How much does a landscaper charge


How Much Does Landscaping Cost?

If you’re looking for the average cost of landscaping, there’s a wide range of possibilities depending on where you live and what type of landscaping project you want to complete. A landscaping project could consist of new soil, a walkway, grading, planting, removal of trees or all of the above.

Of course, the price tag will vary. But in general, you can expect a landscaping cost estimate to be anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000 or more if you’re starting a completely new project, based on figures from Fixr,  HomeGuide, and HomeAdvisor, which all help consumers find home-maintenance professionals.

How much does landscaping cost?

The two main drivers for your landscaping project’s total cost will be the prices of materials and the labor to install them.

Area Average cost
Front yard $3,000-$6,000
Back yard $7,000-$12,000
Garden $7,500-$20,000

Landscape labor costs range from $50 to $100 per hour. If you plan to work with a landscape designer or architect, your labor cost may approach $200 per hour. Landscaping pricing per square foot can range between $4 and $12.

Landscape project costs

If you have a project in mind, here are approximate costs for some common landscaping tasks:

Landscaping project Approximate cost
Sources: fixr.com, HomeGuide
Sprinkler installation $1,800 – $5,200
Deck installation $5,000-$20,000
Outdoor lighting installation $2,500-$5,000
Tree removal $500-$1,000
Fountain installation $1,250-$3,700
Pond installation $2,100-$9,000
Lawn seeding $550-$1,500
Flower garden planting $8,000-$20,000

Sprinkler installation

Installing sprinklers in your lawn is a way to keep your grass green without having to remember to water it. Sprinkler installation is more common in drier climates that don’t regularly get rain. A sprinkler system is typically installed underground, with only the sprinkler heads poking above the ground.

Deck installation

The cost to install a deck varies greatly, mostly depending on how big of a deck you want to build. The type of materials you use for your deck also play a part in the cost of installation. Wood and composite are the two main options for materials for your deck.

Outdoor lighting installation

Installing lighting is a great way to make your outdoor space more livable and make it easier to enjoy it at night. Costs for installing outdoor lighting hinge on how many and what type of lights you’re looking to install, as well as how far your outdoor lighting is from the nearest electric outlet.

Tree removal

There are many reasons you might want to remove a tree. The tree might have died or otherwise be a hazard, or you may need to remove it to install other landscaping. While you might be able to remove smaller trees yourself, you should definitely hire a professional to remove larger ones. They can also remove and/or grind the tree stump to give your outdoor space a cleaner look.

Fountain installation

Fountains are a soothing part of any front yard or backyard landscaping project. You can make your fountain the centerpiece of your yard or place it near your patio to provide soothing sound effects when you’re sitting outside. The costs of a fountain can vary greatly depending on the size of the structure and the material it’s made from.

Pond installation

Adding a pond to your yard can turn it into a full oasis, increasing the serenity in your backyard.  The location, size, and materials will all affect the price of a pond installation, as will the addition of plants, fish or turtles. Ponds that are lined and filtered will also be more expensive than unlined, unfiltered options.

Lawn seeding

If your lawn doesn’t have grass or it needs a total overhaul, lawn seeding is a way for patient homeowners to grow a new lawn. This method costs about $0.05 per square foot, which makes it a fairly affordable way to replace your yard. The lawn size and seed type will affect the total cost.

Flower garden

Planting a garden will completely change the look and feel of a home’s outdoor space. A complete garden may include — in addition to the flowers, bushes, mulch and plants — walkways, trellis and even a pergola, gazebo or seating area. Adding a brand new garden requires a lot of planning and a variety of materials. Depending on how elaborate your it is, you may end up paying a significant sum to renovate the space.

Costs by landscaping type

The price of an overall landscaping project is often broken down into certain categories:

Softscaping costs

Softscaping expenses are anything associated with plant life: planting or removing flowers, trees, shrubs, and grass. You can expect these expenses to start at about $800 for most projects. Softscaping costs can easily approach thousands of dollars if you have a lot of space to fill. A large softscape job could be around $10,000. If you want a ballpark budget, assume $11 per square foot.

Hardscaping costs

Hardscaping costs are related to landscaping elements that are not organic: structures and constructions ranging from patios to gazebos to lighting. Hardscaping costs vary greatly depending on the nature of the job; the national average cost to install a gazebo is just over $5,700, for example, while the cost to install pea gravel is just $300-$400 on average.

Xeriscaping costs

Xeriscaping refers to projects that aim to reduce water usage and costs, and can refer to both foliage and systems: native plants, recycling rainwater and so forth. On average, the cost of xeriscaping is about $10 per square foot. That being said, because of the size of these projects, most start at $16,000.

