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Landscaping
Landscaping covers everything from $40 mowing visits to $80,000 backyard transformations. Understand what each service should cost and how to plan a phased outdoor project.
Landscape pricing is among the most local of any trade — material costs and labor rates vary dramatically by region. Use the numbers below as a starting point and expect coastal urban markets to run 25–40% higher than averages.
Regional cost comparison
Figures are widely cited industry averages compiled from contractor surveys, trade publications, and consumer-reporting databases. Your real quote will vary by home size, materials, accessibility, permits, and local labor rates.
| Service | Northeast | South | Midwest | West | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly mowing (1/4 acre) | $45–$75 | $35–$60 | $38–$65 | $50–$85 | $40–$70 |
| Spring/fall cleanup (full property) | $380–$750 | $280–$580 | $300–$620 | $400–$800 | $300–$650 |
| Paver patio (400 sq ft, mid-grade) | $8,500–$15,500 | $6,500–$12,000 | $7,000–$13,000 | $8,500–$16,000 | $7,000–$14,000 |
| Sprinkler system (1/4 acre, 6 zones) | $4,200–$7,500 | $3,200–$5,800 | $3,500–$6,200 | $4,200–$7,800 | $3,500–$6,800 |
| Tree removal (50 ft, accessible) | $1,200–$2,800 | $900–$2,000 | $1,000–$2,200 | $1,300–$3,000 | $1,000–$2,500 |
When to hire a pro
- Hardscape (patios, walls, walkways) installs
- Drainage and grading work
- Irrigation system design and install
- Tree removal of anything over 25 ft
- Landscape design at any meaningful scale
When DIY is OK
- Weekly mowing and trimming
- Mulching beds and refreshing annuals
- Pruning shrubs and small ornamentals
- Hand-weeding and spot herbicide
- Setting up a simple drip irrigation kit
Landscaping guides
Paver Patio Cost Guide by Size and Material
Concrete vs. clay vs. natural stone, what proper base prep adds, and the upcharges that catch buyers off-guard.
Read guideSprinkler System Cost and Real-World ROI
Per-zone pricing, smart controllers, and when an irrigation system actually pays for itself vs. drag-hose watering.
Read guideLawn Care Yearly Cost Breakdown: DIY vs. Service
Mowing, fertilization, weed control, and aeration — what each costs and where to save.
Coming soonRetaining Wall Cost and Material Options
Block, timber, boulder, and poured concrete walls compared by cost and lifespan.
Coming soonTree Removal Cost by Size and Accessibility
What you'll pay by tree height, location, and stump grinding add-ons.
Coming soonLandscape Lighting Cost Guide
Low-voltage vs. line-voltage systems, fixture counts, and install pricing.
Coming soonDrainage and Grading: When Standing Water Means Real Money
French drains, dry wells, and re-grading — what each solves and what it costs.
Coming soonXeriscaping vs. Lawn: A 10-Year Cost Comparison
Install cost, water savings, and maintenance over a decade.
Coming soonFall and Spring Yard Cleanup: What to Pay
Pricing by lot size, leaf volume, and add-ons.
Coming soonHow to Vet a Landscape Contractor
Insurance, design portfolio, references, and avoiding lowball bids that escalate.
Coming soon