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Landscaping Cost Calculator

Estimate what it costs to landscape your yard — by project type, area, irrigation, and region. You get a low-to-high price range with the base work and add-ons broken out.

Inputs

The area you want landscaped — not your whole lot.

Result

Adjust the inputs to see your result.

How the estimate works

Landscapers price most yard work by the square foot, but the per-foot rate depends enormously on what you're doing. A simple sod lawn — grading the soil and laying turf — runs only about $1–$2 per square foot. A basic landscaping refresh with plants, mulch, and a cleanup is more like $4–$12 per square foot. A full designer landscape, with a design plan, mature plantings, soil amendments, and stonework, climbs to $12–$40, and a hardscape patio or retaining wall sits at the same high end because it's labor- and material-heavy.

The calculator multiplies your yard area by the project's per-square-foot range, scales it for your region's labor and material costs, and adds a flat amount if you include an in-ground irrigation system. The result is an honest low-to-high range, because real landscaping bids vary that much — plant maturity and material grade alone can double a number.

What drives the price

  • Project type is the biggest lever — a full design or hardscape patio can cost 10–20× a plain sod lawn for the same area.
  • Plant maturity and material grade swing the figure most within a project. Mature trees, specimen shrubs, and natural stone cost far more than young plants and bagged mulch.
  • Hardscape (patios, walls, walkways) is the priciest per square foot but adds the most resale value because it's permanent.
  • Region swings labor by 40% or more between rural areas and coastal metros.

Common mistakes

  • Pricing the whole lot, not the work area. You usually landscape beds, borders, and a patio — not every square foot of the property.
  • Forgetting irrigation and lighting. Sprinklers and landscape lighting are common add-ons quoted separately, often several thousand dollars each.
  • Buying mature plants when young ones fill in. Most plantings double in size within a year or two — paying for instant maturity is the fastest way to blow a budget.
  • Taking one bid. Landscaping bids for the same yard routinely vary 30–40%. Always get three.

When this calculator is the wrong tool

Use a pro on-site quote for: major grading or drainage work, retaining walls over a few feet tall (often engineered and permitted), pools and water features, or large tree removal and planting. This tool estimates a standard residential landscaping or hardscape project.

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FAQ

Questions, answered

How much does it cost to landscape a yard?
It depends almost entirely on the project. A basic refresh — plants, mulch, and cleanup — runs roughly $4–$12 per square foot, so a 2,000 sq ft yard lands around $8,000–$24,000. A simple sod lawn is far cheaper ($1–$2/sq ft), while a full designer landscape or a paver patio can reach $12–$40 per square foot. Region and plant choices swing the final number.
What's the difference between landscaping and hardscaping?
Landscaping is the living, growing part — lawn, plants, trees, mulch, and soil. Hardscaping is the built, non-living part — paver patios, retaining walls, walkways, and steps. Hardscape costs the most per square foot but typically adds the most resale value, because it's permanent and labor-intensive to install.
Does irrigation cost extra?
Yes. An in-ground sprinkler or drip irrigation system is usually quoted separately, commonly $1,500–$4,000 for a residential yard depending on zones and water source. This calculator adds it as a flat option so you can see the base landscaping cost with and without it.
How can I landscape on a budget?
Phase the work, start with sod or seed for instant lawn, choose young plants over mature specimens (they fill in within a year or two), use mulch generously, and do your own cleanup and prep. Hardscape and full design are where costs climb fastest, so add those later if the budget is tight.
Is this an exact quote?
No — it's a planning estimate built from national average cost ranges. Landscaping prices swing widely by region, plant and material grade, site access, and crew. Always get 3 written bids from licensed local landscapers before budgeting.