Landscaping bids and contracts provide a reliable source of income for landscaping businesses. However, many landscaping businesses struggle to secure profitable work because finding the right opportunities and submitting a clear proposal can often feel overwhelming. 

If you are tired of missing out on bigger jobs due to unstructured bids, this blog will show you exactly where to find both public and private contracts and guide you through a step-by-step process to prepare a winning bid.

Types of Landscaping Contracts: Public vs Private

Landscaping contracts generally fall into two categories: public contracts and private contracts. Understanding the difference helps you decide which type is right for your business and how to approach them.

Public Contracts

These come from government entities, such as city councils, school districts, or transportation departments. Projects are usually posted through formal bidding portals and require you to meet specific compliance and documentation standards. 

You will often compete against multiple contractors, but the payoff is a larger job with more predictable terms.

Private Contracts

These are offered by businesses, property managers, homeowners associations (HOAs), or commercial developers. They do not always go through a public bidding process. Instead, they often rely on referrals, direct outreach, or networking. 

The decision-making is faster and sometimes more flexible, but relationship-building plays a bigger role in landing the job.

Both contract types can provide steady work and help you grow, but each requires a different strategy to win.

Where to Find Public Landscaping Bids 

Government contracts can offer consistent work and better profit margins if you know where to look. Most agencies use a formal bidding process called an RFP, or Request for Proposal, to award landscaping jobs. 

These contracts are available at different levels of government and are open to any qualified business that meets the criteria.

Benefits of Government Landscaping Contracts

• Predictable payments with defined scopes and timelines

• Larger-scale work than typical residential jobs

• Recurring maintenance contracts, especially for public parks, schools, or municipal properties

• Reputation building, which can lead to more contract awards over time

Types of Government Contracts

There are three main types of public contracts landscapers can bid on:

• National agencies issue federal contracts and often involve work on federal buildings, military properties, or national parks.

• State contracts are released by departments such as transportation, public works, and education within a given state.

Where to Search for Open Bids 

If you're ready to look for available landscaping contracts, start with these sources:

• SAM.gov: The U.S. government's official system for managing federal contract listings.

• FedBizOpps:  A searchable database of open federal government contracting opportunities.

• State, city, and county procurement portals: Local government websites often post active bids under the public works or parks and recreation sections.

• Construction bidding platforms:  Sites like Dodge Data & Analytics, Construction Bid Source, ConstructConnect, and iSqFt (a subscription-based service) offer access to landscaping projects tied to public or commercial developments.

• Chambers of Commerce: Some local chambers share leads on upcoming public sector projects or connect you with local officials.

How to Find Private Landscaping Contracts 

Private landscaping contracts may not be listed on formal portals, but they can be just as valuable, sometimes more so. 

These opportunities often come from direct relationships, referrals, or targeted outreach. The key is knowing where to look and how to position your business.

What Counts as a Private Landscaping Contract?

Non-government clients issue private contracts. These include:

• Commercial property managers and office parks

• Apartment complexes and housing developers

• Homeowners associations (HOAs)

• Retail centers and industrial sites

• Hospitality businesses like hotels or resorts

These clients typically seek regular maintenance, seasonal clean-ups, landscape installations, or redesigns.

Ways to Find Private Landscaping Work 

Here are some practical ways to discover private landscaping opportunities in your area:

• Network with local property managers:  Reach out to commercial building managers, HOA boards, or facility supervisors. These roles often handle vendor selection directly.

• Visit job sites and new developments:  General contractors or developers frequently look for landscapers to finish construction projects. Ask to be added to their list of subcontractors.

• Use lead generation platforms:  Set up business profiles on:

  • Thumbtack

  • HomeAdvisor

  • Angi

These sites connect you with homeowners and small businesses in your area.

• Monitor commercial real estate groups:  Some real estate investment firms post maintenance opportunities on their websites or industry directories.

• Join your local chamber of commerce or trade group:  These organizations can connect you to decision-makers, networking events, and insider leads.

Too Much Bidding, Not Enough Work? Try a Different Approach

You don’t have to spend hours checking bid sites or setting up ad campaigns just to find your next job. GushPro makes it easier to get consistent work from homeowners who are already looking for your services.

• Gushpro connects you with homeowners near you—no searching, no back-and-forth.

• You only hear from people who need landscaping now.

• No monthly fee, no setup, and no contracts to worry about.

• The first three leads are free, so you can try it without any pressure.

Stop guessing where the next job will come from. Let GushPro bring steady leads straight to you. Try Today.

How to Bid a Landscaping Job Step-by-Step

Preparing a winning bid for landscaping work involves understanding the bidding process, creating a clear proposal, and pricing your services correctly. 

To succeed, you need to be detailed and practical at every step. Below is a step-by-step guide to assist you in this process.

 1. Choose the Right Landscaping Project

Begin by evaluating whether the project aligns with your team's skills and resources. Consider the following:

• What services does the client need?

• Can my team handle this type of work?

• Have we done similar projects before?

• Is my crew available during the required timeline?

• Will I need subcontractors or rented equipment?

• How long will each part of the job take?

