Landscape Manpower

In considering a landscape project over an area that covers 30+ acres, what are some considerations in leaving the number of workers up to the contractor (only indicate work that needs to be done)or specifying the number of workers? The challenge is that it is difficult to measure quality of performance in mowing, edging, pruning, fixing irrigation system, cleaning, etc, and intensity of effort, so different contractors will staff differently. What are the risks in not specifying number of workers? Perhaps specify minimum number of workers?

Susan,

The landscaping companys around here charge based upon the size of the project; how much grass to mow and bushes to trim. IMO, the number of workers needed to perform the job should be left up to the landscaping co. If it's a large company there may be more workers than a smaller company would have but that should have no bearing on the cost.

I work in a landscaper's office. Jobs ARE bid with the crew number in mind. How long it takes to do a job has everything to do with the size of the crew.

You give the list of jobs to the landscapers and have them bid it. They should be able to itemize all tasks.

You can contract for x amount of hours for maintenance during the season, after the spring cleanup and before the final fall cleanup.