Landscaping Type Typical Cost
Softscaping $800-$10,000
Hardscaping $2,000-$45,000
Xeriscaping $5,000-$18,000

How much does hiring a professional landscaper cost?

A professional landscaper or landscaping company can tackle a variety of tasks for your project, from overall design to purchasing materials to actual installation.

Hiring a professional landscaper can be expensive — depending on the work being done, it may cost anywhere from $50 to $200 per hour. While there is an up-front cost, hiring a professional landscaper can also save you money in the long run: They may know of ways to save on materials or labor that you’re not aware of.

Landscaping maintenance costs

No matter what type of landscaping you install, it will likely require some sort of ongoing maintenance. It’s important to do upkeep; a bit of preventive care can save you the cost of having to repair a project down the road.

Here are a few common landscaping maintenance chores and their price:

Type of maintenance Approximate cost
Weed control $75-$150
General cleanup $0-$500
Tree trimming $75-$300
Lawn fertilization $100 per treatment

Weed control

A “weed” is a layman’s term for any greenery that is not grass or desired in a specific part of your yard. You’ll want to regularly make sure that the right types of flora are growing where you want them. You might schedule treatments every couple of weeks or months.

General cleanup

Another important way to maintain your lawn is to do general cleanup of the yard and keep it in good shape (something you can do yourself for free on the weekends). Neglect your yard, and  it might cost hundreds of dollars for a professional to clean it up.

Tree trimming

If you have large trees on your property, you’ll want to trim them regularly. This helps keep your trees healthy and lessens the chances that any branches will cause problems in your yard or to your house. Trimming your trees can cost between $75 and $300 depending on their size and location.If you discover while having your trees trimmed that one or more of them has died, you may also need to pay to have the tree removed. This might include removal and/or grinding of the tree stump.

Lawn fertilization

Depending on where you live, what type of grass you have and how new your grass is, you might want to regularly fertilize your lawn. Fertilizing your lawn helps the grass grow and discourages other types of plants from growing where you don’t want them. Lawn fertilization typically occurs two or three times a year.

Tips for lowering landscaping costs

If you’re looking to lower your landscaping cost, there are a few strategies you can use:

  1. Do some of the labor yourself. Depending on your project and your skills, you may be able to complete certain landscaping projects DIY. This may work better if you are laying mulch or paver stones rather than cutting a tree down or building a brick walkway.
  2. Have a design in mind. Working with a landscape designer, architect or professional landscaper can be expensive. Instead of counting on them to come up with all the plans, have a few basic ideas before you meet with them. That can minimize the amount of time they spend on your project, keeping your costs down.
  3. Keep existing trees if possible. Trees, especially mature ones, are expensive to purchase and install. Try to incorporate existing trees into your landscaping plan so you don’t have to pay removal costs plus the price of a new tree.
  4. Save or reuse existing landscaping. Similarly, any existing landscaping that you can reuse will help keep your costs down.
  5. Work with a local nursery. Buying plants yourself from a local plant nursery can be more affordable than allowing a professional landscaper to bring in the plant life. Bonus: Your local nursery probably has a lot of native plants that are meant to thrive in your climate, and may offer advice and design ideas too.
  6. Replace mulch with pavers or rocks. Where you have extra mulch in your yard, consider replacing it with rocks. Rocks are often less expensive and require less long-term maintenance.

How do I pay for landscaping?

You have a few options to pay for landscaping, depending on how large or expensive your project is.

Average Prices And Cost Per Square Foot – Forbes Home

Advertisement

THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.

Compare Quotes From Top-rated Landscaping Contractors

Free, No-commitment Estimates

Find a Contractor

Landscaping your yard can boost your home’s curb appeal and increase its overall value. Plus, beautiful landscaping is a wonderful mood-booster. Landscaping costs differ based on the size and scope of the job. Prices for smaller jobs, like basic lawn care, can be as low as $50, while more labor-tensive jobs requiring complex landscape design work can cost up to $7,000. The average landscaping cost is about $700.

Average Cost$700
Highest Cost$7000
Lowest Cost$50

Landscaping Cost Per Square Foot

Landscaping costs $4 to $12 per square foot, on average, for basic and intermediate services. A full makeover including landscaping design and remodeling can cost up to $40 per square foot.

Basic and intermediate services may include planting grass or flowers, lawn care and thatching. Remodeling involves a complete exterior design along with demolition and regrading the area.

Landscaping Cost Per Hour

Labor makes up about 80% of the total landscaping cost. Landscapers charge between $50 and $100 per hour for a crew of two. As the manpower required increases, so will the cost. Additional crew members will cost $25 to $50 per hour extra.

