Commercial, resort, institutional and government projects should be priced using a detailed bill of quantities rather than one general rate for the entire property.

The bill of quantities should identify Plant variety, Plant size, Plant quantity, Planting distance, Lawn area, Ground-cover area, Garden-soil volume, Fertilizer and soil amendments, Trees and palms per unit, Decorative stones and boulders, Irrigation components, Landscape lighting, Hardscape quantities, Mobilization, and Maintenance or establishment period.

The commercial rates above are preliminary planning allowances only. Final project pricing shall be based on the approved landscape plan and detailed bill of quantities.

HOW LANDSCAPING AREA IS MEASURED

The landscaping cost should be based on the actual area where landscape work will be performed.

Softscape Area

Softscape area includes:

• Lawn
• Ground covers
• Planting beds
• Shrub areas
• Garden-soil areas
• Tree and palm planting zones

Hardscape Area

Hardscape area includes:

• Walkways
• Patios
• Stepping stones
• Pavers
• Concrete pathways
• Natural-stone surfaces
• Decks
• Curbs and edging

Softscape and hardscape shall be measured and priced separately.

The total property lot area should not automatically be used as the landscaping area.

ELEMENTAL LANDSCAPING COSTS

For more accurate project planning, the landscape budget may be divided into the following components.

1. LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Landscape-design services may include:

• Site assessment
• Concept development
• Landscape layout
• Planting plan
• Plant schedule
• Hardscape layout
• Irrigation concept
• Landscape-lighting concept
• Perspective presentation
• Detailed drawings

Design fees shall be quoted separately based on the property size, required drawings and level of design detail.

The design fee may be credited partially to the construction contract when specifically stated in the proposal.

2. SITE PREPARATION

Site preparation may include:

• Clearing
• Removal of weeds
• Minor excavation
• Grading
• Backfilling
• Soil improvement
• Drainage correction
• Disposal of unsuitable soil
• Removal of construction debris

Major earthworks and hauling shall be measured separately.

3. GARDEN SOIL AND SOIL CONDITIONING

The required planting media will depend on:

• Existing soil condition
• Plant varieties
• Planting-bed depth
• Drainage
• Soil acidity
• Organic content
• Moisture-retention requirements

Imported garden soil, compost, coco peat, carbonized rice hull, organic fertilizer and other amendments shall be quantified in the detailed proposal.

4. LAWN AND GROUND COVERS

Available lawn and ground-cover options may include:

• Carabao grass
• Frog grass
• Blue grass
• Bermuda grass
• Peanut grass
• Wedelia
• Mondo grass
• Other approved ground-cover plants

The final rate will depend on the grass variety, soil preparation, delivery distance and site access.

5. SHRUBS AND FLOWERING PLANTS

Shrubs and flowering plants shall be priced based on:

• Plant variety
• Bag or pot size
• Plant height
• Plant density
• Quantity
• Availability
• Delivery requirements

Rare, imported or limited-availability plant varieties shall be separately quoted.

6. TREES AND PALMS

Trees and palms should be priced per unit rather than included only in a general square-metre rate.

The price will depend on:

• Plant species
• Overall height
• Trunk height
• Trunk diameter
• Root-ball size
• Source location
• Transportation
• Crane or boom-truck requirement
• Excavation
• Staking and guying
• Establishment requirements

Large and mature trees may require lifting equipment and special transportation.

7. IRRIGATION SYSTEM

An automatic irrigation system may include:

• Irrigation controller
• Solenoid valves
• Valve boxes
• Main and lateral pipes
• Sprinklers
• Rotors
• Spray heads
• Drip lines
• Filters
• Pressure regulator
• Wiring and controls
• Testing and commissioning

Water source, storage tank, pump and electrical supply shall be evaluated separately.

8. LANDSCAPE LIGHTING

Landscape-lighting work may include:

• Garden spike lights
• Tree uplights
• Bollard lights
• Step lights
• Underwater lights
• Transformers
• Cables
• Conduits
• Control switches
• Timers
• Photocells
• Smart controls

Electrical supply from the main building panel and major civil works shall be separately identified.

9. VERTICAL GARDEN OR GREEN WALL

The cost of a live vertical garden depends on:

• Wall area
• Structural framing
• Waterproof backing
• Planting modules
• Plant varieties
• Planting density
• Irrigation
• Drainage
• Fertilizer dosing
• Lighting
• Access for maintenance

A vertical garden requires a reliable irrigation and maintenance system.

10. WATER FEATURES AND PONDS

Water features shall be quoted separately because their costs depend on:

• Size and depth
• Structural requirements
• Waterproofing
• Pumps
• Filtration
• Plumbing
• Electrical controls
• Lighting
• Natural stones
• Waterfalls
• Fountains
• Fish or aquatic plants

Swimming pools are not included in landscaping budgetary rates.

PROJECT-SIZE ADJUSTMENT

Large, uninterrupted areas are generally more economical than small projects containing numerous separate planting areas.

