I once asked three landscapers for a quote on the same tiny backyard, and got three wildly different numbers. I stood there staring at my phone thinking, “Am I being scammed, or is this just… how landscaping works?”
Prices swing a lot based on your yard size, what you want done, and where you live.
If you’re wonderinghow much landscaping costs before starting your own project, most projects land somewhere between $4,500 and $22,500, though your number could fall outside that range depending on your yard and your plans.
So in this guide, I’ll explain average costs, prices by yard size, and the difference between a front yard glow-up and a full backyard makeover.
I’ll also cover what actually drives your quote up (hello, hardscaping), if DIY saves real money, and what ongoing lawn care runs you each month.
Cost of Landscaping at a Glance: What’s the Real Number?
If you’ve been asking yourself how much landscaping costs for your own yard, this range is a solid starting point.
| What You’re Comparing | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Average project cost | $8,500 |
| Common price range | $4,500–$22,500 |
| Cost per square foot | $4–$20 |
| Hourly labor rate | $50–$100 (2-person crew) |
A simple DIY refresh can cost as little as $2,000, while a full premium remodel can climb past $40,000. That gap surprised me too when I first looked into it.
Quick tip: A helpful gut-check is to spend 5% to 15% of your home’s value on landscaping overall, that’s the range most realtors suggest.
Average Cost of Landscaping by Yard Size
Yard size has a big say in your final price. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- 200 sq ft: $900–$2,400
- 500 sq ft: $2,250–$6,000
- 1,000 sq ft: $4,500–$12,000
- 2,000 sq ft: $9,000–$24,000
You don’t need to budget for your whole property, only the section you’re actually landscaping.
If your yard is 2,000 square feet but you’re redoing half, plan your budget around 1,000 square feet, not the full lot. It keeps your numbers realistic and stops you from overestimating costs before you’ve even started.
Landscaping Front Yard vs. Backyard Costs
Not every part of your yard costs the same to landscape, and the gap is bigger than most people expect.
| Yard Area | Typical Cost Range | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Front Yard | $1,500–$5,000 | Sod, plants, edging |
| Backyard | $15,000–$50,000 | Patios, outdoor kitchens, pools, decks |
A front yard makeover stays affordable since it mostly involves sod, plants, and edging. Backyards jump in price because they often include patios, outdoor kitchens, pools, and decks.
Even in a similarly sized space, those additions add up quickly. So if your backyard project costs way more than your front yard ever did, this is usually the reason why, not poor planning on your part.
What Affects the Price of Landscaping
Several factors shape your final landscaping quote, from your yard’s condition to the materials you choose. Here’s what usually moves the price up or down:
- Yard Condition: Old concrete, dead trees, or overgrown grass need to be removed first, which adds cost before any new work even begins
- Design Complexity: A simple lawn refresh costs far less than a yard with multiple features like a patio, garden beds, and lighting combined
- Materials: Budget-friendly options keep costs down, while premium materials raise them
- Labor and Region: Rates shift by location, sometimes by as much as 40%
- New Construction: Brand new homes cost more upfront since there’s no existing lawn or plants to build on
Cost Breakdown of Landscaping by Project Type
Landscaping costs usually fall into three categories: softscape, hardscape, and xeriscaping. Knowing the difference helps you understand exactly where your money is going
1. Softscape Costs (Lawn, Plants, Mulch)
Softscape covers the living parts of your yard, things like grass, plants, flowers, and mulch.
This usually costs $4 to $8 per square foot, making it the more affordable side of landscaping.
It’s a good starting point if you’re working with a smaller budget, since it still makes a noticeable difference without requiring major construction work.
2. Hardscape Costs (Patios, Decks, Walls, Driveways)
Hardscape includes solid structures like patios, decks, walls, and driveways, and it runs $15 to $60 per square foot. This is where most budgets take a hit.
Even if hardscape covers less than 30% of your yard, it can eat up 40% to 60% of your total budget, since materials and labor for these features cost far more than planting.
Quick tip: If your budget is tight, lean more on softscape and add one hardscape feature at a time instead of doing it all at once.
3. Xeriscaping Costs (Drought-Tolerant Landscaping)
Xeriscaping swaps thirsty grass for drought-tolerant plants, gravel, mulch, and efficient drip irrigation. It typically runs $3,000 to $24,000 for a full yard, depending on size and how much hardscape you add alongside it.
