As a rule of thumb, the cost of landscaping should be no more than 10% of the value of your home. So if you're living in a $750k home, you should spend on your landscaping project no more than $75k.
Typically, you'll pay around 10% of your property value for new landscaping or more if you add expensive fixtures like a pool. For example, if you purchase a $400,000 home, you might pay around $40,000 for hardscaping and softscaping across your front and back yards.
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.
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.
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.
The average landscaping project in the U.S. costs $3,494, but ranges between $1,268 and $6,003. Of course, you can spend a lot less than the average if you're just sprucing up your front garden beds.
If you're seeking the most budget-friendly option, crushed stone often emerges as the winner. Other cheap landscape rock options include pea gravel and river rock. These cheapest rocks for landscaping are cost-effective due to their abundance and minimal processing requirements.
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.
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.
The average landscape designer costs $2,200 to $6,180 per project or about $50 to $150 per hour. These fees are only for design services. Materials and installation costs also add to the total cost of a landscape project. For this price, you receive a detailed landscaping plan with 2D drawings or dynamic 3D renderings.
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.
Landscapers charge $50 to $100 per hour for a 2-person crew, or $25 to $50 per person. Landscaping costs $4 to $12 per square foot for basic services. Small landscaping projects cost $300 to $800 while large jobs cost $2,000 to $4,000 on average.
There is no set amount nor obligation at all to tip. Unlike the restaurant industry, tipping is not expected by landscape/lawn care workers, so you don't need to if you don't want to.
Determining Your Deposit Amount
We recommend at least 20-50% of the total project cost, as this will be sufficient to cover materials and labor, while also demonstrating the client's commitment to the project.
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.
Legal Considerations and Regulations
For example, in some states, like California, the law stipulates that for home improvement projects exceeding $500, a contractor cannot ask for a deposit of more than 10% of the total cost or $1,000, whichever is less.
The cost of professional landscaping reflects a combination of skilled labor, quality materials, and the amount of time required to create a beautiful and functional outdoor space. These are not simple tasks—they require a level of expertise, planning, and physical effort that goes far beyond basic lawn care.