Landscaping quote template (Australia)

Landscaping quotes are notoriously hard to compare because the scope can include almost anything — earthworks, drainage, paving, retaining walls, decks, turf, planting, irrigation, lighting and council compliance. Use this template to break the job into the same line items every reputable Australian landscaper would structure it around, so the two quotes you compare are talking about the same yard.

What is a landscaping quote template?

A landscaping quote template is the structure a complete written landscaping quote should follow — site assessment, demolition and site prep, drainage, hardscape (paving, walls, decks), softscape (turf, plants, irrigation), council compliance and certifications, workmanship warranty and progress payments. It is the document you take to a second landscaper and say "quote the same scope".

When to use this template

Use this template for any landscaping job bigger than a tidy-up and lawn-mow — turf laying, garden bed redesign, retaining walls, paving, deck builds, irrigation install, drainage works, and full backyard renovations. The bigger the job, the more important an itemised written quote becomes.

Before you request quotes — get these details ready

The more concrete the detail you can give a landscaper up front, the faster and more accurate the quotes you receive. Aim to have these details ready before you post the job:

• Approximate yard area in square metres and a rough sketch or photo set covering all sides.
• Existing drainage issues — pooling water, soggy patches, runoff toward the house.
• Council or strata constraints (heritage overlay, fence heights, tree-removal permits, easements you are aware of).
• Soil type if you know it — clay, sand or loam — and any drainage history.
• Hardscape preferences — paving material, retaining-wall material, deck timber or composite.
• Plants you want kept, plants you definitely do not want, and any irrigation or lighting wish-list.

What your landscaping quote should include

A complete written landscaping quote from a reputable Australian landscaper should contain every one of the line items below. If any are missing, ask for the detail in writing before comparing against another quote:

• Site assessment notes plus a sketched or CAD plan of the proposed works.
• Demolition and site prep — removal of existing pavers, turf, plants and structures, plus skip-bin and tip fees.
• Drainage — surface drainage, ag-line, soakwells or connection to stormwater, with depths and lengths specified.
• Hardscape — paving in square metres with material and pattern, retaining walls in lineal metres with material and engineering reference if over 1m, decks in square metres with timber or composite specified.
• Softscape — turf type and square metres, plant schedule with species and pot sizes, mulch type and depth, irrigation zones.
• Council and certification — engineering certification for walls or decks where required, and any council application fees.
• Workmanship warranty — 12–24 months on planting and turf, often longer on hardscape and drainage.
• Progress payments tied to milestones (site prep, drainage in, hardscape complete, softscape complete) plus a final hold-back of around 10%.
• Landscaper's ABN, licence (where the state requires one for structural work) and public-liability insurance reference.

How to compare landscaping quotes fairly

When two landscaping quotes differ by a lot, the difference is almost always in drainage, retaining-wall engineering, paving material and irrigation. Line both quotes up against these line items in detail — a cheaper quote that skips an ag-line, omits engineering on a 1.2m retaining wall or drops irrigation is not actually quoting the same yard. Use the landscaper cost guide for typical Australian pricing ranges, then line up the quotes against this checklist row-by-row before deciding on price.

Common quote mistakes to avoid

• Skipping drainage on sites with known runoff or clay soil — the most expensive mistake in Australian landscaping.
• Treating PC sums for plants and pavers as fixed prices rather than allowances.
• Not getting council approvals confirmed before signing — retaining walls and structures over 1m commonly need them.
• Paying the bulk of the quote up-front rather than against milestones.
• Substituting plant species or hardscape materials on the day without a written variation.

Red flags before you sign

Any one of the warning signs below is a reason to slow down and seek another quote. Two or more is a reason to walk away — there is always another landscaper.

• No site assessment notes or plan attached to the quote.
• No mention of drainage on a yard with known water issues.
• Retaining walls over 1m quoted with no engineering reference.
• Vague "$50/m² paving" with no material, pattern or sub-base spec.
• Deposit requests above 10% on a long-running landscaping contract.

Questions to ask before choosing a provider

The questions below tend to surface a thoughtful, experienced landscaper from someone who is winging it. There are no wrong answers, but the willingness to answer them clearly in writing is itself the signal:

• Can you show me your plan or sketch and walk through the site assessment?
• How is drainage being handled and is it warranted separately?
• What licence and insurance cover do you carry for the structural elements?
• How are plant and paving allowances priced — fixed quantity or allowance?
• What is the milestone schedule, and what does each payment release?
• What is the workmanship warranty in writing for hardscape, turf and planting?

How TaskerAsker helps you get better landscaping quotes

TaskerAsker is a free Australian marketplace for home services. Post your landscaping job once and receive up to three written quotes from local landscapers. Every provider has their ABN verified before they can quote, their trade licence is surfaced on the profile where the trade is licensed, and reviews are tied to completed jobs only. Post your job free or browse verified landscapers first, or read the landscaper cost guide for typical pricing.

Final checklist before you post

Tick each item off before you send a landscaper job out to quote:

• Written quote with plan, drainage, hardscape and softscape itemised.
• Council approvals confirmed or quoted as a separate line.
• Milestone-tied progress payments — deposit at or below 10%.
• Warranty length in writing for each major element.
• Insurance and licence references.
• Two more comparable quotes before you commit.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need council approval for landscaping work?

It depends on the work and the council. Retaining walls over 1m, structures attached to the house, fences above the local height limit, removal of protected trees and any drainage that affects neighbouring lots usually need approval. Your landscaper should be able to tell you what is required in your council area before quoting.

What is the typical workmanship warranty on Australian landscaping?

Twelve to twenty-four months on planting and turf is common, with longer warranties on hardscape (paving, retaining walls, decks) and drainage. The exact length should be in writing on the quote, with separate figures for each major element of the job.

Why is drainage such a big deal on landscaping quotes?

Because failed drainage is the single most common cause of expensive rectification work — soggy turf, undermined retaining walls, pooling water against the house slab. On any block with clay soil or known runoff, drainage should be a specific line on the quote with depths, lengths and discharge point named.

How are plant and paving allowances usually handled?

Most landscapers use a Prime Cost (PC) allowance for plants and sometimes pavers — a budgeted dollar figure that gets reconciled against actual receipts. If you choose more expensive plants you pay the difference; cheaper choices credit back to you. The PC line should be clearly visible on the quote.

How much deposit should I pay on a landscaping job?

Around 10% on signing is the typical Australian range, with the rest paid against milestones — site prep, drainage in, hardscape complete, softscape complete, and final inspection. Larger residential building work also has legal deposit caps that vary by state — check yours.

Ready to compare quotes? Post your landscaping job free and receive up to three written quotes from verified Australian landscapers. You can also browse the landscapers hub, read the landscaper cost guide, or browse all quote templates.

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