How Much Do Hedges Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $900 - $1,300
The average hedge costs $1,100, but it can range between $900 and $1,300, depending on type and size.
Planting hedges can add beauty, privacy, and distinction to your yard. But how much do hedges cost? The cost to plant 50 linear feet of hedges ranges from $500 to $2,200, with an average price of $1,100, depending on the type and size of the hedge plant. The average cost ranges from $10 to $44 per linear foot. Let’s dig into how to budget for the cost of planting new hedges.
- Average
- $1,100
- Low end
- $500
- high end
- $2,200
Hedge Planting Cost Factors
Like most yard projects and landscaping costs, several factors determine the total job cost. The cost of hedges is no different, and costs vary widely based on the following factors.
Length
The most prominent pricing factor for hedges is the length of the hedgerow. The average project size for hedges encompasses about 50 linear feet, which is enough to line a small backyard's perimeter or a partial property line.
| Hedge Length (Linear Feet) | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 5 | $50–$220 |
| 10 | $100–$440 |
| 25 | $250–$1,100 |
| 50 | $500–$2,200 |
| 100 | $1,000–$4,400 |
| 250 | $2,500–$11,000 |
| 500 | $5,000–$22,000 |
Height
Hedge plants are available at different maturity levels and heights. While the future height of your plant is adjustable through hedge trimming, the more mature the plants are at the start, the more they'll cost per linear foot.
| Hedge Height | Cost Range (Per Linear Foot) |
|---|---|
| 1–3 feet | $10–$30 |
| 3–6 feet | $25–$44 |
Type
You should also consider the type of hedge when budgeting for this landscaping project because they’re available at various price points.
| Plant Name | Average Price (1- to 3-foot size or equivalent) | Average Price (3- to 6-foot size or equivalent) |
|---|---|---|
| Arborvitae | $20–$40 | $40–$80 |
| Boxwood | $15–$45 | $30–$90 |
| Cypress | $25–$35 | $50–$70 |
| Juniper | $18–$28 | $36–$52 |
| Abelia | $17–$40 | $34–$80 |
| Hydrangea | $30–$45 | $60–$90 |
| Holly | $15–$25 | $30–$50 |
| Privet | $20–$32 | $40–$64 |
Labor
If you hire a professional landscaping service to plant your hedges, you can expect labor costs to range from $250 to $1,250 for 50 linear feet of planting, with an average of $700. Landscaping companies typically charge between $50 and $100 per hour, and labor costs generally account for between 31% and 53% of the job cost. When hiring a landscaping company near you, be sure to provide them with the specifics of your project, including the number and type of hedges, to get an accurate estimate of their services.
Prep
Planting hedges often means that you're upgrading your home's landscaping. Preparation for hedges may include:
Removing or moving trees
Taking down fences
General yard clean-up.
The cost to remove a tree averages around $750, while your landscaper will likely charge between $50 and $100 per hour if other extensive prep work is necessary.
Rentals
Renting equipment like hedge trimmers, shovels, or digging tools can add to the total cost of hedge installation. These tools may be necessary if you don’t already own them, especially for larger projects. The rental duration and type of equipment will impact how much you spend.
Soil, Fertilizer, Mulch, and Compost
The cost for quality soil and amendments like fertilizer, mulch, and compost are essential for healthy hedge growth. The cost of fill dirt for landscaping costs an average of $830 per truckload. These materials help improve soil structure, retain moisture, and provide vital nutrients. The quantity and quality of each will vary based on your hedge type and the condition of your garden soil.
Delivery Fee
If you’re purchasing hedges or large quantities of supplies, there may be a delivery fee for transporting these to your home. Delivery fees can vary depending on the distance, size of the order, and the supplier. Factoring in delivery costs can help you budget more accurately for your project.
Irrigation
The average cost of installing a drip irrigation system is $350, but costs can range anywhere from $20 to $4,000, depending on factors such as materials and labor. Ensuring your hedges are properly watered is crucial for their long-term health, and a well-designed drip irrigation system can help maintain your hedges without having to commit to manual watering.
Permits
If a permit is necessary for a large landscaping project that includes adding hedges, expect to pay between $500 and $2,750 to obtain one. Although planting a hedge usually doesn’t require a permit, some cities may require one for hedges that exceed certain heights.
Ongoing Expenses for Hedges
Planting hedges can incur ongoing costs if you choose to hire yard work out to a professional yard care service.
Maintenance
Maintaining hedges can cost between $75 and $125 per visit for professional trimming and shaping, while lawn care services like mowing and weed control typically range from $50 to $250 per appointment. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, trimming and pruning hedges yourself with shears is a budget-friendly alternative. Regular upkeep ensures your hedges stay healthy, lush, and vibrant.
DIY Hedge Planting vs. Hiring a Pro
DIY planting hedges is possible if you commit sweat equity and a willingness to get dirty. However, planting large hedges using mature plants typically requires relatively heavy-duty equipment to manage the job efficiently and safely. DIY hedge planting is a solid option when manually digging to put in small plants that will need to grow to maturity to become a full hedge.
If hedge planting isn't your idea of a fun weekend, or if you need help and expert advice about what to plant, when, and how, a local landscaping company can provide those services and finish the job in a fraction of the time. These pros have the skills, tools, and experience to place your hedges perfectly in line with the surrounding landscape and provide suggestions as needed.
Cost of Common Hedge Planting Add-Ons
Planting hedges is often only one part of a larger landscaping project. Other projects to tackle while hedge planting may include pruning trees, removing trees, planting new ones, or adding a garden or new sod.
Cost to prune trees: $450–$1,400
Cost to remove a tree: $200–$2,000
Tree-planting cost: $100–$300
Cost to design a landscape: $1,900–$7,200
Sod installation cost: $1,100–$3,000
How to Save Money When Planting Hedges
Multiple ways exist to reduce the cost of planting hedges. Most of them require trading time for money. Doing the job yourself may take a day to several days or more. However, you could save around 40% of the job cost by not hiring a landscaping pro who can perform the work in under a day.
Another way to save money is to opt for installing smaller plants and waiting for them to grow into a mature hedge instead of purchasing more mature plants. Starting with less costly small plants saves on material costs, as well as planting labor and equipment costs, and it’s a much easier task when DIYing hedge planting.
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 extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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 costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hedges are a better financial investment for a home than fences in several ways. First, hedges are less expensive to install than fences. Fence installation costs $1,775 to $4,600, depending on the type and size. You can also choose to plant smaller and less expensive hedges, knowing that it will take longer for them to mature. Next, mature hedges add resale value to the home, meaning the cost savings get even better when it's time to sell.
Hedge plants are available in almost every size, from seedlings to fully mature, six-foot-tall shrubs. Planting smaller plants is much easier and more cost-effective. However, it can take years for the plants to reach maturity and create a full hedge. Garden centers and specialty retailers sometimes offer three to four-foot wide plants that you can simply plant next to each other for an instant full hedge.