When it comes to how much landscapers markup materials, the answer is not so straightforward. According to Huston, the simplest general rule is that the retail price should be between 20 and 30 percent higher than what the contractor paid. This means that the typical profit margin for materials will range from 7.5 to 10%. However, some contractors may increase materials by up to 20 percent, as reported by the Institute of Corporate Finance. When it comes to labor costs, landscapers estimate their rate based on an hourly rate.
They also add their profit margin to the total cost. For residential landscaping work, landscapers typically charge a surcharge of at least 15 to 20%. For commercial gardening jobs, the surcharge is usually 10 to 15 percent.
