is an online property measurement tool that uses aerial and satellite imagery. It suits existing sites and maintenance bids more than new construction drawings.
What software does not do:
- Reconcile plant schedule quantities with symbols on the plan
- Check soil depths and amendments in the details
- Split irrigation sleeves and controllers with other trades
- Price warranty, establishment and replacements
Software makes sense when you bid landscape work every week and have someone to run it. An outside landscaping estimator fits when bids arrive in bursts or the plan set is large.
Bidmere measures planting, hardscape and irrigation from your documents and prices them at your rates. Plan and schedule mismatches are listed as questions, not guessed. Compare the options in estimating software vs a service.
Sample takeoff
What a takeoff looks like
| Item | Quantity | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shade tree, 3 in. caliper, B&B | 18 | EA | Schedule matches plan count |
| Evergreen shrub, #5 container | 142 | EA | Plan shows 146; schedule 142 |
| Groundcover, 1 gal | 860 | EA | At 18 in. on center |
| Sod | 2,400 | SY | Lawn areas, sheet L-101 |
| Topsoil under sod, 4 in. | 267 | CY | 21,600 SF at 4 in. |
| Shredded hardwood mulch, 3 in. | 91 | CY | 9,800 SF of beds |
| Spray heads | 64 | EA | Zones 1 to 5 |
| Rotors | 22 | EA | Zones 6 and 7 |
| Zone valves | 9 | EA | Includes 2 drip zones |
| Steel edging | 640 | LF | Bed to lawn edges |
Fictional example: landscape takeoff for a one-story medical office site. Not a customer project or pricing recommendation.
Before you send plans
Common questions about handing off the work
Will you use my production rates?
Yes. Labor hours come from your crew rates, not generic tables.
Do you check plant availability?
No. We flag sizes and substitutions to confirm with your nursery before bid day.
Will I lose control of my number?
No. You approve the rates, set markup and decide the final bid.
Who submits the bid?
Your company. Your team reviews, signs and submits the landscaping bid.
Landscaping takeoff and estimate pricing
Landscaping takeoffs from Bidmere start at $149, and single-trade landscaping estimates at $195. The fixed quote for your job usually lands in these ranges:
| Job size | Takeoff only (quantities) | Single-trade estimate (quantities and pricing) |
|---|---|---|
| Small job: up to 10,000 SF | $149 to $295 | $195 to $395 |
| Mid-size job: 10,000 to 50,000 SF | $295 to $695 | $395 to $895 |
| Large job: over 50,000 SF, or several buildings | From $695 | From $895 |
Single-trade estimates are ready in 48 hours. Rush (24 hours) adds 30%. 25% off your first estimate. Every job gets a fixed quote within 2 business hours, and you pay only after you accept. Every estimate is delivered as an Excel estimate with live formulas, color-coded marked-up PDF plans, and a written list of assumptions, exclusions and open questions. See pricing for the full price list and scope conditions.
Monthly estimating plans
Bid landscape every week? Put estimating on a monthly plan
A monthly plan suits contractors who price landscape work every week. It gives you a steady estimating desk without a new hire. Starter is $1,395 per month for up to 6 bids. Pro is $2,595 per month for up to 12 bids. Scale is $4,795 per month for up to 25 bids. Each bid follows the same process as a single order: your documents, your rates, your review and your final number. Ask about monthly estimating plans to compare the tiers.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much do landscaping estimating services cost?
Single-trade landscaping estimates are from $195, with 25% off your first estimate. Large sites, combined landscape and hardscape packages and multi-year maintenance bids are quoted to scope. You get a fixed price and delivery date within 2 business hours, and you pay only after you accept. See pricing.
Can you price maintenance contracts as well as installation?
Yes. Send the site map or plans, the service list and the visit frequency. We build a site inventory, crew hours per visit and a seasonal price using your rates. Extra work can be priced as unit rates so you are covered when the owner adds scope during the contract.
Do you need CAD files for a landscaping takeoff?
No. PDF plans at a known scale are enough. Plant symbols are counted and areas measured from the PDF, then checked against the plant schedule. If a sheet is not to scale or the legend is unclear, we say so in the open questions and agree how to measure it before pricing.
How are plant schedule and plan count differences handled?
Both numbers are shown with the sheet reference. Your team decides which to carry, or you can carry the higher count and note it as a qualification. Leaving the difference visible protects you if the owner later claims the schedule total was the contract quantity.
Is a landscaping estimate template enough for a commercial bid?
A template organizes your numbers, but it does not count plants or measure beds for you. For small jobs, our free construction estimate template is a good start. For commercial bids with irrigation and a plant schedule, measured quantities from the plans are what keep the number honest.
Is landscaping estimating software a better option than a service?
Software makes sense if someone on your team has time to run takeoffs every week. A service fits when bid volume swings or your estimator is also running crews. Many contractors use both: software in-house and a service for overflow bids or tight deadlines.
How do you handle addenda that change the planting plan?
Send the revised sheets and tell us what changed. We review the effect as an agreed revision and update the affected counts and areas. The revision behind each quantity is recorded, so an older count is never shown as current.
Can Bidmere be our landscaping estimator during bid season?
Yes. Send the landscape plans, plant schedule, details and spec. Bidmere measures planting, hardscape and irrigation, prices them at your rates and lists mismatches between the plan and schedule as questions. You get a fixed quote within 2 business hours, and you pay only after you accept. For steady volume, ask about monthly estimating plans.
Get a fixed quote
Share the project basics. You get a fixed price and delivery date within 2 business hours. Plan review is free, and you pay only after you accept.