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The average landscaping project costs $3,300 to $13,200 in 2026, but the range by project type is huge. Here's what lawns, patios, decks, and full remodels actually cost, what moves the price, and which projects pay you back at resale.
The average landscaping project in 2026 costs between roughly $3,300 and $13,200, with most homeowners landing somewhere around $3,500 to $5,000 for a standard residential job. Angi puts the national average at $3,516, with a full range of $200 to $14,800, while Lawn Love reports $3,300 to $13,200, or $4.50 to $17 per square foot. The spread is wide because "landscaping" covers everything from a single mulch delivery to a complete backyard rebuild with a patio, deck, planting, and lighting.
Here's a quick summary of typical 2026 costs by project type. These are national estimates compiled from published cost guides; your local price will vary.
The rest of this guide explains what sits behind those numbers, how landscapers price their work, what pushes a project up or down, where the money comes back at resale, and what to expect specifically in Chesapeake and Hampton Roads.
Lawn installation. Sod is the fastest route to a finished lawn and is priced by the square foot, with soil preparation making up a meaningful share of the total. Seeding costs less but takes a season to fill in.
Planting beds and mulching. Cost depends heavily on plant size and quantity. Mature shrubs and trees cost many times more than young nursery stock, but they deliver an immediate result.
Walkways and patios. Hardscaping is where budgets climb, because it involves excavation, a compacted base, and skilled installation. Techo-Bloc's 2025 contractor survey found a mid-range paver patio typically runs $8,500 to $27,000 installed, averaging around $17,750 — higher than many general cost guides because it reflects professional-grade installs rather than the smallest projects. For a full breakdown, see our guide to paver installation costs in Chesapeake.
Decks. Material drives deck pricing more than anything else: pressure-treated wood is the budget option; composite costs more up front but needs far less maintenance. Multi-level designs and railing upgrades add to both. Our Chesapeake deck builders page covers the trade-offs.
Retaining walls. Priced by the square face foot. Height, material, and drainage requirements matter — a tall wall holding back a slope is an engineered structure, not decoration.
Full backyard remodels. When patio, planting, lawn, lighting, and drainage are designed together, the total can run from the mid five figures upward, but the cost per element is usually lower than doing each project separately because the crew mobilizes once.
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Landscapers price work in a few different ways, and knowing which model you're looking at makes quotes easier to compare.
Per square foot. Common for lawns, planting beds, patios, and walkways. Soft landscaping (lawn, plants, mulch) sits at the low end of the per-square-foot scale; hardscaping sits at the high end because of base work and skilled labor.
Hourly. Used for maintenance, cleanups, and small jobs where scope is hard to define up front. Techo-Bloc reports construction crews charging $50 to $120 per hour in 2026, with rates varying by region and specialty. Maintenance crews are typically lower.
Flat project price. The norm for design-build projects. You get one itemized number covering materials, labor, equipment, and cleanup. This is the model most homeowners prefer for anything significant, because it puts the risk of misestimating on the contractor.
Monthly maintenance. Recurring lawn care, trimming, and bed maintenance are usually priced per visit or per month. Bundling services into a season-long contract almost always beats booking one-off visits.
Design fees. Some firms charge separately for a landscape design; others fold it into the project price or credit it back when you proceed with the build. Ask which applies before you commission drawings.
Labor. Angi estimates that labor accounts for 40% to 65% of a landscaping project's total cost, which is why regional wage differences move prices so much.
Soft vs. hard landscaping mix. Plants and mulch are cheap per square foot. Pavers, walls, and decks are not. The proportion of hardscape in your plan is the biggest single lever on the budget.
Site conditions. Poor soil, drainage problems, tree roots, and slopes all add work before the visible part of the project begins. This is the most common reason a quote comes in above the "average."
Access. If equipment can drive into the work area, everything moves faster. If material has to be carried through a narrow side gate, labor hours climb.
Material grade. Natural stone over concrete pavers, composite over treated lumber, mature trees over saplings: every upgrade is a choice you control.
Scope creep. Lighting, irrigation, fire features, and outdoor kitchens are wonderful and expensive. Decide early what's in the plan and what's a phase two.
