Enter Project Details
Example Estimates
| Scenario | Area | Materials | Labor | Overhead+Profit | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic refresh | 800 sqft | ₨ 24,500.00 | ₨ 18,900.00 | ₨ 8,200.00 | ₨ 51,600.00 |
| Family yard upgrade | 1,200 sqft | ₨ 41,800.00 | ₨ 33,600.00 | ₨ 15,100.00 | ₨ 88,200.00 |
| Premium with add-ons | 1,800 sqft | ₨ 78,400.00 | ₨ 62,100.00 | ₨ 29,500.00 | ₨ 170,000.00 |
These examples are illustrative only. Actual quotes vary by location, access, soil, and seasonal pricing.
Formula Used
- Area conversion sqm × 10.7639 = sqft
- Waste factor = 1 + Waste%
- Materials = Σ(quantity × unit cost) × (1 + MaterialsMarkup%)
- Labor hours = (AreaSqft ÷ 100) × HoursPer100 × Complexity × Add-ons
- Labor = LaborHours × HourlyRate × CrewSize
- Fees = Design + Permits + Waste + Equipment + Mobilization
- Direct costs = Materials + Labor + Fees
- Overhead = DirectCosts × Overhead%
- Profit = (DirectCosts + Overhead) × Profit%
- Subtotal = DirectCosts + Overhead + Profit
- Discount = Subtotal × Discount%
- Contingency = (Subtotal − Discount) × Contingency%
- Tax = (Subtotal − Discount + Contingency) × Tax%
- Grand Total = Subtotal − Discount + Contingency + Tax
Financing preview uses the standard amortization payment formula and is shown for planning only.
How to Use This Calculator
- Pick an area unit, enter the project size, and set waste factor.
- Enable the components you need and enter unit costs.
- Adjust crew size, labor rate, and productivity to match reality.
- Add fees, then set overhead and profit targets.
- Set discount, contingency, and tax, then calculate.
- Review totals, chart, financing preview, and export files.
Cost Drivers by Project Scope
Landscaping estimates respond fastest to scope changes. Area-based items scale with your selected unit with a waste factor for cuts. Turf, mulch, soil, grading, and pavers follow quantity × unit cost, so unit pricing matters most on larger yards. Count items like plants, lights, and tree removals validate well against supplier quotes. Flat allowances, such as water features, reserve budget when specs are not final. Review the itemized table to confirm which components are active before sharing.
Labor Planning and Productivity
Labor is estimated from area and then adjusted by complexity and selected add-ons. Complex layouts require more detailing, edging, transitions, and cleanup. Add-ons like drainage, irrigation, retaining walls, and pavers add steps such as trenching and base preparation. Use hours per 100 square feet to match your workmanship level and site access. Crew size multiplies labor cost on difficult projects.
Materials Markup and Waste Allowance
Materials markup can represent delivery, handling, and price volatility. Because it applies to the materials subtotal, it impacts hardscape-heavy projects most. Waste factor increases area quantities and lightly adjusts linear items. Typical waste planning ranges from 5% to 12% for materials. If you have confirmed takeoffs, reduce waste and rely on supplier-verified unit costs.
Overhead, Profit, and Pricing Structure
Overhead covers operational costs such as supervision, insurance, and administration. Profit is applied after overhead to support target margins. Percentages vary by job size, risk, and scheduling constraints. When comparing bids, confirm whether mobilization, disposal, and overhead are listed as separate lines or embedded inside unit rates. A transparent structure reduces change-order disputes and improves planning accuracy for clearer decisions.
Taxes, Contingency, and Financing Preview
Discount, contingency, and tax are applied after the subtotal. Contingency helps protect budgets from unknown soil, hidden roots, drainage fixes, or late design revisions. The financing preview estimates a monthly payment using APR and term with standard amortization. It supports budgeting, not lending decisions. Export CSV for deeper review, or PDF for sharing with totals.
FAQs
1) Should I use square feet or square meters?
Use the unit you measure most accurately. The tool converts square meters to square feet internally for labor scaling while keeping your area-based inputs consistent with your chosen unit.
2) What waste factor should I enter?
A practical range is 5%–12%. Increase it for irregular beds, heavy cutting, or complex layouts. Lower it if you have exact takeoffs and confirmed quantities.
3) Why does complexity change labor hours?
Complex sites require more detailing, transitions, and access management. Those factors slow production and increase setup and cleanup time, so hours rise even if material quantities stay similar.
4) Do I need materials markup?
No. Use it when delivery, handling, or supplier volatility is not included in unit costs. If your unit costs already include these charges, keep markup at zero.
5) How should I set contingency?
Common planning ranges are 5%–15%. Use more when demolition, drainage, or soil conditions are uncertain. Use less when scope, access, and specifications are clearly defined.
6) How accurate is the financing preview?
It estimates monthly payments using APR and term with standard amortization. Actual offers depend on fees, credit terms, and down payments, so treat it as a budgeting reference.