A well-designed backyard landscape has the power to transform an ordinary outdoor space into a breathtaking sanctuary, adding property value and visual appeal to your home. Landscaping has become an art form that allows you to express your personal style and connect with nature. However, as with any creative endeavor, one of the key questions is “How much does landscaping cost?”.
So, without further ado, let’s crunch the numbers.
Key takeaways
- The average cost of landscaping is $8,500.
- The national range of landscaping prices is between $3,000 and $14,000.
- The average cost of landscaping maintenance is $100 and $200 per month.
Average landscaping cost
As you can see in a chart, the average landscaping cost is $8,500 and the average range is between $3,000 and $14,000. Depending on the landscape company, we will explain:
- Landscaping cost per square foot
- Landscaping cost per acre
- Landscaping cost per hour
Let’s explore those prices.
Landscaping cost per square foot
Landscaping cost per square foot varies between $5 and $17, the average cost per square foot is $11. The most expensive part is labor, which makes up around 80% of the cost.
Landscaping cost per acre
Landscaping cost per acre is between $2,000 and $4,000 for basic landscaping. If you have multiple acres there are landscaping companies that will give you a discount.
If your landscaping project is more complex expect to pay $10,000 or more.
Landscaping cost per hour
Some landscaping companies charge per hour. There are three types of landscaping work and the price will be determined by which one you choose:
- Physical landscaping labor
- Landscaping designers
- Landscaping architect
When it comes to physical labor, the landscaping cost is $50 – $100 per hour. But hiring a landscaping designer is pricier, the cost per hour is around $200. Their services include planning, designing and consultations.
If you decide to hire a landscape architect you can expect to pay between $50 and $100 per hour for a junior landscape architect, or between $150 and $250 per hour for a firm.
If you decide to hire a landscaping company, many charge a percentage. You can expect to pay between %5 and %15 of the overall project cost.
Now let’s see what are the prices for individual landscaping projects.
Landscaping prices – list
| Average landscaping prices by the project | |
| Landscaping project | Average price |
| Tree removal | $1,000 |
| Retaining wall | $25 per square foot |
| Lawn seeding | $0.10 – $0.20 per square foot |
| Sod installation | $1 – $2 per square foot |
| Artificial grass installation | $6 – $20 per square foot |
| Sprinkler system installation | $3,200 |
| Drip irrigation | $500 |
| Mosquito misting system | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Water fountain installation | $4,400 |
| Pond installation | $3,700 – $14,500 |
| Landscape curbing | $1,500 |
Let’s thoroughly explore each of these backyard landscaping projects and their cost.
Tree removal cost
The average cost to remove a tree is $1,000. Smaller trees cost around $350 to remove. Trees up to 100 feet high cost $2,500 or even more to remove.
| TREE REMOVAL COST | |
| Tree height | Average cost |
| under 30′ tall | $200 – $500 |
| 30′ – 60′ tall | $350 – $1,000 |
| 60′ – 80′ tall | $700 – $2,000 |
| over 80′ tall | $1,300 – $2,500 |
Retaining wall cost
The average cost of retaining walls is $25 per square foot, the national average range is between $19 and $32. The price will be affected by the size of the wall and the materials you decide to use. If you want to save money, cinder blocks are the more affordable option. While poured concrete is the more expensive material.
On average, homeowners spend between $3,500 and $9,500 on their retaining walls.
Lawn seeding cost
The cost of lawn seeding is $0.10 – $0.20 per square foot including labor costs and materials. The same cost is for reseeding or overseeding your lawn.
