Landscaping Estimate Calculator

Each material row computes its own quantity (cubic yards for volume materials, square feet for sod and pavers, short tons for gravel weight basis), applies a per-row waste factor, and emits a line total. The job rolls up to total cost, then prices via margin or markup.

volume materials (mulch / topsoil / concrete):
  cu_yd = (L_ft × W_ft × (D_in / 12)) / 27
  cost  = cu_yd × $/cu yd × (1 + waste)

gravel (weight basis, default):
  cu_yd = (L_ft × W_ft × (D_in / 12)) / 27
  tons  = cu_yd × density (t/cu yd)
  cost  = tons × $/ton × (1 + waste)

sod / pavers (area materials):
  cost  = sq_ft × $/sq ft × (1 + waste)
  pavers/sqft = 144 / (paverW_in × paverL_in)
  paverCount  = ceil(sq_ft × pavers/sqft × (1 + waste))

aggregate:
  materialsCost  = Σ row.lineTotal
  laborCost      = hours × rate × crew
  overheadCost   = (materials + labor) × contingency
  totalCost      = materials + labor + overhead
  estimatedPrice (markup) = totalCost × (1 + markup)
  estimatedPrice (margin) = totalCost / (1 − margin)

Default unit prices and waste factors come from US 2026 consensus ranges (Lawnstarter, HomeGuide, Angi, Inch Calculator, Omnicalculator). Density 1.5 t/cu yd is the standard gravel average — verify against your supplier's quote. Tax is excluded.

Material quantities are the easy part to defend; the argument at the end of an install is almost always about what was included. Write it down as a scope of work and hand the priced version over on the generic work estimate template, or build the document straight from these line items in the printable quote builder.

The margin and markup switch at the bottom trips up more estimates than the densities do; the difference between the two settings is worth seeing spelled out before you pick one. Completed work bills on the landscaping invoice template.