How Much Does It Cost To Update An Existing Landscape?
$4,380
Landscaping Update Costs
Landscaping is a great way to spruce up the exterior of any home. With the right landscaping, you can make all the right impressions. Budgeting for this project can be difficult because of the large variance in landscaping costs. Although some landscapers do work on a standard hourly rate, many updates and single jobs are charged as a one-time service or a flat rate. Others are charged by the square foot.
The type of updates you want to be done and their difficulty will affect how much you pay for your landscaping update. Materials are the largest expense and can include everything from grass to mulch, plants, stone scapes, fountains, and more. A landscaping update will also cost significantly less than putting in new landscaping or completely replacing the existing yard.
Landscaping update: cost by sq.ft. or project.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| New mulch | $0.90-$1.25 per sq.ft. |
| Weeding/weed prevention | $35-$100 per sq.ft. |
| Grass seeding | $90-$180 per 1,000 sq.ft. |
| Fish pond | $1,500-$9,000 each |
| Install a sprinkler system | $1 per sq.ft. |
| Upgrade to sod installation | $0.32-$0.90 per sq.ft. |
| Grading | $800-$2,000 per project |
| Existing landscape removal | $500-$2,000 per project |
| Hire a landscape designer | $50-$75 per hour |
Landscaping update: a space that requires grass seeding, new mulch, weed prevention, and existing landscape removal for a space measuring a total of 8,000 square feet. Labor is included in the cost of each service.
| Item | Unit Cost | Quantity | Line Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape removal: removal of existing mulch bed with slight grading and sodding included. | $0.37 per sq.ft. | 4,000 | $1,500 |
| New mulch: application, materials, and installation. | $1 per sq.ft. | 2,000 | $2,000 |
| Grass seeding: new grass seed. | $0.12 per sq.ft. | 6,000 | $720 |
| Weed prevention: application and chemicals | $0.02 per sq.ft. | 8,000 | $160 |
| Total Cost | $0.55 per sq.ft. | 8,000 | $4,380 |
Other considerations and costs
- If you are unsure of how to revive your landscaping, hiring a landscape designer could provide a lot of inspiration. Their services will add to your bottom line, but the results will also increase your home value more than most designs you would create on your own.
- Since most projects are based on square footage, make sure that you have a rough estimate of the size of your yard before you ask for estimates.
- Extensive grading, excavation, or landscaping removal could add hundreds of dollars in labor to the cost of your project.
DIY considerations
- Consider doing any demo or removal work yourself to avoid paying high hourly landscaping rates. Most cities and trash services will offer a yard waste pickup service so you can just carry everything to the curb. Some will have special disposal requirements for landscaping materials, so be sure to check.
- If you want to save money on landscaping costs, do the work yourself. Most projects can be completed by anyone willing to do a little hard work. Keep in mind, though, the end result might not be as awe-inspiring as one created or designed by professionals.
References
- Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
- Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
- Literature review of DIY Web sites.
Enter your zip code to get estimates
Cost by city
- New York, NY$7,036
- Bronx, NY$5,782
- Brooklyn, NY$4,819
- Philadelphia, PA$6,011
- Washington, DC$5,216
- Atlanta, GA$4,720
- Miami, FL$4,292
- Fort Lauderdale, FL$4,496
- Minneapolis, MN$5,275
- Chicago, IL$6,146
- Houston, TX$6,339
- San Antonio, TX$4,255
- Austin, TX$4,818
- Denver, CO$4,071
- Phoenix, AZ$4,295
- Las Vegas, NV$4,714
- Los Angeles, CA$5,312
- San Diego, CA$4,820
- San Jose, CA$5,822
- Seattle, WA$4,262
Local costs have been calculated by accounting for labor and material cost differences across different cities. To get accurate cost estimates, indicate yours: