Landscaping Costs

Table of Contents

1. Landscape Prices
2. Landscape Installation Projects
3. Landscape Installation Cost
4. Lawn Seeding Cost
5. Sod Installation Cost
6. Soil, Mulch or Rock Installation & Delivery Costs
7. Turf Installation Cost
8. Sprinkler System Installation Cost
9. Landscape Curbing Installation Cost
10. Outdoor Misting System Installation Cost
11. Pond Installation Cost
12. Water Fountain Installation Cost
13. Landscape Repair Projects
14. Sprinkler System Repair Cost
15. Outdoor Misting System Repair Cost
16. Landscape Maintenance Projects
17. Lawn Maintenance Cost
18. Sprinkler System Maintenance Cost
19. Tree Maintenance Cost
20. Tree Trimming or Removal Cost
21. Landscaping Material Costs
22. Garden Trends
23. DIY Landscaping: Save Money with These 5 Tips
24. Find A Pro

Landscape Prices

As you can see above, there are plenty of landscaping projects to choose from. Whether you wan to install new sod, repair your broken sprinkler system or even add an eye-catching water feature, the average cost of landscaping can be found here. See the average prices for all landscaping installation, repair, maintenance and miscellaneous projects below.

Landscape Installation Projects

The following tasks are the most popular landscaping installation projects:

1. Install Landscaping
2. Install Seeds
3. Install Sod
4. Install or Deliver Soil, Mulch or Rock
5. Install Turf
6. Install A Sprinkler System
7. Install Landscape Curbing
8. Install An Outdoor Misting System
9. Install A Pond
10. Install A Water Fountain

Landscape Installation Cost

Most homeowners embarking on various landscaping projects will probably have basic landscaping set up, such as grass, dirt, sod, etc. However, if you moved into a newly constructed home, you may have decided to forgo landscaping. As such, you’ll have to install your own. Well, according to our landscaping installation cost estimator, most homeowners spend nearly $3,000 to install new landscaping. Depending on the size of your yard, we have seen prices go as high as $8,000 for landscape installation.

Lawn Seeding Cost

Now that your landscape has been installed, you need to add seeds (if going with real grass). The average cost to seed a lawn will rely heavily on the size of your lawn. However, you can save a lot of money by seeding the lawn yourself. Other than materials, the only expense that comes with DIY seeding is time. 

If you hire a professional landscaper, expect to pay roughly $1,300 to seed a lawn. The price may seem high, but seeding takes longer than many homeowners anticipate. If you have a large lawn, renting or buying a seed spreader is probably a good investment. 

Sod Installation Cost

If you don’t have the patience to watch your seeds grow, sod is a terrific alternative. Sod is essentially squares of grass with roots attached that can easily be delivered and installed in one afternoon. Nonetheless, that immediacy will cost you. As our sod installation guide dictates, most homeowners pay between $2,000 and $2,800 to have sod professionally installed.

Soil, Mulch or Rock Installation & Delivery Costs

If your grass is just not growing or you live in a climate not ideal for outdoor living, mulch is necessary. Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil and prevents weeds. It feeds the soil and provides an ideal temperature for your landscape.

Mulch delivery is not cheap. A bag containing less than 1 cubic foot of mulch can range from $2 to $10. Depending on the type of mulch used, and whether or not you deliver and install it yourself, most mulch projects range from $200 to $1,000.

We’ll dive more into the material cost below.

Turf Installation Cost

As you will read later, your lawn is not a set it and forget it aspect of your home. Lawn maintenance can be time-consuming and as such, many homeowners opt for artificial grass, AKA turf.

Artificial grass looks and feels similar to real grass, yet requires very little maintenance once installed. It does not need to be watered or cut. Sadly, little maintenance usually results in higher upfront costs and that is certainly the case with turf installation. Most homeowners spend $4,000 to install new turf.

Sprinkler System Installation Cost

As we move down the landscaping prices list, maintenance enters the picture. Rather than go outside and water their lawns every two to three days, many homeowners install a sprinkler system.