2. Review the Bid Documents 

Once you've chosen a project, review the bid documents carefully. These will tell you what the client expects and how to submit your proposal.

Check for:

• Scope of work

• Deadlines and submission format

• Budget limits (if mentioned)

• Required licenses or insurance

• How the bid will be evaluated

Understanding Common Bid Terms 

You may come across different terms depending on who is issuing the bid. Here’s what they mean:

• RFP (Request for Proposal) – The client wants a detailed plan, not just a price. You'll need to describe your approach, timeline, and the value it offers.

• RFQ (Request for Quotation) – They’re mostly focused on cost. The scope is usually fixed.

• RFT (Request for Tender) – A formal, sealed bid process, often used by government agencies.

• RFI (Request for Information) – A preliminary request to see who’s interested or qualified before a full bid is released.

Tip: If anything is unclear, contact the client before submitting. A quick question now can save you from losing the bid later.

3. Visit the Job Site 

Always visit the site before you bid. You need to see the space yourself to understand what the job will involve.

Walk through the entire area. Measure the space and take notes. Check how the equipment will get in and out. Look at the soil, slope, and drainage. These things affect how much work and time the job will take.

Look for anything that needs to be cleared or removed, like old trees, rocks, or fencing. If the client is on-site, ask them what they want done and if they have any concerns.

4. Sketch the Design and Timeline

Once you've seen the site, draw a simple layout to plan your work. This helps you stay organized and gives the client a clear idea of what to expect. Your sketch should show where key features will be located, such as garden beds, walkways, or planting zones.

Next, plan the timeline. Break it down into key phases like site preparation, planting, hardscaping, and final clean-up. Estimate how long each part will take based on your crew size and past jobs.

Build in time for delays. Weather, late deliveries, or unexpected site issues can slow down the process.

5. Price Out Materials and Supplies

Once you've planned the job, list out everything you'll need to buy. This step helps you avoid missing items and gives the client a clear breakdown of costs.

Include things like:

• Plants and sod – List the types and quantities you will need

• Soil, mulch, and gravel – Include delivery fees if they apply

• Edging, pavers, or other hardscaping materials

• Irrigation parts and fittings, if you are doing watering systems

• Fasteners, stakes, and small tools that are not already part of your regular equipment or supplies

• Dumping fees or hauling costs if you're removing debris

Tip: Get the current prices from your local supplier before finalizing the quote. Material costs can change quickly depending on season and stock.

6. Estimate Labor Costs

Labor is often the most expensive part of the job. Start by breaking the job into small tasks. For each task, estimate how long it will take. Use your own project history as a guide, or time a crew member doing a similar task if you are unsure.

To calculate your labor costs, multiply your employee's total labor cost (hourly wages plus labor expenses) by the estimated number of hours the job will take. 

Make sure to include costs such as payroll taxes and insurance. Then add time for setup, clean-up, and travel. These tasks are not part of the main job, but still use time and money.

7. Add Overhead and Profit 

After calculating labor and materials, include your overhead and profit. Overhead covers the costs of keeping your business running, including tools, insurance, equipment maintenance, software, and marketing.

To find your hourly overhead rate, divide your weekly overhead by the number of hours you typically work. For example, if your weekly overhead is $100 and you work 20 hours:

$100 ÷ 20 = $5 per hour

Then multiply that by the estimated hours for the job. If the job takes 30 hours:

$5 × 30 = $150 in overhead

Next, add your profit margin. This is the amount your business earns after covering all costs. Most landscaping businesses add between 5% and 20%, depending on the type of work and the local market.

8. Build a Clear Proposal 

Once your numbers are ready, put everything into a clear and simple proposal. The goal is to show what work you will do, how much it will cost, and when the job will be finished.

Proposal Checklist:

• Client and job details – Name, address, and a short job summary

• Scope of work – A clear list of what tasks you will complete

• Pricing – Break down labor, materials, overhead, and your profit

• Total cost – Add everything up with a clear final number

• Timeline – Include start and end dates, and how long each step will take

• Payment terms – Note your deposit, payment schedule, and due dates

• Expiration date – Tell the client how long the quote is valid

Pro tip: Save a standard proposal template with your logo, terms, and basic structure. That way, you only need to update the job details, pricing, and scope each time

9. Send and Follow Up 

Once your proposal is ready, send it using the method the client prefers, like email, printed copy, or through a bid portal. Ensure that all files open correctly and that the total cost, timeline, and terms are clearly displayed.

After sending, wait two or three days, then follow up. Keep your message short and professional. Ask if they have any questions or need clarification. 

Bottom Line

Bidding is how you win steady, well-paying work. It helps you plan your schedule, protect your profit, and grow your business with the right projects.

If you're still getting used to the process, use this guide as a starting point. Go step by step until it becomes routine. And while public contracts are one path, steady work can also come from verified leads in your area.

If you're spending time on bidding sites or ad platforms but not seeing consistent results, GushPro offers a simpler option. It sends verified landscaping leads from homeowners within a 15-mile radius of where you work. 

There are no contracts, no monthly fees, and your first three leads are free. After that, you only pay for the ones you take.

No bidding. No waiting. Just steady leads from nearby homeowners, only when you want them. Sign Up Now