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Real Estate Tips
Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Calculating the Average Cost of Landscaping Your Home

When it comes to transforming your yard, one of the first questions that pops to mind is, “How much does landscaping cost?” Dreamy, lush gardens create a serene backyard oasis that encourages you to spend more time outside. Or, sometimes, the existing outdoor space just needs a good ol’ spring clean-up. Knowing the average landscaping cost for your area gives you an idea if hiring some help lies inside your budget or not. 

Landscaping goes beyond making your property look great; ask any real estate agent, and they’ll tell you it adds real value. In some urban real estate markets, a beautiful outdoor space turns a great property into a hot commodity. Real estate professionals recommend spending 5% to 15% of your home’s value on landscaping. It’s a move that can pay dividends when it’s time to sell. 

But before you grab your calculator, let’s break down the specifics behind budgeting for a landscaping project.

A patio set with cushioned chairs and a small table graces a neatly paved outdoor area. The background showcases a landscaped garden, worth the average cost of landscaping, with shrubs, grass, and tall trees. On the right side, a hexagonal logo features "ez" inside a house shape.

Understanding Landscaping Costs

Actual landscaping costs depend on several factors. Understanding these components helps homeowners budget and plan for their landscaping projects effectively. Whether the plan calls for a simple flower bed or a complex landscape design with retaining walls and water features, knowing how these landscape design features influence the cost prevents unexpected expenses and helps you budget appropriately.

Landscaping Cost Factors

The cost of a landscaping project depends on:

  • Size of the project: Larger projects require more materials and labor. A sprawling full backyard makeover will naturally cost more than a small front yard refresh.
  • Complexity of the project: Projects involving complex landscape design elements, such as retaining walls or water features, increase labor and material cost. Intricate designs often require specialized skills and more time to complete.
  • Type of materials used: Plants, concrete, and lumber have varying costs. High-quality materials or exotic plants significantly increase the overall expense.
  • Labor costs: The cost of labor changes depending on the home’s location, experience, and qualifications of the landscaping company. More experienced landscape architects or designers might charge higher rates, but their expertise can ensure a better outcome.
  • Location: Landscaping costs match the cost of living in the region, city, or town. Urban areas might have higher labor costs compared to rural locations. Local climate can also affect the types of plants and materials used or the landscape designer’s ability to affordably procure specific materials.
  • Type of Project: There’s a big difference between sprucing up an existing landscape or hiring a landscape architect to redo a blank space.

Landscaping Project Types

A small, rocky stream flows through a garden with lush green grass and plants. On the left side, a hexagonal graphic overlay displays the letters "ez," surrounded by a pattern of hexagons, symbolizing affordable elegance in gardens—something landscaping enthusiasts treasure for its cost-effectiveness.

Landscaping is an umbrella term covering a range of services. Each type of landscaping project comes with its own unique costs and requirements. Switching to drought-resistant plants differs from setting up a rock garden next to a patio space. Completely transform your outdoor space with a comprehensive landscape design, or lay the groundwork for a new, lush green lawn. 

Landscaping Project Categories

Landscaping pricing depend on the scope of the work. Most professional landscapers divide this into two categories:

  • Softscaping: Working on the organic elements like the plants, flower beds, existing trees, and lawn grass.
  • Hardscaping: Working on inorganic elements like walkways, fire pits, pavers, patios, and water features.

Softscaping generally costs less than hardscaping projects, but any actual pricing does depend on the overall landscape design and scope of work.

Types of Landscaping Projects

Here’s a quick “menu” of popular options and their average prices to help you plan your next project:

  • Yard Clean-Up Costs: Spring clean-ups or leaf removal runs about $150 to $350—perfect for a post-winter lawn refresh. Anything after a major storm could also run in this price range.
  • Lawn Aeration: If your yard is feeling compacted or you need seasonal core aeration, landscapers charge between $75 and $250. Aeration gives your grass some much-needed breathing room.
  • Tree Stump Removal & Stump Grinding: Removing a tree stump costs $100 to $400 on average, while stump grinding will set you back $120 to $400. However, these national average costs change based on the tree stump’s size and what equipment the lawn care services can use on the property.
  • Gardeners & Maintenance: A gardener or handyman typically charges around $75 to $250, depending on the size and complexity of your yard and flower beds. More complex garden designs may cost more per square foot.
  • Fill Dirt for Landscaping Projects: Need some dirt? Expect to pay $5 to $25 per cubic yard, depending on the quality and location. Manually moving that dirt around your yard will incur additional labor costs–unless you do it yourself.
  • Land Clearing: For a larger project, like clearing land, the costs land between $1,150 to $3,680. The project’s complexity factors include thick growth, taking down trees, and topography.
  • Tree Trimming: Essential for maintaining tree health and aesthetics, costing between $100 and $400 per tree, depending on size and complexity. Tree removal services will run more and depend on the risk to the surrounding structures and laborers.
  • Planting trees: Add foliage to bare landscapes involves selecting the right location, preparing the yard, and setting up to the new trees to thrive. Costs depend on the plant species and their size. More mature trees, for instance, are sold for a higher price than saplings.
  • Sprinkler system installs: Tired of hand-watering? Keep your lawn and garden healthy even through dry periods with a sprinkler system. New systems automatically adjust for local weather conditions. Yard size again matters, but average cost range $2,400-$4,000.
  • Retaining walls: Prevent water from flowing into the home or curb erosion with aesthetically pleasing retaining walls. These range widely in size, complexity, and materials. National average costs trend $3,500 to $9,400.
  • Land grading: Sometimes, you must reshape the property to give it the desired features. This project typically ranges $100 to $3,400, depending on the size, steepness of slopes, and necessary fill dirt.
  • Landscape maintenance: Once you have a design you love, it takes work to maintain it. Maintenance costs range but may include lawn mowing, tree trimming, mulching, weed removal, and lawn treatments.

