How Much Does Landscape Design Cost in 2025?
The average cost of landscape design is $4,572
Hiring a landscape designer runs $4,572 on average.
Location, project complexity, and materials can significantly affect final costs.
Proper planning and a seasoned pro help you maximize your return on investment.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Expect to pay an average of $4,572 to bring in a landscape designer, although most homeowners land between $1,932 and $7,246. Ultimately, your costs will vary based on the size, location, and complexity of your project, with some small projects costing as little as $500 while larger, more complex projects cost up to {MaxCost}.
What Is a Landscape Designer?
Landscape designers are skilled pros who turn your ideas into a functional, stylish outdoor space. 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.
While people sometimes mix the terms up, landscape designers typically handle smaller residential work such as:
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. Contact a top-rated landscaper in your area to get an exact quote.
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
Your designer will suggest materials that fit the plan, respect your budget, and complement 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 feature, 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 |
| Aboveground fire pit | $200–$1,500 |
| 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 |
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’ experience, 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
Free design apps and graph paper can get you started, but teaming up with a professional landscape designer brings several clear benefits.
A seasoned landscape designer turns your ideas into a clear plan, recommends native plants that thrive in your climate, and fine-tunes placement for year-round color. With a pro managing the details, you save time, avoid costly missteps, and end up with a cohesive design that boosts curb appeal and overall home value—all while keeping the process on schedule and on budget. For projects beyond simple plantings, collaborating with a local landscape designer can help bring your vision to life with expertise and functionality, but 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.
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. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the 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.
Hiring a landscape designer brings your unique vision to life and provides expert guidance on design details you may not have considered. They clarify your overall layout and refine specific elements, advise on native and environmentally compatible plants and optimal placement, and develop a cohesive, colorful garden scheme. Their expertise enhances the visual appeal, boosts curb appeal and home value, and streamlines project management for a functional, beautiful outdoor space.
Start by checking that the designer holds current licenses, certifications, or professional memberships in your state. Next, review a portfolio of recent projects and ask for two or three homeowner references to verify results and reliability. Pros who show a deep, diverse body of work often charge more, but that experience usually pays off in fewer headaches for you. Finally, talk through their design process to be sure it lines up with your goals and aesthetic.
