National University - Manila
College of Architecture
551 MF Jhocson St. Sampaloc, Manila, PH 1008
LANDSCAPE DESIGN COST FACTOR
APLANN01 - Planning 1 - Site Planning And Landscape Architecture
Submiited by:
ORATA, Anthony R,
ARC22B
Submitted to:
Ar. John Andrie M, Deka Cruz III, UAP, EnP
PART I
RESEARCH ON LANDSCAPE DESIGN COSTING FACTORS
A. INTRODUCTION TO LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN
COSTING FACTORS
Landscape Design is the process of developing outdoor spaces into aesthetically pleasing
and functional spaces. It encompasses different landscaping activities such as: 1) The proper
specification and utilization of plants, building and paving materials, and grade (ground and
surface) alterations, 2) Improvements to soils, drainage, and long-term site ecological health, 3)
The employment or introduction of irrigation, lighting, water features, or other site amenities and
improvements, 4) The site micro-climates, views, or other site characteristics, 5) The strategic
use of sculpture, ornament, color, sound and other aesthetic enhancements, and 6) The creation
guidelines for long-term stewardship strategy, site sustainability, regeneration, and succession.
Landscape Design Costing Factors refer to the various components that affect and
influence the overall costs of planning and designing landscaping-related projects. These factors
include project size, site assessments, landscape design elements, landscape utilities, labor
requirements, site conditions, and regulatory considerations.
B. COMPONENTS OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN COSTING FACTORS
1. Site Analysis and Preparation
This involves assessing the site’s existing conditions, such as its topography, soil
quality, and vegetation. It also consists of analyzing the social, historical, climatic, geographic,
and legal contexts of the site’s location. All of these analyses are visually presented through
diagrams such as sun path diagrams, hazard maps, and site development maps.
2. Design Complexity
The amount of time and resources needed depends on the complexity of the design.
Simple layouts will typically be less expensive than complex designs with numerous
components, such as lighting, water features, and a variety of plants. For instance, using
imported stone for pathways and rare ornamental plants will increase costs compared to using
local materials and native plants.
3. Project Scale and Site Area
The project's size has a direct impact on the price. More time, labor, and construction
materials are needed in larger areas. Economies of scale, however, may occasionally reduce the
price per unit area.
4. Material and Plant Selection
Choosing plants (such as specimen trees, shrubs, and groundcovers) and materials (such
as concrete, wood, and natural stone) affects both the final product's appearance and price.
Mature plants and rare or high-end materials cost more. Using imported stone or rare material of
stone for patients or installing foreign species of plants and trees will increase costs compared to
using local materials and native plants.
5. Hardscape Elements
Non-living elements like patios, walkways, retaining walls, and water features are all considered
hardscaping. These elements often require significant investment due to materials and labor.
Building a custom stone retaining wall or installing a koi pond are significant hardscape
investments.
6. Labor, Legal, and Professional Fees
Labor costs cover the wages for workers and specialists needed for installation. Legal and
professional fees include payments to landscape architects/designers, permit fees, and
compliance costs.
7. Irrigation and Drainage
Designing and installing systems to provide water to plants and manage excess water is
crucial for landscape health and longevity. Costs are increased by intricate drainage and
irrigation systems. For instance, installing French drains or an automated sprinkler system can
help stop waterlogging in low-lying areas.
8. Climate-Responsive Design
Long-term costs are decreased and sustainability is ensured by tailoring the design to the
local climate. This could entail creating windbreaks or choosing plants that can withstand
drought. For instance, establishing shaded areas to lessen heat in hot climates or using native
plants that need less water in arid areas.
9. Maintenance and Life Cycle Cost
Ongoing maintenance (mowing, pruning, fertilizing, irrigation) and the expected lifespan
of materials and plants are significant long-term considerations. Over time, designs that need
regular maintenance or replacement raise overall costs. For instance, a formal rose garden that
requires constant care is more expensive to maintain than a low-maintenance xeriscape garden.
