How much does it cost to landscape on a new construction?

Landscaping can be defined as making improvements to your property’s grounds in order to make it more attractive and functional. While you may choose to do the work yourself, most homeowners prefer hiring a landscape architect or designer to beautify their property. Professional landscaping not only transforms your yard into a gorgeous oasis, it also increases your home’s value and enables you to enjoy your grounds to its maximum potential.  Also, some specialty tasks such as pruning a prize tree or installing a driveway are better handled by a professional with specialized skills.

On an average, landscaping design and construction for an average-sized yard of 1,200 sq.ft, new construction, would cost you around $13,200.

Cost factors

Your landscaping cost can vary depending on the size of your yard, what features you are looking for, for example, front walk, fire pit etc., the type of materials and plants needed for the project, location, access to machinery, quality of soil, and need to add or remove soil. The current condition of the yard is another determining factor in calculating landscaping costs. If you are living in a brand new house in a new locality, chances are you will have to start from basics. If you are looking to update your existing landscape, costs will vary depending on whether you have to get rid of plants or demolish a concrete pathway or patio. Concrete removal costs around $400-$600, assuming a 200 sq.ft. area of unreinforced concrete such as a patio.

Backyard vs front yard landscaping

While front yard landscaping focuses on improving the curb appeal of your property, backyard landscaping may include creating a nice seating area for outdoor dining, installing a fire pit, planting a kitchen garden, planting hedges and plants around the boundaries of the property to ensure privacy, choosing plants and trees that can help with the cooling and heating of your home thereby reducing energy costs, and so on.

Landscaping design

A holistic approach and careful planning and design are key elements of beautiful landscaping, which is why most homeowners choose to work with a landscape designer or a landscape architect who can help them create the landscape of their dreams within their budget. Even homeowners who ultimately choose to do the actual planting themselves need the help of a designer during the planning and design phase to avoid costly and time-consuming mistakes such as planting plants that require a lot of sun in a shady spot and planting a tree very close to the foundation of a building. Depending on your needs, a designer can also help you choose plants that are low maintenance or complement each other and create beautiful designs.

During the design phase, the designer will also evaluate the need for grading ¹ or resloping the land. This is very important because if the water does not properly drain away from your home’s foundation, it can give rise to water damage and other issues such as mold and mildew in no time. A landscape designer may charge you $2,000-$6,000 for a detailed plan with verbal consultation charged additionally at the rate of $80-$120 per hour.

Some of the most common landscaping design styles are as follows:

Mediterranean

One of the most popular landscaping styles throughout the world, Mediterranean gardens are characterized by tiered fountains, terracotta pots, statuary and plants that provide color, texture and structure.

Japanese garden

Japanese garden designs are heavily influenced by Buddhist, Taoist and Shinto philosophies and use natural elements like plants, ornaments, rocks and water to create a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.

Tuscan garden

The Tuscan garden style combines trademark plantings like rosemary, lavender and Italian cypress with terracotta urns, natural stone and bright colors like red, yellow and orange.   

English cottage garden

English cottage gardens are lush and free-flowering and give the impression of an unplanned landscape. White picket fences ², charming birdhouses, wheelbarrows, arbors ³, and layered arrangements of classic, old-fashioned plants such as peonies, foxgloves, pansies, cosmos, and roses are trademark elements of this design.

Formal gardens

Formal landscapes are characterized by simple geometric designs, symmetry, straight edges, long sightlines, classic urns, and traditional building materials.

Southwest landscape design

The southwest landscape design incorporates Spanish and Native American details and is characterized by native plants and bold and colorful building materials that reflect the natural landscapes of the region.  

One thing to keep in mind is that all landscape designers do not offer installation services. If that is the case, you may need to hire a landscaping contractor or a groundskeeper to bring the design to life.

Types of landscaping

Hardscaping

Hardscaping refers to all the inanimate elements used to make land more attractive and functional, for example, retaining walls ⁵, patios, gazebos, pathways etc. They can be made of concrete, brick, stone, wood or metal. Hardscaping costs can vary widely, depending on the type of elements you wish to add to your landscape. A pergola can cost between $3,000 and $5,000, depending on the size and materials, while a 50 ft. long retaining wall ⁵, 8 feet in height can be built for around $13,700.

