Landscaping Cost Calculator & Price Guide

Landscaping covers everything from planting beds and sod to patios, fences, retaining walls, lighting, and irrigation. The total depends on the size of the yard and the mix of softscape (plants and grass) and hardscape (stone, wood, and other built features). A basic lawn and planting plan costs far less than a full backyard rebuild.

Numbers on this page come from a lawn-care marketplace's cost guide and a personal-finance publisher's home-improvement guide, checked on Oct 13, 2026. They are national figures; local quotes will differ.

Pricing per square foot lets you scale a budget to your yard. Count only the area you plan to change, not the whole lot.

Grass is a low-cost surface, while artificial turf costs several times more per foot. The two general per-foot ranges differ in their upper limit, which may reflect what each includes, such as design or hardscape.

These examples apply the per-foot rates to common yard sizes.

Larger yards cost more in total. Count only the area you will change, since a half-landscaped yard is priced on that half.

Individual features add up quickly. Some are small upgrades, while others change the whole yard.

A project like a retaining wall may need engineering or a permit, depending on its height and local rules, so ask before you budget.

Some landscapers charge by the hour rather than by the project.

Designers and architects charge on top of this if you want a formal plan.

• Yard size. More area means more material and labor.
• Plants. Large trees and mature shrubs cost far more than young plants or seed.
• Hardscape. Stone, pavers, walls, and decks cost more than grass and mulch.
• Grading and drainage. Fixing slopes or water problems adds work before planting.
• Soil and amendments. Topsoil, fill, and compost are billed by volume.
• Irrigation and lighting. Sprinkler and low-voltage lighting systems are major add-ons.
• Design. A professional plan adds cost but can help avoid expensive mistakes.
• Permits. Fences, retaining walls, and structures may require permits.
• Season and region. Prices and plant availability vary with local conditions and time of year.
• Tariffs and supply. Material prices can shift with market conditions.

Softscape includes grass, flower beds, shrubs, trees, and mulch. It costs less up front but needs ongoing care, such as watering, trimming, and feeding.

Hardscape includes patios, walkways, walls, and decks. It costs more to build but needs less routine upkeep, and it can define outdoor living space.

Most yards use both, and a balanced plan can limit cost while keeping maintenance reasonable.

The two sources below describe landscaping in different ways.

One gives a typical range for projects across the country, while the other averages smaller jobs and notes that major projects can run much higher. A single lawn refresh and a full backyard redesign both get called landscaping, so the totals do not line up. Regional prices, plant choices, and what counts as part of the project also play a role.

• Work in phases rather than all at once.
• Reuse existing plants, pavers, and edging where possible.
• Choose smaller or younger plants that will grow in.
• Use local materials to reduce delivery costs.
• Plant native species suited to your climate to cut watering needs.
• Get several written quotes with the scope itemized.

Planting, mulching, and simple bed work are manageable for many homeowners. Grading, drainage, retaining walls, electrical lighting, irrigation connected to your water supply, and large tree work are different. They carry safety, code, and property damage risks. Hire licensed professionals for electrical work, structural walls, and major tree removal, and call your local utility locating service before digging.

• What is included: design, plants, soil, hardscape, and cleanup?
• Are labor and materials itemized?
• Who handles permits and utility markouts?
• What is the warranty on plants, and what does it require of me?
• What is the schedule, and what happens if weather delays work?