Quick answer: Puget Sound homeowners should generally budget about $2,500 to $8,000 for a focused cleanup or planting project, $10,000 to $30,000 for a meaningful front- or backyard renovation, and $30,000 to $100,000 or more for a complete landscape transformation involving grading, drainage, irrigation, hardscape, walls, lighting, and mature plant material. Landscaping commonly ranges from about $8 to $25 per improved square foot, but individual components should be priced separately for a useful budget.
Last reviewed: August 2026. These figures are planning ranges, not a quote. Final pricing depends on the property, project scope, materials, access, permits, taxes, and conditions discovered during the work.
This guide is designed for homeowners in Federal Way, Puyallup, Lakewood, Gig Harbor, Auburn, Lacey, Olympia, Bremerton, Kent, Tacoma, and surrounding Puget Sound communities who want a realistic planning range before requesting a project-specific proposal.
Landscaping is not one trade item with one reliable unit price. A project can involve demolition, excavation, soil export, grading, drainage, irrigation, electrical work, concrete or pavers, retaining walls, planting, lawn, lighting, and long-term maintenance. The most transparent approach is to establish an overall project range, then price the major components in the unit that matches how each cost behaves.
For preliminary planning, smaller focused projects commonly cost $2,500 to $8,000. A substantive front-yard or backyard renovation often costs $10,000 to $30,000. Projects with hardscape, structural walls, drainage, irrigation, utilities, difficult access, or extensive planting frequently cost $30,000 to $100,000 or more.
These are consumer planning ranges for Federal Way, Puyallup, Lakewood, Gig Harbor, Auburn, Lacey, Olympia, Bremerton, Kent, Tacoma, and surrounding Puget Sound communities. Tree removal and major pruning are addressed in DwellOne’s separate tree-services pricing guide.
Typical Landscaping Project Budgets
Project type | Typical planning range |
|---|---|
Seasonal cleanup, pruning, bed cleanup, and haul-away | $1,500–$5,000+ |
Focused front-entry planting and mulch refresh | $3,000–$10,000+ |
New lawn, planting beds, and modest irrigation work | $8,000–$20,000+ |
Complete front-yard renovation | $12,000–$35,000+ |
Complete backyard renovation without major structures | $20,000–$60,000+ |
Backyard renovation with patio, drainage, walls, or lighting | $35,000–$100,000+ |
High-design or difficult-site full-property landscape | $75,000–$200,000+ |
Pools, large decks, outdoor kitchens, major tree work, fencing, and substantial buildings are generally separate unless specifically included.
Landscaping Cost by Project Component
Landscape component | Typical installed planning range |
|---|---|
Landscape design or site plan | $1,500–$7,500+ |
Cleanup, brush removal, and haul-away | $1,500–$8,000+ |
Fine grading and soil preparation | $2–$8+ per sq. ft. |
New sod lawn with ordinary preparation | $4–$8+ per sq. ft. |
Seeded lawn or hydroseed with preparation | $2–$5+ per sq. ft. |
Planting beds with soil, plants, and mulch | $10–$30+ per sq. ft. |
Mulch installed in prepared beds | $2–$5+ per sq. ft. |
Decorative gravel or rock installed | $5–$15+ per sq. ft. |
Residential irrigation system | $5,000–$12,000+ |
Concrete-paver patio or walkway | $25–$45+ per sq. ft. |
Gravel patio or pathway | $10–$22+ per sq. ft. |
Retaining wall | $40–$90+ per sq. ft. of wall face |
Low-voltage landscape lighting | $400–$900+ per fixture installed |
These component ranges assume professional labor and materials. Demolition, access, excavation, soil export, drainage, permits, engineering, utility work, and restoration can be additional.
Landscape Design and Planning Cost
A simple contractor sketch and plant list may be included in a modest project. A measured concept plan, material selections, planting plan, grading and drainage plan, construction details, or permit-ready drawings require more design work. Homeowners should know whether design fees are separate, credited toward construction, or limited to conceptual planning.
Design level | Typical planning range |
|---|---|
Onsite consultation and basic recommendations | $300–$1,000+ |
Simple concept plan for a small yard | $1,500–$3,500+ |
Detailed residential landscape plan | $3,500–$8,000+ |
Complex full-property plan with engineering coordination | $8,000–$20,000+ |
Lawn, Sod, and Planting Costs
New sod lawn
A complete sod price should include removal or suppression of the old lawn, grading, soil amendments, delivery, installation, rolling, initial watering, cleanup, and a clear establishment-care plan. Irrigation repair or installation is usually separate.