Softscaping

Softscaping is used to describe all the living elements of your landscape that change with time. Bushes, trees, ornamental plants and flower beds are good examples of softscaping. When choosing plants for your landscaping, it is very important to understand the difference between annuals and perennials.

Annuals are plants that complete their growth cycle in one year. They are usually bright and showy, for example, marigold, and used to create flower beds. They bloom for long periods in summer and provide a huge burst of color in a garden. You will have to plant new seeds or saplings every year if your plant is not self-seeding.

Perennials have a longer growth cycle and do not produce flowers in the first year. Though perennials are costlier than annuals, the former may turn out to be a better option for homeowners in the long run because they do not have to be replaced every year.

Average softscaping costs range around $11 per sq.ft.

Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping ⁴ is a type of landscaping designed specifically for drought-afflicted areas or areas where water conservation is of prime importance. However, contrary to popular perception, xeriscaping ⁴ does not make your grounds look like a desert. Common xeriscaping ⁴ practices involve deploying plants that are native to the area and clubbing together plants that have similar water requirements in order to conserve more water. Professional xeriscaping for a 1,200 sq. ft. yard can cost around $12,000.

Sod vs seeding

If you have your mind set on on natural grass for your lawn, you have two options: sod and seed. Establishing a lawn from seed involves planting and growing your own grass. You can either choose to do it yourself or hire a landscaper. If you choose the sod option, a sod growing professional has already done the growing for you. Sod comes in rug-like rolls that consist of mature grass and a layer of soil and can be laid out by a professional.

Common landscaping installation projects

Install seeds

Lawn seeding is the process of using seeds to add new grass to a lawn. The total cost will depend on the size of the lawn, the type of seed, and the amount of prep work involved. You can use seeding to cover thin patches in an existing lawn or to start a new lawn from scratch. Fescue ⁸ seeds cost $65 for a 5,000 sq.ft. lawn while Bermuda, Kentucky Bluegrass and Bahia seeds cost $100, $98.50 and $105 respectively for the same square feet area.

Deliver soil, rock or mulch ⁶

Most homeowners prefer to have soil, rock or mulch ⁶ delivered at home because they may not own a truck large enough to carry that load. Some contractors charge a fixed fee for delivering the materials while others may charge a percentage of the weight of the materials being delivered. Your location and accessibility are other factors that affect the cost.

Firepit installation

An outdoor fire pit can be constructed using brick ($150-$280), stone ($180-$320) or steel ($100-$150). If you are building a brick fire pit, you will need two types of bricks: firebricks ⁹ ($1.20 per piece) for the inner circle and regular bricks ($3-$4) for the outer circle.  

Install curbing

Curbing or edging gives your landscape a finished appearance. Popular materials for curbing include concrete and brick. Again, concrete edging can be done in two ways: preformed concrete blocks ($5-$10 per linear ft.) and poured concrete ($5-$13 per linear ft.). Though poured concrete, with its continuous seam, is more attractive and easier to maintain, it is costlier than preformed concrete. At $13-$18 per linear ft, brick edging is more expensive than concrete edging.

Install a water fountain

Installation costs for a water fountain depend on the size of the fountain, materials used, the type of fountain, power supply, prep work and labor. Common materials used to construct a fountain are fiberglass ¹⁰ and resin ($160-$500), rock ($200-$700), slate ¹¹ ($370-$550), copper ($550 onwards), stone ($370-$2,000), glass ($4,000-$1,800), concrete ($200-$1,000), and marble ($1,500-$10,000).

Build a gazebo

Gazebos serve as an attractive and useful outdoor living space. They are usually constructed of wood ($1,500-$2,500) or vinyl ¹² ($2,100-$3,600). Vinyl ¹² gazebos are more durable and require comparatively less upkeep.

Install landscaping

Landscaping costs for a new construction site can vary between $5 and $35 per sq.ft. depending on the design style, materials and location.

