Comprehensive pricing for landscape design, hardscape, irrigation, and maintenance
Last Updated: March 2025
Quick Reference: What You'll Pay
| Service | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawn mowing (per visit) | $35 | $65 | $125 |
| Landscape design | $500 | $2,500 | $10,000+ |
| Basic landscaping install | $3,000 | $8,000 | $15,000 |
| Full landscape renovation | $10,000 | $35,000 | $100,000+ |
| Irrigation system | $2,500 | $5,000 | $12,000 |
Regional Price Variations
Landscaping costs vary across Washington based on labor markets, growing conditions, and local style preferences.
| Region | Price Multiplier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle / Eastside | 1.25-1.40x | Premium market, competitive |
| Tacoma / South Sound | 1.10-1.20x | Strong market |
| Olympia | 1.00-1.10x | Baseline |
| Bellingham | 1.05-1.15x | Limited pool |
| Spokane Metro | 0.85-0.95x | Lower costs |
| Tri-Cities | 0.85-0.95x | Desert climate, xeriscaping focus |
| Coastal | 1.00-1.15x | Salt-tolerant plants needed |
| Mountain areas | 1.10-1.20x | Short season, limited access |
Landscape Design
Design Services
| Service | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation (1-2 hours) | $75 | $200 | $400 |
| Basic design (sketch + plant list) | $300 | $750 | $1,500 |
| Full design (detailed plans) | $1,000 | $3,000 | $7,500 |
| Master plan (phased project) | $2,500 | $6,000 | $15,000 |
| 3D rendering | $500 | $1,500 | $3,500 |
Design Fees as % of Project
Many landscape designers charge based on project scope:
| Project Size | Design Fee % |
|---|---|
| Under $10,000 | 15-20% |
| $10,000-$25,000 | 10-15% |
| $25,000-$75,000 | 8-12% |
| $75,000+ | 5-10% |
Note: Some designers apply design fees toward installation if you hire them for the full project.
Softscape (Plants & Garden Beds)
Lawn Installation
| Type | Per Sq Ft | 5,000 sq ft Yard |
|---|---|---|
| Seed (basic grass) | $0.10-$0.25 | $500-$1,250 |
| Seed (premium blend) | $0.25-$0.50 | $1,250-$2,500 |
| Sod installation | $1.00-$2.50 | $5,000-$12,500 |
| Hydroseeding | $0.15-$0.35 | $750-$1,750 |
Western WA Lawn Types: Fine fescue and perennial ryegrass blends work best. Eastern WA needs drought-tolerant Kentucky bluegrass or buffalo grass.
Planting
| Plant Type | Per Plant (installed) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Perennials (1-gallon) | $15-$35 | Groundcovers, flowers |
| Shrubs (5-gallon) | $50-$125 | Foundation plantings |
| Shrubs (15-gallon) | $125-$275 | Specimen shrubs |
| Trees (15-gallon) | $200-$450 | Small ornamental trees |
| Trees (24" box) | $500-$1,200 | Established trees |
| Trees (36" box) | $1,000-$3,000 | Mature trees |
| Ornamental grasses | $25-$75 | Native options available |
| Groundcover (flat) | $25-$60 | 18 plants per flat |
Garden Bed Installation
| Service | Per Sq Ft | 200 sq ft Bed |
|---|---|---|
| Bed preparation only | $2-$5 | $400-$1,000 |
| Bed prep + basic planting | $6-$12 | $1,200-$2,400 |
| Complete bed (plants + mulch) | $10-$20 | $2,000-$4,000 |
| Premium/native planting | $15-$30 | $3,000-$6,000 |
Mulch & Soil
| Material | Per Cu Yd (delivered & spread) |
|---|---|
| Bark mulch (basic) | $65-$95 |
| Bark mulch (premium) | $85-$135 |
| Cedar mulch | $90-$140 |
| Compost | $55-$85 |
| Topsoil | $35-$60 |
| Garden soil blend | $50-$80 |
| Gravel/rock mulch | $100-$200 |
Hardscape (Patios, Walkways, Walls)
Patios & Outdoor Living
| Material | Per Sq Ft | 300 sq ft Patio |
|---|---|---|
| Poured concrete (basic) | $8-$15 | $2,400-$4,500 |
| Stamped concrete | $12-$25 | $3,600-$7,500 |
| Concrete pavers | $15-$30 | $4,500-$9,000 |
| Natural stone pavers | $25-$50 | $7,500-$15,000 |
| Flagstone (irregular) | $18-$35 | $5,400-$10,500 |
| Brick pavers | $15-$30 | $4,500-$9,000 |
| Permeable pavers | $20-$40 | $6,000-$12,000 |
| Gravel patio | $5-$12 | $1,500-$3,600 |
Walkways & Paths
| Material | Per Sq Ft | 100 sq ft Path |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete walkway | $10-$18 | $1,000-$1,800 |
| Paver walkway | $15-$35 | $1,500-$3,500 |
| Flagstone path | $20-$45 | $2,000-$4,500 |
| Stepping stones | $8-$20 | $800-$2,000 |
| Gravel path | $4-$10 | $400-$1,000 |
Retaining Walls
| Material | Per Linear Ft (4' tall) | 50 ft Wall |
|---|---|---|
| Timber/landscape ties | $25-$50 | $1,250-$2,500 |
| Interlocking block | $35-$75 | $1,750-$3,750 |
| Natural stone | $50-$125 | $2,500-$6,250 |
| Poured concrete | $40-$80 | $2,000-$4,000 |
| Boulder wall | $50-$150 | $2,500-$7,500 |
Cost Per Height: Add 50-75% for each additional foot of wall height above 4'.
