How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Landscape Designer?
Some professional landscape designers charge by the hour, and some charge by the project. Hourly rates generally range from $50 to $150, and this usually includes everything from the initial consultation to design plans and revisions. Flat project rates are based on the number of hours the designer expects to spend on the project.
Design plans can range anywhere from $300 to $15,000. Most fall under $6,000. Plans are included in most flat rates. The exact figure will depend on the market, where you live, and the designer’s experience. Contact a top-rated landscaper in your area to get an exact quote.
Landscape Designer Cost Breakdown
The cost to hire a landscape designer will vary depending on how complex the project is and the size of the area involved. Here is a breakdown of the main factors that impact the final cost.
Complexity
The complexity of the project is a big factor in the overall cost. For example, building a vegetable garden (which costs about $0.03 to $0.10 per square foot) obviously costs less than building a pond (which costs anywhere from $1,200 to $5,500).
Landscapers charge about $25 to $50 per shrub and installing a flower garden costs from $300 to $3,000.
Xeriscaping covers your whole outdoor area and costs $10,000 to $30,000 (the maintenance and water costs are low, though).
Size
The size of your property is another big factor when it comes to cost. For example, artificial grass or turf installation is priced by the square foot (at $5 to $20 per square foot), so you can expect to pay more the bigger your yard is.
How Much Do Landscape Design Materials and Features Cost?
A designer will help you find materials (brick, crushed stone, paver, etc.) that best fit your design and budget. Keep in mind that material costs are separate from the design costs. The cost of deck, patio, and walkway materials varies based on quality and quantity.
To give you an idea, though, here are some common landscaping materials and features and their average costs:
Materials
Crushed stone: $27–$64 per ton
Brick: $10–$14 per square foot
Paver: $3–$15 per square foot
Stone: $8–$15 per square foot
Pea gravel: $40–$95 per ton
Sod: $0.30–$0.80 per square foot
Features
Pond: $1,300–$5,000
Fence: $1,500–$4,000
Deck building: $4,000–$10,000
Patio: $1,800–$5,000
Pergola or trellis: $2,000–$5,000
Keep in mind that costs have greatly increased over the years due to supply chain issues and increasing demand and your project may end up costing more because of this.
How to Save Money on Professional Landscape Design
Knowing what gets you the most bang for your buck is helpful if you’re on a tight budget. Installing permeable hardscapes (materials like gravel and decomposed granite) is a cost-effective way to cover open spaces.
Using what you have rather than building new structures will always save you money (and time)—and if you do have to remove structures or hardscapes, consider reusing materials. Being strategic with groundcover plantings (rather than buying a bunch of new plants) can help save money, too.
And, since planting a single tree costs anywhere from $150 to $300, keeping the trees you have can help cut costs.
