Garden landscaping disaster or does it really have to be this expensive?

Hey,

unfortunately, we are still looking for a company to help us in the garden and to pave our terraces and paths or cover the driveway with gravel.

We actually thought (apparently naively) that our planned 20,000 for the garden and carport would be enough, but based on the offers we have received so far...

For reference: we requested 110 sqm of paving including the gravel that needs to go underneath and 120 sqm of driveway to be filled with a layer of gravel where gravel is already present.
For the paving, we initially requested “only” normal 10x20 concrete blocks.

Not only do you have to chase the companies to even get an appointment or then an offer after the appointment.
No, with the first two offers, we could have used a drink.
One was 28,000 and the other 25,000 -.- are they crazy???

I know they are all very busy, but this is just ridiculous.

We are still waiting for the last three companies, but if this continues, I don’t see any hope.
Honestly, I just find it outrageous.

Are your experiences similar or have we just been unlucky?

What do you want to hear now? Everything was better in the past? My Polish friend always says: if you want to have something beautiful, do it yourself or pay. You have pretty. Outdoor facilities consume huge amounts of money. Work, material, heavy equipment. The landscape gardener is busy and does not need your order. Drinks his schnapps and says: oh come on, I'll add another vacation in Mallorca to the offer

For assessment: 110 sqm of paving including gravel underneath that is needed, and filling 120 sqm of driveway with a gravel layer where there is already gravel. For the paving, we initially requested "only" normal 10x20 concrete pavers.

For these reasons (foundation of the sub-layer), the construction road is already planned where the driveway is supposed to go later. But that seems to be the case with you. And yes: before having this ugly concrete paving laid, we decided on a fine gravel surface. Costs for the mortar-bordered perimeter around the entire house and driveway including stylish gravel for paths and driveway were in the four-digit range.

The garden landscapers also need a lot of lead time from us. Best to order now for spring 2019.

For these reasons (foundation of the lower class) they are already planning the construction road where the driveway is supposed to be later.

Yes, we have that too, the gravel top layer is just missing. That would settle the driveway issue.

The concrete paving was requested for the terrace, carport, and path around the house; everyone said that more expensive stones could be installed at the same cost if they are not larger than 30x60.
But that such sums are called even for the cheapest stones, hmm...

What do you want to hear now? Everything was better in the past? My Polish friend always says: if you want to have it nice, do it yourself or pay

Well, I wanted to hear whether such amounts are now considered normal.
Of course, they can set prices as they like, but that doesn’t mean it is actually “normal” right now – it could also have been an unfortunate choice of company.

That’s what I’m trying to find out right now.

Well, I wanted to hear if such amounts are now considered normal. Of course, they can set prices as they please, but that doesn't mean it's actually "normal" right now - it could also have been an unfortunate choice of company.

I'm trying to find that out right now.

Normal for metropolitan areas. Doesn't make it any better....

2 Gala noses on invoice cost around 45 EUR net per hour each. That makes about 1,000 to 1,200 gross per day per team.... And then the machines come on top separately, material etc....

Prices are unfortunately normal. Lead time from offer to execution at least 6 months.