How Much Does Landscape Design Cost? [2025 Data]

Landscape Design Cost Factors

The cost to hire a landscape designer will depend on how complex the project is and the size of the area involved. Here is a breakdown of the main factors that affect how much landscaping costs.

Labor

Some professional landscape designers charge by the hour, and some charge by 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.

Here’s how much you’ll pay for each type of fee:

Complexity of Design Plan

The complexity of the project is a big factor in the overall cost. It likely comes as no surprise that a simpler addition to your current landscape design is going to cost less than a full makeover. Some example projects and their average cost ranges include the following.

Not to mention that the shape and overall condition of your yard make measurements more complex to determine, which can also increase the cost of landscaping. For instance, if it's on a sloping hill or has circular edges, expect to pay slightly more than a standard flat surface.

Overall, the complexity of a landscaping project will affect the required equipment and labor. A standard cost range looks like the following:

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 square foot (at $5 to $20 per square foot), as are many other landscape design projects. As such, you can expect to pay more if your yard is bigger.

Designer Experience

Much like most professions, the cost to hire landscape designers depends on their level of experience and credentials. The more complex and full a designer’s portfolio is, the more they can charge for their services. Depending on the specific vision you have for your yard, you may want to compare landscape architects versus landscape designers to determine what professional experience suits your needs best.

Location

Where you live plays a role in the cost of most things—and landscape design is no exception. Rural areas tend to have lower prices for these types of services than urban or suburban areas. With that being said, suburban and rural projects tend to be more expensive solely because there’s more land to work with. Still, the cost per square foot will usually be higher in major cities.

It’s important to look into the available landscape designers near you to find the best one for you and your project. 

Type of Landscaping

The type of landscaping you do also informs the final landscape design cost. When you’re thinking over landscaping ideas, consider what suits your vision—and budget—best.

There are three many types of landscaping—softscaping, hardscaping, and xeriscaping. Typically, softscaping costs less than hardscaping, which costs less than xeriscaping. How much of each you include in your landscape design will reflect on the overall cost of the project.

Season

Landscaping is a seasonal service in many areas, as colder and more wet weather doesn’t make for ease of work. Landscape designers are likely to receive most of their requests in the spring or summer—which are the seasons considered the best time of year to landscape—as the weather proves optimal for outdoor labor.

If you happen to live in a region where landscape design is possible in the fall or winter, you may have an easier time hiring a designer during those months or even be able to complete the project for less.

Soil Testing

Some landscape design services will require a soil test, especially if your landscape ideas include gardens or plants. A soil test can tell you the overall health of your soil and what additives would make the ground a better place for plants and trees to thrive. Soil tests cost around $1,400, on average, but they can range from $200 to several thousand dollars.

Materials

A designer will help you find materials (brick, crushed stone, paver, etc.) that best fit your design, budget, and vision for your space. 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:

Type of Feature

Part of the total landscape design cost for your yard will be the features you choose to include. Special features—like a pond or gazebo—can really improve the atmosphere of your landscaping.

When considering these features, 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.

DIY vs. Hiring a Landscape Designer

Landscape design is a fairly large project to tackle, especially if you have a bigger yard and are doing a more complex project. A feature such as a pond can cost anywhere from $1,300 to $5,800, and a patio ranges from $2,000 to $6,000. You’ll also need to account for the equipment or tools required to do the prep work.

While you may be able to save some money on labor costs, paying for all of the supplies on your own and allotting time for landscape designing can be quite the feat. Choosing the right landscape designer for your needs can be time-consuming and expensive, but it’s very often worthwhile for the professional finished appearance they can provide.

How to Save Money on Landscape Design Costs

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, as opposed to paver patios or decks, which cost significantly more per square foot.

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 ground cover 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. 

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 thousands of 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.