Services
Landscaping services, explained
“Landscaping” is sold as one word and delivered as three different services: installation, maintenance and design. They have different crews, different pricing and different contracts. Knowing which one you need is the first cost decision.
Updated November 2026
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.
Which service do you need?
| If you… | You need | Typical price anchor |
|---|---|---|
| Want a new yard, beds or lawn | Installation | $3–$12 per sq ft of planting |
| Want the lawn mowed and fed | Lawn care | $100–$400 per month |
| Know the look you want but not the plants | Design | $500–$2,500 flat, or $50–$150/hour |
| Have a plan and need it built | Installation | Project quote from the plan |
| Have drainage, slope or dead-plant problems | Design + installation | Drainage priced separately |
| Need seasonal cleanup only | Maintenance | $150–$600 per visit |
Why the same word means different prices
A maintenance company prices a route: how many lawns per day, how far apart, how much trimming. An installation company prices a project: materials, crew days, equipment, disposal and a margin for weather. A designer prices time and expertise, sometimes credited against the build. Comparing an hourly maintenance rate with a project installation quote is comparing a subscription with a construction job.
Ask each company which service it actually performs and who does the rest. Many full-service firms subcontract irrigation, stone or tree work; that is normal, but you should know who is on site and who warrants the work.