Professional landscaping costs a national average of $3,518 in 2026, and most homeowners pay $1,248 to $6,070, according to Angi. That works out to about $4.50 to $12 per square foot. Design, sod, plants, and hardscape each add their own line to the bill. House AI Garden Design can show your yard redesigned from one photo before you pay for any work.
The total depends on how much of the yard you change and how much of it is stone, wood, or concrete rather than plants. Small jobs like a new flower border cost far less than a full backyard rebuild.
Landscaping cost by yard size
Bigger yards cost more, but the price per square foot stays in a similar band. Angi's 2026 guide puts 200 square feet at $900 to $2,400, 500 square feet at $2,250 to $6,000, 1,000 square feet at $4,500 to $12,000, and 2,000 square feet at $9,000 to $24,000. A front yard averages $1,500 to $5,000, while a full backyard renovation runs $15,000 to $50,000.
What each part of the project costs
| Item | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full design plan | $700 to $3,000 | HomeGuide |
| Garden designer's hourly rate | $50 to $150 per hour | Angi and HomeGuide |
| Landscaping labor | $50 to $100 per hour | Angi |
| Sod installation | $950 to $4,300 | Angi |
| Sod installed, per square foot | $1 to $2 | HomeGuide |
| Border plants | $2 to $50 per plant | Angi |
| Flower bed installation | $800 to $3,000 | Angi |
| Tree planting | $120 to $2,500 | Angi |
| Retaining wall | $3,250 to $9,000 | Angi |
| Hardscaping (walls, paths, patios) | $300 to $30,000 | Angi |
| Mulch | $0.20 to $0.60 per square foot | Angi |
Labor is the biggest share of the bill. HomeGuide puts it at around 80% of the total cost, which is why a plan that reuses your existing beds and trees saves more than switching to cheaper plants.
How to preview your yard before paying for work
Step 1: Photograph the whole yard
Stand with your back to the house and take a wide photo in daylight, with the lawn, the beds, and the fence or edge of the yard in the frame.
Step 2: Try a few looks in Garden Design
Upload the photo to House AI Garden Design and compare a few directions. Each design takes about 15 seconds on average, and every user gets 3 free designs a day with no credit card.
Step 3: Turn the favorite into a quote request
List what the design you like actually contains: square feet of new sod, the number of beds and trees, and any paths or walls. Send the same list and the picture to at least three local pros so their quotes cover the same work.
Step 4: Check what the picture can't
AI doesn't measure your yard, and it can't see your soil, drainage, sun, or buried utility lines. A plant in the render may not grow in your climate, and small details can drift. Ask the pro to confirm sizes and plant choices before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of landscaping?
$3,518 nationally in 2026, according to Angi, with most homeowners paying between $1,248 and $6,070.
How much does landscaping cost per square foot?
Angi puts it at $4.50 to $12 per square foot, and up to $40 per square foot for a tear-out and major remodel. HomeGuide gives $4 to $12.
How much does a garden design plan cost?
HomeGuide puts a full design at $700 to $3,000 on average, and a small backyard garden design at $300 to $600.
Why is landscaping so expensive?
Mostly labor. HomeGuide estimates labor at around 80% of the total cost of a landscaping job.
Keep reading
- Garden Design
- House AI Garden Design: Transform Your Outdoor Space
- Garden Design Trends for 2025
- Curb Appeal Makeover: AI Exterior Design Tips
- House AI Pricing
Sources: Angi, "How Much Does Landscaping Cost? [2026 Data]," updated September 23, 2026. HomeGuide, "How Much Does Landscaping Cost? (2026)," February 4, 2026. Both checked October 17, 2026. House AI figures come from the House AI app.