Estimating Landscaping Costs for Your Next Project

Landscaping projects can transform the most unassuming of yards into an outdoor oasis. Getting that outdoor oasis starts with proper planning and budgeting, though. If you're considering a new outdoor living project, it pays (literally) to have a clear understanding of realistic landscaping costs for both DIY and professionally installed landscaping projects.

Factors That Can Affect Costs

Location, Location, Location

Where a property is located can dramatically impact project costs. Lots with easier access points, for instance, can mean fewer man-hours and lower overall costs.

Yard Size

The size of your yard is one of the biggest factors affecting the overall costs of your landscaping project. Larger yards require more new materials, more new plants, and more labor hours, which naturally results in higher average costs.

Type of Landscaping

Landscaping typically includes both softscape and hardscape elements.

Softscape elements include grass, trees, shrubs, mulch, and flower beds. Hardscape elements include patios, retaining walls, fire pits, driveways, water features, and outdoor kitchens.

Hardscape features often carry higher upfront costs but lower long-term upkeep costs than softscape features do.

Material Choice

Material costs are a major part of overall landscaping maintenance costs. Natural stone typically costs much more than poured concrete or basic brick pavers, for example.

Labor

Labor costs are a big part of any landscaping budget. In St. Louis, professional landscape design and installation services often range between $75 to $125 per hour.

Permits

Permits may be necessary for hardscaping projects like in-ground swimming pools, retaining walls over 3 feet high, and gas-powered outdoor kitchens or fireplaces.

General St. Louis Landscaping Costs

Please note that the following prices are estimates only for the St. Louis area.

• Paver patios: $5,000 - $10,000 (10-foot-by-10-foot paver patio)
• In-ground pools: $180,000 to $250,000 (chlorine)
• Fire pits: $300 - $1,500 (DIY), $2,500 - $7,500 (professional)
• Outdoor fireplaces: $30,000 - $60,000 (professionally installed, gas-powered
• Outdoor lighting: $2,500 - $7,000 (professionally installed, mid-sized yard)
• Sprinkler systems: $5,000 - $10,000 (professionally installed, 2,100-square-foot-yard)
• Lawn mowing: $40 - $70 a visit
• Tree-trimming services: $800 - $1,500 per tree
• Basic landscaping and lawn care services: $350 - $1,000+ a month (mulching, pruning, sod installation, and seasonal garden bed cleanup)
• Flower beds: $1,800 - $3,000 (4-foot-by-8-foot raised mulch bed with perennials)
• Pergolas: $1,500 - $4,000 (DIY pergola kit), $20,000 - $40,000 (professionally installed, wooden), $30,000 - $55,000 (professionally installed, metal)
• Retaining walls: $4,000 - $8,000 (DIY, 40-foot-long, 4-foot-high), $15,000 - $25,000 (professionally installed)
• Outdoor kitchens: $15,000 - $40,000 (professionally installed, gas-powered appliances)

Landscaping Costs FAQs

What is a good landscaping budget?

Many St. Louis homeowners budget 5% to 15% of their home's value for a full landscape renovation. Smaller home improvement projects can start at $5,000.

How much should you expect to pay a landscaper?

Hourly rates in St. Louis, Missouri, typically range from $75 to $125 per hour, depending on project scope, square footage of the yard, and the experience of the landscaping company you hire.

Is $100 an hour too much for landscape work?

No, $100 an hour is not too much to pay for a professional Landscape Architect or another type of landscape contractor.

How can I finance a landscaping project?

Ways to finance a front yard or backyard landscaping project include:

• Home equity loans
• Personal loans
• Phased construction plans
• Contractor financing programs

Does landscaping increase home value?

Professional landscaping services can increase property value and curb appeal.

What affects the overall cost of landscaping projects?

Project size, material selection, labor complexity, permits, grading needs, and ongoing maintenance all influence total cost.

How can I reduce the cost of my landscaping project?

Homeowners can reduce landscaping prices by:

• Choosing mid-range, rather than high-end, materials
• Phasing large or complex projects
• Simplifying outdoor space layouts
• Completing small prep work independently

Working with an experienced team like Poynter Landscape Architecture & Construction can also help you potentially save costs. We help St. Louis homeowners identify cost-effective design solutions that reduce the need for costly repairs.