Landscaping costs $1,299 to $25,000 per project in 2026

What price guides say

We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.

Landscaping prices by project

Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.

What pushes the price up

What the price includes

A landscaping bid usually covers the work to prep the ground and install the plants, sod, or mulch you pick, plus labor. Hardscape such as patios, walls, and walkways, sprinklers, lighting, and tree work are often priced as add ons. Upkeep after the install is a separate plan. Fixr lists basic monthly plans at $165 to $260. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.

Who charges this and how it is billed

Landscapers bill in a few ways. Small jobs and upkeep are often billed per visit or per month. Big installs are bid as a project with one total price. Some firms bill by the square foot. Upstart lists labor at $25 to $50 per hour per crew member, and Fixr lists $50 to $100 per hour for physical labor. Designers often bill apart from the crew, and Fixr lists designers at $200 per hour. A good bid splits design, materials, labor, and upkeep so you can compare it with other bids.

When you need this

Look at landscaping when your yard floods, has bare dirt, or is hard to use. It also helps when you plan to sell your home, since the front yard is the first thing buyers see. A plan lets you spread the cost over time. Start with water flow, soil, and plants that suit your area.

How to judge your quote

1. Does the bid list plants, hardscape, and labor on separate lines?
2. Is a design fee included or extra?
3. Does the price cover soil prep, mulch, and hauling away waste?
4. Is the upkeep plan priced apart from the install?
5. Compare the total with the range above: $1,299 to $25,000 per project for most people in 2026.

Ways to pay less

• Do the job in phases. Start with a front yard, which Fixr lists at $4,000 to $6,000, and add the backyard later.
• Use seed instead of sod where you can. Upstart lists seed at $0.10 to $0.20 per square foot and sod at $1 to $2.
• Ask for mulch as its own line item. Fixr and Upstart both list mulching at $150 to $400, so you can see if the price is fair.
• Plan the design first. Upstart lists a design consult at $50 to $150 per hour, which can help you avoid costly changes after work starts.
• Get three written bids. Fixr and Upstart differ a lot, so a bid that lists plants, hardscape, and labor apart is easier to compare.

How we got these numbers

The range on this page comes from Bob Vila, Fixr and Upstart. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.

Common questions

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