Service guide
Landscaping & installation
Installation is the build: soil, beds, plants, sod, edging, irrigation and the hardscape that holds it together. It is priced per square foot and per project, and it is the service most people mean when they say “landscaping.”
Updated November 2026 · Planning ranges
| Scope | Planning range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Bed planting | $3 – $12 | per sq ft |
| Sod | $1 – $2 | per sq ft |
| Full-yard project | $3,000 – $15,000 | typical |
| Mulch refresh | $2 – $4 | per sq ft |
| Paver walkway or patio | $15 – $40 | per sq ft |
| Irrigation system | $2,000 – $6,000 | per system |
What a good installation quote contains
- Site protection and demolition — what is removed, where it goes, and what stays.
- Grading and drainage — the finished slope away from the house and any drains.
- Soil preparation — amendment depth, replacement volume, compaction relief.
- Plant list — botanical name, size, quantity and spacing.
- Hardscape — base depth, material, edge restraint, drainage.
- Irrigation — zones, heads, controller, backflow and permit.
- Cleanup and warranty — disposal, final grade, plant guarantee period.
If a quote omits soil prep or disposal, it is not a lower price; it is a smaller scope that will surface as a change order.
Installation versus maintenance
Installation
Project-based, priced from a plan or a measured scope. Crews are heavier, equipment is larger, and the work ends with a walkthrough and a warranty.
Maintenance
Recurring, priced per visit or per month. The same company may do both, but ask which crew will actually be on site and who supervises the install.
Related: lawn care ·design ·full cost guide
FAQ
How much does landscaping installation cost?
Planting beds run $3–$12 per square foot installed, sod $1–$2, and a typical full-yard project $3,000–$15,000. Hardscape, drainage and irrigation are separate line items and are where large budgets are made.
Does installation include the design?
Sometimes. Many full-service companies include a basic planting plan in the installation quote, while a full site plan with grading and details costs $500–$2,500 or is billed hourly. Ask whether the design fee is credited if you build with them.
How long does a landscaping installation take?
A bed refresh is one to three days. A full front yard is three to seven working days. A whole-property build with hardscape and irrigation can run three to eight weeks, weather and permits permitting.
What should an installation quote include?
Plant list with sizes and quantities, soil amendment and mulch volumes, square footage, disposal, equipment, irrigation scope, permit responsibility, a payment schedule and a plant warranty. Demand a line-item breakdown, not a single number.
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