At first glance it seems high to me, but I am cheap. Some questions: Have you worked with this company before? Could you get another estimate? Do you have a breakdown of the costs? What type of boards are you using? Will they have a liner? Can you see the "sandy loam" before they deliver it?

If it was redwood, lined, wonderful loam, and a reputable crew could come in, do it well, fast and clean up after themselves, in such a way as it would still be there in 25 years, it would be worth the money. Without knowing the company, there's an awful lot of room to be taken advantage of. It sounds like it would be lovely when done.

Tracy

I would seriously recommend a heavier type of fill with more organic matter, and absolutely no peat. This sounds like something that is going to require almost constant watering because it is going to dry out fast, and when peat dries out it is a PITA to rewet. If you start of with something like mushroom compost (which is what was recommended to us for our raised vegetable beds) it can hold a lot more water.

BTW, I hate, hate, hate pea gravel. It will end up all over the place. That doesn't even take into account what happens if your yard is ever infested with children. Then you will start finding it in places you barely knew existed.

The price is not that bad if they do quality work. Lumber alone is quite expensive these days, make sure it's pressure treated or redwood!

Agree with Madgallica about pea gravel, pretty on paper, difficult in practice. Also mushroom compost would be better than peat.

I made a beautiful "bed" of white gravel linking a Japanese maple with another shrub many years ago. It was the perfect spot for our new birdbath, so DH could mow around the whole bed.

The gravel has long since disappeared, but there is still no way to dig anything in there. Can't dig a hole for even the smallest hosta, even though I've added soil. Sandy