Xeriscaping Cost

National average

$12,000

(1,200 sq.ft. front yard)

Low: $10,800

(basic xeriscaping)

High: $27,500

(designer xeriscaping plus hardscaping)

Cost to install xeriscaping varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
Get free estimates from landscapers in your city.

The average cost of installing xeriscaping is $12,000.

How much does it cost to install xeriscaping?

Xeriscaping can not only dramatically improve the appearance of a home, but in dry and arid locations can conserve water and lower water costs. This cost guide looks at the cost of professional xeriscaping of a 1200 sq.ft. front yard.

Cost breakdown

Labor: labor costs typically depend on the size of the home and the detail of the xeriscaping¹ work required. Professional xeriscaper contractors average between $45-$75 per hour. For 1200 sq.ft. homes it is estimated to take 6.5-9 hours and would cost between $290-$675.
Plan and design: often, a landscaper will draw a customized design for your new site to ensure that you receive the look you desire. The concept design will show a specific vision for the site, and should take into account soil conditions, drainage, area usage, sun, shade, slope, level of maintenance desired and other factors. Design and planning costs are typically separate and can be expected to range between $100 for a basic consultation, while a high-end designer can charge up to $16,000 for the landscape plan.
Material: determine the total square footage of the property and deduct the footprint² or ground floor area of the house and the hard surfaces areas such as the existing driveway, walkways and patios, then determine the total area available for landscaping. Then apply $9-$11 per sq.ft. of required xeriscaping¹. Xeriscaping¹ includes lawn alternatives and non-turf areas containing a substrate of decomposed granite, ground or chipped hardwood mulch³, crushed limestone⁴, paver stones, flagstone⁵, and pebbles of varying sizes. This does not include watering systems or water collection facilities.
Level and grade⁶ the land to the desired steepness: depending on the current condition and grade⁶ of the land, will increase costs by an additional $500-$1000 and up to two days of labor or $360-$1200.

Enhancement and improvement costs

Enhance your landscaping by adding water features between $150-$1200, retaining walls up to $25,000, decks and patios between $7-$35 per sq.ft. Typical hardscaping costs run $17-$23 per sq.ft.

Additional considerations and costs

Permits may be required for deep landscaping and can be obtained through the county for less than $100.
Xeriscaping¹ can save homeowners money through rebates. For example, the Southern Nevada Water Authority rebates homeowners $1.50 per square foot of grass removed and replaced with xeriscape¹.
Xeriscaping¹ can use 70% less water if done correctly as it makes full use of the rainfall by using native plants species, by grouping the plants with similar water requirements together, using drought-resistant plants and breaking up the landscape with walkways and patios so that those areas save water.
Professional landscaping is expected to increase the value of a site by around 20%.

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Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

Definitions in laymen's terms, cost considerations, pictures and things you need to know.
See full cheat sheet.

¹ Xeriscaping: Landscaping so as to avoid the need for watering by using native or drought-resistant plants, paving stones and gravel, and other methods to create an attractive yard that is ideal for dry climates or environmentally friendly in any area

² Footprint: The entire area of ground covered by a building, including the exterior walls and porch or patio areas

³ Mulch: A natural substance derived from plant, animal, or mineral matter that is added to soil in order to make it more fertile

⁴ Limestone: A type of sedimentary rock, made up of mostly calcite and aragonite

⁵ Flagstone: A piece of rock, usually sedimentary, that has been split into layers. It is commonly used for paving and walkways, and is also used for fences and roofing

⁶ Grade: The process of evening out the ground's surface, making it either flat or sloped.