How much does the average American spend on landscaping?

Author: Cesar Nikolaus  |  Last update: Monday, March 30, 2026

The national average cost of landscaping across large and small projects is about $12,825. You can also hire a pro to maintain your existing landscape, with a monthly landscaping cost ranging from $133 to $370, for a national average of $252 per month.

How much do Americans spend on landscaping?

US household spending behavior

The average spending on lawn care and gardening activities per household has also risen, from $542 in 2021 to $616 in 2022 (an increase of $74).

What is a good landscaping budget?

The average landscaping cost is $3,300 to $13,200, with a typical price range per square foot of $4.50 to $17. Prices vary widely based on the size and scope of the project. You could do some simple DIY landscaping for less than $2,000, or go for a sophisticated look with a premium budget of $40,000 or more.

What is the most expensive part of landscaping?

The most expensive part of landscaping projects is often the integration of hardscaping features, such as patios and walkways made from natural stone or permeable paving. Due to their complexity and material costs, these non-living elements can add thousands of dollars to your landscaping budget.

Is paying for landscaping worth it?

Landscaping can add tremendous value to your home. It not only adds entertainment value, allowing you to enjoy your property more, but it also adds tangible value to your resale value. Knowing this, you don't want to skimp on your landscaping budget. But you also might have no clue what you can expect to spend.

$150,000 Landscaping Job in 20 Days.....

Can landscapers make a lot of money?

As a result, commercial and residential property owners regularly utilize landscaping services, facilitating a healthy industry projection in the future. A Landscaping business is profitable, and business owners can achieve a salary as high as $180,000. However, most owners earn a salary between $54,000 and $115,000.

Should you spend money on landscaping?

Great landscaping can really improve the value of your property. Not only does good landscaping make the property look great, it may create more useable space.

How to estimate landscaping costs?

Determine the hourly rate for your employees or subcontractors. Multiply that rate by the estimated time for each task to arrive at a labor cost estimate. Find out the cost of materials needed for each task. Add those costs to the labor cost estimate to arrive at a total cost estimate for the job.

What landscaping adds most value?

What Kinds of Landscaping Projects Add the Most Value?
  • Tree Planting. Because trees often take many years to mature, large and well-established trees are highly valued by potential buyers. ...
  • Outdoor Living Spaces. ...
  • Irrigation System. ...
  • Sustainable Landscaping. ...
  • Curb Appeal Enhancements.

Should I tell landscaper my budget?

Whether or not you disclose your budget is up to you, but it can help your project in the long run. If your contractor doesn't know your budget, they can't give you the best advice on allocating your time and money.

What is the most profitable part of landscaping?

48% reported landscape and mowing maintenance as their most profitable landscape service. 32% of surveyed landscape businesses reported landscape maintenance as their fastest-growing service offering.

What is the cheapest type of landscaping?

20 cheap landscaping ideas
  • Plant perennials.
  • Mulch your garden beds.
  • Add sustainable hardscaping.
  • Conserve water with xeriscaping.
  • Mow less with groundcover.
  • Lay down roots with native plants.
  • Upcycle functional landscape decor.
  • Consider colorful containers.

What percentage should you spend on landscaping?

When you make meaningful changes to your outdoor space, you significantly enhance its enjoyability and functionality…and that's valuable. In terms of putting a number to that value, it's commonly said that homeowners should plan to spend around 10 percent of the home's total value on the landscaping.

How old is the average gardener?

Statistics on Gardening Demographics

Out of all gardeners 43.6% are women, while 56.4% are men. The average age of an gardener is 41 years old.

What is the average man hour rate for landscaping?

Middle Tier - $70-$90 per man-hour

This is more the “average” range of man-hour rates for landscape companies that do both design/build installations and recurring maintenance. Companies that only do recurring maintenance tend to average a little lower man-hour rates.

Is it cheaper to do your own landscaping?

The main advantage of doing your own landscaping is that you save money over the long run. While you will have to pay upfront for equipment and tools, you can use them for years and spend less than it would cost to hire a landscaper.

What is the profit margin for landscaping?

While profit margins vary widely from business to business, one study shows the typical net profit margin in the lawn care and landscape industry ranges from 5% to 20%.

How to give a landscaping quote?

Here's how to create a landscaping estimate step by step:
  1. Meet your potential customer on-site. For the most accurate estimates, you and your client should both walk through the work area together. ...
  2. Estimate the time and labor cost. ...
  3. List your expenses. ...
  4. Add your markup.

How much is too much for landscaping?

The average landscaping project costs $3,651 but ranges between $1,249 and $6,281, depending on the scope of the project. Professional landscaping costs an average of $3,651, or anywhere between $200 and $15,000, but it can add serious curb appeal—and value—to your home.

How to determine a landscape budget?

Know what you want to spend and talk budget up front with your landscape professional. Understand what things cost by getting at least three estimates and If you're unsure what to budget, the American Society of Landscape Architects suggests to start with 5 percent to 10 percent of your home's worth.

How can I make my landscaping cheaper?

11 Cheap Backyard Landscaping Ideas
  1. Use Mulch Alternatives. ...
  2. Repurpose Old Tires. ...
  3. Go Vertical With Your Gardening. ...
  4. Add a Splash of Color. ...
  5. Plant a Functional Garden. ...
  6. Opt for Natural Perennial Ground Covers. ...
  7. Build an Outdoor Fire Pit. ...
  8. Plant a Tree.

How much does a landscaper make a day?

Landscaper Earnings Per Hour

If you're a mid-level landscaper with a few years of experience, your hourly income will vary from $16.66 to $23.46 an hour. If you're an experienced landscaper with unique, specialized skills, you can earn about $23.59 to 37.92 per hour.

How do landscapers make money in winter?

The 8 Ideas on How To Make Money In The Winter Season
  • Snow Removal.
  • Holiday Lighting and Decorating.
  • Indoor Plant and Landscape Care.
  • Firewood.
  • Hardscape Projects.
  • Gutter Cleaning.
  • Tree and Plant Removal or Winterization.
  • Commercial and Residential Landscape Consulting Projects.

What is the highest paying job in landscaping?

High Paying Landscaping Jobs
  • Director of Landscape Architecture. Salary range: $123,000-$169,500 per year. ...
  • Senior Landscape Architect. Salary range: $90,000-$120,000 per year. ...
  • Project Landscape Architect. ...
  • Landscape Architect. ...
  • Landscape Designer. ...
  • Tree Trimmer. ...
  • Landscape Estimator. ...
  • Turf Manager.

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