Design & Planning Estimation Lead Horticulture & Softscape

Gamlaa; Pune District; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Gamlaa in Pune, India is seeking a Design & Planning Estimation Lead in Horticulture & Softscape to own end-to-end cost planning, BOQs, and technical coordination across softscape components from concept to execution.

You will work with landscape architects and procurement teams to develop accurate estimates, benchmark costs, and manage vendor relations for nurseries, sizes, lead times and pricing. The role emphasizes value engineering and competitive tender support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Agriculture or Civil Engineering with landscape specialization.
• 8–12 years of experience in landscape estimation, horticulture planning, or softscape execution.
• Experience with large corporate campuses, mixed-use developments, IT parks, hospitality, or township projects preferred.
• Understanding of local climate, plant availability, and nursery standards (India-focused).

Responsibilities

• Interpret softscape designs, planting plans, and specifications for cost planning.
• Prepare detailed quantity take-offs and BOQs for softscape works including trees, shrubs, groundcovers, lawns, soil prep, mulching, turfing, pits, staking, and maintenance.
• Coordinate with nurseries, growers, and vendors for plant availability, sizes, lead times, and pricing.
• Prepare tender documents, scope definitions, and commercial clarifications related to softscape works.
• Provide estimation support during execution for variations, plant substitutions, and design changes.

Skills

Horticulture practices

Quantity take-offs

BOQs

Rate analysis

AutoCAD

MS Excel

MS Project/ Primavera

Education

Landscape Architecture

Horticulture

Agriculture

Civil Engineering (landscape)

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Excel

MS Project/ Primavera

Lumion

SketchUp

Job description

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 conditions.

2. Estimation & Cost Planning:

   Prepare detailed quantity take-offs and BOQs for softscape works including:

   • Trees, shrubs, groundcovers, lawns
   • Soil preparation, mulching, manure, fertilizers
   • Turfing, planting pits, staking, protection
   • Maintenance (establishment & defect liability period)

   Develop preliminary cost estimates at concept, schematic, and GFC stages.

   Build and maintain rate analysis databases for horticulture materials, nurseries, and labor.

   Conduct benchmarking and cost comparisons across projects and regions.

3. Vendor & Nursery Management:

   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.

4. Tendering & Contract Support:

   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:

   Provide estimation support during execution for:

   • Variations and additional works
   • Plant substitutions and design changes

   Coordinate with site teams to track budget vs actual costs.

   Support final measurement and billing verification for softscape works.

Required Skills & Competencies

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 preferred

Key Deliverables

• 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

Interfaces with:

• Landscape Design Team
• Project Planning & Execution Teams
• Procurement & Contracts
• Vendors & Nurseries