Landscape designers are more advanced than typical landscapers, often charging at least $200 an hour to plan and design your yard. While you won’t need to work with a designer for routine landscaping work, you will need to hire one if you’re looking to install something unique from scratch.

Get at least three quotes from different landscapers before starting work to find one that works with your budget.

Advertisement

THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.

Explore a variety of gardening tools, watering equipment, decor & more.

Landscaping Cost Per Project

Landscaping costs start at $50 for small projects and can reach upwards of $7,000 for complex tasks. Popular landscaping projects include lawn seeding, landscape curbing, lawn mowing, tree trimming and lawn grading.

Lawn Seeding$400 - $1,500
Landscape Curbing$750 - $2,000
Lawn Mowing$50 - $200
Tree Trimming$75 - $1,500
Lawn Grading$1,000 - $3,000
Mulching$100 - $300
Pond Installation$1,300 - $6,000
Water Fountain Installation$1,000 - $5,000
Sod Installation$1,000 - $3,000
Landscape Design$2,000 - $7,000
Retaining Wall Installation$1,500 - $6,000
Lawn Aeration$75 - $250
Gravel Installation$180 - $1,800

The final cost will ultimately depend on the size of your property.

Material Costs

Some landscaping materials cost more than others. Landscape gravel, for example, typically costs more per square foot than turf. Some materials are more difficult to source or require more labor to install, which makes them more expensive. If you’re landscaping on a budget, this list of common landscaping materials will help you determine which materials will work best for you.

Landscape Boulders$150 per ton
Landscape Gravel$20 - $30 per square foot
Lawn Turf$5 - $20 per square foot
Lawn Replacement$1 - $2 per square foot
Retaining Wall$15 - $20 per square foot

Landscaping Rocks

Rock is a very common landscaping material. The average cost of landscaping rocks is between $3 and $6 per square foot, but the cost will ultimately depend on the type of rock used.

Crushed Stone$1 - $2 per square foot
Crushed Granite$1 - $3 per square foot
Stone Steps$100 - $300 per step
Granite Pavers$6 per square foot
River Rocks$100 - $800 per ton
Lava Rocks$75 per ton
Boulders$100 - $600 per ton

Landscaping Cost by Type

There are three main types of landscaping: hardscaping, softscaping and xeriscaping. Softscaping refers to the plant elements of a landscape and often involves flowers, shrubs and trees that require services like weed management, planting and mowing. Xeriscaping is a landscaping process that works to conserve water and eliminate the need for irrigation, while hardscaping involves non-plant materials (paths, decks, retaining walls, etc.).

Many homeowners incorporate all of these types into their overall landscaping. Each type differs in cost, but ranges from $900 to $30,000.

Average Cost$2,000 - $30,000
Highest Cost$900 - $3,000
Lowest Cost$15,000 - $20,000

Landscaping Maintenance

Most landscaping you have done will require regular upkeep. Monthly landscape maintenance costs range from $50 to $300 based on the size of your yard and the work required. Routine lawn care services (mowing, fertilization and weed control) done by a professional landscaper will cost a homeowner $150 per month on average.

You may be able to hire a handyman or independent contractor to do some of this work, but a professional landscaping company will be the most experienced and accommodating. Remember to get multiple quotes before settling on a company you like.

Advertisement

THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.

Compare Quotes From Top-rated Landscaping Contractors

Free, No-commitment Estimates

Find a Contractor

Your Home. Your Decisions. Our Support.

Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily.

{{ newsletterState.emailErrorMsg }}

Thanks & Welcome to the Forbes Home Improvement Community!

{{ newsletterState.emailErrorMsg }}

I agree to receive the Forbes Home newsletter via e-mail. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information and details on how to opt out.

Landscaping of 12 acres to order on a turnkey basis: example, cost per hundred square meters

