How Much Does Landscaping Cost in Denver, CO? [2026 Data]

This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by an Angi Editor in accordance with our AI policy.

Landscaping in Denver, CO, costs $5,983 on average, with projects ranging from $2,341 to $9,624. Your final landscaping price depends on the size of your yard, the complexity of your design, and local labor rates. Understanding these costs before breaking ground helps you plan a beautiful outdoor space that fits your budget.

Landscaping Cost Factors

When planning a yard transformation in Denver, CO, hiring local landscaping professionals ensures the job is done right. The final price of your project relies on several elements, including the size of your property, the materials you choose, and the complexity of the design.

Landscaping Cost Per Square Foot

The size of your property directly dictates how much material and labor you need, making square footage a primary driver of your total price. In Denver, CO, larger lots require more resources to cover the expansive ground. The dry, snowy climate means you need specific resilient ground covers, which impacts the per-square-foot price. Overall, most homeowners spend between $2,341 and $9,624 for their total project, with the average coming in at $5,983. For a modest 200-square-foot area, expect to pay $955 to $2,540. For a larger 1,000-square-foot space, the cost increases to $4,770 to $12,700.

Here’s a breakdown of average landscaping costs per square foot:

Front Yard vs. Back Yard

Where you focus your landscaping efforts changes the budget, as backyards involve more extensive features than front yards. A front yard in Denver, CO, focuses on basic curb appeal, while backyards serve as private retreats. Front yard projects require fewer materials and less labor. Backyard renovations include patios, outdoor kitchens, or extensive planting beds, which drives up the total cost.

New Homes

Starting from scratch on a newly constructed property requires a comprehensive design, which demands a larger budget than updating an existing yard. Landscaping a new build in Denver, CO, involves establishing everything from the topsoil to the final plants. You need to install foundational elements like grading, irrigation, and initial planting beds. This blank-slate approach demands more labor and raw materials to establish a functional and attractive outdoor space.

Project Complexity

Intricate designs with custom features take more time and specialized skill to build, increasing your overall expenses. Whether you want a simple garden bed or a multi-tiered retaining wall in Denver, CO, the difficulty of the work sets the final price. Basic installations keep labor hours low. Complex projects that require heavy machinery, precise measurements, or custom stone cutting demand more from your contractors, pushing your total toward the maximum of $24,000.

Labor

Paying for skilled hands ensures your yard is graded, planted, and built correctly, and labor rates reflect the expertise of the crew. In Denver, CO, securing experienced landscapers is essential for a high-quality finish. Simple tasks like planting a few shrubs require fewer labor hours. Extensive renovations involving landscape architects or specialized designers command higher hourly rates and add significantly to the project total. For projects involving extensive tree work, tree trimming costs will also factor into the labor budget.

Materials

The specific plants, stones, and soils you select form the foundation of your budget. Sourcing durable materials in Denver, CO, ensures your yard withstands the local weather conditions. Because the area experiences 300 days of sun annually along with hailstorms, choosing weather-resistant pavers and hardy plants is a smart investment. Laying down topsoil costs $15 to $60 per cubic yard, providing a healthy base for your plants. For a low-maintenance ground cover, rocks or gravel run $45 to $110 per cubic yard.

Here are the average costs of common landscaping materials:

Type of Landscaping

The overarching style of your yard dictates the ratio of living plants to structural elements, which heavily influences the price. Homeowners in Denver, CO, choose between lush greenery, structural hardscapes, or water-wise designs. Softscaping, which focuses on plants and grass, costs $850 to $10,600. Hardscaping projects that involve stone and concrete range from $320 to $31,800.

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

Land Prepping

Clearing and grading your property creates a safe, stable foundation for new landscaping, and this necessary prep work adds to your initial costs. Preparing a lot in Denver, CO, involves removing old vegetation and leveling uneven ground. Removing an existing tree costs $215 to $2,120, depending on its size and location. Installing a sprinkler system to keep your new plants hydrated runs $1,800 to $3,760.

Some common costs for land preparation include the following:

Landscaping Cost by Project

The specific type of installation you choose dictates your final bill.

