Posted recently about a landscaping project I wanted to do myself. Got an estimate for a contractor to do the work. Wondering if you all think this is a good estimate.

Hey /r/landscaping

I posted recently about my bare landscaping that I had recently decided to redo myself. With a 10 month old, two full time jobs, and numerous other half-finished projects that need tended to, my wife and I are wondering if it'd be best to outsource this job. I'm wondering if the quote we received from this contractor seems fair based on anyone's experience.

Here's what he's planning:

The Setup:

• Fresh topsoil over the whole area. Enough to both achieve a nice, even slope throughout the area to insure no puddling and good drainage.
• Weed barrier over the whole area. I protested about this for a good 5 minutes and asked what the cost would be if I went without the barrier. I know there's a range of opinions on barrier, but this contractor insists we use it and gave me several addresses of folks that he's done work on over 2 years ago or more who still have no weeds. I know that's just his word, but still, he insists on the barrier and will only knock off $50 if I don't use it.
• 3 inches depth of black mulch.

The Plants:

• Keeping the existing tree, evergreen shrub (he is shaping this), and juniper overgrowth, but trimming away the dead parts.
• Boxwood shrubs that will line the landscaping planted 2.5 feet apart. I don't want to make a hedge; I'd like for them to grow to about 2 feet and shape them individually.
• Hydrangea bush planted in the corner in front of the tree so it faces the street.
• Knockout roses along the left side of the house behind the tree.

The Edging:

• The contractor suggested we use these pavers along the bed for edging.

The Cost:

We were given an estimate of $2700 for the labor, materials, etc. Everything is included in this price and a contract is being drafted to set the price firm. What do you all think of this cost? Is it reasonable for the space and the time required? The contractor has a good local reputation and favorable reviews. He also said they could start as early as tomorrow since they have been rained out of a few other jobs that require the ground to be dry.

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