How do I compare landscaping quotes when each contractor prices differently?
Why landscaping quotes are so hard to compare
One contractor prices by the square foot. Another prices by the hour. A third prices by the bag of mulch or fertilizer. When every quote uses a different unit, it is almost impossible to tell which one actually costs less.
Break each quote into the same unit price
To compare quotes fairly, convert every number to the same measure — $/sq ft, $/hour, or $/bag, whichever applies to the job. Do this for every line item, not just the total.
- List every service in each quote separately (mowing, edging, mulch, irrigation, etc.)
- Convert each line to its unit price
- Compare unit prices side by side, not just the bottom-line total
Watch for contract clauses that cost money later
A low price today can turn into a high bill later if the contract has clauses that add cost — automatic renewals, fuel surcharges, or fees for extra visits. Read the full contract, not just the price sheet, before you sign.
Check the quotes against Florida's competitive-bid rules
Florida has competitive-bid rules that apply to association contracts. Boards should confirm whether the landscaping contract falls under these rules before choosing a vendor. This is not legal advice — confirm the exact requirements with your association's attorney or the state agency that regulates associations.
Get more vendors to compete
Cheaper pricing usually comes from making vendors compete for the job, not from picking the first quote that looks low. Send the same request for quote to several rated companies near you and ask them to price the same scope of work, so every quote uses the same units and line items from the start.
What to do next
BoardBids is a free tool that reads your own landscaping quotes — upload or paste each one as a photo or PDF. It breaks every quote into unit prices, flags contract clauses that could cost money later, checks the picture against Florida's competitive-bid rules for associations, and writes a request-for-quote email you can send to rated companies near you. It never invents a price. This guide is not legal, tax, or financial advice — always confirm requirements with a qualified professional or the relevant agency.