Highlights
Hardscaping can cost $300 to $30,000 or more.
A walkway, firepit, or added deck are all examples of hardscaping.
Permits and demolition costs will add more to the final project cost.
Whether you want a new firepit for toasting marshmallows with your kids, clear walkways leading from your backdoor to the garden, or a back porch to sit and sip coffee on, hardscaping projects may cost anywhere from $300 to $30,000. Below you’ll learn everything you need to know about the price of popular hardscaping projects.
What Is Hardscaping?
Hardscaping is when you integrate solid, non-living elements into your landscape design, such as patios, pergolas, paths, walls, or decks. Common hardscaping materials include gravel, pavers, stone, concrete, wood, and brick. Basically, any human-built structure in an outdoor space that is not plant life can be dubbed a hardscape. These non-living features complement and contrast natural elements, such as trees, grass, and gardens.
How Much Does Hardscaping Cost per Square Foot?
The average cost of hardscaping is $5 to $25 per square foot. Some projects—like patio installations—start around $10 per square foot, while a new deck costs around $30 to $60 per square foot.
| Landscaping Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Hardscaping | $5 – $25 per square foot |
| Landscaping | $4 – $10 per square foot |
How Much Hardscaping Can I Get on My Budget?
Many homeowners will opt to incorporate different types of hardscaping to complement their beloved flower garden or maple trees. Depending on your budget, you can plan to add various types of hardscaping, from pathways to retainer walls to pergolas.
Less than $1,000
You can add stepping stones for about $7 per stone, making this a less expensive option than adding a paved walkway. For about $300, you can install a new firepit, as long as you opt for a premade firepit rather than building a custom one with stone.
$1,000 to $5,000
It fits into this budget if you want a paved walkway, as most walkways cost about $2,850. This budget range also allows for one pergola, arbor, or water fountain—but not all three. You might consider installing a playground too for the kids, which will cost anywhere up to $500 for a store-bought metal play set to $5,000 for a more customized wooden option.
$5,000 to $10,000
You can expand your outdoor living spaces with a new gazebo, patio, or small deck for $5,000 to $10,000. Or maybe you want more walkways and water fountains around your spacious backyard. For under $10,000, you can also build a retaining wall to help minimize soil erosion in your backyard.
$10,000 to $20,000
Many large hardscaping projects can fall in the $10,000 to $20,000 range. You could add a playground, a patio, a water fountain, and some new walkways with this budget. You could even build a larger deck for about $15,000.
$20,000 or more
If you want to add a covered porch so you can sit in your rocking chair and watch the rain, expect to spend $20,000 to $30,000. The cost to install an outdoor kitchen is around $22,150 to $100,000, depending on the appliances and finishes you choose. Otherwise, you could add an array of different hardscaping projects, from multiple walkways to patios to gazebos and more, for $20,000 or more to completely revamp your backyard.
How Much Does It Cost to DIY Hardscape?
Some hardscaping projects are easy and cost-effective to DIY. You could lay a quaint stone path from your door to your raised vegetable beds for $2 to $10 per stone, and it’s a project you can finish in a day. Other projects, like installing an outdoor kitchen, aren’t safe for a DIYer to tackle, especially if you need to work with electrical wires for lighting or outlets.
How Much Do Hardscaping Projects Cost by Type?
Hardscaping may cost $300 to more than $30,000 per project. It involves a variety of different elements, from pathways to porches. With so many different options, the costs vary from project to project.
Firepits
To add a cozy feel to your backyard, consider adding a firepit for $300 to $1,400. With a pit, you can enjoy a glass of wine by the fire after a long day, invite over friends on a chilly fall evening, or roast marshmallows and hot dogs with the kids. Premade firepits cost less than larger or customized ones.
Patios
Patios cost an average of $750 to $7,200 for a standard 12-foot-by-12-foot area. Gravel and concrete are less expensive options, or you can spend more on brick pavers or natural stone patios.
