How Much Do Landscape Boulders Cost? [2026 Data]

Landscape boulders cost an average of $250 per ton or between $50 and $180 per cubic yard. You can pay as little as $100 or as much as $600 per ton, depending on the type and shape of the boulders you use. Landscape boulders can add a striking focal point to your yard, help to create defined outdoor spaces, or be used to construct a retaining wall. Learn what factors contribute to what you’ll pay for landscaping boulders.

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

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.

Weight

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. 

Type of Boulder

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.

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.

Delivery Costs

Even if you plan on moving the boulders into place yourself, delivery costs depend 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.

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.

Why You Should Hire a Landscape Boulder Pro

Hiring a local rock delivery company is a requirement when bringing in boulders. Expect to pay $50 to $75 per hour in labor if the pro quotes by the hour, or $200 to $1,000 or more, depending on factors such as weight. Either way, this is a project you shouldn’t, and usually can’t, do on your own. 

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a landscape boulder pro

Sweat equity is the number one reason to hire a pro, but don’t discount these other, just-as-impactful reasons:

• A pro has the equipment required for safe loading and delivery. 

• You may not like the initial placement—a pro can easily move the boulder. 

• Like any project with safety risks, you want to hire someone with good insurance. 

• Pros understand soil compaction and drainage. 

• Can provide excellent feedback when a large boulder may not be the best option. 

If you want to DIY a landscape boulder project

Short answer—don’t. That being said, there are some items you can check off the list that will result in a faster, often less expensive final bill, such as:

• Mark the exact boulder placement beforehand. 

• Have 811 mark utilities on your property. 

• Measure any access points, such as gates or doorways. 

• Trim any branches or trees in the planned path. 

• Mark septic areas and sprinkler systems. 

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.

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.

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. 

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