How much does landscaping cost?
Landscaping costs can vary significantly depending on the features you decide to include and the materials you use. Labour costs can range from $20 per hour for basic work to $300+ per hour for larger, more complex projects depending on the type of service and design you’re after.
Firstly, consider landscape design costs before you pay for the physical work. Getting a couple of quotes from landscapers before you begin if the work is significant is a good idea.
However, if you’re making simple updates to your garden or you’re on a budget, you may be able to achieve a DIY landscaping or garden project. For example, you can do a lot of gardening work yourself without the help of a labourer. But if you plan on fencing, building a retaining wall, paving, decking or any other construction work, you’ll need to think about hiring one or more professionals.
We will discuss this further in the article.
Mark Burke from Century 21 Bayside Living says, “Landscaping adds value to a property, making it look smart and tidy. Buyers … are looking for spa pools, rock pools and other modern water features, and they’re also looking for trendy plants, creating lots of privacy.”
Here are some landscaping cost estimates:
| Landscaping project | Cost estimate |
|---|---|
| Landscaping with new plants and a retaining wall | $3K |
| Installing new turf and lighting | $2.5K |
| Planting new trees and shrubs | $3.5K |
| A complete backyard makeover | $4K |
| Installing a retaining wall using existing materials | $1.3 |
| Installing lawn, plants and trees in an empty backyard | $6K |
| Installing an outdoor entertainment area | $5K |
| Decking | $300/m2 |
| Paving | $315/m2 |
| Fencing | $500/m |
*The above cost estimates are based on research at the time of publication and should be used as a a guide only.
Garden Landscaping Cost
How much does it cost to fence a garden?
Fencing is generally priced per metre, and the cost will depend entirely on the materials you use and the size of the project.
If you’re on a budget, you can pay as little as $75 per metre for a pine paling or hardwood paling fence. On the other end of the scale, you can pay up to $1,000 per metre for a sandstone or timber fence. If you’re aiming for a middle-of-the-range cost, you can pay between $400 and $600 per metre for iron, brick or frameless glass fencing.
How much does it cost to pave a garden?
Paving a garden or outdoor area can cost you between $50 and $100 per square metre, depending on the type of material you choose. Costs may also go up if you need to level out the ground underneath. Very often, you’ll need to lay down a concrete base underneath the paving, which can cost between $1,500 and $3,000, depending on the size of the area.
You can expect to pay the following for paving materials:
- $50 to $60 per square metre for concrete
- $40 to $70 per square metre for limestone
- $40 to $80 per square metre for quartz
- $70 to $90 per square metre for brick
How much does it cost to install grass?
If you’d like to lay out an instant lawn, you can pay as little as $25 per square metre. However, at the end of the day, this approach is much more expensive than purchasing grass seed and growing the grass seed yourself. You can establish a 100m2 lawn for just $150 using grass seed compared to $1000+ to hire someone to lay out grass using an instant lawn. Laying lawn might be more suitable if you’re considering selling your house and need to pretty up your property quickly.
Garden shed installation costs.
If you’d like to install a garden shed, you’ll need to consider the following backyard landscaping cost:
- $500+ for concrete footings (to support the base)
- Approx. $85/m2 for a concrete base
- Approx. $60/m2 for construction costs
- Council fees (cost will depend on the size and price of your shed)
Garden decking costs
Decking can cost anywhere between $200 and $1000 per square metre, depending on the type of timber you choose and the size of the deck.
If you need to add a balustrade, you can expect to pay between $150 and $200 for timber and wiring or approximately $400 per metre for glass.
You may need to get council approval depending on your location, the size of the deck and how high off the ground your deck sits.
Garden excavation costs
Excavation costs will vary significantly depending on the following factors.
- The size of the area
- The type of earth (e.g. soil, rocks)
- The number of trees to be removed
- Grading if required (levelling out the ground)
- The level of access available
- The machinery required to undertake the project
You can expect to pay $100 per hour for labour costs. You may also need to pay for additional equipment depending on what attachments are needed. For example, your labourer may need to use different parts of machinery to get the job done, which will increase the cost of excavation per day.
Other factors that may affect backyard landscaping cost
These factors are applicable to most types of gardening and landscaping projects. Knowing each in detail will help you have a better idea of the landscaping cost and help you better prepare for it.
Labour
The amount of labour it takes to complete the project significantly impacts the overall costs of your gardening and landscaping. This is because, depending on the landscaping job, it will require a certain number of people and the amount of time it will take to complete the project.
In addition, the current condition of the site area will be considered in the labour costs. For example, suppose the area is situated on rough terrain. In that case, the workers may have a more challenging time navigating the area, in turn resulting in more effort, equipment, and tools.
Property size
The size of the property is the most visible cost factor—the size, access, and ease of maintenance—that will impact the overall costs of the backyard landscaping cost.