It’s worth a look if you live somewhere water restrictions are common. Many homeowners in the Southwest pair it with a small patch of lawn near the entryway, so they keep some curb appeal without the full water bill.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
If you’re handy and have the time, DIY landscaping can cost as little as a few hundred dollars for basics like mulch and plants.
Hiring a pro costs more, but for good reason. Labor typically makes up about 80% of your total bill, covering the skill, equipment, and time it takes to do the job right.
DIY makes sense for simple tasks like planting or spreading mulch.
A basic kit with a hand trowel, wheelbarrow, and bow rake covers most small jobs without much investment. But for anything involving grading, drainage, or hardscape structures, a professional is usually worth the cost.
How to Budget Smart for Your Project
You don’t have to landscape your entire yard at once. Phasing your project in stages lets you spread out costs while still working toward your full vision over time.
Before hiring anyone, get quotes from a few different landscapers. Prices can vary a lot for the same job, so comparing quotes helps you avoid overpaying. When comparing quotes, keep these points in mind:
- Make sure each landscaper is pricing the exact same scope of work
- Check that materials and quantities match across quotes
- Confirm warranty terms are the same for each bid
- Ask what’s excluded, including whether cleanup and haul-away are included
A lower number that leaves out disposal or plant warranties isn’t actually the better deal.
Quick tip: Ask each landscaper for a written breakdown of labor vs. materials. It makes comparing quotes side by side much easier.
What Real Homeowners are Actually Paying
On Reddit, one homeowner posted photos of a yard that years of neglect had completely overtaken, overgrown bushes covering windows, weeds swallowing walkways, and a stump buried in growth.
The responses varied a lot. One landscaper estimated over $1,000 depending on how much work was involved.
Another gave a more specific range of $3,000 to $3,500 for full bed clearing, mulching, and removing some overgrown bushes entirely.
Someone else suggested trying it yourself first with basic tools, only calling in a pro for a proper cleanup later.
This is pretty normal. Even for similar-looking yards, quotes can swing by thousands, depending on who you ask and how they approach the job.
Is Landscaping Worth the Cost?
Landscaping isn’t just about looks; it’s an investment that pays off in real ways.
A Virginia Tech study found that upgrading a yard from average to excellent landscaping can raise a home’s value by 5% to 12%, depending on your market.
- A well-kept yard boosts curb appeal instantly, making your home more inviting the moment someone pulls up
- Even a moderate landscaping project can add real dollars back when it’s time to sell
- A finished yard makes your outdoor space more enjoyable to use, whether that’s relaxing on a patio or letting kids play in a tidy backyard
- The upfront cost might feel steep, but it’s rarely money that disappears; most of it comes back to you
Final Thoughts
So there you have it. Landscaping costs really do swing based on your yard, your goals, and where you live, and that’s not something to stress over.
Curious about how much landscaping costs, or actively planning a project? Either way, you now know the averages, what pushes prices up, and where your money actually goes.
If I could leave you with one thing, it’s this: don’t be afraid to get a few quotes before deciding. What one landscaper charges can look totally different from another, and that gap is normal, not a red flag.
If you’re clearing out an overgrown yard or planning a full backyard makeover, you’re now armed with real numbers instead of guesses.
Got a landscaping project in mind? Drop a comment and tell me what you’re planning. I’d love to hear about it, and maybe even help you budget for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long does a Landscaping Project Take?
Small projects like planting or mulching can take a day or two. Bigger jobs with hardscape or major redesigns often take one to several weeks, depending on complexity.
Do You Need a Permit for Landscaping?
It depends on your project. Simple planting usually doesn’t need one, but structures like retaining walls, decks, or major grading often require local permits.
What Time of Year is Cheapest to Landscape?
Late fall and winter are often cheaper since demand drops. Landscapers may offer better rates during off-peak seasons compared to busy spring and summer months.
Can You Negotiate Landscaping Prices?
Yes, especially with smaller local companies. Asking about seasonal discounts, bundling services, or adjusting materials can often help lower your final price.
Tommy Hardy, an alumnus of the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, has been a go-to figure in residential upkeep and innovation for over 18 years. His career commenced in a leading home appliance manufacturing company, where he mastered the intricacies of household systems. Joining our platform in 2020, Tommy quickly became a reader favorite for his practical and easy-to-follow guides. He took the helm of our DIY section in 2019, consistently delivering content that empowers homeowners. Beyond his professional pursuits, Tommy is a passionate gardener and enjoys woodworking, skills enhancing his hands-on approach to home care.