Install an outdoor misting system

An outdoor misting system will keep you cool even in the sweltering summer months. A good quality misting system can cost between $1,800-$4,500, including pump ¹³ and labor.

Install a sprinkler system ⁷

A sprinkler system ⁷ lessens the pain of caring for your lawn and also helps you conserve water. To install a sprinkler system ⁷ in an 8,000 sq. ft. lawn ($2,500-$3,500), you will need 10-15 pop-up sprinkler heads ¹⁴ ($2-$4 per piece), standard PVC pipes ($400-$600), and a trenching machine ($150-$170 per day). Lawn repair after digging the trenches ($500-$1,000) and labor ($1,080-$2,400) will add to the total cost.

Build a pergola ³

A pergola provides a bit of coverage or shade from the sun, but it also allows all of the airflow to reach those comfortably seated beneath it. It is an ideal structure to support vining plants and flowers, and can serve as a wonderful outdoor room. A pergola ³ roughly 100 sq. ft. in size and made of cedar will cost around $3,100.

Install turf

At $5-$20 per sq.ft., artificial grass installation costs significantly higher than installing sod or seeding. However, artificial grass lasts for a very long time and requires very less maintenance.

Install sod

On an average, sod installation costs $0.65-$1.30 per sq. ft., including sod plugs and labor. Common types of sod used are St. Augustine ($0.30-$0.80 per sq. ft.), Bermuda ($0.40-$0.85 per sq. ft.), Zoysia ($0.40-$0.60 per sq. ft.) and Fescue ⁸ ($0.25-$0.70 per sq. ft.).

Install a pond

A pond can be a beautiful addition to any backyard. Installation costs for a pond depend on a number of factors such as pond size, liner ¹⁵, shape, type of filter, pump ¹³, and labor. A prefabricated plastic liner ¹⁵ is easy to clean and install and costs around $0.80-$1.20 per gallon. Rubber liners ¹⁵ are flexible and customizable and cost $0.16-$0.20 per gallon. Concrete liners ¹⁵ are sturdy and durable and cost $0.33-$0.43 per gallon. Fiberglass ¹⁰ liners ¹⁵ are the most expensive and cost around $3.53-$5.88 per gallon. You can use internal pond filters ($150), external pond filters ($80-$130) or skimmers ($150-$250).

Install a pathway

Pathway installation costs typically depend on size, design, prep work and material. Concrete pathways will cost $5-$16 per sq. ft, while brick, pavers and natural stone will cost $8-$12 per sq. ft., $10-$25 per sq. ft. and $18-$30 per sq. ft. respectively.

Install fencing

Fencing installation expenses will vary depending on the material, area, site accessibility and prep work needed. Chain link is the most affordable material for fencing at $6-$8 per sq. ft, while wood, vinyl ¹² and wrought iron cost $9-$15, $20-$40, $20-$30 respectively

Landscaping process and labor

Residential landscaping can be essential divided into three phases: design, ground preparation and installation. During the design phase, the landscape designer and the homeowner will work together to determine the budget, the purpose of the land, the family’s needs and wants (for example, kitchen garden, play area for kids, outdoor dining), and preferred landscaping style. The designer will then come up with a detailed plan that includes specifications such as sizing and what plants and materials to use. Ground preparation and installation are usually completed by a landscaping contractor who will charge $45-$75 per hour for labor. Some projects may have multiple contractors working on them.

Related services

Many landscaping companies also provide related services such as tree removal ($200-$1,500), tree trimming ($75-$500), lawn fertilization ($20-$250), and yard cleanup ($100-$1,000).

• Tree removal is essential when there are fallen trees, dead trees or trees leaning in a dangerous direction on the property. The overall cost will depend on the height of the tree and whether you want the professionals to remove all the pieces and stump as well. In some cases, it may not be necessary to cut down the entire tree. Instead a simple trim and removal of the long limbs can help get rid of the danger posed by the tree.
• Lawn fertilization provides grass with the essential nutrients to promote leaf and root growth and also helps to reduce weeds.
• Yard cleanup may be done in fall, soon after summer or just before spring to remove dead foliage and clear all debris and clutter. The total cost will depend on the size of the yard, the number of trees on the property, and whether you wish to have the debris removed or piled curbside.