Sod installation cost
The average sod installation cost is $1 – $2 per square foot. Depending on the type of sod you choose, the price will vary. In the table below, you will find the average cost of sod with and without installation. Prices start with the most affordable type.
| Type of Sod | Average cost per square foot – only sod | Average cost per square foot – sod + installation |
| Bahia | $0.25 – $0.35 | $1.25 – $2.50 |
| Ryegrass | $0.30 – $0.60 | $1.30 – $2.70 |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | $0.35 – $0.45 | $1.35 – $2.45 |
| Fescue | $0.35 – $0.65 | $1.35 – $2.65 |
| St. Augustine | $0.40 – $0.80 | $1.40 – $2.80 |
| Bermuda | $0.40 – $0.80 | $1.40 – $2.80 |
| Zoysia | $0.45 – $0.85 | $1.45 – $2.85 |
| Bentgrass | $0.55 – $0.70 | $1.55 – $2.70 |
| Centipede | $0.70 – $0.85 | $1.70 – $2.85 |
Artificial grass price
The cost for artificial turf installation is between $6 – $20 per square foot. Depending on the size of your lawn the average range is between $3,000 and $7,300. Typically, homeowners pay around $5,500 for artificial turf installation.
Artificial turf is easily maintained and it will last between 15 and 25 years.
Sprinkler system installation cost
The average cost of sprinkler system installation is $3,200. The average range is between $2,500 and $5,000. This data is based on the typical lawn size in the US which is ¼ acre.
| Sprinkler system installation cost | |
| National average | $3,200 |
| Average range | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| High-end price | $850 |
| Low-end price | $8,400 |
Drip irrigation price
The average price of drip irrigation system installation is $500. The national average range is between $300 and $800. Of course, there are pricier ones, the cost can go up to $3,000. If you want to save money there are plenty of DIY kits on the market that are around $50 or even less.
Drip irrigation systems are not only cheaper than sprinklers, they also use less water.
Mosquito misting system cost
The cost of the mosquito misting system is between $1,000 and $3,000 with installation. This is the price range for professional-grade mosquito misting systems. There are some kits on the market that are much cheaper, but they are typically not for insecticides, only water for cooling during hot summer days.
Water fountain installation cost
The average cost of water fountain installation is $4,400. Prices usually range from $1,200 to $8,000. These prices include installation but we are talking about the fountains that are not too large or luxurious. If you are interested in marble or granite fountains, expect to pay $60,000 including labor costs.
Pond installation cost
The average cost for pond installation is $3,700 – $14,500. The reason for such a big price range is the size difference between ponds and their types. If you are planning to install a small and shallow pond in your backyard the average cost is between $2,000 and $6,500. Large Koi fish ponds range between $6,000 and $16,000.
If you are interested in artificial private lakes, where you can fish or swim, the average price for those is between $50,000 and $100,000. These lakes are very big and they require much work.
Landscape curbing cost
The average cost of landscape curbing is $1,500. The national average range is $700 – $2,300. In the chart below, you can see the different prices for materials that are typically used for landscape curbing. The prices are per square foot.
Now that you know everything about landscaping prices, let’s see what are the average costs for landscape maintenance.
Average cost of landscaping maintenance
Average cost of landscaping maintenance is between $100 and $200 per month, up to $350 for larger yards. In the table below, you will find different landscaping maintenance projects and their costs.
| Average cost of landscaping maintenance by project | |
| Landscaping maintenance project | Average price |
| Lawn care | $100 – $400 |
| Lawn mowing | $30 – $90 |
| Lawn fertilization | $150 – $500 |
| Lawn aeration | $150 |
| Weed control | $70 – $150 |
| Leaf removal | $290 |
| Tree trimming | $450 |
| Gardener | $150 |
Average lawn care cost per month
Lawn care consists of 5 main elements:
- Lawn mowing
- Lawn fertilization
- Lawn aeration
- Weed control
- Leaf removal
The average lawn care cost per month is $100 – $400 for a full service in a yard that is ⅛ to ¼ acre.
Lawn mowing cost
Lawn mowing cost is between $30 and $90 for ⅛ to ¼ acre yards. Of course, if your yard is bigger, the price will be higher.
Also, you have to take accessibility into consideration. If your yard is oddly shaped, if there are trees, shrubs or water features that have to be avoided, this will take more time and the lawn mowing service will be costlier.
Lawn fertilization cost
The average cost of lawn fertilization is between $150 and $500. Most homeowners pay around $350 for this service. The lawn fertilization yearly cost will depend on how many times you decide to do it. Many do it once or twice per year, which is fine if you have a healthy lawn. If you want to improve the health and the appearance of your lawn, the recommended number of fertilizing is 4 times per year.
