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Landscaping cost calculator: price the yard before you quote
Equipment, dump fees and material deliveries add up fast on landscaping jobs. Enter the job and see your break-even, your target price and your price per square foot.
Seven costs every landscaping bid has to cover
Example: a 2,500 sq ft backyard with topsoil and sod
3 workers × 3 days × 9 hours = 81 crew hours at $28/hour. Overhead of $7,000 a month over 8 jobs. Target margin 15%.
| Crew labour with CPP, EI, vacation pay and WCB | $2,583 |
| Labour contingency (10%) | $258 |
| Materials | $3,600 |
| Equipment, fuel and disposal | $1,100 |
| Share of overhead | $875 |
| Cost of waiting to be paid | $2 |
| Break-even price | $8,419 |
| Price for a 15% margin | $9,905 |
| Target price per square foot | $3.96 |
These are example numbers to show how the math works, not market prices. Your wages, rates and overhead will be different, so put in your own. WCB uses the 2026 Alberta industry rate for Landscaping (02100).
Landscaping pricing questions
How do I price landscaping per square foot?
Add up labour with payroll costs and WCB, materials, equipment and your overhead share, add your margin, then divide by the square feet of the job.
Should equipment rental be in the price?
Yes. Add the skid steer, trailer and fuel under equipment so every quote covers them.
Can I take a deposit?
Yes. Set a deposit on the proposal and bill it with a deposit invoice.
Is it free?
The job check is free. Proposals, invoices and your logo come with Pro, and new accounts get a 14-day Pro trial with no card needed.
Other trades
Check your next landscaping job before you bid it.
It takes about two minutes. Then turn it into a proposal with your logo and GST number.
Open the landscaping calculator →