Short answer: Landscape design typically costs about $1,934 to $7,267, with a national average of $4,588, according to HomeAdvisor's cost guide. The price depends on how the designer charges (flat fee, hourly, or a percentage of installation), the size and complexity of the property, and what the plan includes. At Sol & Arbor, virtual design packages start at $795 for a side yard, $1,495 for a front yard or backyard, and $2,995 for a complete property.
Key takeaways
- HomeAdvisor puts typical landscape design fees at $1,934 to $7,267, with an average of $4,588, based on costs reported by its customers.
- Designers charge by flat fee, by the hour (commonly $50 to $150), or as a percentage of the installation budget.
- Property size, grading and drainage, irrigation, lighting, and the level of detail in the drawings drive most of the price difference.
- The design fee is small next to installation: HomeAdvisor reports full backyard renovations averaging $15,000 to $50,000.
- Compare quotes by deliverables, not price: a plan without a plant list, scaled layout, and material callouts is hard for a contractor to price.
How much does a landscape designer cost?
National cost guides give a useful starting range. HomeAdvisor's landscape design cost guide, updated in June 2026, reports these typical ranges:
- Most projects: $1,934 to $7,267, with an average of $4,588.
- Basic design (a few simple changes): $300 to $600.
- Intermediate design: $700 to $3,000.
- Complex design: $3,500 to $10,000 or more.
- Consultations: an average of about $300.
Treat these as national averages, not quotes. A small front bed refresh and a full design for a large waterfront property are different jobs, and complex properties tend to land at the upper end of those ranges.
How do landscape designers charge?
Flat fee per project
You pay a set price for a defined plan. This is the easiest model to budget and compare, as long as the quote spells out what the plan includes and how many revision rounds you get.
Hourly rate
HomeAdvisor reports landscape designer hourly rates of roughly $50 to $150, averaging about $100. For licensed landscape architects, its landscape architect cost guide lists $70 to $140 per hour. Hourly billing works for consultations and small jobs, but the total is hard to predict on a full property.
Percentage of installation
Some firms, especially landscape architects on larger or new-construction projects, charge a percentage of the construction budget. HomeAdvisor cites 5% to 15% as common. On a large installation, that can add up quickly, and it ties the design fee to how much you spend.
Free design from an installer
Some installation companies include design if you hire them to build it. That can work, but the plan is often tied to that installer, which makes it hard to collect competing bids on the same scope.
What drives the cost of a landscape design plan?
- Property size: more square footage means more to measure, plan, and draw.
- Number of areas: a backyard alone costs less than front, back, and side yards designed together.
- Complexity: pools, outdoor kitchens, fire features, slopes, and multiple levels take more design time.
- Grading and drainage: flat, sandy Florida lots still need water directed away from the house and pool deck.
- Irrigation and lighting: zoned irrigation layouts and lighting plans are often priced as separate line items.
- Visual deliverables: 3D renderings, night lighting views, and video walkthroughs add cost.
- Construction documents: engineered or permit-ready drawings for walls, structures, and drainage cost more and, in Florida, must come from licensed professionals where the law requires.
- Revisions and site visits: extra revision rounds and in-person visits, including travel time, raise the total.
What should a landscape design plan include?
Use this list to compare quotes on equal terms:
- A scaled layout showing beds, hardscape, structures, and outdoor rooms with dimensions a contractor can measure from.
- A planting plan with every plant located and labeled.
- A plant list with botanical names, sizes, and quantities so nurseries and installers can price it.
- Material callouts for pavers, stone, mulch, gravel, and edging.
- A lighting layout showing fixture types and locations.
- Revision rounds, stated as a number, so you know what changes are included.
- Clear ownership: you should be able to hand the plan to any contractor you choose.
Know the legal line in Florida. Under Florida Statutes section 481.303, landscape design covers planting plans and installation details for plants, soil amendments, mulch, edging, and gravel, plus the conceptual placement of features. Construction documents for structures and irrigation systems must be designed or approved by licensed professionals as required by law. If your project includes a retaining wall, pergola, or pool, expect a licensed professional or your contractor to produce the permit drawings.
Landscape design cost vs installation cost
Design is the smaller number. HomeAdvisor's landscaping cost guide reports full backyard renovations averaging $15,000 to $50,000, outdoor kitchens at $6,000 to $25,000, and new patios at $2,000 to $5,800. Higher-end Florida projects with pools, large hardscape areas, and mature specimen trees can run well beyond those averages.
That gap is why a plan pays for itself. A design fee of a few thousand dollars sets the scope before you collect bids, prevents change orders during the build, and keeps you from tearing out a patio because the lighting conduit or kitchen gas line was never planned.
Florida factors that affect the budget
- HOA review: many South Florida communities require architectural approval, and a clear, scaled plan speeds that process.
- Salt exposure: coastal properties need salt-tolerant plants and corrosion-resistant fixtures, which affects both design and material costs.
- Storms: tree species and placement should account for hurricane winds.
- Watering rules: irrigation zones should be planned around plant needs and local water restrictions.
How does virtual landscape design compare?
Virtual design removes the site visit. You share photos and measurements, meet your designer over video on your schedule, and receive a plan in about one to two weeks. Without travel time built into every visit, a virtual studio can quote flat fees.
Here is what Sol & Arbor charges, stated plainly:
- Side Yard Design: from $795
- Front Yard Design: from $1,495
- Backyard Design: from $1,495
- Complete Yard (whole property): from $2,995
Every plan includes the planting, stone, and lighting layout plus a plant list your contractor can price and install. Optional add-ons are priced separately: Night Scene + Lighting Render, Irrigation Design Add-On, Designer Video Walkthrough, Plant Sourcing Guide, Contractor Preparation Call, Expedited Delivery 7-Day Rush, and Additional Revision Round.
What we do not do: we design, we do not install. You own the plan and can take it to any contractor for bids. For more on that handoff, read what to hand your contractor.
Ready to price your project with a real plan? Compare all yard packages, see how the process works, or call us at 888-248-6072.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a landscape designer cost?
HomeAdvisor reports that most landscape design projects cost $1,934 to $7,267, with an average of $4,588. Simple plans can cost a few hundred dollars, while complex designs for large properties can reach $10,000 or more.
How much does a landscape design plan cost for a backyard?
It depends on size and complexity, but many backyard plans fall in the low thousands. Sol & Arbor's Backyard Design starts at $1,495 and includes the planting, stone, and lighting layout plus a plant list.
Do landscape designers charge by the hour?
Some do. HomeAdvisor reports hourly rates of about $50 to $150 for landscape designers. Many designers also offer flat project fees, which are easier to budget and compare.
Is landscape design included in installation cost?
Sometimes. Installers may include design if you hire them to build, but you usually cannot take that plan to other contractors. A separate design you own lets you collect competing bids on the same scope.
Is a landscape architect more expensive than a landscape designer?
Not necessarily. HomeAdvisor reports similar hourly rates for both, about $70 to $140 for landscape architects and $50 to $150 for designers. The bigger differences are scope and billing, since architects on larger projects may charge 5% to 15% of construction. You need a licensed professional when a project requires sealed construction documents for structures, grading, or drainage.