Contingency is an allowance included in an estimate to account for reasonable uncertainties that may affect the cost of completing a project. It's not profit. It's not overhead. And it certainly isn't a substitute for poor estimating or poor management. It's a recognition that even the most carefully planned project rarely unfolds exactly as expected.

Every landscape company has expenses associated with performing its work. Some are directly related to a particular project. Others are necessary to operate the business, whether you're installing a patio, maintaining a commercial property, or simply preparing estimates for future work.