Stage No. 1. Site preparation

  1. At the initial stage, an empty flat area was cleared of small debris. On it, work was done on uprooting trees and destroying weeds. Even at the design stage of the site, it was decided to make such a selection of plant material that would not require large and frequent maintenance. Therefore, after the site was prepared, active work began to implement the plan. nine0008
  2. In order to immediately give structure to the territory, large-sized trees were planted, the height of which reached 5 meters. Mature trees with a beautifully developed crown have become a true decoration of the site. Of course, the acquisition of mature trees increased the cost of landscape design for the owner, but also made it possible to immediately enjoy the view of fluffy conifers. In general, planting large trees is a great option for those who do not want to wait decades before the trees grow - the garden is instantly filled with the necessary volume and texture. nine0008
  3. Pines and spruces for the landscaping site of the dacha were brought from a nursery in the Kaluga region and planted on the site in winter. Transportation and transplantation of large-sized plants in winter allows them to achieve a more painless subsequent adaptation in a new place. In the cold season, the tree sleeps and all its vital processes are suspended. In the spring, after waking up, the plant quickly gets used to new conditions.
  4. Having completed the planting of conifers in a permanent place, the trees were fixed with special stretch marks. This was necessary so that the tree would not fall under the pressure of the wind until the roots grew and were able to independently hold it in the soil. nine0008
  5. Planting large trees can quickly turn the most deserted area into a real young forest. The price for planting large-sized plants includes: delivery of plants from the nursery to the customer's territory, planting in the ground, as well as a guarantee for work and planting material.

Stage #2. Paving of paths and access area

The total paving area was 550 sq.m.

Stage #3. Soil leveling, planting of trees and shrubs

Stage #4. Roll lawn laying

Techniques used in the design of the territory

  1. The initial idea of ​​the designers was that the garden at any time of the year should not only be a beautiful harmonious picture, but also benefit its owners. Therefore, along with deciduous plants, a large number of coniferous trees and shrubs were planted. nine0008
  2. Pine, spruce, arborvitae - they all perfectly clean the air space around the house and fill it with healing phytoncides. In addition, unlike deciduous trees that shed their foliage for the winter, conifers retain a high decorative effect all year round.
  3. Although the intention was to create a "little care garden", the designers chose the plants in such a way that the available plants would continuously bloom throughout the warm season. In spring, forsythia, lilac, bird cherry, ornamental apple tree, viburnum "Roseum" and hawthorn will flourish here. nine0008
  4. In the first half of summer mock orange and wrinkled rose will bloom. From mid-summer to late autumn, an elegant hydrangea will delight the eye with its panicle flowers. Japanese quince is a plant that is highly decorative from spring to late autumn. In September, when the foliage of trees and shrubs begins to turn into all shades of purple, the berries of curly mountain ash will turn red.
  5. If the owners of suburban housing wish to see more bright spots on their site, then it will be enough to add flowerpots with annual flowering plants to the surrounding space. If you can’t do it yourself, then you can always use the services of a landscape designer who will help you create a harmonious composition. And then, having already become familiar, the garden will “sparkle” with new colors. nine0008

The result of creativity

Landscaping completed. Now the garden, despite the presence of fairly large trees in it, is still quite young. It will take 5-8 years for the trees and shrubs to fully adapt to the new environment and reach their maximum size. And then the garden will lose its teenage “angularity” and will be filled with strength, power and self-sufficiency, bringing joy and aesthetic pleasure to its owners.

Work steps

How much does a landscape project cost?0081 how much money the landscaping project saves

.

For a happy owner of a suburban area, construction starts from the house. Moreover, absolutely no one doubts that it is impossible to start construction without an architectural project. But at the same time, for some reason, there is a common opinion that a landscape project is an unnecessary and unaffordable luxury. The architectural project of the house is carefully discussed in the family circle: what area it will be, number of floors... how many rooms there will be, so that everyone has enough space... It doesn’t matter if it is individual or typical, but it occupies the minds of the household for a long enough time to fall in love, please, and most importantly - to become a convenient and comfortable housing. But at this stage, almost no one thinks that coziness and comfort begin with a gate! As the construction progresses, the house is gradually overgrown with a fence, external networks, communications, as well as additional outbuildings. Finally, the moment comes when it is time to make a path between the house and the bathhouse, plant a couple of fruit trees and something else ... to please the eye. The choice between a landscape designer and the desire to "plant a tree" with your own hands very often falls on the "Handmade" popular in our country. Fortunately, there are hosts who are painstakingly reading and knowledgeable about the topic, who successfully cope with the problem on their own. But, as the sad statistics show, the majority is accepted « bury your own money in the ground .”

the cost of which for a plot of 15 acres is on average 1000 - 1200 conventional units in US dollars? Let's count on typical errors , choosing as an example one of the objects where we arrived after a phone call: “Help! We need a landscape designer!

