Landscaping cost by project type (2026)
National averages, installed. Local labor, material delivery, and design complexity create regional swings.
| Project |
Typical cost |
Cost per sq ft |
Notes |
| Sod installation | $1,500–$5,000 | $1.50–$3 | 1,000–2,000 sq ft typical lawn |
| Lawn seeding | $300–$1,500 | $0.20–$0.80 | Cheaper but takes 2–3 months to establish |
| Mulch installation | $200–$800 | $3–$6/cu yd | Per-area; covers 100 sq ft per cu yd at 3″ |
| Tree planting | $150–$2,500 | — | Per tree, depends on size + species |
| Tree removal | $300–$2,000 | — | Plus $75–$400 for stump grinding |
| Hardscape (paver patio) | $3,000–$15,000 | $15–$50 | 200–400 sq ft typical |
| Retaining wall | $3,500–$15,000 | $25–$75 | Per sq ft of wall face |
| Sprinkler / irrigation | $2,500–$8,000 | $0.50–$1.50 | Typical 1–2 zones for average yard |
| Full yard makeover | $10,000–$50,000+ | $5–$25 | Design + grading + sod + plants + hardscape |
Landscaping cost per square foot
For full yard landscaping (design + install), expect $5 to $25 per square foot of yard area. A typical 5,000 sq ft suburban yard runs $25,000–$125,000 for a full design/install — though most homeowners do it in phases over 2–5 years to spread cost.
Per-element cost (helps you budget):
- Lawn (sod): $1.50–$3 per sq ft installed
- Hardscape (paver patio, walkway): $15–$50 per sq ft
- Plant beds: $4–$10 per sq ft (depending on plant tier)
- Mulched borders: $1.50–$3 per sq ft
- Drainage / grading: $1–$4 per sq ft
- Lighting (low-voltage): $150–$300 per fixture
Sod cost (one of the most common landscaping projects)
Sod runs $0.50–$1.50 per sq ft for materials and $1–$2 per sq ft for installation labor — total $1.50–$3 installed. For a 1,500 sq ft typical front lawn, expect $2,250–$4,500. Bermuda and St. Augustine are the most common warm-season grasses (South). Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue dominate cool-season regions (North).
If you have an existing dead/patchy lawn, add $0.50–$1.50/sq ft for old sod removal and grading prep.
Landscaping cost factors
Yard size
Bigger yards have lower per-sq-ft costs (mobilization spread). But 10,000+ sq ft yards push hardscape costs into "small commercial" pricing.
Slope & grading
Sloped yards add 25–50% to install cost; may require retaining walls ($3,500–$15,000) or terracing.
Plant tier
Wholesale plants $5–$25 each. Designer/specimen plants $50–$500 each. Mature trees can hit $1,000–$5,000+ each.
Hardscape complexity
Concrete pavers cheapest. Natural stone, flagstone, and brick run 50–200% more.
Irrigation needs
Adding sprinkler system $2,500–$8,000. Smart controllers $200–$500 extra. Drip irrigation for plant beds: $0.30–$0.80/ft.
Designer / planning
Landscape designer: $300–$2,500 for plans. Landscape architect: $1,500–$10,000 (required for major hardscape, drainage, grading).
Landscaping cost by city
Local pricing benchmarks across major US metros.
New York, NY
Los Angeles, CA
Chicago, IL
Houston, TX
Phoenix, AZ
Dallas, TX
Atlanta, GA
Miami, FL
Charlotte, NC
Denver, CO
Seattle, WA
Austin, TX
San Antonio, TX
Jacksonville, FL
Tampa, FL
Raleigh, NC
Nashville, TN
Portland, OR
Columbus, OH
Indianapolis, IN
Minneapolis, MN
Sacramento, CA
Boston, MA
Philadelphia, PA
Frequently asked questions about landscaping cost
How much does landscaping cost on average?
A full-yard landscaping makeover for a typical 5,000 sq ft suburban yard runs $10,000–$50,000+. Most homeowners do it in phases. Common single projects: sod $1,500–$5,000, paver patio $3,000–$15,000, sprinkler system $2,500–$8,000, mulch + bed install $1,000–$3,500.
How much does sod cost?
Sod runs $1.50–$3 per square foot installed (materials + labor). For a 1,500 sq ft front lawn, expect $2,250–$4,500. Cool-season grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, fescue) and warm-season (Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia) price similarly. Removal of old turf adds $0.50–$1.50/sq ft.
How much does a paver patio cost?
A typical 300 sq ft paver patio runs $4,500–$15,000 installed ($15–$50 per sq ft). Concrete pavers are cheapest. Natural stone, flagstone, and brick run 50–100% more. Site prep (excavation, base layer) is 20–30% of total cost.
How much does it cost to remove a tree?
Tree removal runs $300–$2,000 depending on size, location, and difficulty. Stump grinding is $75–$400 additional. Trees over 80 feet tall, near power lines, or close to structures cost more. Insurance often covers removal of damaged/dead trees that pose risk.
What ROI does landscaping return?
Quality landscaping returns 100–200% ROI on a home sale, per appraiser surveys — one of the highest-ROI home improvements. Front-yard curb appeal projects (lawn, foundation plantings) return the most. Backyard hardscape projects return 50–75% on sale but add immediate quality of life.
