How Much Do Landscape Boulders Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $150 - $350
Landscape boulders cost $150 to $350 per ton, or around $250, on average, but prices vary based on color, shape, and rarity.
For most homeowners, landscape boulders cost between $150 and $350 per ton, or between $50 and $180 per cubic yard. Your price could climb as high as $600, depending on the type of landscaping rocks you use, the size of individual boulders, and more. If you’re looking to use landscaping boulders to create a gorgeous focal point, add interest to a garden bed, or help you section off parts of your landscaping, it’s important to know how much landscaping boulders cost. Use this guide to set an accurate budget.
- Average
- $250
- Low end
- $100
- high end
- $600
Landscaping Boulder Cost Factors
Landscape boulder installation is considered a hardscaping project, and there are a few factors that will influence the total cost of the project. Though the average landscape boulder costs around $250 per ton, the price for a single stone can rise into the thousands.
Size and Weight
Landscape boulders cost more than other types of landscaping rocks because they’re much heavier and require more labor to maneuver into place.
The size of each boulder will influence the price because larger, bulkier rocks may also demand the use of special equipment like cranes to lift them into place. You can use the table below to get a rough estimate of your landscaping boulder cost by size.
| Boulder Diameter (in) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 10” | $3–$10 |
| 12” | $5–$15 |
| 15” | $10–$30 |
| 20” | $20–$60 |
| 24” | $30–$180 |
| 30” | $50–$200 |
| 36” | $100–$350 |
| 40” | $200–$650 |
| 48” | $250–$800 |
| 49” or more | $1,000+ |
The weight of the landscaping boulders you choose will also play a role in how challenging they are to deliver and maneuver into place. You might also need to go based on weight if your boulders will be oblong or if the shape makes it challenging to measure.
Most boulders for landscaping purposes weigh around 150 pounds per cubic foot—though certain stones can cost more. You can expect to spend anywhere from $3 for a small boulder to more than $2,500 for a large boulder, not including installation and delivery.
| Landscape Boulder Weight | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 50 pounds | $3–$15 |
| 150 pounds | $7–$45 |
| 250 pounds | $13–$75 |
| 500 pounds | $25–$150 |
| 1000 pounds | $50–$300 |
| 1 ton | $100–$600 |
| 2 tons | $200–$1,200 |
| 5 tons | $500–$3,000 |
Type
Boulders vary in price based on type, with rarer stones, colors, and patterns costing more. Location also plays a role. Since transporting heavy objects comes with significant transportation costs, you’ll pay less for stones quarried locally. In fact, certain stones may only be available in certain regions. Stones imported from another country can cost two to four times the price of local stones.
When choosing a boulder for your yard, look at your other hardscaping features. You can match your new boulders to existing pavers, stone walkways, or local terrain.
| Type of Landscape Boulder | Average Cost (Per Ton) |
|---|---|
| Sandstone | $60–$300 |
| River rock | $100–$350 |
| Lava rock | $100–$600 |
| Granite | $125–$600 |
| Limestone | $130–$500 |
| Fieldstone | $250–$600 |
| Quartzite | $300–$600 |
Quantity
Suppliers often have a minimum order, so you could end up with more stones than you need. Though you can buy individual boulders from certain retailers, you’ll usually only be able to buy them by the ton. If you want to purchase smaller stones, you may be able to buy them by the pound, cubic yard, or pallet (most pallets hold 1 1/2 tons, but it depends on the size of the stones).
You’ll often pay more per ton for smaller quantities because of the minimum order, although delivery costs increase with the quantity of stones.
Site Prep
You may have to prep the area before installing your landscape boulders, like if you need land regrading or excavation to prepare the area around your foundation or develop a retaining wall. Of course, you might not need any of these services if you’re just placing landscaping boulders in the existing garden bed.
| Preparation Method | Cost |
|---|---|
| Clearing land | $1,300–$5,700 |
| Excavation | $1,500–$6,000 |
| Flattening slopes | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Regrading | $1,000–$3,000 |
Labor
Most people spend between $150 and $2,500 on delivery and installation of landscaping boulders, but it depends on the number of boulders and the scale of the project. You’ll typically need to hire a landscaper with specialized equipment given the weight of larger stones, but moving stones weighing over 150 pounds requires multiple workers and increases the labor cost. Your prices will also move upward if you need your boulders installed in tight areas around your home or if there’s limited access for heavy equipment to the installation site.
