Landscaping is a vital aspect of your home’s appearance. A tidy, well-organized yard with blooming flowers and neatly manicured plants helps your home appear more attractive to neighbors and visitors. If you want to sell your house, landscaping can help increase its attractiveness and attract buyers.
In this post, we’ll look at some of the critical factors influencing how much you spend on luxury landscaping design. We’ll also review some of the various materials and labor expenses involved so you can better understand what to expect regarding landscape design costs. Whether planning a large-scale landscape restoration or simple front yard landscaping ideas to add some new plants and features to your yard, read on for advice on efficiently managing landscape design expenditures.
Factors That Affect The Cost Of Luxury Landscaping
Property Size
The size of your property will indeed affect the overall cost of landscape design. More significant properties typically require more plants, materials, and manpower, resulting in a larger overall price tag. If you have a large property but want to spend less, you can choose smaller quantities and sizes of plants, a more straightforward design, or a phased approach.
Labor:
Some professional landscape designers charge by the hour, while others charge per project. Hourly prices typically vary from $50 to $150 and cover everything from the first consultation to design drawings and modifications. Flat project pricing is based on the number of hours the designer anticipates spending on the project.
Design plans might cost anywhere between $300 and $15,000. Most are under $6,000. Plans are included in most flat rates. The actual figure will depend on the market, your location, and the designer’s experience. Get an exact quotation from a top-rated landscaper in your area.
Consultation Fee:
Some landscape designers charge a consultation fee to inspect your property, review what you want included in the project, and write out designs if needed. Consultation fees typically run around $300, but they can range from $100 to $3,000 depending on the size and complexity of your project.
If you accept their estimate, some designers may deduct the consultation charge from the entire project fee. Before choosing a designer, make sure you understand if this is the case.
At Outdoor Makeover and Living Spaces – one of the best landscaping companies, we offer three types of consultation:
- Standard Consultation: This includes on-site sketches that are available for immediate visualization. It will cost you $500
- 3D Consultation: Realistic and detailed visualizations that showcase the project’s potential cost you $1000 to $1500.
- Master Plan: This Landscape Design Consultation option uses Autocad software to produce a thorough, dimension-aware plan. It will cost you around $6500 to $7000
Complexity of the Design Plan
The project’s complexity significantly impacts the total cost. It should come as no surprise that a minor addition to your current landscape design will cost less than a complete makeover.
For example, garden landscaping is less expensive to install than a pond, costing anywhere from $1,200 to $5,500. Below are some examples of projects and their average cost ranges.
| Example Landscaping Plans | Average Cost |
| Design plans only | $300 – $15,000 |
| Yard and softscape | $50 – $150 per hour |
| Vegetable garden | $0.03 – $0.10 per square foot |
| Water Feature | $1,200 – $5,000 |
| Installing shrubs | $25 – $50 each |
| Flower garden | $300 – $3,000 |
| Xeriscaping | $10,000 – $30,000 |
| Installing turf | $5 – $20 per square foot |
Location
Most things, including landscape design, are priced based on your residence. Rural areas typically have lower prices for these services when compared to urban or suburban areas. That said, suburban and rural projects generally are more expensive due to the more significant land available. Nonetheless, major cities tend to have higher costs per square foot.
Look into the available options in your area to select the ideal landscape designer for your project.
Landscape Design Cost by Type of Features
The features you choose to incorporate will contribute to the overall cost of your landscape design project. Special elements, such as a pond or gazebo, can significantly enhance the atmosphere of your landscaping.
| Feature | Average Cost |
| Pond | $1,300 – $5,800 |
| Fence | $1,700 – $4,500 |
| Deck Building | $4,300 – $12,500 |
| Patio | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Pergola or trellis | $2,000 – $6,500 |
| Above-ground fire pit | $200 – $1,500 |
| Gazebo | $2,500 – $10,000 |
| Raised garden bed with plants | $20 – $70 per square foot |
Materials
Landscape design costs are heavily influenced by the materials utilized. More expensive materials like natural stone or high-quality hardwood lumber typically result in higher overall project costs. In contrast, less expensive materials like gravel or landscaping timbers can help to reduce expenditures.
One approach to saving money on material expenditures is repurposing existing items on your property. This could involve rescuing old lumber from a damaged fence or collecting free landscaping rocks from a nearby gravel mine. Reusing materials can help minimize the overall cost of a project while still producing a stunning end product.
Here’s a breakdown of some common materials and their typical costs:
Crushed stone: Crushed stone is a versatile material that can be used to create paths, roads, and decorative surfaces.
Typical cost: $35 to $67 per ton.
Usage: Pathways, driveways, and garden beds
Brick: Brick provides a timeless appeal to any environment. It is durable and can be used for a variety of purposes.
Typical cost: $6.25 to $11 per square foot.
Usage: patios, walkways, retaining walls.
Pavers: Pavers come in various styles and materials, allowing you freedom in design.
Typical cost: $5 to $25 per square foot.
Usage: patios, pathways, and driveways.
Natural Stone: Natural stone offers a luxurious appearance and long-lasting durability.
Typical cost: $7 to $20 per square foot.
Usage: patios, retaining walls, garden edging.
Landscape design is a complex but rewarding process that may help you transform your backyard into a beautiful and functional space. Whether you intend to do weekly lawn maintenance, a minor front-of-house landscaping, or a large-scale overhaul, make sure to thoroughly examine your landscaping budget. With professional landscaping and a little time and effort, you can create an outdoor living space that you’ll love and use for years to come!
Let’s Discuss Your Project Today!
If you want backyard landscaping ideas to create the best outdoors for your family and pets, Outdoor Makeovers & Living Spaces is right here. We provide you with the best landscape design and construction services in Atlanta, Smyrna, Buckhead, Alpharetta, and other surrounding areas. We consider every single detail from start to finish when designing the landscape so that it relates to your vision and fits best with the overall structure. We make sure to consider eco-friendly techniques when building your backyard to keep the environment healthy. Contact us today!