There are many factors that decrease or increase the total cost, such as the size of your lawn, quality of parts and whether or not you already have landscaping in place. In general, it’s cheaper to install sprinklers before landscaping id added. Nevertheless, if you want o save yourself hundreds of hours watering your landscape, expect to pay between $2,000 and $5,000. If you DIY, the cost is probably closer to $1,500.

Landscape Curbing Installation Cost

Curbing adds precision around your landscape. It essentially tells your guest that one area ends here and another begins. How you go about adding the curbing, as well as the chosen material, will affect the total installation cost.

DIY curbing projects are tricky. If you’re just trimming a few bushes or adding a few bricks, you can surely complete the job without a professional. However, if you’re adding cement or concrete, you may have to hire a professional landscaper. Overall, expect to pay $1,196 to install landscape curbing.

Outdoor Misting System Installation Cost

The final three landscaping installation projects are nice additions, but certainly not necessities. All three can add to the overall comfort and design of your new landscape.

If you live in warmer climates, you know how muggy or dry your backyard can get. Therefore, many eager landscapers install an outdoor misting system. Other than a retractable roof, installing an outdoor misting system is easily the most effective way to cool an outdoor space. If you’re serious about outside comfort, expect to pay $2,500 for installation.

Pond Installation Cost

If you think your backyard is missing something, but don’t want to go all out and install a pool, think about adding a pond. Just like a warm shower at the end of the day, ponds are known to distress without breaking the bank.

The total cost of your pond installation will depend on myriad of factors including:

• Size
• Type of Liner
• Materials
• Location of Home
• Location of Pond

Overall, expect to pay somewhere between $2,487 and $3,611 to have a new pond constructed on your property.

Water Fountain Installation Cost

The final installation project most landscapers consider is a water fountain. Nothing embellishes a front or backyard like a water fountain. Furthermore, unlike some of the previous projects, water fountains can greatly increase the value of your home.

Fortunately, water fountains are low maintenance as the water is usually recycled through the system. To install a brand new water fountain on your property, plan on spending at least $2,100 for professional installation.

Landscape Repair Projects

The following tasks are the most popular landscaping repair projects:

• Repair A Sprinkler System
• Repair An Outdoor Misting System

Sprinkler System Repair Cost

Almost every home addition will need certain repairs or upkeep over its lifetime and landscaping is no different. While maintenance is more prevalent with landscaping, certain repairs will be necessary.

Sadly, even the best sprinkler systems will need repairs once and a while. Various problems such as broken pipes, timer issues or winterization problems will require professional assistance. The total repair cost will depend on the issue at end, but most homeowners spend about $300 to repair their faulty sprinkler system.

Outdoor Misting System Repair Cost

Just like sprinklers, the most serious outdoor misting system issues result from pipe issues. Fixing these problems is not only time-consuming, but expensive as well. If pipes are the cause, technicians will have to get involved, driving the total repair cost up. If the pipes are not the issue, and the mister is misaligned or the wiring is damaged, most professional landscapers can repair the system. Depending on the issue, plan on shelling out $200 to $600.

Landscape Maintenance Projects

The following tasks are the most popular landscaping maintenance projects:

• Maintain A Lawn
• Maintain A Sprinkler System
• Maintain A Tree
• Trim or Remove A Tree

Lawn Maintenance Cost

Installing a beautiful landscape is one thing, but maintaining that attractive scene is certainly another. Lawn maintenance is not a task for the faint. It takes time and persistence to keep your landscape looking as good as the day it was installed. As such, many homeowners hire professional landscapers to mow their lawns, winterize their yards or weed around their plants.

Those homeowners who opt for professional help spend $245. Remember, that cost is recurring. You can’t mow your lawn one time a year.

Sprinkler System Maintenance Cost

Your sprinkler system can take a beating. All sprinkler systems have to fight through rain, snow, heat and all other outdoor elements. As such, it needs some TLC once in a while.

If you live in a colder climate, all sprinkler system owners should winterize their sprinkler system before snow comes your way. Once spring comes along, you have to reactivate it. Luckily, with a little research, you can accomplish both tasks without a professional. On the other hand, if you do call a landscaper, the total project cost should not exceed $130.

