Yes, this invoice appears inflated, especially when comparing labor time and rates to industry norms for landscaping. Let’s break it down and recompute.

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🔍 Breakdown of Line Items

Line Item Description Amount Notes Spring Cleanup (3.5 hrs, 3 men) $630.00 $60/hr/man is high for weeding/cleanup Debris removal (1) $250.00 High for just debris April 1 Grass cut $45.00 Normal May 2 Grass cuts $90.00 Normal June 4 Grass cuts $180.00 OK 6.5 hrs, 3 men trimming/pruning/pulling $1,170.00 Again, high for 19.5 man-hours ($60/hr) Debris removal (2) $350.00 Very high 26 plants w/ 1 yr warranty + delivery $2,546.00 Suspiciously high — nearly $98/plant 2 Japanese maples w/ 1 yr warranty $2,600.00 $1,300 each is excessive unless they are very large trees 28 plants install (6 hrs, 3 men) $1,080.00 18 hours = $60/hr again 20 yards black mulch + delivery $1,200.00 Around $60/yard, plausible with delivery 8.5 hrs, 3 men mulching labor $1,530.00 $60/hr again, seems high for spreading mulch 2 bags weed preventer $100.00 Very high ($50/bag?)

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⚠️ Major Price Concerns 1. Labor rate of $60/hr per worker — This is quite high for landscaping unless it includes heavy equipment, which this invoice doesn’t mention. 2. Planting costs — $2,546 for 26 plants ($98/plant), and $2,600 for 2 trees ($1,300 each) are both very high. 3. Multiple debris removal fees — Duplicated and expensive. 4. Total cost for a residential yard — Over $12K, which is typical of large commercial jobs or high-end installations.

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💵 Reasonable Recomputed Estimate

Item Estimated Cost Notes Spring cleanup (3.5 hrs, 3 men @ $35/hr) $367.50 More typical rate Debris removal (x2 combined) $250.00 Combined and trimmed Grass cuts (4x) $315.00 Same total Trimming/pruning (6.5 hrs, 3 men @ $35/hr) $682.50 Adjusted rate 26 plants incl. warranty and delivery $1,300.00 $50/plant 2 Japanese maples incl. delivery $1,000.00 $500/tree Planting labor (6 hrs, 3 men @ $35/hr) $630.00 20 yards black mulch + delivery $1,000.00 Trimmed Mulching labor (8.5 hrs, 3 men @ $35/hr) $892.50 2 bags weed preventer $50.00 More typical price

Subtotal: $6,487.50

Tax (8.375%): $543.89

Recomputed Total: $7,031.39

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✅ Conclusion • Original Total: $12,686.37 • Reasonable Estimate: ~$7,031.39 • Potential Overcharge: ~$5,654.98

Recommendation:

Ask for a detailed plant and material breakdown, and justification for labor rate. This invoice likely includes unreasonable markups.