why do garden quotes vary so much?
ever wondered why different contractors can quote wildly different prices for the same project? it’s actually quite common for the same project to receive quotes that are twenty or fifty percent different, to each other, and not unheard of to see prices double between bids. we recently saw a project quoted at AED 160,000 by one company and AED 260,000 by another – a AED 100,000 (+60%) difference. so we wanted to share some insights from this example to help you understand why this happens.
it's not always about one being "cheaper" or "more expensive," but rather about what each quote truly encompasses. here's a breakdown of common reasons for price discrepancies:
scope and inclusions: the lower quote might seem appealing, but often it's not fully comprehensive. key items or entire sections of work might be missing, leaving you with hidden costs down the line. a higher quote usually provides a more complete picture of all necessary elements. for instance, one of the quotes had many design elements missing, including: wall cladding, BBQ appliances, 3 planter boxes, 2 water features, the lawn, trellis, and the mulch for planting beds, all entirely excluded. these missing items, which the client was unaware of, lead to significant extra costs later on. In this case the contractor ran out of time, so they submitted an incomplete bid, hoping they’d be selected and could ‘fix’ the price later!
material specifications: a significant factor in price variation is the quality and type of materials. a cheaper quote might propose alternative, lower-cost materials that deviate from the original design intent or offer less durability in exchange for a quick saving. higher prices might not be better either, take the following example that stood out to us in these quotes: the pricing for 16 identical pots. one contractor quoted a total of AED 12,235.00 for these pots, while another astonishingly priced the very same pots at AED 41,600.00! that's an almost 3.5x difference for what should be the exact same item. this isn't a minor fluctuation; it's a gap that demands a deeper look. while material quality, brand, or specific features can influence cost, such a massive discrepancy for an seemingly identical item often points to inflated markups or a misunderstanding of the project's scope. knowing which suppleirs to go to is key to getting a fair price, consitantly.
overheads and resources: more established contractors often have larger, better-resourced teams with dedicated project managers, supervisors, skilled labor, and machinery. while this can lead to higher "preliminaries" (overheads) in their quote, it often translates to better project management, higher quality workmanship, and a smoother delivery. don’t confuse this with profits, either - most contractors make 10-20% net profit on a job. on this project we were able to advise the client that the higher cost contractor has access to larger resources of manpower and they provide a dedicated project manager for their projects. this will ultimately help the project run smoother and reduce potential issues, and it shows - this contractor has the best record for finishing on time.
experience: contractors with a proven track record, specialised skills, and extensive experience in complex landscaping projects might command a higher price. their expertise can save you money in the long run by avoiding costly mistakes and ensuring a superior, lasting result. for example, we found one contractor (A) had submitted a price for a paving at AED 40/sqm totalling AED 880.00. whilst another contractor (B) had submitted a price for the exactly the same paving but their rate was AED 236.08/sqm totalling AED 5,193.65. In this case we advised the client that contractor (A) was too cheap - whilst it might seem like good value at initial glance, this will inevitably cost the client in the long run. note: you cannot even buy these materials for the price quoted, so they clearly had no experience installing it and didn’t get a quote from a supplier before submitting their bid to the client.
expertise: likewise, if a contractor is highly confident and efficient in a particular scope of works (e.g., irrigation systems, custom carpentry), they may be able to offer a more competitive price for that item. compared with a company that’s less familiar becuase they’d need to sub-contract the item, or factor in worst-case scenarios.
market demand: if a contractor has a full order book, they may increase their rates. high demand can naturally drive prices up. think: would you get your hair cut in the salon that’s always empty?!
post-construction support: some contractors include warranties, defect liability periods, or even initial plant maintenance, which might not be factored into lower-priced quotes.
when reviewing your quote always dig deeper than the bottom line. understand what the contractor is offering, clarify any ambiguities, and consider the long-term value and quality you're aiming for.
with deep knowledge of the landscape industry we will help you navigate these complexities. during guardianship, we’ll provide impartial advice for you if anything in your quote looks unreasonably expensive, or if anything’s been misunderstood. with 200 recent projects and market rates for almsot everything, we’ll ensure fair value, whatever your budget.