Tree Maintenance Cost

Lawn maintenance of course extends to your flowers, shrubs and trees. Just like us, shrubs and trees need haircuts once in awhile. While this maintenance project is not needed as often a regular mowing, it is a cost one must consider before installing or updating a landscape.

As our tree maintenance cost estimator says, expect to pay roughly $400 per year for tree and shrub maintenance.

Tree Trimming or Removal Cost

We are ones to appreciate nature, but sometimes, trees need to go. Whether their stump is dying or a branch is about to fall on your house, tree removal is occasionally necessary.

If the tree is close to your house, we highly recommend calling the pros. In fact, while many landscaping companies can remove trees, consider hiring an arborist. An arborist is professional who can offer more specialized tree and shrub services, including conservation and maintenance. Of course, their services do not come without a price.

Even though the average tree removal cost is $545, we have seen arborists charge thousands to remove larger trees.

Landscaping Material Costs

Now that professional landscaping prices are out of the way, we can jump into DIY. When you handle projects yourself, the only two costs are time and materials. Time will depend on experience, so most of the landscaping cost will come from materials. Fortunately, ImproveNet researched the average material costs for over 45 landscaping projects.

Lawn Material Prices

• Bermuda Sod: $0.33 - $0.75/sf
• Composting: $25 - $33/yard
• Fescue Sod: $0.33 - $0.66/sf
• Flood Lights: $100 - $1,400
• Grass Pavers: $1 - $10/sf
• Landscape Boulders: $100 - $600/ton
• Landscape Gravel: Approximately $20/sf
• Landscape Fabric: $31 - $112
• Landscape Rocks: $0.05/ lb.
• Landscape Timbers: $3 - $9/lf
• Lawn Edging: $50 - $400
• Lawn Fertilization: $0.08 - $0.44/sf
• Lawn Replacement: $1.08 - $1.75/sf
• Lawn Turf: $5 - $14/sf
• Mulch Prices: $200 - $2,000
• Re-Soding: $0.08 - $1/sf
• Retaining Wall: $15 - $25/sf
• Sod Prices: $0.30 - $0.75/sf
• St. Augustine Sod: $0.20 - $0.50/sf
• Steel Landscape Edging: $2.57 - $4.33/lf
• Zoysia Sod: $0.40 - $0.59/sf

Fence Material Prices

• Board Wood Fencing: $10 - $15/lf
• Glass Fencing: $88 - $150/lf
• Electric Fencing: $400 - $500
• Vinyl Chain Link Fencing: $12 - $18/lf
• Redwood Fencing: $14 - $21/sf
• Shadowbox Fencing: $8 - $13/lf
• Cyclone Fencing: $4 - $30/sf
• Vinyl Coated Chain Link Fencing: $12 - $19/sf
• Vinyl Fencing: $15 - $30/lf
• Wood Fencing: $3 - $100/lf
• Stockade Fencing: $11 - $21/lf
• Split Rail Fencing: $10 - $30/lf
• Chain Link Fencing: $1,000 - $5,000
• Wood Picket Fencing: $11 - $14/lf
• Wrought Iron Fencing: $25 - $30/lf
• Cedar Fencing: $1 - $8/plank
• Board On Board Fencing: $11 - $23/panel
• Aluminum Fencing: $2,700 - $4,000

Patio, Deck & Walkway Material Prices

• Crushed Granite: $0.50/sf
• Crushed Stone: $27.50 - $64.20/ton
• Dry Stack Stone: $5 - $60/sf
• Granite Pavers: $395 - $580
• Stone Steps: $300 - $1,050/ton

Sprinkler & Water Feature Materials Prices

• Drip Irrigation System: $0.60 - $1.50/sf
• Home Irrigation System: $240 - $4,500
• River Rocks: $0.05 - $0.35/lb.
• River Stones: $100 - $800/ton
• Sprinkler Heads: $2 - $10 

Garden Trends

Besides watering and cutting your lawn, there are other maintenance items homeowners should be aware of. Unless you plan on living in your home until the day you die, you should always know what’s trending in the home remodeling and landscaping worlds. After all, what you add or don’t add to your new and improved landscape will affect your future sale price.

