What should landscaping cost

Compare prices from landscapers near me Compare Quotes. There is also a range in landscaping costs per acre. You likely receive a per acre discount on some things if you have multiple acres. For example, your cost per foot likely drops if you have several acres where you want to plant grass because of the large number of feet. It mostly depends on your plans and how much of the space is being developed.

The area you landscape can impact your overall costs. Frontyards tend to be smaller and do not have as many elaborate features, so they tend to be less expensive to landscape.

A full garden usually involves more features and professional planning, so it usually costs more than typical landscaping in a front or backyard. Frontyard landscaping has the biggest impact on curb appeal and value.

This landscaping impacts the way your home looks when viewed with the important parts: the walkway, shrubs, trees, and lawn. Typically, there are no major structures in the frontyard, which means costs may be less expensive than backyards with patios and decks. Backyard landscaping is more about enjoyment than appearance. It still adds value , but there is less immediate impact and does not need to frame and work with the home as much.

Backyards are usually where the most money is spent on paths, patios, gazebos, pergolas 1 , and ponds, so the costs are typically higher. Gardens usually require professional planning and layouts, so their starting costs are typically higher.

Gardens are also more likely to involve more elaborate features, including walkways, sitting places, water features, and focal points, including gazebos, pergolas, and fountains. The more elaborate the garden in size and layout, the higher the overall costs. Gardens that focus more on plants, shrubs, and trees usually have lower costs than those featuring more hardscaping.

If you choose to include xeriscaping or elaborate hardscape features, your costs could be higher. Landscaping can be grouped into four basic types, each with costs. These can be described as softscaping, which involves plants, xeriscaping 2 to conserve water, and hardscaping, which uses non-plant materials to shape the landscape and property maintenance.

Each project has very different costs. They also produce varying looks for your space. Within each landscaping subtype, you can find a wide range of different looks and materials.

It is common for many homes to combine some level of soft and hardscaping. Xeriscaping also uses a combination of hard and softscaping. Doing so in any space can enhance the usage and appearance, adding layers and depth to the design and providing more opportunities to interact with the landscaping. Most types of softscaping require maintenance. These can be ongoing costs you need to keep up your yard and help it look its best.

Any landscaping you do likely has ongoing maintenance costs. Some may only need to be done once or occasionally. Others need to be done regularly to keep your lawn, trees, and property healthy. Fertilization helps your new grass or plants grow quickly. Fertilization has a range of costs, depending on the type, desired outcome, and yard size. Your area and grass type impact your fertilization types and schedule.

Weed control takes many forms. The weed type, location, and population influence your final costs. Weeds are very common in certain parts of landscaping. Depending on how often they come back, weed control may be an ongoing part of your regular landscaping. Trees do not often require frequent trimming, but when they do, it can be important.

Trees can be trimmed for a better appearance. They can also be trimmed for functional reasons. A tree brushing against your home could make it easier for pests to enter, or a tree brushing power lines could put you at risk for outages. Your total trimming costs range, depending on the tree type and size and how much trimming must be done. Stump removal can be done at the same time a tree is cut or any time after.

Stump removal can be important if you choose to plant something new in the area. It can also discourage the stump from starting new growth. Removal can leave a large hole behind, which can increase your landscaping costs to fill it.

Aeration is important to keep your lawn healthy. Sometimes, the roots of your grass can get so thick that water and fertilizer cannot penetrate it. Other times, your soil may not be able to support grass. With aeration, you can get a healthier and more lush lawn or prepare your soil for new grass seed or sod. Stump grinding can be done after cutting a tree down or at some point after.

This can remove it from sight without needing to worry about dealing with the hole. Grinding is not a good option if you intend to plant something new where the stump was. If your yard is in bad shape, you may want to pay for a yard cleanup to remove things like leaves and debris before you start planning and planting.

