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Landscaping & Irrigation: what bids leave out
Landscaping is often the last bid on the job, and the one squeezed hardest. One bidder carries topsoil, fine grading, irrigation with the tap and backflow, mulch, edging, a plant warranty and watering until establishment. Another plants what's on the plan into whatever soil is there and stops. You may not see the difference until plants start dying.
Level your landscaping bids with this checklist →
Standard scope checklist
Send this to every bidder and ask them to mark each line Included, Excluded or give an Add $. Silence is not inclusion.
Sending it out? Use the free scope letter template to ask every bidder for line-item scope, inclusions, exclusions and alternates. Terms to know: exclusion, allowance.
| # | Scope item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Plant list, sizes and quantities per landscape plan |
| 2 | Substitutions and availability |
| 3 | Topsoil: strip, stockpile, respread or import |
| 4 | Fine grading of planting and lawn areas |
| 5 | Soil amendments and planting mix |
| 6 | Tree and shrub installation, staking and guying |
| 7 | Sod or seed: type and area |
| 8 | Erosion control blanket on slopes |
| 9 | Mulch, rock and landscape fabric |
| 10 | Edging and borders |
| 11 | Irrigation design (design-build or per plan) |
| 12 | Irrigation tap / water service and meter (who connects) |
| 13 | Backflow preventer and testing where required (check local code/AHJ) |
| 14 | Irrigation controller, sensors and power to controller |
| 15 | Sleeves under paving for irrigation lines |
| 16 | Tree protection for existing trees |
| 17 | Watering until establishment / final acceptance |
| 18 | Plant replacement warranty (length and terms) |
| 19 | Maintenance period (mowing, pruning, weeding) |
| 20 | Site amenities, if in scope (benches, planters, boulders) |
| 21 | Debris removal and haul-off |
| 22 | Sales tax, bond and prevailing wage |
Common exclusions and how they are worded
| Exclusion | Typical wording | Why it matters | Typical cost to cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topsoil & fine grading |
| Plants and grass need good soil at the right grade. If grading and landscaping both exclude topsoil and fine grade, you'll pay for it later. | TBD |
| Irrigation tap & backflow |
| Irrigation needs a water connection, often a meter and a backflow device. These can fall between the plumbing, utility and landscaping bids. | TBD |
| Irrigation sleeves |
| Sleeves have to go under walks and drives before paving. Missed sleeves mean boring or cutting new pavement. | TBD |
| Controller power |
| The irrigation controller needs power and a spot to mount. Make sure the electrical bid carries the circuit. | TBD |
| Plant warranty |
| Warranties range from weeks to a full year, and many depend on who waters. Compare terms side by side. | TBD |
| Establishment watering & maintenance |
| New plants need regular watering until they take. If nobody carries it, the warranty may not cover the losses. | TBD |
| Seed vs. sod |
| Seed is cheaper but takes longer to fill in and may not meet occupancy or erosion requirements. Make sure bids price the same thing. | TBD |
| Mulch, rock & edging |
| Depth, material and edging change the cost and the look. Spell them out so bids compare. | TBD |
| Erosion control |
| Slopes may need blankets until vegetation takes. Check who carries them and who handles any stormwater permit work until final stabilization. | TBD |
“Typical cost to cover” is TBD. We will publish ranges only once we have real, sourced data. Until then, use your own estimate or a confirmed add price from a bidder.
Questions to ask bidders
- What grade and soil condition does your price assume? Is topsoil and fine grading included?
- Does your irrigation price include the tap, meter and backflow preventer?
- Who installs sleeves under paving, and when do you need them in?
- Who provides power to the irrigation controller?
- How long is your plant warranty, and what conditions apply?
- Is watering until establishment included? Is any maintenance included?
- Did you price sod or seed, and over which areas?
- Are mulch depth, edging and landscape fabric per the plan included?
Bid-ready landscaping contractors
Contractors who agree to price against the standard checklist above, with exclusions spelled out line by line. Listings are not live yet.
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Featured listing
Your company · City, ST
Bids on the BidGaps checklist