General Landscaping Services

Standard yard upgrades like planting and mulching provide an immediate visual boost without the need for heavy construction. In Denver, CO, these services keep your property looking fresh and well-maintained. Installing a new flower bed costs $850 to $3,180. To establish a flat, usable lawn area, lawn grading runs $1,090 to $3,500. To keep your new lawn healthy, factor lawn aeration costs into your seasonal budget.

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

Hardscaping Services

Building permanent, non-living structures requires specialized labor and heavy materials, making these projects a significant investment. Adding functional hardscaping in Denver, CO, expands your usable outdoor living space. Constructing a sturdy retaining wall costs $3,440 to $9,530. For outdoor entertaining, installing a patio requires an investment of $2,120 to $6,140.

Here’s a breakdown of hardscaping project costs:

Xeriscaping Services

Designing a drought-tolerant yard reduces long-term water usage, though the specialized plants and materials require an upfront investment. For residents in Denver, CO, xeriscaping is a highly practical choice. Because the area is prone to wildfires and dry spells, replacing thirsty grass with stone and xeric shrubs protects your property and conserves resources. Planting individual xeric trees and shrubs costs $30 to $320 each. For a green look without the water requirements, artificial grass installation costs $5 to $10 per square foot.

Here’s what you might pay for xeriscaping services:

Ongoing Landscaping Costs to Consider

Keeping your yard in top condition requires regular attention and a dedicated budget.

Maintenance

Routine upkeep prevents overgrowth and protects the investment you made in your initial landscaping project. Scheduling regular maintenance in Denver, CO, ensures your yard survives the changing seasons. A standard lawn mowing service costs $55 to $265 per service, depending on the size of your lot. For a comprehensive seasonal refresh, a full yard cleanup runs $205 to $1,060 as a flat one-time cost. For properties with an automated watering setup, include sprinkler repair costs to keep everything functioning smoothly.

Yard maintenance fees might include the following:

Operating Costs

Features that require electricity or water, such as fountains and irrigation systems, add to your monthly utility bills. In Denver, CO, running these systems efficiently is key to managing your budget. Pumps for water features and automated lighting systems draw continuous power. Monitoring your usage helps keep these recurring expenses under control.

Repairs

Over time, weather and general wear and tear require you to fix or replace damaged elements in your yard. Addressing repairs promptly in Denver, CO, prevents minor issues from becoming major structural failures. The variable four-season environment, including heavy snow and flash floods, damages retaining walls and shifts pavers, making occasional repairs a necessity. Fixing cracked concrete or replacing dead shrubs restores the look and safety of your outdoor space. Budgeting for these inevitable fixes protects your property value.

Cost of Common Landscaping Add-Ons

Enhancing your yard with extra features or services increases the functionality of the space but also adds to the bottom line. Homeowners in Denver, CO, bundle these add-ons with their main landscaping project. Services like pest control, debris removal, or specialized lighting require additional labor and materials. Planning for these extras upfront ensures your budget covers the complete vision for your property.

Landscaping Pro Costs

Hiring a professional in Denver, CO, ensures your yard is graded, planted, and built correctly. Local landscapers charge a flat rate of $55 to $110 per hour, depending on the complexity of your design and the crew's expertise. Complex projects like retaining walls or custom stone cutting demand more labor hours, increasing your total expenses. Remember to account for the local 9.15% sales tax on materials when budgeting for your complete outdoor transformation.

Permits

Before starting landscaping, confirm whether your project requires permits in your area and who is responsible for obtaining them. Permit requirements and costs vary by location, but most landscaping permits range from $500-$2,750, depending on the scope of work and your local municipality. Working without the proper permits can lead to fines, project delays, or complications when selling your home. If you're hiring a landscaper, review your contract to ensure they will handle the permitting process and inspections.

Why You Should Hire a Landscaping Professional

Hiring a landscaping professional in Denver, CO adds significant value to your property while saving you from a massive time commitment and heavy-lifting safety hazards.

• Professionals bring commercial-grade equipment like heavy-duty tillers to handle large earth-moving tasks efficiently.

• Local experts know exactly which drought-resistant plants thrive in the semi-arid climate and high altitude.

• Experienced contractors design precise irrigation systems to keep your yard green without wasting water.

• Pro teams properly grade your yard and amend rocky soil to guarantee optimal plant health.

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. 

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