Landscape design transforms the exterior of your home into a stunning space that everyone can enjoy. A well-designed landscape ties your home to the outside for a harmonious, cohesive property. Landscapes are often worth their cost. Even small projects such as yard maintenance or lawn care can be repaid by selling the home.
Landscape costs range from $2,600 for a simple garden update to $13,700 for a total overhaul. The average cost for landscaping is $8,150.
Costs of landscaping vary depending on the size of your space, the materials you use, and the type project. The cost of landscaping is also affected by whether you hire landscapers, or do some work yourself.
Landscaping cost per square foot
It is important to determine the cost per square foot of landscaping in order to have a good idea of the total cost. Landscape costs can range from $4 to $17 a square foot. The average cost per square foot of landscaping is approximately $11.
Remember that the entire property may not be landscaped.
Cost of Landscape Area
250 square feet $3.250
500 square feet $5.500
750 square feet 8 250 dollars
1,001 square feet $11,000
Cost of Landscaping per Hour
When comparing landscaper quotes or hiring labor to do DIY projects, knowing the cost per hour of landscaping is useful.
The average cost of labor for landscaping is $75 per hour. Landscape designers who are trained generally charge $100 or more an hour.
Cost of Landscaping Projects
Costs for landscaping projects can vary widely. Simple projects such as lawn mowing can cost up to $90 while complex ones like retaining walls cost upwards of $5,000.
Gravel installation: $990
Landscape curbing: $1.475
Landscape design: $4,500
Lawn Aeration: $865
Lawn grading: $2,000
Lawn cutting: $90
Lawn Seeding: $992
Mulching: $137
Installation of ponds: $4,625
Retaining Wall: $5,060
Installation of Sod: $2,000
Sprinkler installation: $3,500
Tree trimming costs $580
Water fountain: $2,750
Cost of Landscaping Materials
In general, landscaping materials are relatively inexpensive per square foot or cubic feet. The amount of materials required can be so large that the total cost is high.
Material Cost
Lawn turf is $12.50 a square foot
Lawn Replacement $1.50 Per Square Foot
Mulch$90 per cubic yard
Costs of Landscaping Rocks & Masonry
Landscape projects that include rocks and masonry are both functional and beautiful. As hardscaping materials, rocks and masonry can be used to create steps, patios and retaining walls. They stop soil from washing off.
Placed strategically, rocks or gravel can improve drainage where water collects.
The landscape of a yard is enhanced by the use of rocks and masonry. The rock is used to create a visual contrast with the foliage in the yard. Flagstones can be used to guide visitors up the hill or through the landscape. Sometimes natural stone is used to line the garden beds or around garden ponds.
Material High Cost Low Average Cost
Boulders 100/ton 600/ton 350/ton
Crushed stone $2 square feet $1.50 sq. ft.
Stone steps are priced at $100/step, $300/step and $400/step
River Rocks $100/ton $850/ton $450/ton
Cost of Landscaping by Type
Landscape projects can be divided in three categories: hardscaping (hardscaping), xeriscaping (xeriscaping), and softscaping.
Softscaping is the planting of flowers, shrubs, trees and other organic material. Softscaping costs between $800 and $10,000, with a median cost of $5,400.
Hardscaping is any work that involves non-organic material, such as patios, pathways, pergolas and drainage systems. Hardscaping can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $24,000. The average is $12,500.
Xeriscaping – A combination of hardscaping (softscaping) and softscaping (hardscaping), xeriscaping can cost anywhere from $13,800 up to $19,000.
Landscape Maintenance Costs
In general, landscaping maintenance costs range between $165 and $375 depending on the size of your yard and the amount of work needed.
All landscaping requires regular maintenance. Hardscaping requires less maintenance. The stone walkways, patios and pergolas will need to be cleaned or painted from time to time. Professionals should be called in more often to maintain high-maintenance landscaping areas like flower beds, lawns and garden ponds.
Tip
A landscaper can be contracted to do regular maintenance to help you stick to your schedule and prevent small problems from becoming expensive ones.
Landscaping Costs: 7 Ways to Cut Costs
Create a plan
Landscape carefully to reduce labor costs and waste. Landscape design should consider both the immediate needs and long-term appearance.
Working with a designer
Landscape professionals, like a landscape architect or designer, charge an average of $100/hour ($50 on the low end, and $150 on the high end). By paying for design services, you can save money on landscaping by creating an economical and efficient plan.
You can do some work yourself
Many landscaping projects are DIY-friendly. Simple projects like spreading gravel, laying mulch, cutting the lawn or overseeding it, installing low voltage landscape lighting or installing low voltage landscape lighting can save you money.
Start Plants Young
Early on, plant cheaper young plants to save money compared to more expensive mature ones. As an example, the cost of emerald-green arborvitae (a thick evergreen that is used to create privacy) starts at $20 to $25 per plant up to two feet high. The cost increases exponentially as the plant’s height increases. Costs are ten times higher for a plant that is three times as tall.
Reuse Materials
Materials that are removed from the yard during landscaping can be used in other parts of the yard. Turf that was removed to create walkways can then be used in patches of your lawn. You can spread sun-faded mulch to areas of your yard that are less visible.
Use Existing Trees
It is difficult and costly to remove trees. Include existing trees in the landscaping plan whenever possible to reduce costs.
Purchase During Off-Season
After the peak growing season, gardening tools and materials can be heavily discounted. Just before the offseason, look for discounts on gloves, lawn edging, tomato cages and pots. As long as the compost, mulch and potting soil are kept dry, they can be stored over winter. Some plants, such as geraniums and ferns can be stored in pots over the winter.
The FAQ
Is it cheaper to do landscaping yourself?
Landscape work can be done by you at a lower cost. You can use the money you would have spent on design or labor to fund your landscaping project, or save it for another purpose. Doing the landscaping yourself is not cheaper for projects requiring a lot of labor and time, or projects requiring rental equipment such as tillers or plate compactors or chainsaws.
What is a realistic budget for landscaping?
On average, landscaping costs $8,150, but it can cost as little as $2,600. Budgets for home improvements and maintenance should be able to accommodate a reasonable landscaping budget. The majority of landscaping projects shouldn’t take priority over critical repairs or safety-related home maintenance, such as stair and deck repairs, roofing or siding, windows and doors, or roof and siding.
What is the least expensive type of landscaping?
Mulch can be used as a lightweight covering for large areas. Mulch does more than cover the ground. It adds nutrients and moisture to the soil, improving plant health.6 Perennials reduce the need to plant flowers every season. Although they are more expensive initially, masonry and rocks can reduce maintenance costs in the long run.
Does it make sense to hire a landscaping company?
A landscaper is often worth hiring, especially for projects that require a lot of physical work, such as moving trees or cutting them down, rolling out the turf, placing boulders or digging ponds. Landscapers can provide expertise as well. You may not need to hire a professional landscaper if your time is sufficient and you can do the work yourself.
