How Much Will It Cost to Landscape My Home?

Most homeowners will spend $3,370 to landscape their home, with the average homeowner spending between $1,300 and $5,600 to hire a professional landscaper. Some landscaping maintenance projects like yard dethatching can run $100 to $700, while larger one-time projects like installing new landscaping features in your yard can cost $1,400 to $5,700.

Hiring a professional landscaper to tend to your outdoor spaces creates an enjoyable area for you and your family to get some fresh air and creates additional functional living areas in your yard. Homeowners can add seating, dining areas, and water features to extend their indoor comforts outdoors for the summer. Investing in your yard will also add value should you ever decide to sell your house. There are few things buyers love more than a lush and perfectly manicured yard. 

With such a range of options available, landscaping costs can vary significantly. The scope of your project, where you live, and the materials you choose will all impact cost estimates. This guide gives you an idea of what common landscaping jobs will cost you. 

Breaking Down the Price of Landscaping

The average homeowner will spend between $1,300 and $5,600, which can cover a variety of materials and designs. Below is a list of what you can expect to get depending on your landscaping budget.

$1,000

For around $1,000, you'll have enough money to buy mulch or rocks for your garden beds and update your landscaping with new plants. Purchasing bulk materials like mulch and stone can vary due to price and how much mulch you'll need, but expect to pay around $35 per cubic yard when you call a local mulch and topsoil service for delivery. Each cubic yard should cover 324 square feet at a depth of one inch. Plants will also vary in price, but some homeowners can get medium-sized bloomers like hydrangeas for $40.  

$2,500

According to HomeAdvisor, you can expect to pay a landscape architect around $2,500 for their services, which breaks down to between $70 to $150 per hour. These professionals work with both plants as well as hardscaping. They can help you plan a garden, design an outdoor living space, and even work with you to solve water drainage issues. In addition to having the creativity and know-how to get your job done, these professionals often also act as a go-between for the other landscape and building professionals working on your project. 

$3,500

A budget of $3,500 will cover both the purchasing and installation of your new landscaping. You can expect to pay around $3,370 for a local landscape professional to install your new landscaping. This includes an hourly charge of $50 to $150 per hour or $4 to $10 per square foot. These professionals can plant flowers, shrubs, and even trees. 

$5,000

You can hire a landscape designer for around $4,480 to create a detailed plan for your yard. This can run from $50 to $150 per hour. Unlike a landscape architect, a landscape designer can build or improve upon existing garden spaces, while keeping design, color, and texture in mind. They can also help set up irrigation systems and long-term garden planning. 

$6,500

With a budget of $6,500, you can install a retaining wall on your property. These projects tend to cost around $5,620 and can add both design and function to your property. By installing a retaining wall, you can divert water or help grade sloped areas into flatter and more functional spaces. You can expect to pay an average of $20 to $60 per square foot or $30 to $150 per linear foot when you hire a landscape professional build a retaining wall, according to HomeAdvisor.

Landscape Cost by Project

• Build ergola, trellis, or arbor: $3,900

• Construct a dry well: $3,100

• Deliver soil, mulch, or rocks: $700

• Install a patio or pathway: $4,100

• Install a retaining wall: $5,600

• Install sod: $2,000

• Hire a landscape designer: $4,500

• Repair an awning: $700

• Remove a tree stump: $300

• Reslope a lawn: $2,000

High-End Materials

The type of materials you use in your landscape project will also significantly impact the price. For example, suppose you're planning to put a water feature in your front yard, which typically costs $900 to $4,500. In that case, you might opt for the more expensive feature than if you were placing it in your backyard, where fewer people can see it. Splurging on more expensive landscaping can significantly impact your bottom line; a top-of-the-line water fountain installation might cost you $8,000, according to HomeAdvisor.

DIY vs. Hiring

If you're a weekend warrior with plenty of time and energy to devote to a landscaping project, DIY may be the best route. However, you'll want to consider a few major things, like whether you have the skills and tools needed to handle the job. 

When to hire a pro:

• Electrical or plumbing projects: This can be both dangerous and costly to get wrong. Paying someone with the proper training is always the best choice.

• Digging that involves heavy machinery: If you don’t have the appropriate license and training, dealing with heavy machinery should always be left to the pros.

• Permitted work that requires a professional: There are plenty of things that you can figure out from YouTube, but anything that requires a professional to sign off on is better off being completed by a pro.

• Tree removal: Cutting down trees requires unique skills and machinery and can be dangerous to both you and your property if done incorrectly.

When to DIY:

• Adding plants to your existing landscape: Adding a few small new plants to your garden is usually a safe DIY project, as long as you have a good shovel and a vehicle to transport them home from the nursery.

• Adding mulch: While laying new mulch can be a backbreaking job, if you have a wheelbarrow, a shovel, and a strong back, it’s something you can do in a weekend.

FAQs

How much does it cost to have my home landscaped?

Most homeowners will spend $3,370 to landscape their homes.

How much does it cost to hire a landscaper for maintenance?

You can expect to pay a landscaper between $25 to $50 an hour to do your weekly lawn maintenance like mowing and weed whacking. 

Should I landscape my home myself or hire a professional?

If you want to complete a series of small jobs over the course of a season, DIY is an excellent route. However, if you want to have larger (and sometimes dangerous) jobs completed quickly, it's best to call a professional landscaper.