How Much Does Landscaping Cost?
Landscaping typically costs $10,000–$70,000 for a 2,500 sq ft project, averaging $27,500 nationally in 2026. Labor accounts for roughly 53% of the total, and regional rates vary by 30–50% between markets.
Last updated
- Typical range
- $10,000–$70,000
- National average
- $27,500
- Labor share
- 53%
- Sample size
- 2,500 sq ft
National Average Cost
For a typical 2,500 sq ft landscaping. Enter your zip or state for a precise local estimate.
Cost by Size
National averages across all regions.
| Size | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small — 1,250 sq ft | $5,000 | $13,750 | $35,000 |
| Typical — 2,500 sq ft | $10,000 | $27,500 | $70,000 |
| Large — 5,000 sq ft | $20,000 | $55,000 | $140,000 |
Cost by Region
| Region | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $12,500 | $30,000 | $62,500 |
| Southeast | $10,000 | $22,500 | $50,000 |
| Midwest | $10,000 | $25,000 | $55,000 |
| Southwest | $10,000 | $25,000 | $55,000 |
| West | $15,000 | $35,000 | $70,000 |
Based on a 2,500 sq ft project.
Landscaping Cost by Type
Landscaping is a broad category. Here's how cost breaks down by the type of work.
Lawn installation (sod or seed)
$2–$6 / sq ftTilling, grading, soil amendment, and either sod ($1.50–$4/sq ft) or hydroseed ($0.15–$0.50/sq ft) plus initial watering setup.
Planting beds & shrubs
$5–$15 / sq ftBed prep, edging, soil amendment, plants and shrubs, and 2–3" of mulch. Cost scales sharply with plant size and quantity.
Grading & drainage
$3–$10 / sq ftRegrading slopes, swales, French drains, or downspout extensions. Required if the yard pools water or slopes toward the house.
Hardscape (patios, paths, walls)
$15–$40 / sq ftPaver patios, walkways, retaining walls, and steps. Often quoted separately from soft landscaping by a hardscape contractor.
Landscape design
$1,500–$10,000 flat or $75–$200 / hrSite plan, planting plan, and 3D renderings from a licensed landscape designer or architect. Required for complex or high-end projects.
Tree planting (installed)
$200–$2,000 per treeSmall ornamental trees from $200; mature shade trees $800–$2,000 installed. Includes hole digging, tree, soil amendment, and stakes.
Irrigation system
$1,500–$5,000 typicalIn-ground sprinkler system for a typical 1/4-acre lot. Drip irrigation for beds is significantly cheaper than full lawn sprinklers.
Outdoor lighting
$2,000–$5,000 typicalLow-voltage landscape lighting installation, including transformer, fixtures, and wiring. LED fixtures cost more upfront but last 15+ years.
Landscaping Cost per Acre
1 acre = 43,560 sq ft. Cost depends sharply on scope and material grade.
Basic refresh
$3,000–$15,000 per acreRe-sod, fresh mulch, foundation plantings, cleanup. Best for staging a sale or basic upkeep.
Mid-range install
$15,000–$50,000 per acreNew beds, shrubs, small trees, basic hardscape, and lawn renovation. Most typical full-yard projects fall here.
Full design build
$50,000–$200,000+ per acreLandscape architect, mature trees, extensive hardscape, water features, irrigation, and lighting. High-end residential design.
What's Included in a Typical Landscaping Project
- ✓Site evaluation and basic grading
- ✓Soil testing and amendment
- ✓Sod, seed, or hydroseed installation
- ✓Planting bed creation with edging
- ✓Plants, shrubs, and small trees
- ✓Mulch, decorative stone, or ground cover
- ✓Initial watering and 30-day plant warranty
- ✓Debris removal and site cleanup
- ✗Irrigation systems (typically separate $1,500–$5,000)
- ✗Outdoor lighting (typically separate $2,000–$5,000)
- ✗Major hardscape — patios, retaining walls, paths (separate trade)
- ✗Tree removal of existing large trees ($300–$2,000 per tree)
- ✗Permits for grading or stormwater management
- ✗Ongoing maintenance after the install (mowing, pruning, weeding)
- ✗Outdoor structures — pergolas, gazebos, decks
Labor vs. Materials
For a typical landscaping, labor accounts for about 53% of the total and materials make up the remaining 47%.
Based on national averages for a 2,500 sq ft project at mid-grade pricing.
Key Cost Factors
- •Size: Larger projects cost more in total but often less per unit due to economies of scale.
- •Location: Labor rates in coastal cities can be 30–50% higher than rural Midwest markets.
- •Materials: Economy vs. premium material choices can double the cost per unit.
- •Contractor experience: Licensed, experienced contractors charge more but typically deliver better results and fewer surprises.
