Quick Answer: Landscaping costs $4–$12 per square foot for a typical project. Basic lawn seeding runs $0.30–$1.50/sq ft material. Garden bed plants and mulch cost $1.50–$6.00/sq ft. Hardscaping (pavers, stone) costs $5.00–$18.00/sq ft. Labor adds $0.55–$2.00/sq ft based on construction laborer rates of $18.85–$26.81/hr nationally. A 2,000 sq ft yard runs $2,000–$25,000+ depending on scope. Enter your ZIP for local pricing.
Calculate landscaping costs by project type, area, quality level, and ZIP code. Get a location-specific estimate with a full breakdown of materials, labor, site prep, and overhead costs.
Landscaping Cost by Project Type
| Project Type | Cost/Sq Ft | 2,000 Sq Ft Yard | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawn & Sod | $1–$3 | $2,000–$6,000 | Grading, soil prep, sod/seed |
| Garden Beds | $3–$9 | $6,000–$18,000 | Plants, mulch, edging, soil |
| Hardscaping | $8–$25 | $16,000–$50,000 | Pavers, stone, retaining walls |
| Full Yard | $4–$12 | $8,000–$24,000 | Lawn, beds, basic hardscape |
How Landscaping Cost Is Calculated
- Materials: Area × $0.30–$18.00/sq ft depending on project type and quality level.
- Supplies: Area × $0.25–$0.75/sq ft for soil amendments, landscape fabric, edging, and fasteners.
- Labor: Area × hours/sq ft × hourly rate × 1.5 burden. Lawn is fastest (0.02 hr/sq ft); hardscaping is most labor-intensive (0.08 hr/sq ft).
- Fixed costs: Delivery ($100–$300), site prep/grading ($200–$800), equipment rental ($75–$250), and cleanup/hauling ($100–$300).
- Contractor markup: 20% for overhead, profit, design, and warranty.
Average Landscaping Costs by Feature
| Feature | Typical Cost | DIY Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Sod installation (2,000 sq ft) | $1,500–$4,000 | 40–50% |
| Mulch beds (500 sq ft) | $500–$1,500 | 50–60% |
| Paver patio (200 sq ft) | $1,600–$5,000 | 30–40% |
| Retaining wall (50 lin ft) | $2,500–$8,000 | Not recommended |
| French drain (50 lin ft) | $1,500–$4,500 | 30–40% |
| Landscape lighting (10 fixtures) | $2,000–$5,000 | 40–50% |
Formula Summary
Landscaping Cost Formula: Total = (A × M + A × S + A × H × R × 1.5 + F) × 1.20
where A = area (sq ft), M = material/sq ft, S = supplies/sq ft, H = labor hours/sq ft, R = hourly rate, 1.5 = burden, F = fixed costs, 1.20 = markup.
Material Rates: Lawn $0.30–$1.50/sq ft, garden beds $1.50–$6.00, hardscaping $5.00–$18.00, full yard $2.00–$8.00.
Labor Hours: Lawn 0.02 hr/sq ft, garden beds 0.04, full yard 0.05, hardscaping 0.08.
Constants: Labor burden 1.5×. Markup 20%. Trade: construction laborers (SOC 47-2061). BLS OEWS May 2024, 393 metros. National rates: $18.85 (P25), $23.31 (mean), $26.81 (P75).
Construction Laborers Hourly Rates by Metro (BLS OEWS May 2024)
| Metro | 25th %ile | Mean | 75th %ile |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $23.58 | $34.43 | $46.30 |
| Los Angeles | $22.76 | $31.23 | $37.41 |
| Chicago | $23.06 | $34.99 | $49.12 |
| Dallas | $17.57 | $19.90 | $22.44 |
| Houston | $17.37 | $20.13 | $22.26 |
| Washington | $19.07 | $23.15 | $25.56 |
| Philadelphia | $22.15 | $28.19 | $33.54 |
| Miami | $18.18 | $21.69 | $23.42 |
| Atlanta | $17.16 | $20.30 | $23.23 |
| Phoenix | $19.66 | $23.17 | $25.26 |
Material Calculators
Once you know your budget, use our material calculators to figure out exact quantities:
- Topsoil Calculator — cubic yards of topsoil for lawns and beds
- Mulch Calculator — bags or yards of mulch for garden beds
- Pea Gravel Calculator — gravel for pathways and drainage
- River Rock Calculator — rock for landscaping and dry creek beds
- Landscape Rock Calculator — decorative rock for ground cover
- Sod Calculator — pallets and rolls for new lawns
- Paver Calculator — pavers for patios and walkways
Estimates are for planning purposes only. Consult a qualified contractor for critical projects. Actual material requirements may vary based on site conditions, waste, and installation methods.
Pricing last verified: February 2026. Material prices vary by region, season, and supplier. Prices shown are national averages for planning purposes.