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Whenever we supply materials to a client they are priced into the job at our trade price plus a markup that varies from item to item, this markup basically makes it retail price to them.
With your example, if you get your compost from a nursery and get a trade discount, you then sell it to the client at retail price, this then makes it worth your while offering the service/materials.
The aim of the game is to make money so supplying compost etc is a good way to up sell therefore increase your profit on a job.
Yep, exactly what I do. I don't really keep stuff in stock, I just pick it up as needed by the client. That way I have their agreement before getting the materials and can just pick it up for the next visit. I have a great working relationship with my local garden centre and they give me a good discount, which means I can sell it at retail and still make some on it. They also put a reasonable amount of work my way.
On the other hand if the client specifically wants to get stuff themselves, it saves me the hassle so I'm quite happy for them to do so. But then I live in a rural area with a bit of a drive to get the materials, so it is not so much of a money spinner and more hassle for me. If I could get things more conveniently I might be more bothered by losing the sale.
It's the nice part of the job and bonus for the days spent out in the rain!! Get used to and don't get embarrassed by marking up your price - but don't get greedy! Most plant wholesalers give very good trade prices that can earn you an excellent profit on a decent sized planting project by charging the customer retail price.
Oh yes, the customer doesn't need to know your buying in costs.
My approach is similar to the other replies you've had. If a regular client asks me to pick up a few bags of compost I charge them the retail price and the discount I get covers my time picking it up. If I'm doing a job on a price I include materials and a mark up in the overall quote given to the customer. No need to break the price down. It would only be worth keeping your own stock if you have the space to buy in bulk and you turnover a lot. Otherwise you'd be tying up your money in stock.