How Much Does Hardscaping Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $5,000 - $18,000
Hardscaping costs between $5,000 and $18,000 in most cases, with an average of $9,000. Pricing depends on the type, size, and labor costs for the job.
Hardscaping costs around $9,000, on average, and prices for common hardscaping projects usually range from $5,000 to $18,000. The cost can vary widely, depending on the type of project you’re completing, but in general, you can expect to spend $5 to $25 per square foot on hardscaping, depending on materials and labor.
- Average
- $9,000
- Low end
- $300
- high end
- $100,000
Hardscaping Cost Factors
Aside from the type of hardscaping project you decide to pursue, many factors, from demolition to permitting, can increase the cost.
Hardscaping Cost per Square Foot
The average cost of hardscaping is between $5 and $25 per square foot. Some projects—like patio installations—start around $10 per square foot, while a new deck costs around $30 to $60 per square foot and can far exceed the cost per square foot.
Hardscaping and landscaping are sometimes difficult to distinguish, but pricing varies significantly due to the materials and labor required for installation.
| Landscaping Type | Average Cost Range per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Hardscaping | $5–$25 |
| Landscaping | $4–$10 |
Materials
Common hardscaping materials include concrete, pavers, and natural stone, but any hard material, like crushed stone or gravel, can also fall under the hardscaping umbrella. The material you choose will play a major role in your total costs, especially if you’re using the material to cover a large area, as in the case of a deck or patio.
| Material Type | Cost (per sq. ft.) |
|---|---|
| Belgian blocks | $9–$11 |
| Brick | $2–$3 |
| Composite decking | $12–$22 |
| Concrete blocks | $2–$3 |
| Outdoor tile | $3–$15 |
| Poured concrete | $4–$5 |
| Pavers | $8–$50 |
| Pea gravel | $0.80–$2.75 |
| River rock | $1–$2 |
| Natural stone | $15–$50 |
| Wood | $2–$35 |
Permits
Permits for outdoor projects cost anywhere between $60 and $2,000, depending on the project and your local municipality. You should always hire a hardscaper to help determine if you need permits, but you’ll likely need them for just about any “permanent” improvements to the land, such as pouring concrete slabs or anything with footings, like decks. However, you won’t need permits to place down loose materials like pavers, gravel, or flagstone.
Demolition
You may need to tear out old walkways or patios to make room for new hardscaping, and demolition can cost anywhere between $200 and over $10,000 if you need to remove multiple concrete walkways and patios.
Site Prep
Depending on the current state of your yard, your professionals might need to complete site prep before they can start on your hardscaping projects. If the ground is sloped and uneven, you may need land excavation and grading before installing the patio and outdoor kitchen. Other projects, like decks, water features, and playsets, often don’t require intensive land prep.
Soil grading costs $0.20 to $2 per square foot, while land excavation costs $1,000 to $2,500 for patios and $1,400 to $5,800 for land clearing.
Labor
Hiring a hardscape contractor near you will cost about $50 to $100 per hour. The total labor cost can range from around $200 up to $50,000 or more, depending on the scope of the work. You may also need to work with other professionals for larger projects, like a local electrician, for about $50 to $100 per hour to run electricity to an outdoor kitchen.
Location
Hardscaping costs can vary from place to place. These are the average costs homeowners spend on hardscaping in different cities around the U.S.
| U.S. Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $4,500 |
| Charlotte, NC | $3,900 |
| Chicago, IL | $5,900 |
| Honolulu, HI | $7,550 |
| Houston, TX | $4,200 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $4,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $5,150 |
| Memphis, TN | $4,450 |
| Miami, FL | $4,100 |
| Seattle, WA | $5,550 |
How Much Do Hardscaping Projects Cost by Hardscaping Type?
Hardscaping can cost anywhere from $300 up to $100,000, depending on the project. It involves a variety of different elements, from pathways to porches, and with so many different options, the costs vary from project to project.
| Hardscaping Project | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Concrete patio | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Concrete walkway | $1,600–$2,400 |
| Deck | $4,300–$12,500 |
| Firepit | $200–$3,000 |
| Gazebo | $2,500–$9,500 |
| Outdoor kitchen | $6,000–$100,000 |
| Paver patio | $2,400–$7,000 |
| Pergola | $2,100–$6,300 |
| Play set | $300–$1,200 |
| Porch | $4,000–$90,000 |
| Water feature | $930–$5,000 |
Concrete Patio
A concrete patio will cost you between $2,000 and $5,000, making it an affordable way to create an outdoor entertainment space. Add a table and set of chairs, and you’ve got a low-cost project that boosts home value and usability.
Concrete Walkway
Since poured concrete is an affordable option that can last for decades without needing replacement, consider installing a concrete walkway for between $1,600 and $2,400, depending on the square footage.
Deck
The average cost to build a deck is $8,200, ranging from $30 to $60 per square foot. If you want an upper-level deck so you can roll out of bed, step outside, and watch the sunrise, expect to pay around $38 to $80 per square foot.
Firepit
To add a cozy feel to your backyard, consider the cost of adding a firepit for about $200 to $3,000. With a fire pit, you can enjoy a glass of wine by the fire after a long day, invite friends over on a chilly fall evening, or roast marshmallows and hot dogs with the kids. Premade firepits cost less than larger or customized ones.
Gazebo
A gazebo costs between $2,500 and $9,500, depending on the size, and creates a mostly enclosed space where you can enjoy bird-watching, sipping coffee, or practicing yoga.
Outdoor Kitchen
An average outdoor kitchen costs around $16,200, but if you want to add a top-of-the-line fridge, dishwasher, and a wet bar for entertaining guests, you can spend over $100,000 for an outdoor kitchen with luxury additions, plus electrical and plumbing hookups.
