Landscaping and concreting/Landscaping and concreting quote template
Retaining wall quote template for Australian landscapers
Retaining walls go wrong when drainage, height or soil conditions aren't spelled out. A quote that lists the wall type, the drainage and the approval assumptions shows the customer you've thought it through.
Line items to include
- Excavation and spoil removal
- Footings or post holes with concrete
- Wall materials by the lineal metre or square metre (sleepers and steel posts, or blocks), with type and height
- Ag pipe drainage behind the wall, with geofabric and drainage gravel
- Backfill and compaction
- Labour (hours × your rate), or a price per lineal metre
Height, engineering and approval
Whether a wall needs engineering or council approval depends on its height, what it holds back, how close it is to boundaries or buildings, and your state and council rules. Don't promise it's exempt. Note the assumed height and approval status on the quote, and exclude engineering and permit fees unless you're arranging them.
Before You Dig and site conditions
Lodge a Before You Dig Australia enquiry before excavating and say so on the quote. Common exclusions are rock or hard digging, relocating services, removing an old wall, and restricted access that needs hand digging or smaller machinery.
Showing materials markup and GST
Enter sleepers, posts, concrete and gravel at cost and let your markup apply. If you're registered for GST, show the ex-GST subtotal, GST at 10% and the total.
Worked example
Built from the retaining wall preset in QuoteAce for a made-up business. Prices are illustrative only; always check prices for your area and suppliers.
Sample Landscaping Co.04xx xxx xxx · hello@example.com
QUOTE
No. QA-000001
Date: 25/10/2026
Valid until: 24/11/2026
Example output
Scope of work
Build a 15m long, 600mm high retaining wall with concrete sleepers and galvanised steel H-posts set in concrete footings, ag pipe drainage and gravel behind the wall, backfill.
Pricing
| Item | Qty | Rate (ex GST) | Amount (ex GST) |
|---|
| Labour: retaining wall · Labour | 24 hr | $85.00 | $2,040.00 |
| Concrete sleepers 2000x200x75 · Materials | 24 ea | $55.20 | $1,324.80 |
| Galvanised steel H-posts · Materials | 9 ea | $71.30 | $641.70 |
| Concrete for footings (bags) · Materials | 30 bag | $12.65 | $379.50 |
| Ag pipe, sock and drainage gravel · Materials | 1 lot | $322.00 | $322.00 |
| Post hole auger hire | 1 day | $180.00 | $180.00 |
Labour$2,040.00
Materials$2,668.00
Priced items$180.00
Subtotal (ex GST)$4,888.00
GST (10%)$488.80
Total (inc GST)$5,376.80
Inclusions
- Ag pipe drainage behind the wall
- Before You Dig Australia check for underground services before excavation
- Site clean-up on completion
Exclusions
- Engineering and council approval (needed for walls over about 1m, on boundaries or carrying loads)
- Rock in post holes
- Removal of excess soil beyond 2 m³
Assumptions
- Wall height under 1m with no surcharge loads
- Soft soil for post holes
Payment terms
Deposit to book and order materials, balance due within 7 days of completion.
Terms
This quote is valid until 24/11/2026. Prices are fixed for the scope above; any variations or hidden conditions found on site will be quoted and agreed in writing before the work proceeds. Materials remain the property of Sample Landscaping Co. until paid in full. All work is carried out in line with the relevant Australian Standards and state regulations.
Start from this example
Common questions
Should a retaining wall quote include drainage?
Yes. Ag pipe, geofabric and drainage gravel behind the wall are part of doing the job properly, so list them so the customer doesn't compare your quote against one that leaves them out.
Do retaining walls need council approval?
It depends on height, location and local rules. State your assumption on the quote and exclude approvals and engineering unless you're handling them.
Should I quote retaining walls per metre?
A price per lineal metre at a stated height is easy for customers to compare, but itemising excavation, footings, materials and drainage makes variations simpler to price.
More landscaping and concreting guides
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Rules vary by state; check with your regulator, council or accountant.
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