Question 1

How much do landscapers typically charge?

Accepted Answer

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Landscapers typically charge $25 to $50 per person per hour, which equals around $50 to $100 per hour for a two-person crew. These rates can vary depending on your location, the size of staff needed for the job, and overall job type. For example, a larger crew will be needed for structural additions and hardscaping versus planting flowers.

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Landscapers typically charge $50 to $80 per person per hour, which equals around $150 to $240 per hour for a three-person crew. These rates can vary depending on your location, the size of staff needed for the job, and overall job type. For example, a larger crew will be needed for structural additions and hardscaping versus planting flowers.

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Landscapers charge based on the size of the project and the number of skilled workers needed to complete the project. A basic 3-man crew, including heavy duty truck and tools can cost around $200.00 per hour, or $1,600.00 per day, plus materials, travel and disposal of waste. Larger projects can cost $2,500.00 per day, or more.

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This question is challenging because pricing varies greatly based on the job's scope, region, and required expertise. Obtaining multiple estimates will help you understand pricing better and keep contractors competitive.

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Landscape professionals typically charge $50 to $150 per hour based mainly on the type of equipment needed to perform the task safely and efficiently.

Question 2

Should landscapers be certified or licensed?

Accepted Answer

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When it comes to landscapers, licensing laws vary. Landscaping architects are required to be licensed in all 50 states, whereas traditional landscaping contractors are not typically required to hold a certification. You’ll likely be working with a landscaping contractor for most residential projects. If you are redesigning your whole yard or adding in hardscape features, you will work with a landscaping architect at some point during the project. Be sure to check our state licensing tool to review the local landscaper guidelines.

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Licensing requirements vary from state to state and by locality. It's always best to check with your local University Extension Service to find out which services require licensing.

Question 3

How do I reduce landscaping costs?

Accepted Answer

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If you want landscaping done but want to save some money on the overall fees, you can do a few things at every stage. Some ways to save money on your landscaping include:

Repurpose existing features and materials
Softscape instead of hardscape
Choose the more inexpensive materials
DIY when you can
Buy young plants instead of mature ones

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Saving money on a landscape project starts by breaking the project up in segments or phases. Start with the site work, digging or adding soils. Then plant the larger "anchor" plantings. Then follow up with the smaller fill in shrubs or flowers. Lastly, add decorative items like boulders, rock mulch and low voltage landscape lighting. This way you can budget the project based on your time and money.

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Establishing a budget and adhering to it is crucial when starting any project. Selecting, pricing, and organizing your materials in advance can help you avoid unexpected costs later on. Additionally, considering DIY options and repurposing existing materials can be an effective way to save money.

Question 4

Can I do my own landscaping?

Accepted Answer

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If you are an avid DIYer and have plenty of time to dedicate to your yard, doing your own landscaping (or at least some of it) can be an affordable option. Projects like planting a tree, planting grass, laying sod, or building a firepit can realistically be done without the need for a landscaping professional. However, these projects can take considerable time and some landscaping knowledge, so having a pro might save you in the long run.

Projects that are dangerous, like digging with heavy machinery or removing a tree, should always be done by a professional.

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Yes, landscaping and lawn care can be done by anyone. Just like baking, anyone can do it, but are the results good and worth the effort? Hiring a professional makes sense when doing complex work such as drainage, treating insects and disease, and pruning trees over 20 feet tall, etc. Some of these things require special licensing, such as pruning large trees. Getting multiple estimates from well-regarded professionals can help you decide the best choices for a DIY project or hiring a professional.

Question 5

How much are typical landscaping costs?

Accepted Answer

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Landscaping costs around $3,500 but varies widely from $200 to $14,000. Factors that play a part in your final landscaping price tag include:

Location
Yard size
Project size
Materials
Land preparation
Type of landscaping

Considering so many factors, it’s not surprising that the overall costs can differ. A typical landscaping project is flower bed installation, which averages between $800 and $3,000. However, landscape lighting installation is a higher-end project, with a price tag of $2,000 to $6,000.