Paver Patio
A paver patio costs between $2,400 and $7,000, on average. It’s a more expensive option than poured concrete, but you often don’t need a permit for installation, it looks a bit more high-end, and repairs and ongoing maintenance are generally less time-consuming.
Pergola
A pergola costs between $2,100 to $6,300 and offers shade to your outdoor spaces. There are many types of pergolas, including wood or vinyl options, and they’re a perfect backdrop for climbing plants.
Playset
Adding a play set to your backyard costs between $300 and $1,200 in most cases. Complex wood constructions with a playhouse, multiple swings, and a big covered slide will cost more, while simpler play sets with a couple of swings and an uncovered slide will be less expensive.
Porch
A new porch can cost $4,000 and $90,000, depending on the size and whether you want an enclosed, finished porch or one that’s just screened in to keep out the bugs. With costs ranging from $25 to $110 per square foot, the price for larger porches will quickly add up.
Water Feature
Water features cost between $930 and $5,000 and can add exciting visual elements to your backyard. Items like paying for outdoor water fountain costs or waterfalls are attractive options to add to gardens or pools but keep in mind that winterizing water features—and starting them back up in the spring—can add annual costs of about $360 to $700.
Ongoing Hardscaping Costs
While you’re budgeting for your upfront hardscaping costs, it’s a good idea to keep ongoing maintenance and repair costs in mind.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Most hardscaping projects will require routine maintenance and cleaning, like power washing patios and walkways, sanding and refinishing decks, and making sure water features remain clean, especially if you have live fish.
Your maintenance and cleaning costs will vary widely depending on the hardscaping feature you add to your yard. Try to budget for between 5% and 10% of your installation costs per year to keep everything looking like new. Below are some common prices you’ll see for common hardscaping maintenance.
| Maintenance Item | Cost (per instance) |
|---|---|
| Deck refinishing | $900–$2,700 |
| Pond cleaning | $250–$450 |
| Power wash patio | $100–$400 |
| Power wash walkway | $100–$200 |
| Reseal patio | $250–$1,100 |
Repairs
In addition to ongoing maintenance, you might want to keep some money in reserves to pay for ongoing repairs to your hardscaping. Again, the cost can range quite a bit depending on the type of hardscaping you have.
| Repair Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Fix concrete crack | $300 |
| Fix sinking concrete | $300–$800 |
| Replace broken paver | $75–$150 |
| Replace water pump | $100–$1,300 |
| Rescreen porch | $800–$5,200 |
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro for Hardscaping Projects
Some hardscaping projects are easy and cost-effective to DIY. You could lay a quaint stone path from your door to your raised vegetable beds for about $2 to $10 per stone, and it’s a project you can finish in a day. Similarly, if you have a wheelbarrow and shovel, you can DIY landscape edging or a path made of gravel or other loose rocks, provided you have the substrate delivered to your home.
Some projects aren’t safe for a DIYer to tackle, especially if you need to work with electrical wires for lighting or outlets. Projects that require permits—including anything that involves concrete footings or concrete poured directly on the soil—demand help from a professional and might even require a pro’s help to pull the permits for you.
When in doubt, contact a hardscaper near you for a professional-looking final product and peace of mind that your project is handled legally and safely.
Cost of Common Hardscaping Add-Ons
Hardscaping and landscaping go hand in hand to create an appealing exterior for your home and boost curb appeal and home value even more. You might want to consider the following add-on services that local landscapers or hardscapers can usually tackle for you.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Drainage system | $500–$18,000 |
| Flower beds | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Land leveling | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Mulching | $100–$800 |
| Outdoor lighting | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Retaining wall | $3,200–$9,000 |
| Sprinkler system | $1,700–$3,500 |
| Stump removal | $300–$500 |
| Swimming pool | $39,000–$70,000 |
| Tree removal | $200–$2,000 |
How to Save on the Cost of Hardscaping
In most cases, saving money on hardscaping comes down to determining which projects are DIYable and when hiring a hardscape contractor is best. For example, choosing the best type of landscaping rocks and distributing them throughout your landscape is a cost-saving project to tackle yourself. On the other hand, it's better to invest in the cost of a retaining wall installed by a professional to ensure it remains structurally sound.
Additional ways to cut the costs of hardscaping include the following:
Schedule your contractor far ahead of time to take advantage of material cost fluctuations.
Request at least three estimates from contractors to compare cost factors.
Schedule multiple projects at one time for bulk pricing.
Handle all ground prep work on your own whenever possible.
Reseed your lawn or replant the garden yourself after the hardscape installation rather than hiring a pro.
Opt for the budget-friendly materials available in your area.
Wait for end-of-season sales from hardscape supply stores.
Work with wholesale material supplies and remain flexible about your design.
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
Yes, hardscaping features bring value to your landscape, and they can even increase the value of your home. Hardscaping works best alongside professional landscaping. According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of Landscape Professionals, researchers found that hardscape upgrades, landscape upgrades, landscape management, and lawn care services are the top four outdoor projects that add value to a property for resale.
Most hardscaping projects will take a professional between two and seven days, although the timeline can vary widely based on the specific project. For example, a pro can tackle landscape curbing or laying down a gravel path in just a few hours, whereas a paver patio or deck construction can take several days, including the time for footers or concrete slabs to dry. If you’re tackling a simple hardscaping project yourself, expect it to take one to two days to complete.
Hardscaping often involves laying down materials like pavers, concrete, wood, or rock over level land, so one of the best things you can do to prepare is to level the land yourself where your hardscaping material will sit. This is time-consuming, but it’s important and a great way to save on labor costs. You can also shop for materials beforehand and store them on your property in preparation for a professional installation, giving you time to take advantage of savings and deals on different materials.