How much does landscaping cost?

Source: Thumbtack

Keep reading to learn more about these landscaping costs, and get tips on how to save money when upgrading your backyard or front yard.

• Landscaping prices for various features
• Landscaping price list
  
  • General landscaping
  • Lawn mowing
  • Gardening
  • Sod installation
  • Landscape curbing
  • Retaining wall
  • Fencing
  • Concrete patio
  • Deck
  • Outdoor water fountain
  • Inground pool
  • Tree removal
• Landscaping cost per hour
• Labor, materials and equipment costs
• Additional cost factors
• What's the most expensive part of landscaping?
• Budget-friendly landscaping ideas
• Is spending money on landscaping worth it?
• Get free estimates from local landscapers
• FAQs

Landscaping costs can vary greatly due to the many different features and projects that are available. For example, here are some national average cost estimates for several landscaping projects, provided by Xactware and Thumbtack data:

Figures above include materials and labor. Sources: Xactware and Thumbtack.

Here’s a look at the national average cost of various landscaping projects pulled from Thumbtack’s data* and additional research provided by Xactware**, a company that conducts extensive market research to estimate the cost of various home projects. All costs in this section include labor and materials.

General landscaping cost: $62-$96.

General landscaping maintenance typically includes basic maintenance lawn care and gardening tasks, such as lawn mowing, pruning plants, removing weeds, etc. This type of service has a minimum average flat cost of $62-96, according to Xactware.

Lawn mowing cost: $55-$70 per hour.

If you don’t want to DIY your lawn mowing, professionals may charge you $55-$70 per hour, according to Thumbtack’s data. Consider setting up a schedule where they come in once a week to mow your grass.

Gardening cost: $50-$65 per hour. 

Starting and maintaining a garden on your own can be time-consuming. Gardeners on Thumbtack charge a similar amount to lawn mowing services. The national average cost of gardening services is $50-$65 per hour, according to Thumbtack’s data. Gardening services can vary and may include mowing, pruning, planting, spreading mulch, pulling out weeds, etc.

Sod installation cost: $1,568-$2,409.

Laying down 2,500 square feet of sod costs $1,568-$2,409, on average, according to Xactware. Different grass species may have different costs. Chat with a professional about sod prices for Bermuda, fescue, zoysia and other species. 

Landscape curbing cost: $552-$1,115.

Installing 100 feet of curbing costs on average $552-$1,115, according to Xactware. Flat curbing costs more than slanted curbing, on average. Choosing stamped and/or dyed curbing is also more expensive:

Source: Xactware

Retaining wall cost: $6,926-$10,353.

Building a retaining wall that’s 60 feet long costs $6,926-$10,353, on average, according to Xactware. This cost is for concrete or cinder block retaining walls of various heights:

Source: Xactware

You can also build a railroad tie retaining wall. These walls are considerably cheaper. A 30-foot long, 4-foot high railroad tie retaining wall costs $1,993, on average, according to Xactware.

Related: How much does a retaining wall cost?

Fencing cost: $20-$73 per foot.

Depending on the type of fence you want to install in your yard, you can expect to pay anywhere from $20-$73 per foot, on average, according to Xactware.

Source: Xactware

Concrete patio cost: $2,463-$3,479

Installing a 356-square-foot concrete patio costs $2,463-$3,479, on average, according to Xactware. Costs can fluctuate depending on the concrete’s thickness and overall quality:

If you want to add a patio cover canvas for shade, expect to pay more. The national average cost ranges from $2,443-$3,188 for a 150-square-foot cover.

Deck cost: $4,343-$11,388

Building a deck costs $4,343-$11,388, on average, according to Xactware. This cost is for a 144-square-foot deck. However, the cost depends largely on the material and quality:

Source: Xactware

Outdoor water fountain cost: $5,127-$14,436. 

Installing a small or large landscape fountain costs $5,127-$14,436, on average, according to Xactware. However, costs can range depending on the size of the water feature:

Source: Xactware

Inground pool cost: $21,947-$84,836. 

An inground pool can cost anywhere from $21,947-$84,836, on average, according to Xactware. The pool’s size and materials used can affect the cost:

Source: Xactware

Tree removal cost: $412-$2,839

Hiring a professional for tree removal costs $412-$2,839 per tree, according to Xactware. 

However, the tree’s size can impact prices. For example, here’s a look at how much it costs to remove a large tree:

Source: Xactware

In addition to tree removal, you may be interested in stump grinding. National average stump grinding costs range from $61-$182 per stump, but low-to-high prices range from $33-$264 per stump. The size of the stump will determine the cost: 

Source: Xactware

Of course, there may be other landscaping projects you’re interested in. For more cost estimates, chat with local landscapers and ask for price quotes.

The national average cost of landscaping per hour is $50-$65, according to Thumbtack's internal data.

Landscapers may combine hourly rates with other costs like materials and labor. Generally, you can expect to pay more for projects that will take longer to complete.

Related: 15 landscaping tips and tricks for beginners.

Different landscaping projects require different levels of expertise. Projects requiring more skilled contractors will have higher labor costs. Common projects like tree trimming and planting flowers will often have lower labor costs.

On the other hand, the labor for installing complex fixtures like outdoor kitchens and water features will be more costly. These projects often require a landscape architect, which is a more specialized professional. Keep labor costs in mind when choosing landscape design features.

Some projects also require more expensive materials and equipment. For hardscape features (like landscape curbing and retaining walls), you’ll have several materials to choose from. And they all vary in price. Outdoor kitchens also tend to rely on more expensive materials like natural stone and brick.

You can also expect to pay more for bigger projects involving heavier equipment (like tractors, cranes, etc.)

