A yard cleanup can keep your lawn clean and prepare it for the next season. Find out the average yard cleanup cost in Washington, DC, and what can affect it.
How Much Does Landscaping Cost in Washington, D.C.? [2026 Data]
Normal Range: $1,165 - $4,548
Landscaping costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
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Cost Insights
Professional landscaping in Washington, D.C., costs $2,686 on average, depending on your yard's size and specific features.
The complexity of your custom design and the quality of materials will determine your final project total.
Plan your budget around land preparation tasks like tree removal, which costs between $220 and $2,180.
Hiring a landscaping pro in Washington, D.C., provides reliable help with yard work and saves you time and effort.
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 Washington, D.C., costs $2,686 on average and ranges from $1,165 to $4,548. Your final price depends on the size of your yard, the complexity of the design, the types of plants you select, and the local labor rates. Before starting your landscaping project, understanding the cost helps you plan a beautiful outdoor space that fits your home and budget.
Landscaping Cost Factors
When planning a yard upgrade in Washington, D.C., understanding the various elements that dictate your budget is essential. Local landscaping professionals evaluate everything from the size of your property to the specific materials required to bring your vision to life.
Landscaping Cost per Square Foot
The size of your property dictates a major portion of your final price, as larger areas demand more time and resources. In Washington, D.C., a basic 200-square-foot project ranges from $985 to $2,620, while an expansive 2,000-square-foot renovation costs between $9,810 and $26,200.
| Landscaping Area Size (Square Feet) | Local Average Cost | National Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | $985–$2,620 | $900–$2,400 |
| 500 | $2,460–$6,540 | $2,250–$6,000 |
| 1,000 | $4,910–$13,100 | $4,500–$12,000 |
| 2,000 | $9,810–$26,200 | $9,000–$24,000 |
Front Yard vs. Back Yard
Upgrading a front yard focuses heavily on curb appeal, while backyards involve more extensive living spaces and privacy features. Because backyard renovations in Washington, D.C, can feature complex additions like patios or outdoor kitchens, they demand a higher budget than standard front yard improvements.
New Homes
Starting with a blank slate on a newly constructed property in Washington, D.C., requires comprehensive planning and installation from the ground up. Establishing a fresh lawn, planting initial garden beds, and installing primary walkways all contribute to a significant initial investment.
Project Complexity
Simple enhancements take a fraction of the time compared to installing intricate water features or custom stonework. For a complete transformation in Washington, D.C., homeowners spend an average of $2,686 for the entire project, with most comprehensive overhauls falling between $1,165 and $4,548.
Labor
Securing skilled workers ensures your outdoor spaces are graded properly and planted to thrive. The hot and muggy summers in Washington, D.C., require crews to adjust their schedules to avoid extreme heat, which directly impacts the timeline and labor expenses for your installation. Routine tasks like lawn aeration require less specialized labor than building a retaining wall. When factoring in the lawn aeration price, it is a flat one-time cost rather than an hourly rate.
Materials
The specific plants, stones, and soil you select dictate a large portion of your expenses. In Washington, D.C., delivering topsoil costs $15 to $60 per cubic yard, while laying fresh sod runs $0.35 to $0.85 per square foot. When planning a flower bed installation, the quality of the soil and border plants you choose shifts your material budget.
| Landscaping Material | Local Average Cost | National Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sod | $0.35–$0.85 per square foot | $0.35–$0.85 per square foot |
| Turf | $5–$10 per square foot | $2–$5 per square foot |
| Grass seed | $5–$15 per pound | $3–$10 per pound |
| Topsoil | $15–$60 per cubic yard | $10–$55 per cubic yard |
| Rocks or gravel | $45–$110 per cubic yard | $40–$100 per cubic yard |
| Mulch | $0.20–$0.60 per square foot | $0.20–$0.60 per square foot |
| Retaining wall blocks | $5–$45 per square foot | $3–$40 per square foot |
| Fencing | $15–$100 per linear foot | $10–$90 per linear foot |
| Pavers | $5–$30 per square foot | $1–$25 per square foot |
| Border plants | $5–$55 per plant | $2–$50 per plant |
| Pool installation materials | $21,800–$70,800 | $20,000–$65,000 |
| Patio materials | $5–$40 per square foot | $1–$35 per square foot |
Type of Landscaping
Focusing on lush greenery and garden beds presents a different financial commitment than building permanent stone structures. In Washington, D.C., softscaping projects cost between $875 and $10,900, whereas hardscaping installations range from $330 to $32,700.