Walkways
Adding a concrete walkway costs about $1,200 to $2,400, and paver walkways cost an average of $2,850. This is a common hardscaping project and can add a finished look to any landscape.
Water Features
Water features cost $850 to $4,460 and can add exciting visual elements to your backyard. Items like water fountains or waterfalls are attractive options to add to gardens or pools, but keep in mind that winterizing water features—and starting them back up in the spring—can add annual costs of $360 to $700.
Deck
The average cost to build a deck is $7,630, ranging from $30 to $60 per square foot. If you want an upper-level deck so you can roll out of bed, step outside, and watch the sunrise, expect to pay $38 to $80 per square foot.
Porch
A new porch can cost $10,000 to $30,000 to build. With costs ranging from $25 to $110 per square foot, larger porches will quickly add up in cost.
Play Set
To add a play set to your backyard, you’ll spend $500 to $5,000. Complex wood constructions complete with a playhouse, multiple swings, and a big covered slide will cost more, while simpler play sets with a couple of swings and a slide will be less expensive.
Pergola
A pergola costs $2,500 to $6,000 and offers some shade to your outdoor spaces. There are many types of pergolas, including wood or vinyl options, and they’re a perfect backdrop for climbing plants.
Gazebo
A gazebo, which costs $7,000 to $10,000, creates a mostly enclosed space where you can still enjoy bird-watching, sipping coffee, or practicing yoga.
Outdoor Kitchen
A typical outdoor kitchen costs around $22,150, but if you want to add a top-of-the-line fridge, dishwasher, and a wet bar for entertaining guests, you can spend over $100,000 for an outdoor kitchen with luxury additions, plus electrical and plumbing hookups.
What Factors Influence the Cost to Hardscape?
Aside from the type of hardscaping project you decide to pursue, many factors, from demolition to permitting, can increase the cost.
Permits
Permits for outdoor projects cost around $250 to $2,000. While planting fresh flowers doesn’t require a permit, building a new deck or outdoor kitchen does. Requirements vary by city and state, but generally, if you plan to disrupt 2,500 square feet of soil or increase or decrease the soil grade by over 24 inches, you’ll need a permit.
Demolition
You may need to tear out old walkways or patios to make room for new hardscaping, and demolition can cost $2,000 to over $10,000.
Labor
Hiring a landscaper near you for hardscaping will cost $50 to $100 per hour, plus an additional $25 to $50 per crew member. You may also need to work with a local electrician for $50 to $100 per hour for installing an outdoor kitchen or hire a general contractor near you to build decks or porches for $15 to $35 per square foot.
How Much Does Hardscaping Cost Near You?
Hardscaping costs can vary from place to place. These are the average costs homeowners spend on hardscaping in different cities around the U.S.:
| Location | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $4,500 |
| Charlotte, NC | $3,900 |
| Chicago, IL | $5,900 |
| Honolulu, HI | $7,550 |
| Houston, TX | $4,200 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $4,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $5,150 |
| Memphis, TN | $4,450 |
| Miami, FL | $4,100 |
| Seattle, WA | $5,550 |
FAQs
Will hardscaping increase the value of my home?
Hardscaping features bring value to your landscape, and they can even increase the value of your home. Hardscaping works best alongside professional landscaping. According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of Landscape Professionals, researchers found that hardscape upgrades, landscape upgrades, landscape management, and lawn care services are the top four outdoor projects that add value to a property for resale.
How much does landscaping cost?
Landscaping a home costs $1,300 to $5,600. In landscaping, the features are comprised of natural or living elements like flowers, plants, bushes, and grass, whereas hardscaping involves human-made structures. Professionally landscaped yards can boost curb appeal and give your family stunning green spaces to admire.
Why do I need hardscaping?
Hardscaping benefits your landscape by adding both visually appealing and functional features. Paved walkways or patios can add more usable outdoor space, especially if you live somewhere where grass doesn’t grow well. Playgrounds can give your kids a place to exercise their imagination, and a new deck or porch creates a gathering space for the family.
