How Much Does Landscaping Cost? [2026 Data]

In 2026, professional landscaping costs a national average of $3,516, based on 32,752 verified projects from Angi Pros. Most homeowners pay between $1,248 and $6,067, with the final cost driven by project scope, materials, and yard size. For larger jobs like a full backyard remodel, costs can climb to $6,000 or more, while smaller tasks like planting border blooms may run closer to $750.

Landscaping Cost Factors: What Affects the Price?

Several key factors determine what you'll pay for landscaping, with yard size, project type, and labor rates being the most significant drivers. Understanding each of these variables helps you set a realistic budget before work begins. Getting a detailed quote from a local pro is the best way to nail down your specific costs.

Landscaping Cost Per Square Foot

Landscaping typically costs between $4.50 and $12 per square foot, with the extent of the work being the primary cost factor. For a tear-out and major remodel, costs can climb as high as $40 per square foot. 

Here's a breakdown of average landscaping costs by area size:

Front Yard vs. Back Yard

Front yard landscaping averages between $1,500 and $5,000, while a full backyard renovation runs between $15,000 and $50,000. Backyard landscaping consistently costs more than front yard work, with the location of the project being the primary cost factor. Adding a driveway, walkways, or other high-price hardscaping will push your budget for landscaping toward the higher end of that range.

New Homes

Landscaping a new home typically costs around 10% of your property value, making your home's purchase price the primary cost factor. On a $400,000 home, for example, you might pay around $40,000 for hardscaping and softscaping across both yards. Adding expensive features like a pool will push that percentage even higher.

Project Complexity

Project complexity is one of the most significant cost factors in landscaping, independent of yard size. Simpler tasks like tree removal or adding flowers to a flower bed cost far less than larger undertakings like installing a deck or pool. Knowing the full scope of your project before getting quotes helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises.

Labor

Labor costs for landscaping range from $1,000 to $40,000, depending on project scope, with small jobs like reseeding a lawn or laying sod typically billed at an hourly rate and major makeovers priced by project. 

The most common professionals you'll hire charge between $50 to $100 per hour for a landscaper and $50 to $150 per hour for a landscape designer. For projects involving hardscaping or major structural changes, a landscape architect—who charges $70 to $100 per hour—will plan and oversee the work to ensure it's executed correctly.

Here are the average labor costs for landscaping pros:

• Landscaper: $50–$100 per hour

• Landscape designer: $50–$150 per hour

• Landscape architect: $70–$100 per hour

Materials

Material costs are a major variable in any landscaping budget, with options like sod costing $0.35 to $0.85 per square foot and rocks or gravel costing $40 to $100 per cubic yard. Simpler projects using plants or concrete cost significantly less than those requiring specialty materials like lumber. 

The type of material you choose directly shapes your total project cost. If your landscaper needs to source or ship materials from another location, expect to pay a premium on top of standard material prices. 

Here are the average costs of common landscaping materials:

Type of Landscaping

There are several distinct types of landscaping, and the type you choose is one of the biggest factors in your final project cost. Softscaping—which uses plants and grasses for a lush green look—is typically the most affordable option. 

Xeriscaping, which relies on drought-resistant plants and is common in hot, arid regions, tends to run pricier than softscaping. Hardscaping features like patios, fire pits, pergolas, and retaining walls carry the highest price tag of all. 

Here's how the type of landscaping affects your average project cost:

Land Prepping

Land preparation is a necessary first step for many landscaping projects, and costs vary from $200 to $6,110, depending on what your yard requires before work can begin. Common prep tasks include clearing brush, soil testing, and tree removal—not every project needs all of these, but it's smart to factor them into your overall budget.

Here are some common costs for land preparation:

Permits

Permits for landscaping projects typically cost between $500 and $2,750, with local authority regulations and project type determining whether one is required. Structural projects—such as installing an in-ground pool, building a high retaining wall, or removing large trees—are the most likely to need a permit for landscaping projects. Check with your municipality before work begins, and factor the cost for a building permit into your overall budget.

Landscaping Cost by Project Scope

The type of landscaping project you choose is the primary driver of what you'll pay, with smaller projects like mulching and general landscape design costing significantly less than complex work like hardscaping or xeriscaping. Understanding the cost range for each project type helps you prioritize and plan your budget effectively.