| Type of Landscaping | Local Average Cost | National Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Xeriscaping | $3,270–$26,200 | $3,000–$24,000 |
| Softscaping | $875–$10,900 | $800–$10,000 |
| Hardscaping | $330–$32,700 | $300–$30,000 |
Land Prepping
Clearing away old brush, removing stumps, and grading the earth are necessary steps before any new features are installed. Tree removal costs $220 to $2,180, and leveling or grading the land runs $425 to $6,660. While basic tree trimming maintains existing foliage, complete removal requires heavy equipment and specialized safety measures. Evaluating your tree trimming costs alongside major land clearing keeps the preparation budget on track. The humid, subtropical climate and heavy rains in Washington, D.C, make proper grading essential to prevent flooding and water damage.
| Land Preparations | Local Average Cost | National Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tree removal | $220–$2,180 | $200–$2,000 |
| Tree stump removal | $330–$545 | $300–$500 |
| Soil testing | $765–$2,240 | $700–$2,050 |
| Land survey | $440–$820 | $400–$750 |
| Sprinkler system | $1,860–$3,870 | $1,700–$3,550 |
| Leveling or grading | $425–$6,660 | $390–$6,110 |
Landscaping Pro Costs
Hiring a professional in Washington, D.C., ensures your yard thrives despite the hot, muggy summers and unpredictable winter snowstorms. Local landscapers charge $50 to $100 per hour for standard yard work, grading, and plant installation. For complex overhauls, a landscape designer costs $50 to $150 per hour to expertly plan your outdoor space. Remember to account for the 6% sales tax in Washington, D.C., on applicable materials and services when finalizing your total project budget.
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 to $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 landscaping professional, review your contract to ensure they will handle the permitting process and inspections. To verify permit requirements, visit your city or county's official building department website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Why You Should Hire a Landscaping Professional
Bringing in a landscaping pro in Washington, D.C., adds lasting value to your property while saving you from exhausting, time-consuming yard work. Passing this heavy lifting to an expert ensures safe, efficient results.
Experts bring specialized equipment, like commercial-grade aerators, to complete large-scale projects flawlessly.
Local specialists understand the Mid-Atlantic climate and select native plants that thrive in your yard.
Professionals design cohesive layouts to ensure proper water drainage away from your home's foundation.
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.
Landscaping services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Washington, DC
4.4★ avg. • 624 total reviews
- Victoria S.
Gerardo and his team did an absolutely fantastic job clearing our back and front yard! They trimmed all the bushes, removed all the dead trees from the roots, swept the patio, and cut down 25 foot tree that had become intertwined with multiple electrical wires. They were professional and...
Frog Landscape Services - Luke L.
District Landscaping did an amazing job!
District Landscaping - Lucy J.
Thanks for transforming our backyard into a blooming paradise!!! They brought new life to our dull space with their creative approach to landscaping. We really appreciate the hard work and dedication. Highly recommend their services to anyone looking to elevate their outdoor experience!!!
- Hc R.
They offered great suggestions for trees and plants to improve the landscaping. They were easy to communicate with and responsive. The work was done quickly and efficiently and it looked amazing! I would definitely hire them again!
Laser Cut Property Services DMV, LLC - Sonia W.
They made an appointment and came to provide an estimate for the work the same day, and completed it later that day. They did exactly the weed vine removal I wanted. I highly recommend Perez Landscaping.
Perez services - Jill K.
I interviewed Mr. Kurrik about landscaping my terrace. Although I ended up cancelling the project, I still wanted to give him a five-star review. MNr. Kurrik is professional, knowledgeable, and thorough.
Triton Design Group,Inc - Stacia C.
Lily and her crew did an amazing job re-landscaping our backyard. The previous homeowners had an unsightly mix of bushes and shrubs, a brick wall that cut into the usable yard space, and stone/rock work that didn’t match the brick patio. Lily and her team removed everything, fixed the area...
MA Cleaning & Landscaping Design Inc - Niani K.
Paradise is a great grass-cutting operation. He requires specific instructions which he carries out to the letter. Shaun came in and beautifully transformed my weed-dense, jungle of a back yard. Please note, he is NOT your gardener/landscaper guy. I still have to hire that person. Shaun was...
Paradise Landscaping
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