Maintenance

Regular landscaping maintenance ($75-$100 for an 8,000 sq. ft. lawn or $45-$75 per hour) is essential to prevent pests and diseases from wreaking havoc on your plants and to make sure your lawn’s appearance is not marred by brown patches or weeds. Landscaping maintenance services usually include mowing, clipping, pruning, leaf removal, and mulching. You can hire a landscaping professional to take care of your landscaping maintenance needs and save both time and effort.

Enhancement and improvement costs

• A retaining wall ⁵ can serve decorative purposes as well as provide reinforcement and prevent soil erosion. A concrete retaining wall ⁵ 50 feet in length and 8 feet high will cost around $13,700.
• Outdoor lighting can enhance the look of your property and add to the safety. On an average, you can expect to pay around $3,800 for installing 20 light fixtures.  
• An outdoor kitchen ($2,700-$10,000 depending on size and appliances) can provide a great entertaining space for friends and family.
• If you have a big backyard, you can consider putting in a swimming pool. A basic 32’x16’ in-ground swimming pool costs around $22,000.

Additional considerations and costs

• If you are doing your landscaping on a limited budget, you can choose to phase out your landscaping over a couple of years and do only those projects that provide the maximum value.
• If you are having a natural gas fire pit installed, you may need to hire a plumber for connecting the fire pit to the gas line ($200-$500).
• When done right, landscaping can increase the value of your home tremendously. Generally, people spend about 10% of their home's value on landscaping.
• You can conserve water by installing synthetic grass or turf that looks real and doesn’t require frequent mowing or watering.
• You can also set up your own water conservation system by collecting the water from downspouts in rain barrels and use that to water your garden.
• Always choose plants that can withstand the regional temperature and weather conditions. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map is a useful resource.
• Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Some landscaping projects (or plants) require a great deal of maintenance and care. If you are new to landscaping or are not at home most of the time, choose plants that are low maintenance and resistance to drought, disease etc.
• If you have a pet at home, you may want to consider designing a pet-friendly yard or dogscaping as it is otherwise known. This will provide a permanent solution to torn flower beds, crushed plants and pee stains in the lawn.
• Large landscaping projects may require the city’s approval. Most cities follow landscape regulations to promote a sense of community and encourage water and energy conservation.
• Cut down costs by getting creative. If you would like to repurpose old things, try using a rusty railing as a trellis or an old wheelbarrow or a tire as a planter.
• Some people focus on landscaping for the front yard in order to improve curb appeal and neglect the backyard. But if you are planning to sell, note that potential buyers may be put off at the sight of a wild and unkempt backyard.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

³ Arbors: (Also known as Pergola) An arched structure with an open roof and cross rafters, supported by posts or columns, typically installed in a garden, park, or backyard and usually covered with climbing plants or vines.

⁵ Retaining walls: A structure used to support vertical slopes of earth or to hold back water

⁷ Sprinkler system: Set of equipment used to irrigate lawns

⁸ Fescue: A coarse, resilient grass that stays green all year. Fescue is considered a cool-season grass, so it does well in cooler temperatures but can turn brown quickly in the heat. This means that it must be watered frequently in the summer

¹⁰ Fiberglass: Plastic that is reinforced with glass fibers. The fibers may be mixed randomly throughout the plastic, or come in the form of a flat sheet, or be woven into a fabric

¹¹ Slate: A fine-grained rock, typically bluish-gray in color, that can easily be split into thin layers and is commonly used as a roofing material

¹² Vinyl: A synthetic plastic made from ethylene and chlorine. Vinyl has many applications in the construction industry and it is widely used in sidings, window frames, roofing and gutters, among others

¹³ Pump: A device used to move air, liquid, or gas by mechanical means

¹⁴ Pop-up sprinkler heads: The outlet valve of a water-spraying device, used to provide a continuous stream of water to a small area

¹⁵ Liner: A covering, usually made of vinyl, for the walls and floor of a swimming pool, used to keep the water in and protect the pool's surface.