I agree.
Landscaping is custom work and there are many variables.
i posted a photo of our back yard project on another(pond) thread awhile back.
I did not mention the cost, it was not relevant to the topic. No one asked, anyway.
I wouldn't have done so if asked. It would not be fair to the landscaping company, as the installation of our project was complex and unless one understood all that went into it, they would have no way of evaluating whether the cost was appropriate.
In our case, we had a similar landscape project done in a previous home, in a similar setting (an enclosed courtyard). I worked on that project with a japanese landscaper to design and install it- literally worked along side him as his partner, so I was well aware of the labor required and the prep work ahead of time. I shopped with him and bought all the component parts in person.
I went into our current project with my homework done and my eyes wide open. I did not do physical work on this one, but was present, watching the complete install.
We got an excellent custom job. The price was appropriate.
My neighbor here had landscaping done, but did not want to be bothered with the details. He had the landscaper (an independent) come to his house and take a look. I was present at the time.
He said he wanted the grass gone and the front done with palms- then said, 'How much?'
The guy threw a price at him and he said, "Fine, just make it nice and put in some color. My wife will be here in two days. I want it done by then". It took 5 minutes to accomplish their agreement.
The only thing my neighbor picked out was the color of the rock. He was given two choices to pick from- in those 5 minutes.
His project was done the next day, and my neighbor was pleased that he got it done without fuss and at what he considered a bargain price.
Less than a year later, it is not standing the test of time. He got a fast job, but not an appropriate one for his property's exposure. He's not real happy with it now.
Perhaps this is not the typical way that most homeowners go about getting their landscaping done. My neighbor chuckles at the efforts I put into things- and he and I are agreed that I am a fuss-budget in scenarios where he would be spontaneous, then be done.
It's just one example of how you can not compare landscaping jobs, or the cost of them.
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