Yard cleanup can be done regularly, but if you have many trees, yard cleanup may be a seasonal affair. You can also choose to have this service done as needed - whenever you plan on planting new shrubs or having major work done. Get free estimates from trusted landscaping companies near me Get Free Estimates.

Softscaping is planting trees, grass, shrubs, flowers, and other plants. It has a wide range of costs because each plant has a different price, and the number of plants varies. Larger fully grown shrubs cost more to plant than smaller or newer shrubs. Shrubs are commonly added to front landscaping close to the house.

They can also be used in the backyard along paths or the sides of patios. It is common to plant various shrubs to add depth and interest. Trees can be planted in many areas in your yard. You can also choose to plant young trees that mature over time or plant fairly mature trees.

The tree size and type you choose impacts your overall costs. Fruit trees and highly decorative trees cost more than young ornamental trees. If you have fruit trees on your property, pruning is a great way to keep them healthy and fruit-bearing. Pruning is frequently confused with tree trimming. Trimming is done to shape a tree or cut it back from houses and power lines. Tree pruning keeps the tree healthy. It removes old and dead branches so that your fruit trees can produce. While landscaping deals with planting trees, sometimes you need to have one removed for new projects.

So while most softscaping deals with planting, this is one type that does not. Removing a tree can help make room for patios, structures, paths, or new plant life. You may also sometimes need to remove a tree if it is dead and dangerous. Lawn seeding is the process of planting seeds to grow new grass. The total cost depends on the lawn size, seed type, and prep work.

Use seeding to cover thin patches in an existing lawn or start a new lawn from scratch. Costs vary depending on the seed type and quantity. Flower beds range in size, scale, and flower type and amount. Depending on your preferences, you may need to have professional design services, which raises the price. Flower beds can add color and character to your landscaping, wherever they are placed. Sod provides an instant lawn, but it is generally not used for large areas to lower costs.

It can be combined with other landscaping to produce quick results. If you want your front lawn to look good immediately, you can add sod and use grass seed in the back. Sod comes in many grass types like seed, which can create a range of costs. Xeriscaping improves water usage and conservation in hot and arid climates. This process uses a mix of materials to enhance your area and conserve water.

It also has a wide range of materials and costs. There are many types and kinds of mulch. It can be tree bark, gravel and other stones, or an artificial material like rubber. Mulch helps your plants retain moisture better. This can help in drought-prone areas where plants may lose moisture quickly without mulch. Landscaping stones are a great way to create unusual looks in a garden without needing plants or much water.

They can help keep soil moist and in place when used as mulch around trees or shrubs. Dry river beds, rocks as mulch, and rock gardens are all attractive ways you can xeriscape. Landscaping stones come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes so that you can easily find some to complement your property. Native plants are great to add to a drought-prone area. They are often naturally drought-resistant and can thrive in your area. They can add color and shade and help prevent erosion in many spaces.

Artificial grass is a great addition to drought-prone areas. You can get an attractive, easy-to-maintain ground cover with artificial grass. This can help stop erosion and give kids and pets a place to play. You can use it to cover your entire yard or sections combined with native plants and other techniques to create an attractive yard.

Many people who xeriscape also include an irrigation system 4. These can be misting systems that help bring water from areas nearby to your yard. They can keep your native plants healthier and do not rely on as much water as sprinkler systems. Irrigation works best if you have a water source nearby so that you are not worsening drought conditions.

Hardscaping is anything you do that does not involve plant life. This includes patios, walkways, decks, pergolas, gazebos, lighting, and other structures. Hardscaping helps you interact with your landscaping and improve your enjoyment. Expect to pay more for a company with a few employees than an individual because of overhead costs.

The best people to take care of your yard are those who know a lot about grass, plants, and seasonal changes. Your contractor should be certified in arbor care and make sure your trees are maintained in optimal health in every season. Trees should be chopped up on site, and any part of the lawn that is left exposed filled in with dirt and seeded.

