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On an estimate I prefer to show all specific items as materials (plants, mulch etc.) with labor included. I used to show the materials separate from the labor involved with planting/spreading it. The cost of labor was lumped into one number with all other planting/mulching etc.
I changed my ways however for two reasons. First, it was just easier when paring down an estimate to meet a customers budget. They could see exactly how much those 10-12' pines cost and whether they could afford 30 perennials or 15, without bugging me to refigure the labor each time.
Secondly, I no longer had to argue with a customer who said," Well I see your boxwood cost $50 but I can get them at Home Depot for $35. What if I have you pick them up there and it will save me....And about the cost of your perennials... and I can have the mulch delivered and dumped on the drive..."
Yes I could explain that I offered the guarantee (inc. labor) and that I would have to charge extra labor for the aggravation and that it takes MUCH less time AND backstrain to work mulch/soil/stone off the back of a truck than off the ground...blah,blah. But I don't want the aggravation of either discussing my pricing or having a crew stand around in a big box or nursery or having a employee develop back strain because they want us to use "their" materials.
The way I price now, they just see a material/labor included price for each item. Now that boxwood is listed as $70 labor & materials instead of $50 for the plant and the $20 buried in the overall labor cost. It seems overly simple. But no one bugs me about price matching materials anymore and I have control over the quality of the plants in my design.
On a side note. I do find it odd that it's common practice to put a one year guarantee on trees and shrubs but not on perennials and grasses. We place the same guarantee on those, however, because they are suppose to be "hardy," so why the difference? If you plant the right perennial or grass in the right location it's certainly as durable as most shrubs and trees. It's a perennial not an annual.
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