1. Open the gate. The first thing that catches your eye is the usual eclecticism (a mixture of styles). A modern cottage in the Art Nouveau style (cool!), plus a sort of vintage hand-cut guest house. The first look at the laying of paving slabs and it becomes clear: the foreman was apparently the landscape designer here. Mistake number 1: do not start the design of your site with the advice of "experienced" builders - where, how and what area to pave! After all, the larger the paving area, the more valuable and appetizing in terms of construction estimates your site. On average, the paving area of ​​a standard plot of 15 acres is from 200 to 350 sq.m. Depends on the individual approach. If you decide to ignore the designer and take the builder as your adviser, feel free to throw in from 50 to 100 square meters, just extra, unnecessary, taking precious green weave into cement and concrete. Now we count. The cost of the cheapest tile is $11. per sq.m., installation cost - 14 c.u. per sq.m. nine0081 Total: (11+14) x 50 = At least $1,250 has already been overpaid! Add here an extra tile, bought "with a margin" just in case.

The area of ​​paving must proportionally correspond to the area of ​​the site, the area of ​​​​the blind area must proportionally correspond to the area of ​​​​the building spot of the house.

2. Moving on. The tracks are arranged according to the construction-correct mathematical principle: from point A to point B, the straighter, the shorter and faster. From sharp corners and sharp turns it becomes uncomfortable. We propose to fix the "jamb". nine0005

The photo above shows that the path ends right at the entrance to the guest house, forming an uncomfortable sharp angle with the porch. The figure below shows the same part of the site with the designer's corrections. It is obvious that if the owner had turned to a specialist immediately, this fragment would have been planned in a completely different way. But dismantling is expensive, so we leave the tracks in place and “patch holes” as best we can.

In parallel, we will give a rather successful example of how the owner of the site managed on his own. The paths gently curve, as if inviting you to take a walk around the territory. Let's give him credit for his good taste, saying in secret that he himself is directly related to the construction industry, hence the experience and skill. nine0005

3. We return to the list of errors. See how a small flower girl is located between the entrance to the garage and the front entrance to the house. You say, "So what"? Nice? Well, as it turns out, she's in the wrong place.

To get from home to garage or vice versa, every time you have to either stumble over this miracle of landscape design or learn to bypass it on full autopilot, sometimes close to a parked car. Agree, it’s uncomfortable when a decorative conifer is constantly confused under your feet. nine0005

This flower girl with a “claim” for rockeries cannot be called the idea of ​​a landscape designer. This is a natural formation between a rectangle (the platform for entering the garage) and a trapezoid (the path leading to the house). It was decided to dismantle the flower girl and pave it. According to the most approximate and minimal estimates, the repair of all tracks will cost about 300 USD.

4. The next object on our way comes across an object that cannot be called either a rockery, or an alpine hill, or a flower garden ... The slope formed as a result of the flight of architectural thought with a claim to become a worthy addition to the architecture of the house reminded me of an ornamental plant nursery. nine0005

This sort of collecting and planting indiscriminately (the so-called "square-nest" method jokingly among landscapers) is a typical hobby gardener's mistake. The abundance of pretty bushes and flowers (and there are about 40 of them on this slope) will eventually turn into a problem. Plants tend to grow, and some of those planted here reach quite a decent size.

Plants should be planted in compositions and groups. Planting of single trees is minimized and is carried out mainly along the boundaries of the site. The ratio of buildings and greenery on the site should be 50 x 50.

The cost of planting a plant depends on its size and the volume of the root system. If planting, for example, one perennial costs the Customer 0.6 - 1 ruble, then transplantation of the same plant costs twice as much as ! In addition, the “extra” will have to be distributed to neighbors and acquaintances. And, as we calculated, there will be enough of them for exactly the same area, if not more. That is, in a sincere impulse to decorate the territory, the owners cluttered it with an abundance of trees and shrubs. nine0005

In the yard we encountered the same picture. Abundant moss added dullness - the result of increased acidity of the soil. To deal with these wilds and bushes, you will have to spend much more time than landscaping the site from scratch. The real headache will be the question of leveling (topping up the soil) of this part of the territory and its improvement. Planted plants in excess are a real hindrance.

We count. The cost of planting material for landscaping a plot of 15 acres varies over a very wide range, on average from 3,000 USD. Landing work can also be approximately estimated at 1,500 USD. This means that extra plants were purchased for approximately 3,000 USD. Plus, the overpayment for the work (considering that this is not a planting, but a plant transplant) will be 1,500 USD. Total $4,500

4. Of the first places among the mistakes in landscape design is the layout of the garden. To deal with the infrastructure of the site, with filling it with various functional elements and small forms, you need to look a little into the future, and also be sure to take into account the desires of all members of your family. It's hard to tell what was planned in the photo below. It doesn't look like an ornamental pond...perhaps a swimming pool. However, it does not matter, because for some reason, known only to the owners of this house, the idea failed. nine0005

Issue price - the cost of construction of this facility and its partial dismantling.


Learn more