Landscaping Costs in 2026, Plus 8 Ways to Save
Landscaping costs cover a wide range, depending on the size of your project and yard. Here are some average costs and ways to save.
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The average landscaping project costs about $3,650 , but can range from $120 to $4,300.
Landscaping covers a wide range of home improvements — from simply mowing and maintaining your lawn to installing an inground pool and outdoor kitchen for entertaining. Your landscaping costs will depend on a variety of factors, including the size and complexity of the job.
By understanding the factors that affect price and finding ways to save, you can create a beautiful landscape that fits both your vision and your budget.
How much does landscaping cost?
Your landscaping costs will vary based on the scope of your project, and the cost of materials and labor in your area. To help you plan and budget for your landscaping needs, here are some average costs.
Basic landscaping and maintenance
For basic services, expect costs ranging from $30 to $3,000. Examples of these services include lawn mowing, mulching, planting, trimming and installing flower beds.
| Lawn mowing | $50-$250 per service. |
| Flower bed installation | $800-$3,000. |
| Planting trees, shrubs and plants | $120-$2,500. |
| Tree trimming | $270-$1,800. |
| Mulch installation | $30-$120 per cubic yard. |
Intermediate landscaping projects
For more involved landscaping projects, expect to pay around $1,000 to $6,000. These types of projects may include sprinkler system, lighting and paver patio installations.
| Sprinkler system installation | $1,700-$3,550. |
| Landscape lighting | $2,000-$6,000. |
| Patio installation | $2,000-$5,800. |
| Lawn grading | $1,025-$3,300. |
» MORE: Is a sprinkler system worth it?
Major landscaping projects
Major landscaping or hardscaping projects can cost anywhere from $3,000 to well over $80,000. Project examples include full backyard renovations, outdoor kitchen installations, inground pool installations and retaining wall installations.
| Full backyard renovation | $15,000-$50,000. |
| Outdoor kitchen installation | $6,000-$25,000. |
| $44,500-$87,350. | |
| Retaining wall construction | $3,250-$9,000. |
| Pond installation | $300-$10,950. |
» MORE: The cost to build a deck
🤓 Nerdy Tip
President Trump's current tariff rates may increase landscaping costs for consumers. Landscaping businesses often source items — like mowers, trimmers, irrigation systems, lighting components and fertilizer — outside of the U.S., subjecting these goods to reciprocal tariffs. Tariffs are also affecting hardscaping materials, such as lumber, aluminum and steel. As costs increase for landscaping businesses, it’s likely that some of that cost will be passed to customers. Landscaping cost by yard size
The size of your yard plays a big role in what you will pay for landscaping. Larger areas require more labor, time, planning and materials.
Depending on the scope of the work, typical landscaping costs range from $4.50 to $12 per square foot. More complex projects can push that range much higher. Here are some estimates for projects like lawn installation, planting and simple design elements, based on square footage:
| Yard size (square feet) | Estimated cost range |
|---|---|
| 200 | $900-$2,400. |
| 500 | $2,250-$6,000. |
| 1,000 | $4,500-$12,000. |
| 2,000 | $9,000-$24,000. |
Other landscaping cost factors
Professional labor: Landscapers who charge by the hour usually charge about $50 to $100 per hour. If you need a landscape designer or architect for your project, your cost could be up to $150 hourly.
Permits: Some projects, especially large hardscaping projects, will require a local building permit. If so, expect an additional cost of about $500 to $2,760.
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8 ways to save on landscaping costs
1. DIY when it makes sense. Many homeowners do basic landscape maintenance, such as lawn mowing and mulching, to save money. You'd also be able to save money on labor costs by doing simple projects yourself, such as small firepits or paver walkways.
2. Get competitive quotes. Among landscaping providers, prices can vary widely. You may not necessarily want to hire the cheapest person or company, but getting multiple quotes can help ensure you aren’t overpaying. When getting an estimate, ask for a breakdown of materials, labor and overall project cost. Some projects, such as mulch installation or laying sod, are likely to be charged by the cubic foot or yard.
3. Check references. Before hiring someone, even if it’s just for monthly mowing, ask for references and photos of previous work — and look for photos of their work on Yelp or another review platform. Hiring someone who doesn’t do quality work can increase your cost when having to redo or repair shoddy work.
4. Choose a licensed and insured contractor. If you can’t find the license number on their website, ask for it, then look it up on your state’s licensing board website. Also, ask to see verification of their insurance.
5. Tackle projects in phases. Spreading work out can make the cost more manageable, and it can improve cost efficiency. For example, it’s best to install irrigation before laying sod. Laying sod and deciding you need sprinklers later can drive up your cost.
6. Use native plants and perennials. Determine what plants are likely to live longer and cost less long-term. Perennials usually come back each year, as opposed to annuals that normally last only one season. Identify which plants are native to your area. Those will be the best suited for your climate.
7. Do work off-season. If you’re a DIY person, shop for perennial plants, tools and other materials at end-of-season sales. Landscaping contractors may also charge less during their off-peak season.
8. Repurpose materials. Keep leftover bricks, stones, pavers and other materials for other projects.
Nerdy Perspective
When it comes to landscaping, I’ve always been more of a DIY homeowner — mainly because it’s a hobby I enjoy. But several years ago, I developed a swampy area in one corner of my yard. It was so bad that I had to wear rain boots to wade in and weed instead of mowing. An inspection revealed the cause was a natural spring that had popped up. Given that it wasn’t a DIY project, I hired a professional landscaping company to install a drain and a large rock bed. Then I added native shrubs and flowers myself. At the time, mortgage interest rates had dropped significantly since I took out my original home loan. My solution was a cash-out mortgage refinancing loan. I refinanced to a lower interest rate, received cash to pay for an attractive rock garden and lowered my monthly mortgage payment at the same time.
What Reddit users think about landscaping project costs
Reddit is an online forum where users share their thoughts in “threads” on various topics. The popular site includes plenty of discussion on financial subjects like home improvement, so we sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about landscaping maintenance and project costs. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.
Reddit users suggest taking on landscape maintenance yourself only if you're okay with the physical labor and the amount of time it will take. They also point out that yard work can be enjoyable to some and annoying to others, so that may factor into your decision. For larger projects, users stress the importance of getting multiple quotes — especially from neighbors, if possible — to understand what contractors charge in your area. Hiring people who have worked in your neighborhood will also give you in-person examples of the contractor's handiwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does landscaping increase a home’s value?
Yes, well-designed landscaping can increase a home’s value by 10% to 30%. Projects with the highest return on investment are standard lawn care services, landscape maintenance and upgrades, outdoor kitchens and new patios .
What's the difference between softscaping, hardscaping and xeriscaping?
Softscaping refers to the living elements of a landscape, such as plants, trees, flowers and grass. Hardscaping refers to non-living, structural features of landscaping, including patios, walkways, retaining walls and decks. Xeriscaping is a landscaping approach that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation by using drought-tolerant plants and water-efficient design.
What is the most expensive part of landscaping?
If you're paying professionals, the most expensive part of landscaping is labor.
For DIY landscaping, the most expensive part is the equipment and materials. The highest upfront costs for basic landscape maintenance will be for equipment like lawn mowers and edge trimmers. Expect ongoing costs for items like mulch and flowers.
For landscaping projects like patio or retaining wall installations, you'll need to buy materials including stone, gravel and pavers. Larger projects might also involve building permits, which can cost several hundred dollars.
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- 1. Angi. How Much Does Landscaping Cost?. Accessed Feb 26, 2026.
- 2. National Association of Realtors. Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features. Accessed Feb 26, 2026.
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