Seed and hydroseed
Seed is less expensive but requires more establishment time, careful watering, weed management, and tolerance for uneven early growth. Soil preparation remains critical and can cost more than the seed itself.
Trees, shrubs, and perennials
Plant cost varies dramatically by species and container or caliper size. The installed price should include layout, soil preparation, planting, staking where appropriate, mulch, initial watering, warranty terms, and homeowner maintenance responsibilities.
Quick answer: PLANT ESTABLISHMENT: New landscaping is not finished when the crew leaves. Watering, seasonal adjustment, weeding, pruning, mulch maintenance, and replacement rules should be documented. Plant warranties commonly depend on the homeowner maintaining adequate irrigation and following care instructions.
Drainage and Grading Costs
Drainage problems should be diagnosed before decorative work begins. A soggy lawn, wet crawlspace, eroding slope, standing water, or failed retaining wall may involve surface grading, roof runoff, groundwater, compacted soil, broken utilities, or offsite water. A drain alone is not always the correct solution.
Drainage or grading scope | Typical planning range |
|---|---|
Minor regrading and localized drainage correction | $2,500–$7,500+ |
French drain or collector drain | $50–$120+ per linear foot |
Catch basin and solid-pipe conveyance | $2,500–$10,000+ |
Dry well, infiltration feature, or dispersion system | $4,000–$15,000+ |
Yard-wide grading and drainage renovation | $10,000–$40,000+ |
Engineered slope, stormwater, or difficult-access project | $25,000–$100,000+ |
Discharge location, utility conflicts, soil infiltration, property lines, easements, local stormwater rules, and downstream impacts must be evaluated. Never direct concentrated water onto a neighboring property or unstable slope.
Irrigation System Cost
A typical professionally installed residential irrigation system in the Seattle market commonly costs about $5,000 to $12,000, with larger or more complex properties costing more. The number of zones, water pressure and flow, backflow requirements, trenching, controller, drip areas, lawn heads, sleeves, permitting, and restoration drive the price.
Irrigation scope | Typical planning range |
|---|---|
Small drip or focused planting-zone system | $2,000–$5,000+ |
Typical residential lawn and bed system | $5,000–$12,000+ |
Large or multi-zone property | $10,000–$25,000+ |
System repairs or controller modernization | $500–$4,000+ |
Annual startup, adjustment, or winter service | $250–$750+ |
Patios, Walkways, and Hardscape Costs
Hardscape type | Typical installed range |
|---|---|
Compacted gravel path or patio | $10–$22+ per sq. ft. |
Standard broom-finish concrete | $15–$25+ per sq. ft. |
Decorative or stamped concrete | $22–$35+ per sq. ft. |
Concrete pavers | $25–$45+ per sq. ft. |
Premium pavers, porcelain, or natural stone | $40–$75+ per sq. ft. |
Steps, landings, seat walls, or custom borders | Project-specific |
A durable hardscape price should include excavation, disposal, geotextile when appropriate, compacted base, bedding, edge restraint, drainage and slope, cutting, joint material, cleanup, and protection of adjacent improvements.
Retaining Wall Cost
Retaining walls should be budgeted by square foot of visible wall face, but total cost is driven by height, surcharge, soil, excavation, access, drainage, reinforcement, setbacks, engineering, permits, and the amount of soil that must be imported or exported.
Wall type | Typical installed range per face sq. ft. |
|---|---|
Small landscape block or timber garden wall | $35–$60+ |
Segmental retaining-wall block | $45–$80+ |
Poured concrete retaining wall | $65–$120+ |
Natural stone or premium faced wall | $75–$150+ |
Engineered, reinforced, tall, or difficult-access wall | $100–$250+ |
Quick answer: WALL SAFETY: Do not treat a retaining wall as decorative edging when it supports a slope, driveway, structure, surcharge, or substantial height. Permit and engineering requirements vary by jurisdiction and site conditions. Drainage behind the wall is a core structural component, not an optional add-on.
Landscape Lighting Cost
Professionally installed low-voltage landscape lighting commonly costs about $400 to $900 per fixture when a complete project includes quality fixtures, transformer capacity, cable, trenching, controls, aiming, testing, and restoration. Small projects can cost more per fixture; premium architectural fixtures and difficult routing can exceed $1,000 per light.
