Landscaping Quotes & Costs
Lawn care, hardscaping, retaining walls, full design, find out what landscaping projects really cost before you start collecting quotes.
What does landscaping cost?
Landscaping is one of the broadest categories in home improvement. A simple lawn cleanup might cost a few hundred dollars; a full landscape redesign with a patio and retaining walls can easily hit five figures. That's exactly what we see in our data, the median project is just $1,350, but the average gets pulled up to $7,826 by larger hardscaping and design projects.
| Service | Typical Range | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Lawn Care/Maintenance | $100 – $500 | $200 |
| Sod Installation | $1,000 – $4,000 | $2,000 |
| Tree/Shrub Planting | $500 – $3,000 | $1,200 |
| Hardscaping (patio, walkway) | $3,000 – $12,000 | $6,000 |
| Retaining Wall | $3,000 – $10,000 | $5,500 |
| Full Landscape Design | $5,000 – $20,000+ | $10,000 |
Based on 118 real landscaping contractor quotes in our database. Median project cost: $1,350.
What drives the price?
Landscaping pricing varies more than almost any other contractor category. Here are the biggest factors that determine what you'll pay.
- Project scope: This is the obvious one. Mowing and edging is a fundamentally different job than building a multi-level patio with a fire pit. Define exactly what you want before requesting quotes so contractors can price accurately.
- Materials: Natural stone pavers cost 2–3x more than concrete pavers. Premium topsoil and mulch add up quickly on larger properties. Ask contractors to itemize materials so you can see where the money goes.
- Access and slope:If a crew can't get equipment into your backyard, everything takes longer. Steep slopes require retaining walls or terracing, which adds significant cost and complexity.
- Irrigation: A new sprinkler system or drip irrigation adds $2,000–$5,000 to a landscaping project but can save you money (and dead plants) in the long run. Some contractors include basic irrigation in full landscape packages; others quote it separately.
Hardscaping has better ROI than you think
While flowers and fresh sod look great on day one, hardscaping, patios, walkways, retaining walls, tends to deliver a stronger return on investment. Industry data consistently shows hardscaping projects recouping 50–75% of their cost at resale.
Softscaping (plants, mulch, lawn) is more affordable upfront but requires ongoing maintenance and doesn't hold its value the same way. The best approach for most homeowners is a mix of both: solid hardscape bones with well-chosen plantings to soften the edges.
How to compare landscaping quotes
Landscaping quotes can be all over the place, partly because the scope is often loosely defined. Here's how to make meaningful comparisons.
- Get a written scope of work. "Landscape the backyard" means different things to different contractors. You want specific square footage, plant species and sizes, material types, and a clear site plan.
- Ask whether the quote includes grading, drainage, and soil amendment. Skipping these steps to save money upfront often leads to problems (and more spending) later.
- Check if a plant warranty is included. Many landscapers offer a one-year warranty on trees and shrubs, if a plant dies within a year, they replace it. This is standard and you should expect it.
- For hardscaping, confirm the base preparation method. A patio installed on a proper compacted gravel base will last decades. One laid directly on dirt will shift and crack within a few years.
- Ask about cleanup and debris removal. A surprising number of landscaping disputes are about the mess left behind, not the work itself. Make sure it's in the contract.
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