Related: What is flagstone? Everything you need to know.

In addition to materials, labor and time, several other factors will affect your total landscaping cost. Each of these factors will vary from one home to another.

• Size of the yard. Backyard landscaping in a larger yard requires more materials and labor, which results in a higher price. The size of your yard is especially important for projects like grading or leveling an area.
• Maintenance costs. If you plan to hire a landscaper to maintain your lawn, trees and garden, keep in mind how much maintenance each project requires. If possible, avoid projects requiring more maintenance than you’ll have time for.
• Terrain difficulty. A hilly or steeply sloped yard will be more difficult for landscapers to navigate. The difficulty of working in uneven terrain may increase the hourly and labor cost.
• Location. The location of your home may be difficult to access with certain equipment. Limited accessibility might increase the number of trips a crew has to make, making the project more expensive. And if you live in an area where labor and materials are in high demand, your landscaping project may be more expensive.
• Permit requirements. Some landscaping projects (fencing, decks, tree removal, etc.) may require you to get a permit from local officials. Check with your local government, as permit requirements vary by state and county. Be sure to account for permit fees in your budget.

The part of a landscaping quote that often has the most room for error is the cost of labor. If a project takes more time or workers than expected, the business will spend more money completing it. As a result, labor can be the most expensive part of your landscaping project.

The type of landscaping projects that cost the most are usually big construction projects, like building an inground pool. Inground pools require excavation, plumbing and construction work, making them a costly investment. So if an inground pool is part of your landscape design, it will likely be the most expensive part of your entire project.

Landscaping your yard(s) can quickly get expensive — especially if you have a lot of landscaping ideas. While preparing your ideal landscaping plan, you can make the project more affordable in a few ways.

Try these budgeting tips and ideas to lower your front yard and backyard landscaping costs.

1. Start small.

Rather than trying to do your entire landscape all at once, take on one project at a time. Ask yourself which parts of your landscape need the most attention. This will also give you more time to allocate your budget and plan the next steps.

2. Make use of propagation.

Propagation is the practice of using a part of a plant to grow an entirely new one. So rather than buying all your plants at once, you can buy a few starters and propagate new plants.

This method takes time and effort, but it may save you money in the long run. If you need help getting started, hire a gardener near you.

Related: How much does a gardener cost?

3. DIY where possible.

You’ll generally get the best results when you hire a professional landscaper. However, if there are some parts of the landscaping you can do yourself, you can save on landscaping services. Tasks like lawn mowing and planting flowers are relatively simple. A savvy hobbyist can even take on bigger projects like a garden bed or mulching.

4. Reduce lawn size.

The more your yard is covered in grass, the more care it will require. If you have a large yard, you can sometimes save on landscaping by replacing areas of grass with hardscaping or other plants. A smaller lawn will be less prone to weed growth and require less watering.

You can remove a section of your lawn by covering it with plastic sheeting. You can also remove the top layer of sod or rototill to remove grass. Once the section of soil is exposed, you can replace the grass with a new feature.

Related: Small backyard landscaping ideas to maximize your space.

5. Explore xeriscaping.

Xeriscaping uses hardscaping and drought-resistant plants to make a landscape better for conserving water. Particularly for dry regions, xeriscaping is a good way to make your outdoor areas budget-friendly and reduce water usage.

Some xeriscaping enthusiasts have little or no vegetation in their yards, favoring rock gardens and hardscape features like patios. This is an environmentally conscious (and often fun) way to be creative with your landscape design.

Related: 15 hardscaping ideas for your yard.

6. Take advantage of deals.

During the off-season, local landscapers may reduce their prices to secure a job. This is especially true of newer businesses.

Get quotes from a few different local contractors and compare prices. Be sure to research any specials or bundles local businesses promote. 

Related: 13 cheap, simple front yard landscaping ideas.

Professional landscaping can be expensive, especially if your yard needs a lot of work. There are several factors you should weigh before deciding to spend the money.

Pros:

Homeowners can reap many benefits from landscaping. When you hire a pro for your landscaping needs, the advantages include:

• Increased property value: High-quality landscaping might increase the resale value of your home. This can sometimes completely offset the investment in landscaping. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that an overall landscape upgrade recovered 100% of the cost of the project.
• Improved curb appeal: Good landscaping will make your outdoor spaces more visually appealing. Improved curb appeal can also help you get a better price if you sell your home. According to the NAR report, "When working with a residential seller, 97% of NAR members believe curb appeal is important in attracting a buyer."
• Outdoor living space: One of the best parts of a newly landscaped outdoor space is spending time in it. Landscaping can include functional spaces like fire pits, shady lounge areas and outdoor kitchens that you and your houseguests will love.

Cons:

Landscaping does also come with some drawbacks that may deter homeowners. Consider the problems you may run into when it comes to landscaping.

• Cost: Landscaping can be a big investment, and unless you have the funds to spend comfortably, it may not be the right time.
• Time: Landscaping your entire yard may take a long time, from weeks to months. Depending on the specific project, you may not be able to use your yard while you're upgrading it.
• Maintenance: The more elaborate landscape features you choose, the more work your yard will be to maintain. Mowing the lawn, trimming trees, pressure washing the deck, repainting the fence, watering the plants — consider all of these tasks beforehand.

There are certainly elements of landscaping that most homeowners can tackle on their own. However, if you have more extensive landscaping needs, it makes more sense to hire a landscape company.

A professional landscaper will take the guesswork and stress out of trying to do it yourself. Finding the right landscaper for your home can be challenging with so many options. The easiest way to compare and hire landscapers is with Thumbtack. 

Download the Thumbtack app today to start getting free price quotes from landscapers near you.