Some will even chip and mulch trimmed branches onsite. Fall is the time to cut back any unruly limbs or branches that have become unsightly, or are simply growing in a manner that could cause injury. Special consideration should be given to branches that could possibly fall and injure someone when there is a snowfall, or during any high winds from winter storms.

Every lawn needs to be lovingly cared for, and a great lawn service provider will do everything needed to ensure this. Most companies only provide lawn maintenance and debris removal, while others include arbor care, plant care, and general yardwork.

After the first freeze, be sure to call your lawn professional out for one last pass on the lawn, and using the mowing height guide, mow the grass. Organic fertilizers are low in nitrogen so they are less likely to burn grass blades. If you do use a chemical fertilizer, be sure to buy slow- or controlled-release compounds, and water immediately after application. If you do not have the time or the tools to fertilize your lawn on your own, you can hire a contractor to do the job.

Aeration helps ensure your soil is permeable to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots. The soil needs to be broken up so the needed nutrients find their way to the roots. A long-forked rake can clear it well. Light, frequent watering does more damage to grass roots and encourages weed growth, whereas deeper, less-frequent watering encourages grass roots to grow deeper and become more resilient to drought conditions.

Sprinklers are essential to keeping your landscaping investment maintained and healthy. Rather than having to take the time out of your busy day, consider getting a sprinkler system that provides great coverage and allows for easy scheduling. Landscape curbing creates a visually appealing look and is essential to show where one area ends and another begins.

Curbing can get extensive quickly and may contain retaining walls, concrete, bricks, rock and more. If you live in an area with a warmer climate, a misting system is an excellent addition to the overall comfort of your new landscape. Instead of installing an awning or pergola, an outdoor misting system is one of the most natural and most effective ways to cool an outdoor area.

Ponds are a great addition to your landscape if you don't have quite enough room for a pool but still want something exotic. Plus, guests and kids will love to see the Koi fish swim! To make your landscaping project complete, consider adding a water fountain. Water fountains bring a serene feeling and actually increase the value of your home.

Also, the water they use is recycled, and they are low maintenance to keep running. The contractor will need to be able to get some big equipment in, and that may require removing some fencing or gates. Expect to pay more for a company with a few employees than an individual because of overhead costs. The cost will also depend on the size of your yard, your location, and the amount of work you need to have done regularly.

If you're having trouble growing grass or just looking to spice up the flowerbeds, you'll need to mulch. Mulching feeds the soil and surrounding plants and keeps your landscape at an ideal temperature. Also, it helps retain moisture and prevents weeds from taking over. Mulch delivery can be expensive, so unless you're landscaper is already doing other projects for you it's recommended you install this yourself. And keep in mind that those prices cover one-time service for just one tree.

Expect the following:. Height Average Cost Up to 25 feet The root system is small, and the trunk is thin. Here are some popular landscaping materials and their average national cost. Keep in mind these prices do not include installation. The 3 main types of landscaping are hardscaping, softscaping, and xeriscaping. Here are their average prices for landscaping installation:.

This is the industry terminology used to describe the design, planning, and implementation of non-living items in the decoration of land.

This includes paths, gazebos, patios, decks, retaining walls, pergolas, etc. Depending on what needs to be constructed, the work usually involves working with materials like wood, brick, concrete, stone, and metal. To save money on hardscaping, consider buying prefabricated items like a readymade firepit rather than a custom-built stone one. The softscaping category encompasses all the vital components like plants, trees, shrubs, and flowerbeds. Within softscaping, the items fall into classifications of annuals, biennials, and perennials.

It features a stainless steel grill and sideburner, as well as a sink and raised bar. Features include stucco walls, a flagstone patio, retention basin, indigenous boulders, low-water plants and lighting. Features include a privacy fence, a furnished dining and entertaining patio, container plantings and a fountain. Features include a decomposed granite path with brick inlays, large boulders, native plants, young trees and a small lawn.

Features include exposed aggregate decking, three concrete fountains, stucco walls, and cantilevered coping.