Example lighting project | Typical planning budget |
|---|---|
Small entry and pathway package, 6–10 fixtures | $3,500–$8,000+ |
Typical front and backyard package, 12–20 fixtures | $7,000–$16,000+ |
Large architectural and garden lighting system | $15,000–$35,000+ |
Landscape Cleanup and Ongoing Maintenance
Maintenance service | Typical planning range |
|---|---|
One-time yard cleanup and haul-away | $1,500–$5,000+ |
Large overgrown-property cleanup | $5,000–$15,000+ |
Basic recurring mowing and maintenance | $250–$600+ per month |
Full-service residential landscape maintenance | $500–$1,500+ per month |
Seasonal pruning, bed care, and mulch refresh | $1,500–$6,000+ per visit |
Recurring prices depend on property size, visit frequency, mowing, edging, weeding, pruning, fertilization, irrigation monitoring, leaf removal, green-waste hauling, and whether seasonal enhancements are included.
What Makes Landscaping More Expensive?
Access and mobilization
Narrow gates, stairs, slopes, occupied driveways, waterfront sites, limited staging, and the inability to use compact equipment increase hand labor and hauling.
Demolition and disposal
Old concrete, stumps, buried debris, contaminated soil, failing walls, dense brush, and excess excavation material can create significant trucking and disposal costs.
Soil and drainage
Poor soils, buried construction debris, high groundwater, unstable slopes, and stormwater constraints can require amendments, underdrains, structural fill, testing, or engineering.
Plant and material selections
Large specimen plants, premium stone, imported soil, custom metal edging, architectural concrete, and specialty fixtures increase both purchase and installation cost.
Utilities and permits
Call-before-you-dig location does not identify every private utility. Irrigation, gas, electrical, drainage, septic, easements, critical areas, and retaining walls may require additional investigation or approvals.
Project sequencing
Landscape work should coordinate with roofing drainage, siding, decks, fencing, utilities, exterior paint, and future additions so completed work is not damaged or installed in the wrong order.
What Should a Complete Landscaping Estimate Include?
- Scaled plan or clearly marked scope, quantities, materials, plant sizes, and finish selections
- Demolition, excavation, soil export, disposal, mobilization, protection, and temporary access
- Grading elevations, drainage paths, base preparation, compaction, and erosion control
- Irrigation zones, backflow, controller, sleeves, drip lines, heads, testing, and programming
- Hardscape base depth, edge restraint, joint material, slope, drainage, and warranty
- Plant layout, soil amendments, mulch, staking, establishment watering, and plant warranty
- Permits, engineering, utility coordination, inspections, taxes, cleanup, and restoration
- Allowances, exclusions, concealed-condition process, change orders, schedule, and maintenance handoff
Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping Cost
How much does a backyard renovation cost in Puget Sound?
A meaningful backyard renovation commonly costs $20,000 to $60,000. Projects with patios, retaining walls, drainage, irrigation, lighting, premium materials, or difficult access commonly cost $35,000 to $100,000 or more.
How much does new sod cost?
Professionally installed sod with ordinary removal, grading, soil preparation, delivery, and installation commonly costs about $4 to $8 per square foot. Irrigation and major drainage work are separate.
How much does a paver patio cost?
A complete concrete-paver installation in Puget Sound commonly costs about $25 to $45 per square foot. Premium pavers, porcelain, natural stone, steps, walls, difficult access, and drainage can raise the cost.
How much does a retaining wall cost?
Many segmental retaining walls cost roughly $45 to $80 per square foot of wall face. Engineered, tall, reinforced, natural-stone, or difficult-access walls can cost $100 to $250 per face square foot or more.
Do I need a landscape design before getting bids?
Not always for a small, clearly defined project. A plan becomes more valuable when the project involves multiple areas, drainage, grading, walls, hardscape, irrigation, utilities, permitting, or phased construction.
Does landscaping require permits?
Planting and ordinary maintenance usually do not, but retaining walls, grading, drainage, impervious surfaces, electrical work, critical areas, tree work, right-of-way work, and structures may require permits or review. Requirements depend on the address and scope.
DwellOne’s Approach to Transparent Landscaping Pricing
Homeowners deserve more than a single unexplained landscape allowance. DwellOne helps separate demolition, earthwork, drainage, irrigation, hardscape, walls, planting, lighting, permits, restoration, and maintenance so the budget can be understood and proposals can be compared fairly.
DwellOne Project Managers coordinate qualified landscape, drainage, irrigation, masonry, electrical, and other trade partners and manage the project from scope through completion. The goal is an outdoor project that works with the site, Puget Sound weather, long-term maintenance, and the homeowner’s budget.
Important pricing information: The figures in this guide are general planning ranges for residential landscaping in the Puget Sound region as of August 2026. They are not a quote, offer, or guarantee. Actual costs may be higher or lower based on design, quantities, materials, plants, access, soil, drainage, utilities, permits, engineering, taxes, maintenance, and final scope.
