Question
Hi my name is Jeff. I live in the Hamilton NJ area. I am a lawn service. I am starting to do hardscaping. I need to know the right way to price retaining walls and patios. I don't know if its by the sq ft or by the job. I was hoping to get some advice because i don't want to lose money on this type of thing i want to make money. So if you can get back to me on how i can do this wile im on the job or if its better to go home to do it on my computer. Please get back to me and give me a good way of doing this so i can take it out on the field and do it the right way.


I wanted to say thank you for your help.

Jeff Miller

Answer
Hello,

I would not make any cost estimates without drawings,produced by you or your client. With a drawing,based on a careful survey of the site,you can get a much more accurate cost estimate,than one produced by "guesstimating".

Breaking the structures to be constructed into square or lineal foot units is a convenient way to take the total cost of doing the job and transfer it to the project.

I suppose you could base some of your work on sketches made in the field but to make details and refine the drawing you will have to go back to an office. You will also have to check material prices and look up other references,which would require you to return to your office. Similarly,if you are given a concept or final drawing by your client,its usual to go back to an office.  Good luck. Let me know if I can be of further help.

Mark Harshman
http://www.mahdrafting.com
Email: [email protected]

http://www.allexperts.com/ep/724-104627/Landscaping-Design/Mark.htm