Landscaping cost guide · United States
Landscaping cost,
yard by yard.
What a real landscaping project costs, which line items drive the number, and how to find a company near you that will put the scope in writing.
The short answer
Most homeowners spend $3,000–$15,000 on a full-yard landscaping project, or $3–$12 per square foot for planting beds. A design plan is $500–$2,500, and recurring maintenance runs $100–$400 a month. The scope, access and plant sizes decide the rest.
Start here
The cost guide spine
Landscaping cost
Ranges by project type — design, beds, sod, irrigation, hardscape and full rebuilds.
How much does landscaping cost?
The direct answer, with the per-square-foot math and the five factors that move a quote.
Landscaping cost calculator
Enter your yard size, scope and finish level for a planning range you can take to three quotes.
Cost per square foot
What a square foot buys for beds, sod, pavers, mulch and xeriscape conversions.
Cost by state
Where labor and water costs push the same project up or down, state by state.
Landscaping vs xeriscaping
Install cost, water savings and the break-even year for a low-water conversion.
Line items
What each part of a yard costs
| Project | Range | Unit | What moves it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape design plan | $500 – $2,500 | flat fee | A planting plan and materials list for an average suburban lot. Hourly design runs $50–$150. |
| Planting and bed installation | $3 – $12 | per sq ft | Soil prep, shrubs, perennials and mulch. Dense screening and mature specimens push toward the top. |
| Full-yard landscaping | $3,000 – $15,000 | typical project | Beds, lawn, a walkway and a small patio. Most single-family refreshes land in the lower half. |
| Sod lawn installation | $1 – $2 | per sq ft | Installed price including grading and starter fertilizer. Seed costs far less but takes a season. |
| Irrigation system | $2,000 – $6,000 | per system | A zoned sprinkler system for a quarter-acre lot. Drip zones and smart controllers add cost. |
| Mulch and bed refresh | $500 – $2,000 | typical project | Two to four cubic yards of mulch, edge cleanup and a few replacements. |
| Xeriscape conversion | $1,500 – $6,000 | front yard | Turf removal, gravel or mulch, drip irrigation and drought-tolerant plants. |
| Rain garden | $1,500 – $5,000 | installed | A 100–300 sq ft planted depression. DIY versions cost a fraction of a contracted build. |
| Fruit tree pruning | $150 – $500 | per tree | Dormant structural pruning for a mature backyard fruit tree, including cleanup. |
Planning ranges compiled from published US cost guides and contractor price lists. Local quotes vary with access, soil, drainage, permits and plant size. Read the method.
Local directory
Landscapers by metro
Houston, TX
43 landscaping companies listed, 39 with a website. Compare services before you call.
Chicago, IL
40 landscaping companies listed, 35 with a website. Compare services before you call.
Dallas, TX
39 landscaping companies listed, 38 with a website. Compare services before you call.
San Antonio, TX
39 landscaping companies listed, 35 with a website. Compare services before you call.
San Diego, CA
37 landscaping companies listed, 36 with a website. Compare services before you call.
Philadelphia, PA
36 landscaping companies listed, 29 with a website. Compare services before you call.
Los Angeles, CA
35 landscaping companies listed, 29 with a website. Compare services before you call.
Phoenix, AZ
34 landscaping companies listed, 32 with a website. Compare services before you call.
Services
Three different jobs, three different prices
Landscaping & installation
Full-yard renovations, planting plans, sod, beds, edging and hardscape coordination.
Lawn care & maintenance
Mowing, fertilization, aeration, overseeding and seasonal cleanups on a recurring schedule.
Landscape design
Site plans, planting palettes, drainage thinking and phased build schedules.
Deep dives
Low-water, fruit trees and stormwater
Xeriscaping
Low-water landscaping: conversion costs, plant palettes and what actually survives a dry summer.
Fruit tree pruning
When to prune apples, peaches, figs and citrus, what a proper cut looks like, and what it costs.
Rain gardens
Planting a depression that soaks up roof runoff: sizing, soils, plants and installed cost.
Latest
New cost & how-to guides
Front Yard Landscaping Ideas That Raise Curb Appeal
Front yard ideas by budget: foundation planting, a clear path, a focal tree, lawn alternatives and low-water options, with realistic costs.
Fruit Tree Pruning Cost: What a Professional Visit Runs
Fruit tree pruning costs $150–$500 for a mature backyard tree. See what changes the price, when to DIY, and how to compare arborist quotes.
Fruit Tree Pruning Near Me: How to Find the Right Arborist
How to find a fruit-tree pruner near you, what credentials and questions matter, and how to avoid a landscaper who tops trees.
When to Prune Fruit Trees: A Month-by-Month Guide
The right pruning window for apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, figs and citrus, plus why dormant pruning works and when to avoid the saw.
How to Choose a Landscaper: A Homeowner's Checklist
How to shortlist, vet and compare landscaping companies: licence and insurance, references, written scope, red flags and the questions that matter.
How to Budget a Landscaping Project Without Regret
A practical budgeting method for landscaping: set the number, split it across structure and plants, hold a contingency, and phase the work.
Questions
Landscaping cost FAQ
How much does landscaping cost in the United States?
A typical full-yard landscaping project runs about $3,000 to $15,000. A planting-only refresh of existing beds is often $1,000 to $5,000, while a whole-yard build with grading, irrigation, sod, planting and hardscape commonly lands between $15,000 and $50,000. The range is wide because the scope is: a 40-square-foot bed and a quarter-acre rebuild are not the same job.
Is landscaping priced per square foot or per project?
Both. Planting beds and sod are usually estimated per square foot, hardscape per square foot of surface, and design work either hourly or as a flat fee. Most companies present a project price built from those units, plus allowances for plants, soil amendments and disposal.
What is the cheapest way to landscape a yard?
Keep the existing layout and drainage, work in phases, choose nursery-grade plants in smaller sizes, seed instead of sodding where the lawn is visible from seed, and do your own demolition and bed prep. The design fee is usually the best money you spend: a plan prevents buying the wrong plants twice.
How much does landscaping cost per month for maintenance?
Recurring maintenance typically runs $100 to $400 a month for mowing, edging, blowing and seasonal bed care on a standard suburban lot, depending on lot size and visit frequency. Fertilization, aeration and pruning are often add-ons or separate seasonal visits.
Do I need a landscape designer or a landscaper?
Use a designer when the layout, drainage or plant palette needs solving, or when the project is large enough that mistakes are expensive. Use an installation company when you already have a plan or a clear scope. Many full-service firms do both; ask who draws the plan and whether the design fee is credited if they build it.
Landscaping Cost Guide publishes planning ranges and public business listings. It does not sell landscaping work, and a listing is not an endorsement. Verify licence, insurance and scope directly with each company.