Landscaping Pricing by State

Professional landscaping can transform your outdoor space, increasing curb appeal and property value. Costs vary widely depending on whether you need simple maintenance like mulching and trimming or a complete redesign with new plantings and hardscaping. The price is influenced by the size of the area, the maturity of the plants chosen, and the labor intensity of the design.

What Affects the Price

Understanding these cost drivers helps you budget accurately and evaluate contractor quotes:

Size of the project area
Cost of plants, trees, and sod
Hardscaping materials (pavers, stone, gravel)
Site preparation and grading requirements
Installation of irrigation or lighting systems
Design and consultation fees

Standard Inclusions

These items are typically included in a standard landscaping quote:

Labor for planting and installation
Soil preparation and amendments
Mulch or ground cover application
Initial watering and care instructions

What's Typically Not Included

These items usually cost extra or require a separate contractor:

Ongoing maintenance (mowing, weeding)
Major excavation or retaining wall engineering
Permit fees for large projects
Utility line marking and relocation

Pro Tips for Landscaping

Expert advice to help you get the best value and results:

Use native plants to reduce water and maintenance costs.
Plan your project in phases if you have a limited budget.
Ask for a sketch or 3D design to visualize the result before digging.
Check if your HOA requires approval for landscaping changes.

💰 Pricing Deep Dive: How Landscaping Costs Really Work

Landscaping is one of the most variable home services because it encompasses everything from planting a few bushes ($200) to a complete yard redesign ($15,000+). Design fees alone can run $500-$2,500 for a professional landscape architect. The key cost driver is hardscape vs. softscape: installing a paver patio ($15-$30/sq ft) costs dramatically more than planting a flower bed ($5-$15/sq ft) because of the materials, base preparation, and skilled labor involved. Many homeowners are shocked by the cost of soil amendment, grading, and drainage work — the invisible preparation that determines whether plants survive long-term.

⚠️ Common Mistakes When Hiring for Landscaping

❌Planting without considering mature size — a cute 3-foot shrub that grows to 15 feet will cause problems in 5 years

❌Ignoring drainage and grading — water pooling near the foundation leads to basement leaks and structural damage

❌Over-planting for instant impact — plants need room to grow; dense planting leads to overcrowding and disease

❌Not choosing plants suited to your USDA hardiness zone and sun exposure — wrong plant, wrong place is the #1 cause of landscape failure

❌Skipping irrigation planning — hand-watering works for a few plants but is unsustainable for full landscape projects

🔧 DIY or Hire a Pro? — Landscaping

✅ You Can DIY

Planting flowers, ground covers, and small shrubs
Mulching garden beds (save $2-4/sq ft in labor)
Edging along walks and driveways
Installing simple drip irrigation with a kit
Seasonal cleanup and pruning of small plants

🚫 Hire a Professional

Grading and drainage work (affects your home's foundation)
Retaining walls over 2 feet tall (engineering and code requirements)
Paver patio and walkway installation (base preparation is critical)
Tree planting for specimens over 2-inch caliper
Irrigation system design and installation

Our Take: Planting and mulching are the most rewarding DIY projects — the learning curve is gentle and mistakes are fixable. But hardscaping, grading, and large tree work require professional skills, tools, and often permits.

📊 Real-World Landscaping Cost Scenarios

Here's what you might actually pay in common real-world situations:

Foundation Planting

Total: $1,500-$4,000 for a typical front bed (materials + labor)

Remove overgrown shrubs and replant the front of the house with appropriate-sized plants and fresh mulch.

Paver Patio

Total: $4,500-$9,000 ($15-$30 per sq ft)

Install a 300 sq ft paver patio with a proper gravel base, edge restraints, and polymeric sand joints.

Full Backyard Design

Total: $10,000-$30,000+ — highly variable based on scope and materials

Professional design, grading, patio, planting beds, irrigation, and sod. Complete transformation.

📖 Landscaping Terms You Should Know

Understanding these industry terms helps you communicate with contractors and evaluate quotes:

Hardscape

Non-living elements: patios, walkways, retaining walls, fire pits. More expensive to install but essentially permanent.

Softscape

Living elements: plants, trees, shrubs, grass. Ongoing maintenance required but can be changed over time.