Materials
Many materials used in landscaping projects and garden maintenance services can add to or decrease the costs of your landscaping project.
- Mulch: This is an excellent ground cover because it helps trap moisture under the sheet; hence, it ensures plants don’t need to be watered as much. Different types of mulch can be used, and the costs are between $60 to $100 per cubic metre.
- Soil & Fertiliser: With a landscaping job, you will be surprised at how much dirt you need to accomplish your goals. The existing soil will likely require new nutrients, which may be combined or substituted with soil and fertiliser. Similar to mulch, there are different types of garden soil with prices ranging from $30-$70 per m3.
- Gravel: This “fills” that lets water drain better from the spot. In addition, it’s perfect to be placed in areas where heavy machinery can pass through. The average price of gravel is between $55 and $120 per cubic yard, whilst the labour to install it will typically cost $5 per square metre.
- Retaining wall blocks: Retaining wall blocks can help build new landmarks or irregular landscapes. Generally, retaining wall blocks are between $130 and $250 per square metre. For this alone, contractors may require to get paid at an hourly rate, which will be around $50.
- Pavers: Pavers are a more flexible alternative to concrete. In addition, they are less time-consuming compared to natural stones. Typically, pavers cost between $40 and $65 per square metre.
- Sand: Sand is important to keep stonework level as it works as a buffer that lets stone be repositioned. This usually costs between $30 and $50.
Number of site visits
Now, this one comes post-project, as the area will require maintenance. Some homeowners prefer to have a dedicated person deployed to the property who can visit the area daily, while some prefer to have them on a fortnightly basis. Whatever the case is, the frequency of the site visits will impact the maintenance costs of your landscaping services.
This should be taken into consideration because to ensure that your landscaping project maintains its lushness and beauty, it needs proper care. In addition, some landscape features will need to be checked and maintained properly by a professional.
The cost of a landscaping job design
If you’re thinking of having your landscape professionally designed, this will add to the overall landscaping project costs. The average cost of a landscape design plan is around $3,000.
A simple landscape design will cost around $800, while a more complex design can go up to $6,000, which will already include 3D renderings.
An hourly rate of a professional landscape designer is around $50 per hour. However, the rate will vary depending on the project’s location and size.
In short, be prepared to invest five to ten per cent of the total home’s value when you get a landscape designer.
DIY landscaping: Can you save more money on landscaping costs?
Some homeowners explore the idea of DIY-ing their landscaping projects. The question is, is this a good idea?
However, the lack of experience and knowledge can be costlier due to the possibility of more mistakes that could lead to more expenses.
In addition, safety is a huge concern here as tools and equipment, when not handled properly, can lead to serious injuries.
Hence, if you don’t have any experience or knowledge of landscaping, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
How much does landscaping cost?
You won’t find a standard price for landscaping cost per m2 simply because the activities involved vary, which also have different prices. However, you can calculate the cost by knowing the total area that will be landscaped and the projects you want to take on. With this, you’ll get a ballpark figure.
The good news is there are several ways you can reduce your landscaping and gardening costs.
Working with a professional landscaper will get things right from the start. It’s essential to take the time to research and gather multiple quotes from professional landscaping companies.
In addition, you need to think long-term. For example, if you want a big and lush garden, you need to consider that maintenance will be crucial here over the years.
That’s why it’s a good idea to focus on a sustainable approach, as this will give you a bigger chance to reduce your garden landscaping cost.
Landscaping ahead of selling
If you’re looking for a landscaper or gardener to help you prepare your home for sale, an excellent first step is to get in touch with a real estate agent. They’ll be able to tell you what garden trends buyers in your area are looking for in a garden and give you tips.
A good real estate agent can also put you in touch with local landscapers or gardeners to help you prepare your garden for sale.
You can compare real estate agents at LocalAgentFinder, including their commission information, marketing strategies, sales history and independent homeowner reviews.
*The costs in this article are based on research at the time of publication and should be used as a guide only.
FAQs:
Is it possible to estimate the average landscaping cost per m2?
It is possible to estimate landscaping costs per square metre (m2), but this can vary depending on the specific project, location, and materials used. Costs may also be influenced by factors such as labour availability in a given area and the local cost of living.
When estimating costs per square metre, it is important to take into account the project’s specific elements, such as the type of materials to be used and the complexity of the project. Installing a basic lawn, for example, may be less expensive per square metre than installing a complex paver patio with built-in seating.
How much does landscaping cost?
Depending on the location and materials utilised, costs for common landscaping jobs, like a small front yard makeover, can range from a few thousand dollars to approximately $10,000 or more. A few examples of simple landscaping tasks are laying a new lawn, planting trees and bushes, and installing a useful patio or pathway.
Costs can easily exceed $20,000 for larger, more complex projects like multi-level terraced gardens or expansive backyard landscaping. These projects may involve constructing water features, retaining walls, outdoor lighting, and irrigation systems, among other things.