Season and demand. Spring is peak season. Booking in late winter or scheduling for fall can sometimes secure better availability and pricing.
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Phase the project. Build the hardscape first (it's the foundation), then add planting and lighting in later seasons as budget allows.
Prioritize the base, economize on the finish. Never cut corners on excavation, drainage, or compaction. Do consider concrete pavers instead of natural stone, or younger plants that will fill in.
Get an itemized quote. Line items let you see exactly where the money goes and remove what you don't need without gutting the project.
Combine projects. A patio and the planting around it cost less as one job than as two. Mobilization, equipment, and delivery fees are paid once.
Choose low-maintenance from the start. Native plants, composite decking, and mulched beds cost less to keep up over ten years than thirsty turf and softwood.
Don't DIY the hardscape. A DIY planting bed is a fine weekend project. A DIY paver patio that settles because the base wasn't compacted properly costs more to fix than it would have cost to install.
Landscaping is one of the few home improvements where modest spending can return more than it costs. The NAR/NALP Remodeling Impact Report found that standard lawn care service, the least expensive project studied at an estimated $415, had the highest cost recovery at 217%, followed by landscape maintenance at 104%. In other words, keeping the yard sharp before listing pays for itself several times over.
Bigger projects deliver a different kind of return. Homeowners gave the highest Joy Scores to an in-ground pool addition, landscape lighting, and a new patio — features you use every week, not just at sale time. Realtors in the same report most often recommended completing landscaping-related work before putting a home on the market.
The practical takeaway: maintenance and curb appeal are the highest-ROI dollars you can spend if you're selling soon. Patios, decks, and lighting are worth it if you're staying, because you get years of use plus a stronger listing later.
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National averages are a starting point, but Hampton Roads has its own cost profile. Labor rates here sit near the national middle — well below the priciest coastal metros, above the cheapest rural markets. What sets the region apart is the ground itself: Chesapeake is flat, low-lying, and prone to standing water, with soils that shift between sandy and clay-heavy from one neighborhood to the next. That means drainage planning and base preparation take on outsized importance, and a quote that skips them is a quote that will cost you later.
Based on our own recent projects across Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and Norfolk, homeowners can expect roughly:
These are Andrae's Landscaping's local ranges, not national estimates, and they're a guide rather than a quote — final pricing always requires a site visit. If you're planning a landscaping project in Chesapeake, whether that's a hardscape construction, paver installation, a new deck, or a complete backyard plan, we'll walk your property and give you an itemized estimate you can actually budget around. Request a free quote or call 757-908-3855.
How much should I budget for landscaping a new home?
A common rule of thumb is 5% to 10% of the home's value for a complete landscape, though most homeowners phase it over several years. Start with the essentials: grading and drainage, lawn, foundation plantings, and a walkway. Add the patio, deck, and lighting as budget allows.
What is the cheapest way to landscape a yard?
Mulched beds with young native plants, seed instead of sod, and gravel paths instead of pavers. It won't look finished on day one, but the bones will be right and you can upgrade later.
Is landscaping cheaper in fall or spring?
Spring is peak demand. Fall often brings better contractor availability, and it's an excellent planting season in Virginia because roots establish over the cooler months.
Does landscaping increase property value?
Yes. Realtors consistently recommend landscaping work before listing, and industry research shows lawn care and landscape maintenance recover more than their cost at resale. Larger features like patios and decks add both value and daily livability.
Why do landscaping quotes vary so much?
Because the invisible work varies. Two quotes for the "same" patio can differ by thousands depending on base depth, drainage, edge restraint, and material grade. Always compare itemized quotes, not totals.
How do I get an accurate landscaping quote?
Have rough dimensions, know how you want to use the space, mention any drainage problems, and ask for an itemized estimate. A site visit is essential for any project involving excavation or hardscape.
Every number in this guide is a starting point. Your yard, your material choices, and your design determine the final cost. For an itemized quote based on your actual property in Chesapeake or anywhere in Hampton Roads, request a free quote or call Andrae's Landscaping at 757-908-3855.
Let's create a landscape where you can relax, entertain, and make
memories. Reach out today to start bringing your vision to life.
Let's create a landscape where you can relax, entertain,
and make memories. Reach out today to start bringing
your vision to life.