Lawn aeration cost
The average cost of lawn aeration is $150. The national average range is between $80 and $230. This is not the service that will be required very often. Lawn aeration should be done once every two years. If you have a yard with very hard soil, like clay, you should aerate your lawn once or twice a year.
Weed control cost
The average cost of weed control is $100 per service. The low-end price in the table below refers to yards that are smaller than ⅛ acre, and the high-end price refers to 1-acre yards.
| Weed control cost | |
| National average | $100 |
| Average range | $70 – $150 |
| Low-end price | $40 |
| High-end price | $200 |
Leaf removal cost
The national average cost of leaf removal is $290 per service. As with any other landscaping maintenance service, the price will depend on the size of your yard. The cost of leaf removal for an average sized yard, around ¼ acres, is between $100 and $200. But for bigger yards, the price is between $400 and $800 per acre.
Tree trimming cost
The average cost of tree trimming services is $450. The average cost of hiring an arborist is between $50 and $100 per hour, per professional. The height of the tree, its location and accessibility are crucial factors that will determine the cost of the tree trimming service.
Gardener cost
The average cost of hiring a gardener is $150. This is the cost per visit and the work includes lawn mowing, yard clean-up and shrub trimming.
This is the national average cost for the basic service. If you live in an area that typically has higher prices, or you need a professional for additional work, like soil testing or building garden beds, then the cost can go up to $1,300 per visit.
Cost by type of landscaping
You will need a different landscaping budget for different types of landscaping. The 3 main types of landscaping are:
- Softscaping – this type of landscaping includes planting any type of plants, like trees, flowers, vegetables and shrubs.
- Hardscaping – these landscaping projects include installation of different structures like gazebos, pergolas, patios and decks. Keep in mind that many of these structures require permits, such as a permit to build a patio.
- Xeriscaping – this type of landscaping is done in dry regions. The idea is to use plants that do not require much water, which can reduce the amount of water used for irrigation by up to 50%.
| Cost of landscaping by types | |
| Type of landscaping | Average cost |
| Softscaping | $800 – $10,000 |
| Hardscaping | $2,000 – $40,000 |
| Xeriscaping | $10,000 – $20,000 |
Now let’s explore additional factors that will affect the total landscaping costs.
Factors that affect landscaping costs
Some of the factors that will affect the final landscaping prices of your project are:
- Permits
- Soil type and terrain
- Materials
- Hiring landscape designer and landscape architect
- Size of landscaping projects and your property
Permits
Depending on what you are planning to create, your landscape project will require one or more permits, some of them are:
- Building permit
- Demolition permit
- Pool permit
- Fence permit
- Deck permit
- Shed permit
- Tree removal permit
- HOA approval (if you live in HOA community)
These are some of the typical permits that can be required. In order to obtain any of these permits, you will have to have a site plan. The cost of different building permits will depend on the permit that you need and the area you live in.
Soil type and terrain
If you are creating landscape design for the first time, it is smart to test your soil before any planning or work. If you are planning to work on an existing landscape and you already know the soil type, there is no need to do this.
The type of soil will determine which plants you can grow and if the soil for flower beds needs to be changed. The easiest way is to go with native plants, but if that does not work for you, this can affect the overall cost of your project. Soil testing cost ranges from $20 to $100.
If the access to the location is difficult, this can increase the cost. Make sure to give all necessary information about the terrain when talking to the landscape company. That is the only way to get an accurate estimate.
Materials
Materials that will be used are crucial for the final landscaping costs. This doesn’t refer only to materials that will be used if you are planning to install retaining walls or fountains, this goes for flower beds and plant beds as well.
Wisely choosing which type of flowers and plants you’ll use in your design can very much affect the final cost.
Hiring landscape designer and landscape architect
Landscape architects hold a university degree and a state license in horticulture and design. They specialize in:
- Preparation of detailed plans that include precise measurements of the property.
- Designing new hardscaping elements.
- Creation of efficient drainage and irrigation systems.
- Changing the grading of the land to accommodate the different characteristics of the yard.
- Construction of retaining walls and pools.
