[shcisamax]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I ask this question to any Landscaping company. How much to plant one fifteen foot tall Sylvester Palm in a front yard?

I couldn't agree more. When we contracted with Tri County who had done the initial build, Scott could tell me how much every single plant would cost installed. It really wasn't about "design". Before he planted, I knew exactly what the job would cost. You ask what the curbing costs per linear foot installed. You determine the stone you wish, or the mulch type, and ask what the install cost is. It is fairly easy to determine who is charging more and less.


That said, I don't think TriCounty is doing private landscaping now because TV has them so busy. I will also tell you they were less expensive than the two other "design" landscapers we spoke to. If you can come up with your own design after getting ideas from three companies, you should be able to ask the price and shop that design to determine the best overall price.

BTW: I think this is a great thread. When we were just beginning with all the extras, I wish I had had a thread like this to go to so I could refer to approximate costs and make decisions in a more cohesive way instead of piecemealing it as time went on. One doesn't know how much things will cost after they plunk down the cost of the house. Knowing approximately how much you will be putting in after is extremely helpful to make choices...where do you want to spend your money and what is most important to YOU. Thanks for starting this thread Gracie.

[gomoho]

Ditto - thank you Gracie - a ball park figure is better than no figure at all. Hopefully we are all intelligent enough to know there could be great variations depending on how you are having a job done, but it is good to have a figure to work with. When we were pricing landscaping for the rear of our home seemed like the quotes were all around the
$3500 (give or take) range for nothing elaborate. I then decided to have a landscaper do the difficult work - removing sod, establishing the beds and planting the palms and I
did the rest. Saved over $1000.

Point being - I would be comfortable telling someone to landscape the rear of an average sized designer would be around $3500.

[jimbo2012]

The wholesale cost on a Sable or Queen is about $85-$120 8'-12', Sylvester $85-$100 CT (clear trunk)

I believe they figure about $100-150 to plant it.

Mulch is $20 a yard, typical home needs 2-3, delivery $25, very light weight and you can DIY.

small Stone is 50-85 yard

Plant clinic is opposed to using stone due to heat (just walk on them barefoot) and the fact that they add no nutrition to plants.

They recommend pine mulch because it breaks down into the soil over time, many newer homes south of 466A have poor soil to begin with.

Where I see the landscapers making a lot of profit is these stacked walls and other curbing.

If you go to HD those blocks are $1.50-$2.50 each easy to figure.

The problem I was told from the plant clinic with these curbs and walls around palm trees is the drip line of the tree should be about the same size as the palm.
The drip line is where the roots get most of their nutrients. When grass is under that drip line and you use grass fertilizer that is the incorrect chemical composition for the palm which needs are very specific fertilizer.

Moreover, when planning the curbing you need to make that wall the expected diameter or width of the mature size.


.The drip line is the vertical line that water would drip off the tip of a frond or branch

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

The wholesale cost on a Sable or Queen is about $85-$120 8'-12', Sylvester $85-$100 CT (clear trunk)

I believe they figure about $100-150 to plant it.

Mulch is $20 a yard, typical home needs 2-3, delivery $25, very light weight and you can DIY.

small Stone is 50-85 yard

Plant clinic is opposed to using stone due to heat (just walk on them barefoot) and the fact that they add no nutrition to plants.

They recommend pine mulch because it breaks down into the soil over time, many newer homes south of 466A have poor soil to begin with.

Where I see the landscapers making a lot of profit is these stacked walls and other curbing.

If you go to HD those blocks are $1.50-$2.50 each easy to figure.

The problem I was told from the plant clinic with these curbs and walls around palm trees is the drip line of the tree should be about the same size as the palm.
The drip line is where the roots get most of their nutrients. When grass is under that drip line and you use grass fertilizer that is the incorrect chemical composition for the palm which needs are very specific fertilizer.

Moreover, when planning the curbing you need to make that wall the expected diameter or width of the mature size.


.The drip line is the vertical line that water would drip off the tip of a frond or branch

We found the pine mulch to be a royal pain as it was constantly blowing onto the sidewalk, our large dog (who pees in the landscaping area specifically set up for him so as not to wreck the grass) would easily track it inside, as we would just from walking on what was blown onto the sidewalk. I could not wait to get rid of it.

As for mulch, I love that look, but goldens will munch on wood endlessly. We know from experience up north. the stones were our best option, and they have not injured any of our plants. Plus they're not too hot for him to walk on to get to his spot. They are pricey, though.

My neighbor put stones all around three sides of her designer, and it cost $2000 back in the fall of 2012. I believe you get a better deal if you are including other landscaping with that.

BTW, just added a tree, a knockout rose, and three plants to our landscaping. Jamie's charges no labor if he did your original landscaping.