Landscaping costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Your landscape design plan costs range from $1,934 to $7,257, based on your project scope.
Your yard size and design complexity drive your total, and slopes or curved edges raise labor time.
You should budget for materials and add-ons, with features like ponds or gazebos adding $200 to $30,000.
Hiring a local landscaping professional provides reliable help and saves you time with planning, plants, and permits.
Are you dreaming up your ideal outdoor space? Whatever your vision is, a professional landscape designer near you can help you achieve it. The average cost of hiring a landscape designer is $4,580, and most homeowners pay somewhere between $1,934 and $7,257. Ultimately, what you’ll pay will depend on the size of the outdoor space and the complexity of your desired design.
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.
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:
| Type of Fee | Fee Range | Average Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation fee | $100–$3,000 | $300 |
| Flat rate | $300–$15,000 | $4,500 |
| Hourly rate | $50–$150 | $100 |
| Percentage of project | 10–70% | 55% |
| Project rate | $300–$15,000 | $4,500 |
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:
| Design Complexity | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic | $300–$600 |
| Intermediate | $700–$3,000 |
| Complex | $3,500–$10,000+ |
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.
| Yard Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Small (1/4) acre) | $2,500 |
| Medium (½ acre to 1 acre) | $5,000 |
| Large (1.5 acres to 3 acres) | $8,000 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A soil test can tell you specific nutrients your soil needs in order to grow plants and grass. For example, a clay or marshy soil could mean your plants take longer take root and grow, which is important information to have when starting your project.
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:
| Material | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Crushed stone | $27–$64 per ton |
| Brick | $10–$14 per square foot |
| Paver | $3–$20 per square foot |
| Stone | $8–$50 per square foot |
| Pea gravel | $40–$95 per ton |
| Sod | $0.35–$0.85 per square foot |
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.
| Feature | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Pond | $1,300–$5,800 |
| Fence | $1,700–$4,500 |
| Deck Building | $4,300–$12,500 |
| Patio | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Pergola or trellis | $2,000–$6,500 |
| Aboveground fire pit | $200–$1,500 |
| Gazebo | $2,500–$10,000 |
| Flower garden | $300–$3,000 |
| Xeriscaping | $10,000–$30,000 |
| Installing turf | $5–$20 per sq. ft. |
| Yard and softscape | $50–$150 per hour |
| Vegetable garden | $0.03–$0.10 per sq. ft. |
| Installing shrubs | $25–$50 each |
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.
Landscape design is a substantial project to undertake, especially if you have a larger yard or are working on a more complex project. A feature such as a pond can cost between $1,300 and $5,800, and a patio can cost between $2,000 and $6,000. Hiring the right landscape designer for your needs can be expensive, but it’s worthwhile for the professional finished appearance they can provide.
A professional landscaper brings technical skill, design strategy, and practical problem-solving that can be tricky for DIY projects.
Pros will conduct a comprehensive site analysis (including sun exposure, soil pH, slope, drainage paths, and microclimates) to design a landscape that suits your environment.
A pro can create scaled design plans or 3D renderings to help you visualize the layout before any work begins.
They know which plant species will thrive in your exact region, reducing the risk of choosing plants that die within a season.
Landscapers can resolve challenging yard issues, including erosion, standing water, poor grading, and compacted soil.
A professional can integrate irrigation systems, outdoor lighting, and hardscaping into a cohesive plan, rather than piecing it together over time.
Pros understand local building codes, HOA guidelines, and permit requirements for features like retaining walls, decks, and patios.
If you want to DIY this project, there are several parts of landscape design and installation that homeowners can confidently tackle with a bit of planning.
Handling basic planting tasks like adding shrubs, flowers, or small trees that don’t require major soil amendments or equipment.
Spreading mulch, compost, or decorative stone to refresh garden beds and improve curb appeal.
Installing simple edging around garden beds using pavers, metal edging, or stone borders.
Building small-scale features such as raised garden beds or container gardens.
Adding low-voltage or solar landscape lighting that doesn’t require electrical expertise.
Tackling DIY-friendly hardscaping projects like gravel pathways or stepping-stone walkways.
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.
Be prepared to discuss your must-have features (gardens, patios, lighting, privacy screening, water features, etc.)
Gather measurements or photos of your yard to help the pro understand the current layout, scale, and any problem areas.
Assemble your preferred materials and plant styles, ranging from hardscaping finishes to low-maintenance or native plants.
Ask about project timelines and installation phases, especially if you want the work completed by a certain season or event.
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.
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