What landscaping shops need from estimating software
Three numbers drive a landscaping estimate: quantity, production rate and loaded labor cost. Quantity you get from the site visit, like square feet of patio, yards of mulch or linear feet of edging. Production rate is how fast your crew actually works on that task. Loaded labor cost is the wage plus taxes, workers' comp and overhead recovery. If your software only helps with the first number, you're on your own for the two that decide profit.
Here's how fast the loaded rate climbs. A crew member paid $20 an hour costs closer to $26 once payroll taxes and workers' comp are added. Add $20 an hour of overhead recovery and you're at $46 before profit. Quote that crew at $45 an hour and you lose money on every job while feeling busy. Estimating software that holds your loaded rate stops a salesperson from quietly using the wage number.
Equipment matters too. A skid steer or a mini excavator on site should carry an hourly rate in the estimate, the same as labor. Material markup needs a consistent rule, and plants usually need a warranty allowance.
Maintenance contracts need their own estimate math. Time on site per visit, times visits per season, plus drive time between properties, then spread across the billing months. A property that takes 45 minutes but sits 25 minutes off your route costs more than one that takes an hour next door to three other clients. The software should let you price that difference, or at least show it.
Presentation is the other half. Homeowners buying a $15,000 project want to see options, photos and a clear deposit request. Commercial bids need a scope that matches the property manager's spec line by line. Good software makes both without retyping.
How the picks compare
LMN is the only pick that does the math. Its budget sets your overhead recovery, and estimates inherit it, which is why established landscaping companies use it for installs. The cost and setup time only make sense if you'll keep the budget current.
Jobber is the better tool for a company that mostly sells maintenance, cleanups and smaller installs. Quotes are quick, optional line items push ticket size up, and job costing on Grow shows whether your guesses held. Many owners pair Jobber with a pricing spreadsheet that holds their production rates.
Housecall Pro, FieldPulse and Workiz are general estimating tools that work once you've done your pricing elsewhere. Pick between them on financing, multi-option proposals or speed. For estimating tools across other trades, see our roundup of estimating software for contractors.
What to look for before you sign
- Overhead built in or bolted on. Decide whether the software calculates overhead recovery or just holds your rate.
- Bid versus actual. Job costing that compares estimated hours to crew time is how you fix bad production rates.
- Options on one estimate. Good-better-best or optional line items for hardscape and planting jobs.
- Deposit collection. Clients should approve and pay a deposit from the estimate itself.
- Equipment rates. Check that equipment can be a line item with an hourly cost, not just labor and materials.
- Plant warranty language. You'll want editable terms on every install estimate.
What it costs
Prices as of October 2026. FieldPulse and Workiz are quote only.
| Company size |
Jobber (annual) |
LMN |
Housecall Pro (annual) |
| Solo estimator |
Core $29/mo, 1 user |
Starter $297/mo |
Basic $59/mo, 1 user |
| 5 people |
Grow, 5 users: $229/mo |
Starter $297/mo (1 office + 5 crew) |
Essentials $149/mo, up to 5 users |
| 15 people |
Grow, 15 users: $399/mo |
Professional $648/mo (3 office + 15 crew) |
MAX $299/mo, 8 users, then $35/user |
For a 15-person company on Housecall Pro MAX, seven extra users at $35 each adds $245, so about $544/mo. LMN adds a one-time onboarding fee. Card deposits run 2.9% + 30¢ on Jobber and from 2.59% on Housecall Pro.