Caliper

How trees are measured for pricing — the trunk diameter at 6 inches above ground. A 3-inch caliper tree is significantly more expensive than a 1.5-inch.

Hardiness Zone

USDA classification based on average minimum winter temperature. Determines which plants can survive in your area. Critical for perennial selections.

Complete Guide to Hiring Landscaping Services

Professional landscaping enhances curb appeal, increases property value, and creates outdoor living spaces for your family. From simple maintenance to complete redesigns, understanding landscape design principles, plant selection, and hardscape options helps you communicate your vision and evaluate proposals effectively.

Before You Hire: Preparation Checklist

Taking these steps before contacting contractors will help you get accurate quotes and avoid surprises:

✓Define your goals: curb appeal, privacy, entertainment space, low maintenance
✓Know your budget range (landscape projects can vary from $1,000 to $50,000+)
✓Gather inspiration photos from magazines or Pinterest
✓Understand your property: sun exposure, soil type, drainage patterns
✓Check HOA restrictions on landscaping changes

Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring

These questions help you evaluate contractors and protect yourself from poor service:

"Do you provide a design or just installation?"

Why this matters: Design services ensure cohesive results and avoid expensive mistakes

"What is your warranty on plants?"

Why this matters: Many landscapers offer 1-year warranties on plant material

"Who will be doing the actual installation work?"

Why this matters: Know if it's in-house crews or subcontractors

"Do you include irrigation in your proposal?"

Why this matters: New plants often need irrigation systems for establishment

When to Call a Professional

While some tasks can be DIY, these situations typically require professional expertise:

⚠️Major grade changes or drainage issues

⚠️Retaining wall construction

⚠️Irrigation system installation

⚠️Tree removal or large tree planting

⚠️Patio, walkway, or hardscape installation

DIY vs. Professional: What You Can Do Yourself

Planting flowers, mulching beds, and simple garden maintenance are great DIY projects. Even some hardscaping like simple paths or small patios can be DIY. However, grading, drainage, retaining walls, and irrigation typically require professional expertise.

🚩 Red Flags: Warning Signs of Bad Contractors

Watch out for these warning signs that may indicate an unreliable or dishonest contractor:

✗No design phase—just wants to start digging
✗Can't explain plant selections and their care needs
✗No references from completed projects
✗Significantly underpriced (may use low-quality plants)
✗No written contract with plant and material specifications

Seasonal Timing Tips

The best time to schedule service can save you money and ensure better availability:

Spring

Best time for planting most trees and shrubs; soil is workable

Summer

Focus on maintenance; new plantings struggle in heat

Fall

Excellent for tree planting and hardscape projects; soil still warm

Winter

Planning season; many landscapers offer off-season discounts for spring work

⚡ Safety Considerations

Call 811 before any digging to mark utility lines
Use proper lifting techniques for heavy materials
Wear gloves when handling soil and mulch
Be cautious of poison ivy and other toxic plants

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from others' mistakes—these are the most common errors homeowners make:

⚠Planting without considering mature plant size
⚠Not accounting for sun/shade changes
⚠Ignoring drainage patterns
⚠Choosing plants not suited to your climate zone

💰 Cost-Saving Strategies

Smart ways to reduce costs without sacrificing quality:

Phase the project over multiple seasons
Choose smaller plants (they catch up to larger ones within 2-3 years)
Use more native plants (less maintenance and watering)
Do your own mulching and maintenance

Get Landscaping Cost Estimates by State

Select your state below to view estimated costs adjusted for your local cost of living. Our estimates use official government data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Understanding Landscaping Costs Nationwide

Landscaping costs vary significantly across the United States based on regional labor rates, cost of living differences, and local market conditions. States with higher costs of living, like California and New York, typically see higher service prices, while more affordable regions offer lower rates.

Beyond geography, the actual cost of your project depends on factors specific to your situation: the scope of work, accessibility, materials required, and the timing of your project. Emergency or after-hours service typically commands premium rates, while scheduling during a contractor's off-peak season may offer savings.

To get the most accurate pricing for your specific needs, we recommend requesting quotes from at least three local contractors. Use our estimates as a starting point to understand whether the quotes you receive are in line with typical market rates for your area.