Even if you plan on moving the boulders into place yourself, delivery depends on the quarry's location and the stone's weight, so you will still need to contact a local rock delivery service to get an accurate quote. A rock delivery specialist can get your boulders to the right spot in a safe and efficient manner.
Ongoing Landscape Boulder Maintenance Costs
The beauty of landscaping boulders is that they’ll last indefinitely, and you can usually just leave them as-is once installed without maintenance. However, you might want to budget for some ongoing maintenance services if you want your yard to look as clean and manicured as possible.
| Maintenance Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| General cleaning | $25–$120 each |
| Moss removal | $30–$150 each |
| Sealing | $20–$80 each |
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Install Landscaping Boulders
You can save $50 to $75 per hour on labor—or a total of between $500 and $500 per boulder—if you install landscaping boulders on your own, but unless you’re installing very small boulders, DIYing this project can get dangerous quickly. Boulders are extremely heavy, and delivering and installing them yourself could lead to injury, especially if you don’t have professional equipment to maneuver the boulders. Even professional landscapers use a team along with specialized equipment to help offset the weight.
On top of that, installation may be a part of a professional landscape design. Often, homeowners will use boulders for retaining walls or to help with drainage, and these setups require professional knowledge. A local hardscaping company can avoid potential problems (like the risk of injury or property damage) with loose or improperly installed stones.
Cost of Common Landscape Boulder Add-Ons
Again, installing landscaping boulders may be part of a larger landscaping project that comes with some extra costs. Here are some considerations you may want to add to your budget.
| Landscape Boulder Add-Ons | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| River rock delivery and installation | $500–$800 |
| Xeriscaping | $3,000–$24,000 |
| Water features | $950–$4,800 |
| Retaining walls | $3,200–$9,200 |
| Mulching | $30–$150 per cubic yard |
| Planting flowers in mulch | $800–$3,000 |
| Planting trees | $100–$2,000 |
| Landscape curbing | $800–$2,100 |
How to Save Money on the Cost of Landscape Boulders
Landscaping boulder installation often accompanies other landscaping jobs, and costs can rack up quickly. If you need to tighten your budget, here are some helpful tips:
DIY some of the work: You may not be able to install a 500-pound boulder on your own, but you can save on labor costs by doing some of the smaller landscaping jobs, like making your own mulch and planting flowers around the installation site.
Choose stones from a local quarry: Avoid costly delivery fees by choosing stones readily available in your area.
Choose smaller stones: Smaller stones are simpler to install, so you may save on installation costs by sticking to a plan using smaller boulders that weigh less. You could even deliver and install them yourself to maximize your savings.
Looks for sales: Some landscaping retailers run sales on stones and other landscaping projects, usually in the fall when landscaping season is over. Instead of choosing a rare or high-end stone, choose one that is on sale but still looks good with your landscaping.
Keep your project minimal: Instead of doing a complete overhaul, go with a landscape design that will make the largest impact for the lowest cost. You don’t always need an extensive project to make a big difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best size rock for your landscaping depends on the design, as different boulders serve different purposes. If you want to group boulders to create a natural-looking cluster, you’ll need a range of sizes. Otherwise, here are some suggestions:
Small boulders (smaller than 12 inches across): Best for landscape edging and fire pits
Medium boulders (12–24 inches): Best for retaining walls and water features
Large boulders (more than 24 inches): Best as standalone landscaping features, steps, or walkways.
Of course, you can mix and match sizes to create a unique display.
Landscape boulders weigh around 150 pounds per cubic foot, but boulders aren’t a perfect cube. Below is the average weight of different-sized boulders, with the inches measuring across the widest point (not in diameter).
12-inch boulders: 80–100 pounds
24-inch boulders: 300–450 pounds
36-inch boulders: 1,200–1,800 pounds
48-inch boulders: 1,500–2,400 pounds
Landscape boulders, especially porous stones like sandstone or granite, can crack or break over time. Cracks occur when water seeps into the surface of the stone and freezes. The risk is highest when it rains during the day, and temperatures freeze overnight since the moisture has time to penetrate deeper into the rock before expanding.