- •Season: Spring and summer are peak demand, often pushing prices up 10–15%. Scheduling in fall or winter can save money.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
These items are often missing from initial quotes. Budget an extra 10–20% beyond your base estimate to cover them.
- Permits and plan review fees (often $150–$1,500+ depending on scope)
- Demolition and disposal of existing materials
- Utility upgrades or relocations needed to meet code
- Site access challenges — tight lot, no truck access, or steep grade
- Change orders when hidden problems are uncovered
- Finish upgrades selected after seeing samples in your home
- Engineering or design fees for permitted structures
DIY vs. Hiring a Contractor
A landscaping is considered DIY-friendly for experienced homeowners. You could save 30–50% on labor by doing it yourself — but weigh these trade-offs before deciding.
- • Save 30–50% on labor costs
- • Work at your own pace
- • Full control over materials
- • Mistakes can be expensive to fix
- • Permits may still be required
- • No warranty on workmanship
Questions to Ask Contractors
Ask these before you sign anything. A good contractor will answer all of them without hesitation.
- Is labor included in this quote?
- Are permits included, or will I pay separately?
- What brands and grades are the specified materials?
- What is explicitly excluded from this quote?
- How are change orders priced and approved?
- What is the payment schedule?
- Are cleanup and disposal of old materials included?
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Materials & Supplies
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does landscaping cost?
Landscaping costs between $10,000 and $70,000 for a typical 2,500 sq ft project. Costs vary by region, materials, and contractor.
What factors affect landscaping costs?
The main factors are project size, geographic location (labor rates vary 30–50% between regions), choice of materials, contractor experience, and season. Spring and summer are peak demand periods and can push prices up 10–15%.
How do I get the best price on landscaping?
Get at least 3 quotes from licensed local contractors, consider scheduling in the off-season (fall or winter), choose materials that balance quality and cost, and be flexible on start dates.
Do I need a permit for landscaping?
Permit requirements vary by municipality. Most structural work and anything involving electrical, plumbing, or HVAC requires a permit. Your contractor should pull the permits — verify this is included in their bid.
How much does landscaping cost per acre?
A basic refresh runs $3,000–$15,000 per acre (re-sod, mulch, foundation plantings). A mid-range install with new beds, shrubs, and lawn renovation runs $15,000–$50,000 per acre. Full design-build with a landscape architect, mature trees, hardscape, irrigation, and lighting runs $50,000–$200,000+ per acre.
How much does landscape design cost?
A licensed landscape designer charges $75–$200/hour. Flat-fee designs run $1,500–$5,000 for residential and $5,000–$15,000+ for full landscape architect plans with renderings. Some design-build firms credit the design fee toward installation if you hire them.
What's included in a standard landscaping project?
A typical landscape install includes site grading, soil amendment, sod or seed installation, planting beds with edging, plants/shrubs/small trees, mulch, and a 30-day plant warranty. Irrigation, lighting, and hardscape are usually separate quotes.
How much should I budget for a backyard makeover?
For an average 1/4-acre backyard (~10,000 sq ft), expect $8,000–$25,000 for a mid-range install with new lawn, beds, and basic hardscape. A full design-build backyard runs $30,000–$100,000+. Budget 15–20% above your install quote for plant replacement, irrigation tweaks, and finishing touches.
Is landscaping cost per square foot accurate?
Per-sq-ft pricing ($4–$28/sq ft typical) works as a rough national average but masks huge variation by scope. Lawn-only projects are at the low end ($2–$6/sq ft). Mixed installs with beds and small hardscape run $10–$20/sq ft. Full design-build with mature trees and patios can exceed $40/sq ft.
Should I hire a landscape designer or a landscape contractor?
For projects under $10,000 with simple changes, a good landscape contractor can plan and install. For projects over $20,000, projects with grading or drainage challenges, or any architect-led aesthetic, hire a designer first — the plan typically pays for itself in fewer change orders and clear material lists.
How can I save money on landscaping?
Phase the project over 2–3 seasons (most contractors discount return work), buy plants smaller (1-gallon vs 5-gallon saves 60% and plants catch up in 2 years), DIY mulch and bed prep, schedule in fall when demand drops 20%, and skip irrigation in temperate climates — drip lines on beds suffice for established plantings.
Is landscaping a one-time cost?
No — plan on 2–5% of your install cost annually for maintenance (mowing, pruning, mulch refresh, plant replacement). Irrigation systems need winterization ($100–$300/year). Mulch refresh runs $300–$1,500 every 1–2 years. Most landscapes need a refresh every 7–10 years.
Landscaping Cost by State
See the cheapest and most expensive states for landscaping, ranked, or pick a state below.
Get Your Estimate
How big is your Landscaping?
A quarter-acre backyard is about 10,000 sq ft. Most projects cover a portion of the yard.
Ready to Hire a Landscaping Contractor?
Use your estimate to get competitive bids from licensed local contractors. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to avoid overpaying.
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