Engineering Note: Walls over 4' typically require engineering ($500-$2,000) and permits in Washington.
Driveways
| Material | Per Sq Ft | 600 sq ft Driveway |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel | $3-$7 | $1,800-$4,200 |
| Asphalt | $5-$12 | $3,000-$7,200 |
| Concrete | $8-$18 | $4,800-$10,800 |
| Paver driveway | $15-$35 | $9,000-$21,000 |
| Heated driveway | $20-$45 | $12,000-$27,000 |
Decks & Outdoor Structures
Decks
| Material | Per Sq Ft | 300 sq ft Deck |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $25-$40 | $7,500-$12,000 |
| Cedar | $35-$55 | $10,500-$16,500 |
| Composite (Trex, TimberTech) | $40-$70 | $12,000-$21,000 |
| Ipe/hardwood | $50-$90 | $15,000-$27,000 |
| PVC decking | $45-$75 | $13,500-$22,500 |
Pergolas & Structures
| Structure | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pergola (10x12) | $3,000 | $6,000 | $12,000 |
| Arbor | $1,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| Gazebo (12x12) | $4,500 | $9,000 | $18,000 |
| Outdoor kitchen (basic) | $5,000 | $15,000 | $40,000 |
| Fire pit (built-in) | $1,000 | $3,000 | $8,000 |
| Fireplace (outdoor) | $5,000 | $12,000 | $30,000 |
| Shed (8x10) | $2,000 | $4,000 | $8,000 |
Irrigation Systems
New Irrigation Installation
| Scope | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small yard (under 2,500 sq ft) | $1,500 | $2,500 | $4,500 |
| Medium yard (2,500-5,000 sq ft) | $2,500 | $4,500 | $7,500 |
| Large yard (5,000-10,000 sq ft) | $4,500 | $7,500 | $12,000 |
| Estate (10,000+ sq ft) | $8,000 | $15,000 | $30,000+ |
Irrigation Components
| Item | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinkler zone (per zone) | $400 | $700 | $1,200 |
| Drip zone (per zone) | $300 | $550 | $900 |
| Smart controller | $200 | $400 | $800 |
| Rain sensor | $75 | $150 | $300 |
| Backflow preventer | $200 | $400 | $700 |
Irrigation Repairs & Maintenance
| Service | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| System startup (spring) | $75 | $125 | $200 |
| Winterization (blowout) | $75 | $125 | $200 |
| Sprinkler head replacement | $50 | $100 | $200 |
| Valve repair | $100 | $225 | $400 |
| Line repair | $75 | $175 | $350 |
| Controller replacement | $150 | $350 | $600 |
Eastern WA Note: Irrigation is essential in Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Yakima. Systems run more zones and longer seasons than Western WA, increasing installation and operating costs by 20-30%.
Lawn & Landscape Maintenance
Lawn Care
| Service | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mowing (per visit, small yard) | $35 | $50 | $75 |
| Mowing (per visit, medium yard) | $50 | $75 | $125 |
| Mowing (per visit, large yard) | $75 | $125 | $200 |
| Monthly maintenance contract | $150 | $300 | $600 |
| Fertilization (per app) | $50 | $100 | $200 |
| Aeration | $75 | $150 | $300 |
| Overseeding | $75 | $175 | $350 |
| Dethatching | $100 | $200 | $400 |
Lawn Treatment Programs
| Program | Per Treatment | Annual (4-6 treatments) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic fertilization | $50-$80 | $200-$400 |
| Weed control + fert | $75-$125 | $375-$625 |
| Full program (fert, weed, pest) | $100-$175 | $500-$900 |
Garden & Bed Maintenance
| Service | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeding (per hour) | $45 | $65 | $95 |
| Pruning (per hour) | $50 | $75 | $115 |
| Seasonal cleanup | $200 | $450 | $900 |
| Mulch refresh (per yard) | $75 | $110 | $160 |
| Hedge trimming (per linear ft) | $3 | $6 | $12 |
Tree Services
| Service | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small tree removal (under 25') | $200 | $500 | $1,000 |
| Medium tree removal (25-50') | $500 | $1,200 | $2,500 |
| Large tree removal (50-75') | $1,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| Tree trimming/pruning | $200 | $500 | $1,500 |
| Stump grinding | $100 | $300 | $700 |
| Stump removal (full) | $200 | $500 | $1,200 |
Specialty Landscaping
Water Features
| Feature | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fountain (self-contained) | $500 | $1,500 | $4,000 |
| Pond (small, 6x8) | $2,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Pond (medium, 10x12) | $5,000 | $12,000 | $25,000 |
| Waterfall feature | $3,000 | $8,000 | $20,000 |
| Stream/pondless waterfall | $4,000 | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| Koi pond (with filtration) | $10,000 | $25,000 | $50,000+ |
Outdoor Lighting
| Item | Per Fixture (installed) |
|---|---|
| Path lights | $100-$250 |
| Spotlights/uplights | $125-$300 |
| Wall lights | $150-$350 |
| Deck/step lights | $75-$200 |
| Transformer + wiring | $400-$1,000 |
| System | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic system (6-8 lights) | $1,500 | $2,800 | $5,000 |
