Margin is not markup
A 25% markup on cost is not the same as a 25% profit margin. Markup is based on cost. Margin is based on selling price.
Landscapers get into trouble when they use markup language but expect margin results. The bid may look padded, yet the actual profit can be thinner than planned.
Maintenance work needs consistency
Recurring maintenance jobs are won or lost through repeatability. A small pricing miss happens every visit, every month, and every season.
For maintenance routes, the goal is not only a healthy margin on one property. The goal is a route that produces enough revenue per crew hour after travel and overhead.
Installation work needs risk room
One-time installation jobs often carry more uncertainty: material waste, delivery timing, site access, weather, disposal, and change orders.
Higher-risk work needs enough margin to absorb real-world friction without turning every surprise into a loss.
