Job costing for landscaping contractors
Landscape jobs mix plant material, hardscape material, equipment costs and crew labor that can vary a lot from the original design. Jobsheet gives each install or design-build job its own budget and running actual cost so plant substitutions or extra yardage show up right away.
Plant and hardscape material substitutions change cost fast
Nursery availability often forces plant substitutions after the design is priced, and paver or stone pricing varies by supplier. Logging the actual material invoice against the job — not the original design estimate — keeps your numbers honest.
Equipment and rental costs are easy to leave off the job
Skid steer rental, sod cutter rental or trucking for bulk material is often paid separately from labor and materials and can get missed on the job's cost sheet. Give equipment and rental its own category so it's counted in the job's actual cost.
Multi-day install labor is where estimates go wrong
A design-build install spread over several days is harder to estimate accurately than a single mow-and-go visit. Logging crew hours per day against the job lets you see a labor overrun on day two instead of after the final walkthrough.
What to track on every landscaping job
- Plant material and mulch
- Hardscape material (pavers, stone, retaining wall block)
- Equipment rental and trucking
- Irrigation materials
- Crew labor hours
- Subcontracted lighting or electrical work
Frequently asked questions
Can I track recurring maintenance and one-off installs separately?
Yes. Create separate jobs for install work and for maintenance contracts, each with its own budget and expense history, so you can compare margin across job types.
Does Jobsheet handle route scheduling for maintenance crews?
No — Jobsheet focuses on job cost and profit, not scheduling or routing. It works alongside whatever scheduling tool your crews already use.