The cost may increase when the project has:

• Narrow access
• Upper-floor gardens
• Rooftop gardens
• Multiple planting locations
• Steep slopes
• Poor soil
• Limited water supply
• Long manual hauling distances
• Restricted working hours
• Difficult plant delivery
• Numerous mature trees
• Complex irrigation
• Intensive planting density

STANDARD LANDSCAPING INCLUSIONS

Subject to the selected package and formal proposal, landscaping work may include:

1. Approved landscape layout.
2. Basic setting-out.
3. Minor site preparation.
4. Garden-soil preparation.
5. Supply and installation of approved plants.
6. Organic fertilizer or soil conditioner.
7. Basic planting labor.
8. Initial watering.
9. Site cleaning.
10. Project turnover.
11. Basic plant-care orientation.

All plant varieties, sizes and quantities shall be stated in the formal proposal or bill of quantities.

EXCLUSIONS

The following are not automatically included unless specifically stated:

1. Major excavation.
2. Hauling and disposal.
3. Demolition.
4. Removal of existing structures.
5. Soil stabilization.
6. Retaining walls.
7. Slope protection.
8. Major drainage systems.
9. Catch basins and underground drainage.
10. Roadworks and parking areas.
11. Swimming pools.
12. Major concrete structures.
13. Large hardscape areas.
14. Automatic irrigation.
15. Landscape lighting.
16. Water features.
17. Ponds.
18. Vertical gardens.
19. Large mature trees.
20. Crane and boom-truck services.
21. Electrical power supply.
22. Water supply and storage tank.
23. Government permits.
24. Professional engineering fees.
25. Material testing.
26. Provincial mobilization.
27. Employee accommodation.
28. Extended landscape maintenance.
29. Replacement caused by lack of watering or improper care.
30. Damage caused by animals, vandalism or construction activities.

PLANT AVAILABILITY AND SUBSTITUTION

Plant availability changes depending on season, nursery inventory and project location.

When an approved plant is unavailable, Green8scape may recommend a substitute with a similar:

• Height
• Form
• Color
• Texture
• Growth habit
• Landscape function

Any major substitution shall be coordinated with the client or landscape designer.

PLANT ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE

Newly installed landscaping requires regular watering and maintenance during the establishment period.

Recommended establishment activities include:

1. Regular watering.
2. Removal of weeds.
3. Replacement of damaged stakes.
4. Pruning of damaged leaves.
5. Monitoring of pests and diseases.
6. Application of appropriate fertilizer.
7. Cleaning of planting beds.
8. Inspection of irrigation.
9. Replacement of dead plants when covered by the contract.
10. Monitoring of drainage.

Landscape maintenance after project turnover is excluded unless a separate maintenance contract is included.

PLANT WARRANTY

Plant-warranty terms shall be stated in the formal proposal.

A plant warranty may require:

• An approved irrigation or watering system
• Proper maintenance
• Controlled access to the landscaped area
• Protection from construction work
• Regular inspection
• Compliance with watering instructions

The warranty does not automatically cover plant damage or death caused by:

1. Lack of watering.
2. Excessive watering.
3. Flooding.
4. Poor drainage outside the contracted scope.
5. Typhoons or strong winds.
6. Drought or extreme heat.
7. Fire.
8. Vandalism.
9. Animals.
10. Pests or diseases introduced after turnover.
11. Chemical exposure.
12. Construction activities by another contractor.
13. Unauthorized relocation.
14. Improper pruning.
15. Failure to follow maintenance instructions.
16. Force-majeure events.

IMPORTANT BUDGETARY COST NOTES

1. Published rates are preliminary planning estimates only.
2. The rates are not fixed quotations or guaranteed contract prices.
3. Final pricing requires a site inspection or approved landscape plan.
4. The figures are exclusive of 12% VAT.
5. The rates are based on actual landscaped or constructed areas.
6. The total lot or building floor area should not automatically be used.
7. Plant prices depend on species, size, availability and quantity.
8. Rare and imported plants shall be separately priced.
9. Trees and palms shall normally be measured per unit.
10. Hardscape and softscape shall be measured separately.
11. Major excavation and hauling shall be separately priced.
12. Irrigation and lighting shall be included only when stated.
13. Provincial mobilization may be charged separately.
14. Plant substitutions may be required because of availability.
15. Final plant quantities shall follow the approved planting plan.
16. Prices may change because of labor, fuel, transportation and material costs.
17. All inclusions and exclusions shall be stated in the formal proposal.
18. These budgetary rates are effective for 2026 and should be reviewed periodically.

REQUEST A SITE INSPECTION AND FORMAL QUOTATION

For a more accurate landscaping quotation, please provide:

• Project location
• Approximate landscaped area
• Site-development plan
• Architectural plan
• Photos or videos of the area
• Preferred landscape style
• Required plants or trees
• Required irrigation system
• Required landscape lighting
• Required water features
• Target project schedule
• Available project budget

Green8scape Development Corp. provides landscape design, softscape installation, hardscape development, irrigation, landscape lighting and garden maintenance for residential, resort, commercial and institutional projects in Cebu and other areas in the Visayas.