Fortunately, we found the hottest landscaping trends. While you shouldn’t go and add each feature, you may want to keep these landscaping projects in the back of your mind.

• Sentimental Landscapes
• Hardy Landscapes
• Zen-Like Landscapes
• Merging Health & Technology with Nature
• Plants with A Purpose
• Dogscaping
• Xeriscaping 

DIY Landscaping: Save Money with These 5 Tips

Despite all average costs above, there are plenty of ways to save money with your landscaping. If you have a green thumb and are ready to DIY, continue reading below. 

Rely on Cardboard for Weed-Free Beds

Weeds are the bane of every gardener's existence. When you finally make it perfect, a new crop sprouts up.

Landscaping fabric is the go-to weed barrier material, but the cost can really add up for even a small project. Cardboard is cheaper and very effective. It degrades slowly and naturally feeds the soil. This isn't a downside of cardboard, as landscaping fabric also degrades.

With cardboard, all you need to do is lay out a single layer to cover the area where you want the bed. Then, trim around the edges using a utility knife to fashion the border and cut openings across the surface for each plant. Cover it with mulch. You'll never know it's cardboard instead of the pricier fabric.

Bonus Tip: Cardboard does a better job than fabric at preserving moisture in the ground.

Use Perennials to Anchor the Landscape

Everyone wants a flourishing garden that looks mature, instead of one that's small, thin and new. If you rely on annuals to create the full look, you can easily go broke. Perennials are the answer.

Perennials are plants that either stay alive and green all year, or come back new on their own every year. Some seem to die off when cold weather sets in, but spring brings new sprouts time after time. Annuals do die in cold weather, so they must be replaced every spring.

If you build the framework of your landscape with plants that don't die every year, your major investment only occurs once. This also gives you the freedom to fill certain areas with different annuals for a new look as your tastes and trends change. 

Perennials include trees, shrubs, ground cover, flowering bulbs such as gladiolas, and any other plant that can survive the winter in your USDA hardy zone.

Reclaim Rainwater from Downspouts

Every landscape needs water to survive. Old-fashioned rain barrels are seeing a resurgence in popularity, and for good reason. You can keep your expensive plants alive without increasing utility bills by running the tap.

Rain barrels are usually situated under a gutter downspout. The rain flows into a large reservoir, which you can use for watering your plants. Some rain barrels are very simple, with a ladle and bucket nearby for dipping out water.

More sophisticated versions have a tap and soaker hose attached, which provides a continual source of water to landscape beds.

You can buy ready-made rain barrels or make your own. A large, plastic bin is all you need.

Make Your Own Pavers Using Concrete

Walkways and random stepping stones through the landscape are deceptively simple. They pull the look together, but the cost can add up.

Individual stepping stones can cost as much as $10 a piece. This takes the expense of a landscape path into something comparable to installing new floors in a small room of your home. On the other hand, you can make your own pavers at a fraction of the cost.

You'll need a large container for mixing the quick set concrete with water and a few molds to make the stones. Fill a mold with wet concrete and in a day or two, the paver will be ready to release from the mold.

Build A Great Water Feature on the Cheap

Water features add a peaceful element to the landscape, but they can also cost a fortune. However, with a simple submersible pump and a few other supplies, you can make your own at a fraction of the cost of buying a prefabricated water feature kit.

The basics of any water feature include a reservoir, a pump to circulate the water, tubing to carry the water and a filter to keep the water clear. Using those fundamentals, you can make a fountain, pond or any other design you like.

You'll need an exterior outlet to run the pump and filter, and perhaps some outdoor lighting to highlight the water once the sun goes down.

Find A Pro

After covering almost every landscaping project, you have the information needed to go out and install or remodel your own landscape.

Nonetheless, many of us need a helping hand. If so, ImproveNet can connect you with landscaping pros in your area for FREE!