How much does landscaping cost?
Landscaping costs $3,000 to $15,000 for a typical yard, averaging about $7,500. Softscape like sod and plantings runs $4 to $12 per square foot; patios, walls and other hardscape run $15 to $40.
National average
$7,500
Typical low
$3,000
Typical high
$15,000
Per square foot
$4 – $40
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Estimated project cost
$1,500 – $6,000
Most homeowners pay around $3,750
Compare type of work
Cost by material
Installed pricing per square foot.
| Option | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Sod | $1 – $3 |
| Hydroseed / seed | $0 – $1 |
| Mulch beds | $2 – $6 |
| Gravel / xeriscape | $3 – $10 |
| Paver patio | $15 – $30 |
| Retaining wall | $25 – $60 |
Cost by project
| Project | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Yard cleanup and mulch | $400 – $1,500 |
| New sod lawn (2,000 sq ft) | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Planting beds and shrubs | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| Paver patio (300 sq ft) | $4,500 – $9,000 |
| Retaining wall (30 linear ft) | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Sprinkler system | $2,500 – $6,500 |
| Full backyard transformation | $15,000 – $60,000 |
Ongoing maintenance
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Weekly mowing | $40 – $90 per visit |
| Seasonal cleanup | $200 – $600 |
| Fertilization program | $300 – $700 per year |
| Irrigation winterization | $75 – $200 |
Where the money goes
A typical project budget, broken down by line item.
- Labor45% · $3,375
- Plants and materials30% · $2,250
- Hardscape materials15% · $1,125
- Design, permits and disposal10% · $750
Cost by region
Labor markets move the number more than any other single factor.
Northeast metro
$3,600 – $18,000
+20% vs. national average
West Coast metro
$3,660 – $18,300
+22% vs. national average
Mountain West
$3,150 – $15,750
+5% vs. national average
Midwest
$3,000 – $15,000
At the national average
South & Southeast
$2,790 – $13,950
-7% vs. national average
Rural nationwide
$2,640 – $13,200
-12% vs. national average
Common add-ons
Line items that show up on most quotes but rarely in the headline price.
Landscape lighting
Sprinkler system
Fire pit
Drainage / French drain
Mature tree planting
Per tree
Sod removal
Per square foot
DIY vs. hiring a pro
Hire a pro
$3,000 – $15,000
Do it yourself
$800 – $5,000
Mulching, planting beds and even laying sod are realistic weekend projects. Grading, drainage and retaining walls are where DIY mistakes get expensive — water always finds the foundation.
Ways to save
Practical levers that lower the bill without cutting quality.
- Phase the project: hardscape and grading first, plantings the following season.
- Use smaller plants — a 1-gallon shrub becomes a 5-gallon shrub in two years at a quarter of the price.
- Seed instead of sod where you can wait; the savings are dramatic.
- Do your own demo, mulching and cleanup and pay for skilled work only.
- Choose native plants to cut irrigation and replacement costs long term.
Questions to ask your contractor
- 01Is a design plan included, and do I own it if I use another contractor?
- 02How will you handle grading and drainage away from the foundation?
- 03What base depth goes under any patio or walkway?
- 04What is your plant warranty and for how long?
- 05Who is responsible for watering during establishment?
- 06Are permits needed for walls, drainage or tree removal?
Frequently asked questions
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Get landscaping quotesLandscaping cost by city
Local labor rates, permits and climate change the number. Pick your city for prices near you.
Landscaping cost in Los Angeles, CA
$3,720 – $18,600
Landscaping cost in San Diego, CA
$3,540 – $17,700
Landscaping cost in San Jose, CA
$4,140 – $20,700
Landscaping cost in San Francisco, CA
$4,350 – $21,750
Landscaping cost in Oakland, CA
$3,960 – $19,800
Landscaping cost in Sacramento, CA
$3,240 – $16,200
Landscaping cost in Fresno, CA
$2,940 – $14,700
Landscaping cost in Long Beach, CA
$3,660 – $18,300
Landscaping cost in Anaheim, CA
$3,600 – $18,000
Landscaping cost in Santa Ana, CA
$3,570 – $17,850
Landscaping cost in Irvine, CA
$3,780 – $18,900
Landscaping cost in Riverside, CA
$3,180 – $15,900
Landscaping cost in San Bernardino, CA
$3,090 – $15,450
Landscaping cost in Bakersfield, CA
$2,910 – $14,550
Landscaping cost in Stockton, CA
$3,060 – $15,300
Landscaping cost in Modesto, CA
$3,000 – $15,000
Landscaping cost in Chula Vista, CA
$3,450 – $17,250
Landscaping cost in Fremont, CA
$4,050 – $20,250
Landscaping cost in Pasadena, CA
$3,840 – $19,200
Landscaping cost in Glendale, CA
$3,750 – $18,750
Landscaping cost in Santa Clarita, CA
$3,480 – $17,400
Landscaping cost in Torrance, CA
$3,690 – $18,450
Landscaping cost in Oxnard, CA
$3,420 – $17,100
Landscaping cost in San Mateo, CA
$4,200 – $21,000