Landscapers and Gardeners: How much you should pay and what they don't want you to know

Everyone wants their home to have curb appeal, but they don't want to live inthe poor house to get it. What'sthe going rate for landscapers and gardeners? Its often a great mystery when trying to find out how much you should pay;and even what you shouldcharge if you're in the business.If you're the client; it's important to know what youre being charged; afterall, money doesnt grow on trees you know. Although every trade has its secrets, how much you pay an hour shouldnt be one of them.First, in defense of landscapers and gardeners; they work extremely hard physically, so they should get paid what their worth.It's back-breaking work;they dig holes, deal with swarming bees, poison ivy, snakes, and even lyme disease, and that doesn't include all the bumps, bruises, cuts, and backachesthey endure. Expectingto pay $8 to $12 an hour is ridiculous.Most landscaping and gardening gigs areconsidered seasonal work; andthey're at the mercy ofthe weather; butit doesn't meanthat theclient hastopayextremelabor charges to compensate.Below, you'll find somecommon-ground and common-sense information regarding rates for the landscaping, gardening, and lawn service.These are fair andsuggested rates from a professional gardenerby trade, an award-winning gardener, gardening book author, former gardening judge, gardening teacher, and public speaker. She'sbeen in the landscaping and design business for 24 years in Philadelphia and surrounding areas, and when it comes to gardening and landscaping, she's seen it all, the best and the worse.First, consider the following; if youre hiring a single gardener or landscaper and they have extensive horticultural education, years of horticulture experience, and they are designing, as well as, planting, they should get paid more. If youre hiring someone whose goodat odd jobs and cleaning up the yard butcan'ttell the difference betweena weed and a perennial, maybe not as much. Then again, others may have a four-year horticultural degree with very limited practical experience; botanical names won't bloom. Eitherway;keep in mind that you didnt want to do it so your gonnapay.So; lets get right to the point.Yard work - Common, Light to Moderate - $15/hour-This could be a teen, neighbor or family member doingyard work- No real horticultural knowledge needed (perennials, pruning, etc.)- Pulling weeds in beds where there are no perennials- Raking leaves in a small yard (1/4 acre)- Cutting a small lawn with a push mower (1/4 acre)- Shearing a hedge- Shoveling snow off of a smaller drivewayGroundskeeper $30-$35/hour (More steady work, daily, weekly, year-round)- Some groundskeepers live on the property, therefore, its an agreement between thehomeowner and the groundskeeper.- Takes care of all of the duties on the grounds such as mowing, pruning, weeding,fertilizing on a daily or weekly basis.Professional Gardener - $35-$45/hour (Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly)- Designs beds on your property- Planting, dividing, and transplanting- Pruning shrubs and trees- Plants all urns and pots- Weeds beds with perennials- Edging and mulching- Purchasing plants and delivery of plants**- Spring and Fall cleanup and winter bed prepMulching and Edging Beds Only - $35-40/hour the foreman and$20 for each crew member(Yes, the boss will make money off of his employees, why shouldn't he?)- Seasonal- Beds for the most part are clear of plants- If you have birms, hills, and hard to get to areas, you may pay moreLawn Mowing - $35-$40 per acre (minimum of $40 for anything less than 1 acre)For example:If you have 2 acres, you should pay around $75 for each cutNo matter how many crew members, you should only pay price per acre, not per personLeaf Removal - $25 per personLeaf removal costs can vary depending on:- Size of property- Amount of trees with falling leaves- Whether or not they are disposing of leaves off property.I say, start a compost pile.Snow Removal (Plowing) - $35-40 per driveway (minimum of $40 for any driveway that needs a plow)-This does not include difficult to plow driveways, long driveways,industrial parks, commercialproperty, etc.Professional Landscape Companies/Contractors - $75-150/hour to foreman and$25-35/hour for each crew member(Large established firm with 5 or more employees, vans, equipment, etc.)- Large garden installations- Pond installation- Hardscaping: Retainer walls, walkways, patios, etc.- Always negotiateLawn Fertilization Programs- Depends on number of visits- Depends on chemicals used- I have nothing good to say about these programs, so Ill leave it alone- Warning:Know exactly what youre getting, why youre getting it, and when appliedPlant materials**Okay, heres the deal; most landscapers get their plant materials wholesale, duh.Of course they will charge you retail; whats the problem?Thats how it should be because thats another way they make their money; but, if theyre going to charge you $15.99 for a plant that you can purchase at your local garden center for $6.99, you may suggest that you will buy the plants, but don't forget you have to deliver them to your home. Let the internet do the walking and do some research on your plant costs before agreeing with the price. Do not tell a landscaper where you want them to buy your plants, cause that aint happenin. Also, dont ask to go to the wholesale nursery with the client, that aint happenin either. Garden and Landscape nurseries that sell to the trade only will not allow it anyway.Estimates Most are FreeDon't go with anyone who wants to charge you for an estimate. But don't take advantage of their time and knowledge when they visit. Landscapers have been used; they give free estimates, only to be told by the client, no thanks, and then the client does the work themselves, based on your design. Thats a no no.Its dishonest, and you know what they say about Karma.Landscape Designs You can pay from $500-2000 depending on the jobThis is usually based on the hours it takes to come up with the design, mileage for research, and the plan itself.Most times, homeowners cant even read the design, therefore, they dont really know what theyre getting.Make sure you walk around each part of the property and have the landscaper explain the plan. Also, make sure you see each plant that will be purchased.Final words of wisdom:Always remember:- Everything is negotiable!- Get 3 estimates for any medium to large job- Get 2 references or go see their work elsewhere. They should be okay about that-If possible, stick with referrals instead of choosing a company out of the blue- Always ask for an itemized estimate, and be sure to take a good look at it and askquestions for clarification BEFORE you agree to the job.Never decide youre notin agreement with a cost after the job is in process or done, unless its not doneproperly.- Take a good look at the plant material.If its scrawny, leggy, or much smaller thanyoud like, let them know immediately.Although you can negotiate; if youre going to underpay or nickel and dime your landscaper or gardener, then they should fire you.If theyre good, they have more work than they can handle and its your loss.Also, can you at least offer them a cold drink every once in a while? And most important, hire someone you like.You gotta read this:Cant afford a landscaper/gardener? 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