10.Regulatory and Safety Compliance
It is crucial to make sure the design complies with local building codes, zoning laws, and
safety requirements. Additional expenses for permits, inspections, or modifications may be
necessary for compliance. For instance, getting retaining wall permits, making sure walkways
are accessible, or following water use guidelines
C. SAMPLES OF COST ESTIMATES WITH LDCF
a. 100 square meters of the given land area (Sanchez, 2023)
Landscape Cost Estimates
Shrub Height Spacing Area Quantity Cost per Total Cost
species (meters) (meters) covered Unit
(sq.
meters)
Variegated 0.5 0.5 20 80 350 28,000.00
Camachile
Pakpak 0.8 0.8 20 31 800 25,000.00
Lawin
Tobacco 1.0 0.5 20 80 350 28,000.00
Variegated 0.5 0.5 20 80 100 8,000.00
Pandakaki
Bangkok 0.3 0.3 20 222 80 17,777.78
Schefflera
Total 106,777.78
Labor Cost (x20%) 21,355.56
Total Cost 128,133.33
COSTS OF TREES
Trees are estimated at Php 10,000 to 15,000 (4.5m height, 5 inches caliper)
@ 10sqm per tree = total of 10 trees
@ 10 trees (adult) = Php 15,000 x 10 = Php 150,000
+ Plus 20% labor = Php 30,000
Tree Cost Estimate = Php 180,000.00
This table details the cost analysis of five different shrub species and the costs of planting
trees to be used in a 100 square meter lot by Sanchez (2023). Each shrub species is assumed to
cover 20 square meters of the given lot, yet differs in quantity due to each species’ height and the
spacing required for planting. Out of all shrub species utilized in the costing, the Tobacco and
Variegated Pandakaki have the least quantity, amounting to Php 28,000.00 and Php 8,000.00 in
total, respectively. Bangkok Schefflera has the most number of quantity, with 222, amounting to
17,777.78. As presented in the table, the costs for the five shrub species accumulated a total
amount of Php 106,777.8, with 128,133.33 total cost if 20% of the Labor cost is added.
The costs for planting a tree were calculated separately. Assuming that each tree will
cover 10 square meters of the given 100 square meter lot, a total of 10 trees would be utilized. It
is mentioned that an adult tree, which is about 4.5 m in height, is priced at Php 15,000.00. Thus,
the total amount for trees costs Php 150,000.00, with a total cost estimate of 180,000.00 for an
additional 20% labor charge.
b. Amtic Elementary School’s “Gulayan sa Paaralan” Project Budget Allocation
This table summarizes the budget allocation of Amtic Elementary School landscaping
and gardening costs, as part of the DepEd Memorandum No. 223, s. 2016, “Strengthening the
Implementation of the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program In Public Elementary and Secondary
Schools Nationwide” program. The estimates cover four major particulars: Vegetable Seeds,
Labor, Garden Materials, and Garden Tools. Although some of the particulars do not adhere
to the Landscape Design Cost Factors, the table presented a comprehensive list of all expenses to
be covered by the project.
The school proposed 10 vegetables with varying quantities, ranging from 4 to 10 packs of
vegetable seedlings. As presented in the table, the cost for vegetable seeds has a total allocation
of Php 4,240.00. Costing for Labor depended on the number of days covered for a specific job or
activity. This includes the following: 1) Land Preparation (5 days) - amounting to Php 1,200.00
per day; 2) Plowing (2 days) - amounting to Php 1,000.00 per day; 3) and Seedling Planting (3
days) - costing Php 900 per day. Overall, the total budget allocated for Labor is Php 9,700.00.
Expenses for Garden Materials consist of essential items for setting up the garden, which have a
total of Php 4,710.00. Garden Tools to be used in the project amounted to a total of Php 9,080.00.
Overall, the school’s gardening project has an initial amount of Php 27,730.00.
CONCLUSION
Due to limited digital resources on Landscape Design Costing Factor estimates, the
following sample presented above may only display several factors on landscape design costing.
The presented samples focused their cost estimates on Material and Plant Selection and Labor
Cost. Although the data exhibits minimal costing factors, both samples have displayed a detailed
and comprehensive list of particulars (unit cost, quantities, and material dimensions), which
justified their respective accumulated project cost.
