How to Read a Landscape Contractor Quote (Buyer’s Guide)
What real, well-written quotes spell out (and what cheap quotes hide)
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Landscape quotes vary wildly because the line items that matter are buried, abbreviated or omitted on cheap quotes. Here is what every quote should contain and how to evaluate one without being a contractor yourself.
Why this matters
The two quotes you have on your kitchen table might differ by $4,000 not because one company is taking $4,000 in extra profit, but because one is building on 200 mm of compacted base and the other is building on 100 mm. Both look identical the day you sign. The difference shows up in year 5. Reading the quote is how you tell them apart in advance.
The eight things every quote should spell out
Step 1: Excavation and base depth. Look for an explicit number. A residential patio quote should specify 150 to 200 mm of compacted Granular A base. Driveways: 250 to 300 mm. Words like ‘proper base’ or ‘industry standard base’ with no number mean the contractor either does not have a spec or is leaving themselves room to cut corners. If the quote does not specify base depth, ask.
Step 2: Geotextile separation fabric. A line item for geotextile (sometimes called a separation fabric or filter cloth) between the native soil and the granular base. This is a $200 add on a typical patio and prevents the base from migrating into the soil over decades. Properly written quotes always include it. If missing, ask if it is included; if the contractor does not know what it is, that is a real signal.
Step 3: Exact paver brand, model and finish. Not just ‘interlocking pavers’. The quote should name the manufacturer (Belgard, Techo-Bloc, Unilock, Permacon), the specific product line (Cambridge Cobble, Aberdeen, Beacon Hill, etc.), the colour selection, and ideally the size/format. This both lets you research the product and locks in what you are getting; if the contractor substitutes a cheaper paver mid-job, the contract trail is clear.
Step 4: Edge restraint type. Spiked aluminum or rigid plastic edging at the perimeter. A specific line item or note in the spec. Cheap quotes often skip this entirely; the contractor relies on the pavers staying put through compaction alone, which they do not in year 5 onwards.
Step 5: Jointing material. Should specify polymeric sand by brand (Techniseal, SureBond/SEK, Alliance Gator) and grade. Regular concrete sand is not the same and washes out in the first heavy rain. If the quote just says ‘sand,’ ask.
Step 6: Drainage detail. Any drainage work (regrading, French drain, downspout extensions, drainage behind a retaining wall) should be a separate line item with specifications. A patio quote that ignores drainage on a clay-soil lot in Ontario is incomplete; the contractor either has not assessed it or is pushing the problem to year 3.
Step 7: Warranty and workmanship terms. The quote should state the manufacturer warranty on materials (typically lifetime or 25 years on pavers, 30+ years on engineered block) and the contractor’s own workmanship warranty (usually 1 to 5 years, with the better firms offering 2+ years). ‘Lifetime guarantee’ without specifics is meaningless.
Step 8: Payment schedule and timeline. Reputable contractors require a deposit at signing (typically 25 to 33%), a progress payment partway through, and the balance on completion. Anyone asking for 100% up-front is a red flag. Timeline should give a start window and an estimated duration in working days.
Red flags in any quote
- One-line totals. “Patio: $9,500” with no breakdown means there is no breakdown, only an opinion of price.
- “Industry standard” without numbers. Vague language hides where corners get cut.
- Cash-only or 100% up-front deposit. Legitimate contractors take cheque or bank transfer with a normal deposit schedule.
- No license, insurance or WSIB proof on request. Reputable contractors provide certificates without hesitation.
- Very low price. A quote 30%+ below others is doing 30%+ less work somewhere. The savings are hidden, not real.
- Pressure to sign quickly. Discount offers that “expire today” are sales pressure, not actual savings.
How to compare two quotes side by side
Lay them flat next to each other and go line by line. Where one is more expensive, find the corresponding line item to understand why. Common patterns:
- Quote A specifies 200 mm base, Quote B specifies 100 mm. Same paver, $1,500 difference. Choose A.
- Quote A includes polymeric sand, Quote B includes regular sand. Same paver, $400 difference. Choose A.
- Quote A includes a French drain for the wet corner, Quote B ignores drainage. Choose A.
- Quote A is from a Landscape Ontario member with WSIB and insurance, Quote B has none of those. Choose A; the cost of an uninsured contractor’s accident is yours.
Frequently asked questions
Should I always pick the most detailed quote?
Usually, yes. A detailed quote means the contractor has actually thought through the project. A vague quote means they will figure it out as they go, and you will pay for the figuring.
How much should I expect to pay for a real residential patio?
See our paver patio cost guide for the actual ranges. Quotes below the low end of those ranges are almost certainly cutting corners somewhere.
Is a Landscape Ontario member quote really better?
Landscape Ontario membership requires baseline standards on documentation, business practice and consumer protection. It is not a quality guarantee but it is a real filter.
What if my favourite quote is missing one or two of these items?
Ask. A good contractor will gladly clarify, sometimes add the missing item to the quote, and explain their assumptions. A contractor who gets defensive about the questions is telling you something.
How long should a contractor take to send a written quote after a site visit?
Usually 3 to 7 business days. Longer than 2 weeks suggests they are not particularly interested in the work, or are too overloaded to deliver. Same-day quotes are almost always not detailed enough.
How we quote (for reference)
Every Peace Love Landscaping quote spells out the eight items above plus a line-by-line breakdown of materials and labour. You should see exactly where the money goes. Compare us against any other quote you receive.