General Landscaping Services

General landscaping services vary widely in price depending on the scope of work involved, with $950 to $4,300 for sod installation and $1,025 to $3,300 for lawn grading. 

Here are some common landscaping services and their average cost range:

Hardscaping Services

Hardscaping—which includes non-living features like a patio for $2,000 to $5,800 or a retaining wall for $3,250 to $9,000. These projects add lasting value and aesthetic appeal to your yard but carry a higher up-front cost than general landscaping. These projects are worth considering for homeowners who want low-maintenance outdoor spaces with strong long-term ROI. 

Here's a breakdown of hardscaping project costs:

Xeriscaping Services

Xeriscaping projects range from $2 to $25 per square foot and are practical for homeowners in drought-prone areas who want an attractive yard without heavy water use. You'll typically pay more up front for drought-tolerant materials, but lower ongoing maintenance costs often offset that investment over time. 

Here's what you might pay for xeriscaping services:

Landscaping Ongoing Costs: What to Budget For

Ongoing maintenance costs are easy to overlook when budgeting for a landscaping project, but they can add up significantly over time. Factor these recurring expenses into your total budget from the start to avoid surprises down the road.

Maintenance

Ongoing yard maintenance like cleanup ($190 to $1,000) and lawn mowing ($50 to $250 per service) is essential to protecting your landscaping investment, whether you handle it yourself or hire a pro. Routine upkeep costs vary by task and frequency, so it's worth building these fees into your annual budget from the start. 

Here are common yard maintenance services and their average costs:

Operating Costs

Water features and pools come with ongoing operating costs that can meaningfully affect your monthly budget, with pond motor electricity running about $5 to $36 per month. Pool maintenance costs are considerably higher, adding an average of $230 per month. Keep these recurring expenses in mind when deciding which water features to include in your landscaping design.

Repairs

Repairing hardscape elements can add to your overall costs, with deck repair costs averaging just over $2,000 and standard pool repairs prices ranging between $85 and $3,200. These projects typically carry higher ongoing repair costs than softscape features, making them an important budget consideration when planning your landscape design. Factor these potential expenses into your long-term budget before committing to hardscape-heavy designs.

Additional Landscaping Costs to Expect

Large landscaping projects often come with additional costs that are easy to overlook during initial planning, like lawn aeration for $75 to $200. 

Budgeting for these common add-ons up front helps you avoid surprises when the final invoice arrives: 

• Junk or debris removal: $130–$375

• Lawn aeration: $75–$200

• Wildlife removal and relocation: $190–$600

• Lawn pest control: $100–$260

Tips to Reduce Landscaping Prices

If you’re savvy, there are many ways to landscape your backyard on a budget. Some ideas include the following:

• Have a realistic wish list: It’s easy to get carried away when you see all those pretty plants and fancy pavers at your local garden center. Carefully evaluate an affordable budget and try to stick to it to avoid disappointment.

• DIY when possible: As mentioned above, you can save money by completing low-lift tasks yourself, such as planting trees and flowers.

• Repurpose existing features: Recycling functional pavers and healthy plants saves money and is more sustainable.

• Softscape, not hardscape: Start a lawn from seed and plant perennial borders rather than using more expensive pavers.

• Change materials: If you’re opting for low-maintenance hardscaping, select a less expensive ground cover like pea gravel over more pricey and tricky-to-install pavers.

• Buy young rather than mature plants: Young plants cost less. They might not make the same immediate statement, but with care and patience, they’ll grow with time.

Landscaping Pro Costs: What Will You Pay?

Depending on the size and complexity of your project, you can save money by doing your landscaping yourself. While you'll cut costs, you will need to invest significant time and labor into the project.

For projects involving excavation, electrical work, tree removal, structural work, or work requiring a permit, hire a local landscaper or other pro to ensure the job is done safely and complies with local regulations and codes.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a landscaping pro

Even though landscaping can seem straightforward, it’s best to hire a pro for the job. Here’s why:

• Professionals know how to prevent soil erosion, drainage issues, and plant damage.

• Hiring a pro ensures your project complies with your property lines and zoning requirements.

• Pros have the specialized tools necessary for proper grading, planting, and irrigation.

• DIY landscaping jobs can lead to poor plant growth, drainage issues, and structural damage.

• Professionally designed landscaping boosts curb appeal and can increase your property value.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 30,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.