How Much Does Landscape Design Cost in 2025?
Landscape design costs an average of $4,571
The average landscape design cost ranges from $1,932 to $7,244, with an average of $4,571.
Costs vary based on project size, complexity, location, and the type of project you want to do.
Additional cost factors include materials, labor, and design features like patios, ponds, and decks.
Hiring a professional landscape designer can maximize your investment and increase your home's value.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
The average cost to hire a landscape designer is $4,571, with most homeowners spending between $1,932 and $7,244. Ultimately, your costs will vary based on the size, location, and complexity of your project.
For simple projects, homeowners can hire a landscape designer for a one to two-hour on-site consultation, at an average of $50 to $150 an hour. For more complicated projects, landscape designers and architects may charge $6,000 or more for detailed plans and drawings.
It’s important to note that landscape design is purely that: design. Once you move forward with a project, you’ll have separate landscape installation costs.
What Is a Landscape Designer?
Landscape designers are skilled contractors who can help you develop a plan to transform your outdoor space into something both functional and fashionable. While tackling a DIY landscape project is possible, partnering with an experienced landscape designer ensures your outdoor space is both beautiful and functional, maximizing your investment and enhancing your home's value.
Though often used interchangeably with landscape architect, a landscape designer usually focuses on smaller residential projects, including:
Gardens
Trees
Patios
Water features
You can find a local landscape architect when your vision includes more complicated features like a retaining wall or yard regrading.
Landscape Design Cost Factors
Several factors influence the cost of your landscape design, such as the size of your outdoor space, the complexity of the design, the materials selected, and the designer’s level of experience.
Yard Size
The cost of landscape design per square foot varies based on the complexity of your project. Simple designs may cost less, while intricate plans involving a licensed landscape architect can be more expensive. On average, you can expect to budget between $4 and $40 per square foot for landscape design.
Level of Design
Your landscape design cost depends on the amount of design work you need. A few simple changes cost much less than redesigning your entire yard. Here’s a look at the different levels of design and their costs.
| Level of Design | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Basic | $300–$600 |
| Intermediate | $700–$3,000 |
| Complex | $3,500–$10,000+ |
Materials
Designers will recommend materials that best fit the design, your budget, and your home. They have a good sense of how the varied materials cohesively unify the design, though you can always ask about cost-effective alternatives.
Material costs will vary widely depending on where you live, especially when accounting for inflation. The table below breaks down some common materials used in landscape design and their average costs:
| Material | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Crushed stone | $27–$64 per ton |
| Brick | $10–$14 per sq. ft. |
| Paver | $3–$20 per sq. ft. |
| Stone | $8–$50 per sq. ft. |
| Pea gravel | $40–$95 per ton |
| Sod | $0.35–$0.85 per sq. ft. |
Landscaping Features
Many landscape design projects include specific features, like a new patio, pool, or pond. The table below breaks down materials and labor costs for each project, outside of the initial design work.
| Feature | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Pond | $1,300–$5,800 |
| Fence | $1,700–$4,500 |
| Pergola or trellis | $2,000–$6,500 |
| Deck | $4,300–$12,500 |
| Patio | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Gazebo | $2,500–$10,000 |
| Flower garden | $300–$3,000 |
| Xeriscaping | $10,000–$30,000 |
| Installing turf | $5–$20 per sq. ft. |
| Yard & softscape | $50–$150 per hour |
| Installing shrubs | $25–$50 each |
Soil Testing Costs
Designers may test the soil for drainage, acidity, and nutrients during a site visit. Soil testing averages $1,400, with prices generally starting at $200 and potentially reaching several thousand dollars depending on the scope of the analysis.
Experience Level
Landscape designer fees range from $50 to $150 per hour. More experienced designers or well-established firms with extensive portfolios may charge higher rates. These professionals often have the expertise to handle larger-scale projects and may offer additional services through in-house local arborists, gardeners, or wall contractors.
Time of Year
Landscape designers are busiest during the spring and summer months. Scheduling your consultation in the off-peak seasons, like fall or winter, can potentially reduce your wait time and even lower costs, as designers may offer more competitive rates during these periods.
Costs by Design Type
The type of landscape design you choose significantly impacts your overall costs. For instance, a vegetable garden design might cost as little as $0.03 per square foot, while specialized designs like xeriscaping can run an average of $200 per hour due to their complexity.
Residential Garden Design
Garden designers near you may charge by the hour, by area, or by a flat rate. Whether you’re building a butterfly garden or a vegetable garden, costs will range from $0.03 to $0.10 per square foot. In general, however, residential garden design costs less than the average landscape design.
Small Garden Design
Small garden costs vary by size, location, and complexity. You'll spend anywhere from $4 to $18 per square foot, including installation. Design costs run from $0.05 to $0.75 per square foot, or 5% to 10% of the project cost. Complex urban gardens tend to run on the higher end of the spectrum, with simple gardens in rural areas being the least expensive.
Xeriscape and Environmental Garden Design
Xeriscaping tends to cost more– local designers may charge $200 per hour for design work, and a complete xeriscaping project ranges between $10,000 and $30,000.
Labor Rates and Fee Structures
Labor costs are also separate from design costs, but are directly related to the vision your designer dreams up. These labor costs will vary, depending on your location, materials, landscapers’ experiences, and your project’s specificity. However, expect to pay an average of $50 to $100 per hour for a two-person crew.
Consultation Hourly Rates
Consultation fees can range from $100 to $3,000, averaging $300. Additionally, hourly rates range from $50 to $150, with an average of approximately $100 per hour.
Per Project Rate
Design plans or project rates range from $300 to $15,000, with the average fee being approximately $4,500.
Percent Rate
Some landscape designers charge a percentage of the project’s total cost, which can range from 10% to 70%, with an average fee of 55%.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional Landscape Designer
While designing your own yard or garden is an option, with tools like free software or even paper and pencil, partnering with a professional landscape designer offers numerous advantages:
Expert recommendations for selecting the right plants, trees, wood, and stone to suit your environment and style
Guidance on how to optimize your budget and potentially reduce material and labor costs
Enhancing your property's value with a professionally designed landscape that offers a greater return on investment
For projects beyond simple plantings, collaborating with a local landscape designer can help bring your vision to life with expertise and functionality.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hiring a landscape designer brings your vision to life by creating a detailed plan that maximizes your property's appeal. A professional designer enhances the aesthetics of your outdoor space, increases your home's value through thoughtful plant selection and design, and efficiently manages the project from start to finish. Their expertise ensures your landscape is not only beautiful but also functional.
To verify a landscape designer's credentials, start by checking their professional certifications and licenses. Review their portfolio of completed projects and ask for client testimonials or references. Ensure their design style aligns with your vision by discussing past work and understanding their approach. This thorough vetting process helps you select a qualified and reliable professional for your project.
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