Landscaping cost in 2026
Reviewed and updated by the Fixerlane editorial team · How we research
What other publishers report landscaping costs, what moves the price, and how to tell whether two quotes are really for the same work.
Typical prices
| Job | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Landscaping project | $200–$14,854 per jobAngi: average $3,516; $4.50–$12 per sq ftAngi, updated Apr 2026 | Angiupdated Apr 2026 |
| $300–$4,000 per jobHomeGuide: $4–$12 per sq ft for basic services; complete new landscaping $3,000–$16,000HomeGuide, updated Feb 2026 | HomeGuideupdated Feb 2026 | |
| Landscaper hourly rate (2-person crew) | $50–$100 per hourHomeGuide: $25–$50 per personHomeGuide, updated Feb 2026 | HomeGuideupdated Feb 2026 |
| Lawn care hourly rate | $25–$60 per hourAngi, updated Mar 2026 | Angiupdated Mar 2026 |
| Landscaping maintenance | $100–$200 per monthHomeGuide: includes lawn care, gardening and general yard upkeepHomeGuide, updated Feb 2026 | HomeGuideupdated Feb 2026 |
| Lawn mowing | $49–$203 per visitAngi: average $123Angi, updated Mar 2026 | Angiupdated Mar 2026 |
| Lawn mowing (⅛–¼ acre) | $30–$85 per visitHomeGuide: $70–$150 for overgrown grassHomeGuide, updated Feb 2026 | HomeGuideupdated Feb 2026 |
How we got these. Fixerlane does not set prices and these are not our figures. They are the ranges published by Angi and HomeGuide, read from each page on October 4, 2026 and linked so you can check them. Each publisher measures differently, so the ranges do not always agree. Your quote depends on your home, your area and the exact job — the things below are what move it.
What changes the price
- Size of the yard and how much of it is being changed
- Hardscaping — patios, walls, paths — which costs far more than planting
- Plant size: mature trees and shrubs cost much more than young ones
- Labour, which is a large share of most landscaping bills
- Grading, drainage and irrigation work underground
- Ongoing maintenance versus a one-off project
811 is the free national before-you-dig service. Contact it a few business days before any digging, including planting trees and installing fences. (811)
California's contractor board tells homeowners never to pay more than 10 percent down or $1,000, whichever is less, and to get at least three bids. (CSLB)
What pros ask before quoting
These are the questions landscaping pros listed on Fixerlane ask before they will quote. Each one is a variable that moves the price — which is why having answers ready gets you a firmer number faster.
- Property type
- Commonly offered: Commercial · Home · Multi-unit building · Office / business · Residential
- Clippings
- Commonly offered: Bagging · Mulching
- Service
- Commonly offered: Tree and stump removal · Tree removal (leave stump) · Tree trimming
- Work required
- Commonly offered: New turf installation · Turf repair · Turf replacement
- Artificial turf type
- Commonly offered: Athletic turf · Dog run turf · Landscape turf
- Clearing services needed
- Commonly offered: Concrete · Gravel · Old artificial turf · Old grass or weeds
- Frequency of services
- Commonly offered: Every other week · Once a month · Once per week · One time only
- Work needed
- Commonly offered: Complete renovation · Larger landscape changes · Smaller landscape changes
How pros quote
Fixed price
The scope is clear enough to put a number on the whole job. The risk of it running long sits with the pro, which is why they will want the scope pinned down first.
Hourly or day rate
Used where nobody yet knows what is wrong, or the work is open-ended. Fair for diagnosis; a warning sign on a job that could have been specified.
Per unit
Priced by square foot, per fixture, per window. Easy to compare between pros — as long as you check what a "unit" includes.
Call-out plus work
A fixed fee to attend, then the job on top. Common for emergency and repair work. Ask whether the call-out comes off the final bill.
Comparing quotes fairly
Two quotes are only comparable if they cover the same job. Before you judge on price, check each one states:
- The scope, in plain words rather than a trade shorthand
- Which materials are included, and who supplies them
- Whether disposal and clean-up are in the price
- Making good afterwards — patching, painting, reinstating
- The payment schedule, tied to visible milestones
- A start date and a realistic finish window
- What happens if something unexpected is found
A quote well below the others is usually a smaller job, not a better deal. Ask what it excludes before assuming it is the bargain.
What the landscaping market looks like
Fixerlane lists landscaping pros across 51 states and 5,158 cities. About 22% are one-person businesses and 70% are small teams of two to nine. The typical business has been trading 6 years.
That mix matters for price. A sole trader carries lower overheads and is often cheaper for a small job; a larger firm can field a crew, carry more insurance and start sooner on a big one. Neither is better — they suit different work.
Common questions
- Do I need a landscape designer or architect?
- For planting and a simple layout, a landscaper may design it. For grading, drainage, retaining walls or a large project, a licensed landscape architect can produce drawings that contractors quote against.
- Should I call 811 before landscaping?
- Yes. 811 is the free national call-before-you-dig service. Contact it a few business days before any digging, including planting trees and fence posts.
- How much should I pay up front?
- As little as is reasonable, tied to work done. Some states cap deposits on home improvement contracts — California, for example, limits the down payment.
- When is the cheapest time to landscape?
- Late autumn and winter are quieter for many crews outside the south, so scheduling can be easier. Planting timing depends on the plants and your climate.
Get a real number
Published ranges tell you what is normal; only a pro who has seen your job can tell you what yours costs. Find landscaping pros near you and ask two or three.
Find landscaping pros