Design & Planning Estimation Lead – Horticulture & Softscape

Gamlaa; Pune District; On-site; INR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading horticulture management company is seeking a Design & Planning Estimation Lead with 8–12 years of experience in landscape estimation and horticulture planning. The role involves coordinating design execution and cost control for softscape projects, requiring expertise in horticulture practices and advanced software skills like AutoCAD and MS Excel. The ideal candidate will ensure accurate BOQs and engage effectively with procurement and execution teams.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of experience in landscape estimation or horticulture planning.
• Strong knowledge of horticulture practices and landscape construction methods.
• Expertise in quantity take-offs, BOQs, and rate analysis for softscape works.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with landscape architects and horticulturists for design interpretation.
• Prepare detailed quantity take-offs and BOQs for softscape works.
• Conduct benchmarking and cost comparisons across projects.

Skills

Horticulture Softscape

Landscape Installation

Irrigation System

Garden Design

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture/Agriculture

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (with landscape specialization)

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Excel

MS Project

Lumion

SketchUp

Job description

MUST HAVE - Strong experience with Horticulture Softscape, Landscape Installation, Garden Design, Irrigation System & Seasonal planting

Role Overview

The Design & Planning Estimation Lead – Horticulture & Softscape is responsible for end-to-end cost planning, quantity estimation, BOQs, and technical coordination for all softscape and horticulture components of landscape projects. The role bridges design intent, site execution, and commercial feasibility, ensuring accuracy, competitiveness, and value engineering from concept to execution stages.

Key Responsibilities.

1. Design & Planning Coordination

• Work closely with landscape architects, horticulturists, and planning teams to interpret softscape designs, planting plans, and specifications
• Review drawings for constructability, planting feasibility, and maintenance implications
• Suggest design optimizations and alternative planting strategies based on cost, availability, and site condition
• Prepare detailed quantity take-offs and BOQs for softscape works including:
  Trees, shrubs, groundcovers, lawns
  Turfing, planting pits, staking, protection
  Maintenance (establishment & defect liability period)
• Develop preliminary cost estimates at concept, schematic, and GFC stage
• Build and maintain rate analysis databases for horticulture materials, nurseries, and lab
• Conduct benchmarking and cost comparisons across projects and regions
• Coordinate with nurseries, growers, and horticulture vendors for plant availability, sizes, lead times, and pricing
• Evaluate vendor quotations for technical compliance and commercial accuracy
• Assist procurement teams during tendering, negotiations, and finalization of horticulture packages
• Prepare tender documents, scope definitions, and commercial clarifications related to softscape works
• Support bid teams with value engineering options without compromising design intent or long‑term performance
• Review contractor submissions, deviations, and revised estimates

5. Execution & Cost Control Support

• Plant substitutions and design changes
• Coordinate with site teams to track budget vs actual costs
• Support final measurement and billing verification for softscape works

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of horticulture practices, plant species, soil science, and landscape construction methods
• Expertise in quantity take‑offs, BOQs, and rate analysis for softscape works
• Understanding of local climate, plant availability, and nursery standards (India‑focused)

Software Skills:

• AutoCAD (reading & quantity extraction)
• MS Excel (advanced – formulas, cost models, comparisons)
• MS Project / Primavera (basic planning knowledge preferred)
• Landscape‑related tools (Lumion, SketchUp – preferred, not mandatory

Experience & Qualifications

• 8–12 years of experience in landscape estimation, horticulture planning, or softscape execution
• Bachelor’s degree in: Landscape Architecture Horticulture/ Agriculture Civil Engineering (with landscape specialization)
• Experience with large corporate campuses, mixed-use developments, IT parks, hospitality, or township projects
• Accurate and competitive softscape cost estimates
• Optimized BOQs aligned with design intent.
• Reliable vendor and nursery cost inputs
• Strong coordination between design, procurement, and execution teams