How Much Does Garden Landscaping Cost in Australia? [2024]

The outside of your home sets the scene for your entire property. A good-looking exterior not only makes the neighbours jealous, it can also add value to your home. But how much does landscaping cost?

This guide to landscaping costs should help you to set a rough price tag for your next project. It covers:

• How to calculate landscaping costs
• How much does a landscaper cost?
• What does a landscaper do?
• Planning your landscaping project
• Is landscaping worth it?

How to calculate landscaping costs

The size of the project will be the major factor when estimating landscaping costs. If you're upgrading your landscaping to add value to your home, it's recommended to spend no more than 5% to 10% of the value of your property on landscaping. Here is a quick guide for reference:

The final cost of your landscaping project will ultimately depend on how much work needs doing and the materials involved to complete this work. For individual landscaping tasks, expect to pay around:

• $10 to $100 per square metre to lay turf
• $40 to $75 per square metre to lay paving
• $150 to $250 per square metre to build a retaining wall
• $3,400 to $6,500 to install a deck
• $9,000 to $25,000 to install a pond or water feature

How much does a landscaper cost?

If you want to break this down to an hourly cost, a qualified landscaper will charge from $55 to $70 per hour of work, depending on your location and the nature of the work.

It's important to note that the cost of a landscaper doesn't include the cost of the initial garden design. If you need plans to be drawn up, a garden designer or landscape architect will charge upwards of $850, depending on how detailed the plans are.

Some companies provide both design and landscaping services, so they will be able to give you a total estimate for your project.

What does a landscaper do?

Landscapers are talented people who have a number of skills under their belts that can turn your garden from drab to fab. Their main job is to make your outdoor space as aesthetically pleasing as it is practical – balance that is difficult to perfect. This may involve:

• Installing garden beds
• Planting flowers, trees and other greenery
• Laying paving
• Building retaining walls
• Erecting shaded areas, such as pergolas, gazebos and patios
• Adding final touches, such as rocks and small bird baths

The type of landscaping jobs you want will determine what licensing and experience you require in a landscaper. Landscapers may be licensed in one or more trades – for example, a concrete or paving licence would be needed for hardscaping jobs, while a builder's licence would be needed for jobs such as building a patio or pergola.

When comparing quotes from landscapers near you, you should also ask for references or to see examples of their previous jobs so you can be sure they're right for your project.

Planning your landscaping project

Landscapers are the doers, not the designers. A garden designer or landscape architect may also be needed to design the look and feel of your outdoor area, and will provide services such as calculating precise measurements of your space, drawing up plans and deciding what plants should go where, among other things.

Your initial meeting with a designer or architect will give you an idea of the amount of work that will need to be carried out by a landscaper, which will start to frame your budget. They will then help you to plan every element of your new garden, which will give you a comprehensive list of things you'll need to budget for.

After consulting with a garden designer or landscape architect, you may find that your landscaping costs are not as expensive as you worried. Once your landscape is planned out, a landscaper will bring this concept to life by planting the plants, erecting the walls, laying paving and other tasks.

Is landscaping worth it?

The cost of landscaping can be pricey, but you can look at it as an investment in your home. Certain landscaping jobs can skyrocket a property's value when done properly, for instance:

Installing a pool

• Opting for a sustainable, easy to manage garden
• Incorporating an alfresco dining space
• Building a patio or BBQ area
• Laying or replacing pavers

Consider what will work for your space and be sure to talk to your landscaper about the value these additions will add to your home compared to the price of having them installed.

*Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.