How to Go About a Landscape Project

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DIY Landscaping

Do-it-yourself landscaping can be a cost-effective way to improve the appearance of your yard. However, it requires time, effort, and knowledge of landscaping principles. DIY landscaping projects can include:

  • Planting flowers, trees, and shrubs
  • Installing a patio or walkway
  • Building a retaining wall
  • Creating a garden bed

Remember that landscaping projects can be time-consuming and require specialized tools and equipment. Additionally, if you are not experienced in basic landscaping design, you may make mistakes that can be costly to correct. 

Weigh the costs and benefits of DIY landscaping before starting a project. While you’ll cut back on labor costs, it may not be the best option if you are short on time or lack experience in landscaping.

Hire a Landscape Company

In contrast, hiring a professional landscaping company can provide several benefits, including:

  • Expert knowledge and experience
  • Access to specialized tools and equipment
  • Time-saving
  • Warranty and guarantee on workmanship

A professional landscaping company will be more expensive than landscaping yourself. The cost of hiring out the work depends on the size and complexity of the project, as well as the location and reputation of the company. Some specialize in specific work, such as sod installation or building outdoor kitchens and patios.

Look for licensed professionals with experience in the type of project you’re planning. Review their portfolio, check references, and ensure they know local climate and regulations. Clear communication is key to ensuring your vision aligns with their design.

Ultimately, deciding whether to do it yourself or hire a professional landscaping company depends on your budget, time, and preferences. Before deciding, weigh each option’s costs and benefits.

Using a Landscape Designer or Architect

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Landscape designers will present you with a comprehensive landscaping plan that accounts for your budget and yard size. The plan will show you how the project will come together, blending softscape and hardscape elements to create the ideal outdoor environment.

Landscape architects specialize in designing outdoor spaces that blend functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. They generally have a degree or certification that enables them to work on extensive and complex projects. They handle everything from creating detailed plans for gardens, patios, and walkways to large-scale projects like parks and commercial spaces. Their expertise extends to site analysis, environmental considerations, proper drainage, and plant selection.

Consider hiring a landscape architect if you’re tackling a complex project, such as a complete yard redesign, creating outdoor living spaces, or managing challenging terrain. They’re also invaluable for projects requiring permits or collaboration with other professionals, such as contractors or engineers.

Depending on the project’s size and complexity, typical professional landscape architects charge between $2,200 and $6,180. Landscape designers charge from $50-$150 per hour on most landscaping projects.

The Average Cost of Landscaping

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Landscaping Cost per Square Foot

It’s hard to set average landscaping costs because each project is unique. Both installing flower beds along a front porch and intensive retaining walls fall under the landscaping services banner. Using a cost per square foot is our best measure for equalizing across projects.

On average, landscaping costs can range from $4 to $12 per square foot for basic services, such as lawn mowing and flower bed maintenance. More complex projects, such as installing a patio or retaining wall, can cost $20 to $50 per square foot or more. 

Pricing focuses only on the area that will be worked on, so pricing by square foot can be tricky. Your yard size may be 5,000 square feet, but perhaps the project is only on 120 square feet. However, some materials used are sold by the square foot, like sod installation and paver rock. It’s helpful to know the square footage of the particular project for this reason.

A simple lawn installation with new grass and some beautiful plants around the home might be on the lower end of the spectrum. However, a custom-designed patio with high-end materials could increase costs. 

Understanding these variations can help you plan your budget more accurately and choose the right projects for your space and financial situation. Most landscaping companies will give you an estimated price based on the landscape design, not per square foot.

Pricing Landscaping Projects By Fee

Most home landscaping projects cost between $4,000 and $20,317, with a national average landing around $12,825. You might spend $300 to $800 for simple landscaping projects, while larger upgrades like a backyard makeover start at$4,000.