Typically, architects concentrate on larger commercial projects, while landscape designers primarily deal with smaller residential projects.
Landscape designers possess general garden expertise and specialize in creating conceptual designs without extensive hard landscaping or drainage modifications. In many states, designers do not need a degree or license. They are suitable for simpler landscaping and plant selection projects.
And as you saw in the part of this article where we talked about landscape cost per hour, these are the reasons why there is a difference between hourly rates for designers and architects.
Size of landscaping projects and your property
It is pretty self-explanatory how this will affect landscaping prices, if you have a big yard and you are planning to install some water features, create new flower beds, if there are many trees that have to be removed, of course that the cost of your project will increase.
6 ways to save money on landscaping costs
If you have a smaller landscaping budget, follow these 6 steps in order to lower landscaping cost:
- Develop a plan – Having a good landscape design plan is crucial in order to have results that you envisioned. Create a checklist with all the elements that you want to include, decide on your color scheme and prepare reference photos.
- DIY landscaping – Some parts of landscape projects can be done without professional help. You can cut and overseed the lawn and install plant and flower beds on your own. This will significantly lower your landscaping cost.
- Order site plan for permits – Time is money. In order to obtain all the necessary permits for your landscape project, you will need to have a plot plan. Every detail has to be correct, so it is best to leave this part to the experts, because you don’t need any delays or redoes.
- Buy during off-season – During colder months many of the gardening equipment and tools, as well as seed can be on sale. This will lower the total price of landscaping.
- Plant young plants – As the plants get bigger, especially trees, the cost exponentially increases. Buy and plant young plants to save some money.
- Go green – Sustainable landscaping practices and the use of native plants can contribute to lower long-term maintenance costs and environmental benefits. Using efficient irrigation systems, incorporating water-saving features and implementing proper land management techniques can help you save some money and reduce water bills.
Landscaping cost FAQs
Does landscaping add value?
Yes, upping the curb appeal of your house will lead to easier sell and it will add value. It is estimated that professional landscaping will increase your home value by 7%.
If you constructed your home, you already know that the cost of building a house isn’t cheap, so this is a great information.
What is a good budget for landscaping?
Many claim that the ideal budget for landscaping is 10% of your home value. So, if your house is worth $250,000, the landscaping worth should be $25,000. In today’s economy that price of landscaping is not something that many can afford. So, the ideal landscaping budget is the one that you are comfortable with.
Is it cheaper to do landscaping yourself?
Yes, it is if we are talking about smaller landscaping project. Money that will be spent on designers can go to materials, plants and any other features that you want to incorporate. But if we are talking about complex designs there are so many things that can go wrong. Sometimes those construction mistakes can cost you more than hiring a professional in the first place.
Backyard landscaping costs
Average landscaping prices we talked about in this article refer to the backyard landscaping. But keep in mind that investing more money in the front yard can be useful if you are planning to sell your home. Increasing the curb appeal can increase the value of your house.
What is the cheapest type of landscaping?
If you want cheaper landscape design for your outdoor space go with native plants and mulch. Mulch is material that is very light in weight and it can be used to cover different areas. It does not simply cover the ground, it also locks in the moisture and feeds the plants. This is a great way to lower the total landscaping price.
Local landscaping prices near you
We compared local landscape cost, so if you wondered what are landscaping prices near me, here is the answer:
- Landscaping San Antonio – average cost $2,500 – $13,000
- Landscaping El Paso – average cost $5000
- Landscapers Vancouver – average cost $1,500 – $12,500
- Landscapers Philadelphia – average cost $3,800 – $11,400
- Landscapers Las Vegas – average cost $3,000 – $10,000
In conclusion
As you can see, the total costs associated with landscaping projects vary significantly based on several landscaping elements, such as the size of the area, the complexity of the design, the types of materials used, and the desired features. Landscaping price range is pretty wide. That is why it is important to have a good landscaping plan and a clear budget.
By conducting thorough research, obtaining multiple quotes from reputable landscapers, and considering long-term maintenance costs, you can make informed decisions about your landscaping investments. It is very important to remember that landscaping is not just an expense, it is an investment that increases the value and enjoyment of the property.