| Mid-range (10-15 lights) | $3,000 | $5,500 | $9,000 |
| Extensive (20+ lights) | $5,000 | $10,000 | $20,000+ |
Fencing
| Material | Per Linear Ft | 150 ft Fence |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link (4') | $15-$30 | $2,250-$4,500 |
| Wood privacy (6') | $25-$50 | $3,750-$7,500 |
| Cedar fence (6') | $35-$65 | $5,250-$9,750 |
| Vinyl privacy (6') | $30-$55 | $4,500-$8,250 |
| Aluminum ornamental | $25-$45 | $3,750-$6,750 |
| Wrought iron | $40-$100 | $6,000-$15,000 |
Labor vs. Materials Breakdown
| Project Type | Labor % | Materials % |
|---|---|---|
| Planting/softscape | 50% | 50% |
| Lawn installation | 45% | 55% |
| Paver patio | 60% | 40% |
| Retaining wall | 55% | 45% |
| Irrigation install | 50% | 50% |
| Maintenance | 90% | 10% |
Factors That Increase Costs
Expect to Pay More When:
- Site access - Slopes, stairs, or narrow gates requiring hand-carrying materials
- Soil conditions - Rocky soil, heavy clay, or need for drainage solutions
- Demolition/removal - Removing existing hardscape, stumps, or large plantings
- Drainage issues - French drains, regrading, or retaining walls
- Permit requirements - Large walls, decks, or structures need permits
- Peak season - Spring (March-May) is busiest; expect higher prices or longer waits
- Premium materials - Natural stone, exotic plants, or custom features
- Design complexity - Curves, multiple levels, or intricate patterns
Seattle-Specific Factors:
- Premium labor market
- Space constraints and access in urban lots
- Green stormwater requirements (rain gardens, permeable paving)
- Native plant requirements in some areas
Eastern WA Factors:
- Xeriscaping design for water efficiency
- More extensive irrigation systems
- Wind and temperature extremes affect plant selection
Money-Saving Tips
- Phase your project - Install hardscape year one, planting year two
- Buy smaller plants - 1-gallon plants cost 1/3 of 5-gallon but catch up in 2-3 years
- Use native plants - Lower maintenance, no irrigation once established, often cheaper
- DIY what you can - Mulching, simple planting, and maintenance are homeowner-friendly
- Off-season scheduling - Fall (October-November) offers better pricing and planting conditions
- Get multiple quotes - Landscaping varies 40%+ between contractors
- Start with a plan - A $500 design can save thousands by avoiding costly mistakes
- Consider synthetic turf - High upfront cost but zero maintenance in the right applications
- Group purchases - Order mulch, soil, or plants with neighbors for delivery savings
Red Flags: Too Cheap or Too Expensive
Warning Signs (Too Cheap):
- Quote 40%+ below competitors
- No contractor license (check lni.wa.gov)
- No written contract or plant specifications
- Cash-only payment required
- No warranty on plantings
- Vague material descriptions ("we'll figure it out")
Warning Signs (Too Expensive):
- Quote 50%+ above competitors
- Pushing premium materials without explaining alternatives
- Large deposit required upfront (over 30%)
- No itemized breakdown
- Won't explain pricing differences from competitors
Healthy Range:
Three comparable quotes should fall within 25-30% of each other.
How to Compare Bids
Every landscaping quote should include:
- Detailed scope - Exact plants (species, size), materials (brand, color), quantities
- Site preparation - What's included (grading, irrigation, soil amendment)
- Itemized costs - Plants, materials, labor, delivery, equipment
- Timeline - Start date, completion date, weather contingency
- Warranty - Plant replacement guarantee (typically 1 year)
- Maintenance - Establishment watering, follow-up visits
- License and insurance - WA contractor license verification
Questions to Ask:
- "What size plants are included?"
- "What's your plant warranty?"
- "Who does the watering during establishment?"
- "Are permits included if needed?"
- "What happens if plants die within the warranty period?"
- "Is site cleanup and debris removal included?"
- "Will you provide a maintenance guide for the new landscape?"
Best Planting Times in Washington
| Region | Best Planting Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Western WA | October-November, March-April | Fall is ideal; mild winters allow root establishment |
| Eastern WA | March-May, September-October | Avoid extreme summer and winter |
| Mountains | May-June, September | Short growing season |
Why Fall is Often Best: Plants establish roots through winter rains without heat stress. They're ready to grow come spring. Labor costs may be lower due to reduced demand.
Prices reflect Washington State averages as of March 2025. Always get multiple quotes and verify contractor licensing at lni.wa.gov.