Here’s a quick breakdown to give you a better idea of what you might pay:

  • Small yard landscaping cost (basic): $4 to $12 per square foot. Most Americans paid $3,651 in 2025.
  • High-end projects (think fancy fountains or outdoor kitchens): $24 per square foot or more.
  • The average landscaping cost falls at $15 per square foot. That could be a good place to start if your project falls in the middle.

A landscape contractor will provide detailed estimates based on the specific requirements of your project.

Keep in mind, labor costs account for roughly 80% of the total price, so when the pros roll up with their gear, you know where your money is going.

Landscaping Cost Per Hour

For smaller tasks or yard maintenance, landscapers charge $50 to $100 per hour for a two-person crew (or $25 to $50 per person). Hiring for specific work on an hourly basis makes sense for projects like lawn seeding or sod installation. Rates can vary depending on your location, the job complexity, and the time of year. 

Those rates might increase for larger or more intricate jobs, so always ask for an estimate upfront. A landscape designer can help create aesthetic plans and manage plant selection, which can influence the overall cost. 

Landscaping Cost By Area

Another way of looking at pricing for landscaping services is by the total area being addressed. Smaller projects naturally cost less. Those 200 square feet or under had a range of $900-$2,400. At 500 square feet, it increased to $2,250-$6,000. Landscaping costs range from $4,500 to $1,200 for around 1,000 square feet, then $9,000 to $24,000 for 2,000 square foot spaces.

New Landscaping Installation Costs

Workers in green shirts lay sod in a fenced yard, illustrating the average cost of landscaping as they carefully shape lush lawns. In the foreground, stacks of grass sod rest on wooden pallets. A blue hexagon with the letters "ez" appears on the left side of the image.

If you’re tackling a blank canvas—a brand-new property—be prepared to budget between $3,000 and $15,950 for a new landscape installation. This typically requires a crew of four or more people working over several weeks. Hiring a landscape architect can ensure that complex projects are designed and executed professionally, but their expertise does affect the overall cost.

Real estate agents suggest spending 10% of a new home’s value on landscaping–hardscaping and softscaping combined. For example, on a $300,000 home, that’s about $30,000 max.

Landscaping Materials

Part of the reason hiring professionals costs more is the labor costs. You can reduce landscaping prices by doing it yourself, but you’ll still need to buy materials.

A rough estimate of common materials used in the average landscaping project:

MaterialCost
Sod$0.35–$0.85 per square foot
Grass seed$3–$10 per pound
Rocks or gravel$40–$100 per cubic yard
Mulch$0.20–$0.60 per square foot
Stone pavers$1–$25 per square foot
Plants$25-$3,000 per plant, depending on size and type
Fencing$10-$75 per linear foot

Pro Tip for Calculating Landscaping Costs

Rather than estimating costs based on your entire property, focus on the specific landscape designs you plan to implement. For example, landscaping your backyard with hardscaping features like pathways and fountains will cost significantly more than adding a flower bed or lawn to the front yard.

Want to get really fancy? Multiply the square footage of your project by $5 for simpler designs or $24 for high-end additions like man-made ponds.

Monthly Landscaping Maintenance Costs

Once your perfect landscape is in place, landscape maintenance doesn’t maintain itself (sadly). Hiring a pro to keep things neatly trimmed and cared for will cost you about $133 to $370 per month, with a national average of $252. This could cover lawn mowing, garden upkeep, or bush trimming.

Why Invest in Professional Landscaping?

A backyard area is prepared for landscaping, with leveled soil and surrounding greenery. A nearby house is partially visible. The right side of the image features a logo with a hexagonal pattern and the letters "ez" inside a house icon, hinting at the average cost of landscaping services.

The numbers don’t lie—well-maintained landscaping can boost your curb appeal and increase your property’s value significantly. Plus, hiring professionals means:

  • Getting the job done right the first time. Landscaping companies offer various services from design to maintenance, ensuring your yard looks its best year-round.
  • Avoiding the hassle of equipment rentals or purchases. If you buy it, you’ll have to store it and keep it in tip-top shape.
  • Gaining expert advice on plant selection, layout, and seasonal care from people whose job is to know.

Preparing for Your Landscaping Project

The cost of landscaping can quickly add up, but remember that it’s not just an expense. It’s an investment in your home’s aesthetic and value. Knowing the difference between a basic softscape and hardscape design can help you make confident decisions.

Incorporating native plants into your landscape can be a cost-effective and sustainable option, reducing water usage and maintenance costs.

If you’re still asking, “How much is landscaping?“ or “How much does landscaping cost for a small yard?“ start simple. Focus on DIY tasks now and plan bigger projects when they fit your budget. Sometimes, even a well-placed flower bed can make all the difference.

Grab that garden notepad and start designing your dream yard—one square foot at a time!

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Preston Guyton