One of the first questions homeowners ask when they call a landscaping company is, “How much is this going to cost?” Fair question. You want to improve your property, but you need to know what you are getting into financially.
The honest answer is that landscaping costs vary widely. A lot depends on your property size, the services you need, the materials involved, and the company you hire. But that answer does not help you plan a budget.
So let’s get specific. This guide covers realistic pricing for the most common landscaping services in the Atlanta and North Atlanta area. These are the ranges we see day in and day out across Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, and the surrounding communities.
Lawn Maintenance Costs
Regular lawn maintenance is the foundation of any well-kept property. Here is what you can expect to pay.
Weekly Mowing, Edging, and Blowing
Typical cost: $40 to $150 per visit
The price depends almost entirely on lot size and complexity. A standard quarter-acre suburban lot in a Johns Creek subdivision might run $45 to $75 per visit. A one-acre property in Milton with slopes, islands, and lots of bed lines could be $100 to $150.
Most companies offer weekly service during the growing season (April through October) and biweekly or as-needed visits during the dormant months.
What affects the price:
- Total square footage of turf
- Number of obstacles (beds, trees, play equipment)
- Slope and terrain difficulty
- Gate access for equipment
- Distance from the company’s service area
Our lawn maintenance service includes mowing, precision edging, string trimming, and debris blowing on every visit. We adjust mowing height by grass type and season.
Annual Lawn Maintenance Plans
Typical cost: $1,800 to $6,000 per year
Annual plans bundle weekly mowing with seasonal services. They usually cost less per visit than paying for individual services separately. A full-year plan for a typical Alpharetta residential property often falls between $2,400 and $4,000.
Premium plans that include fertilization, weed control, aeration, and overseeding run higher but cover everything your lawn needs in a single package.
Weed Control and Fertilization
Typical cost: $50 to $100 per application for most residential lots
A standard weed control and fertilization program includes four to six applications per year. That puts the annual cost at $300 to $600 for most properties.
Pre-emergent herbicides in early spring and fall, post-emergent spot treatments as needed, and seasonal fertilizer applications round out a typical program. Our weed management service is tailored to the specific weeds and grass types common in Zone 8a.
Aeration and Overseeding
Core aeration: $75 to $250 Aeration with overseeding (fescue): $200 to $500
Aeration pricing scales with lawn size. A small lot might cost $75 to $125. A larger property with a half-acre of turf can run $200 or more.
If you have a fescue lawn, combining aeration with overseeding is the best value. You get the soil benefits of aeration plus the thickening effect of fresh seed. Our aeration and sod service handles both.
Sod Installation
Typical cost: $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot installed
Sod pricing depends on the grass type and the prep work required. Bermuda sod is usually the most affordable. Zoysia sod costs more due to slower production.
A typical sod job for a 2,000-square-foot front yard might run $3,000 to $6,000 including soil prep, grading, sod delivery, and installation. Small patch repairs are less expensive but carry a minimum service charge.
What affects the price:
- Grass variety (bermuda vs. zoysia vs. fescue sod)
- Soil preparation needed (grading, tilling, amendments)
- Accessibility for delivery trucks
- Irrigation availability
Mulch and Pine Straw
Mulch installation: $45 to $75 per cubic yard installed Pine straw installation: $8 to $14 per bale installed
A typical North Atlanta home with moderate landscape beds needs 5 to 15 cubic yards of mulch or 30 to 80 bales of pine straw. That puts most jobs between $250 and $1,000.
Hardwood mulch is the most popular choice. Dyed brown or black mulch costs slightly more. Pine straw is less expensive per application but breaks down faster, so you may need to refresh it twice a year instead of once.
Our mulch and pine straw service includes delivery, installation, and bed edging cleanup.
Shrub Pruning and Trimming
Typical cost: $150 to $600 per visit
Pruning costs depend on the number of shrubs, their size, and how overgrown they are. A routine pruning visit for a well-maintained property with 15 to 20 shrubs might run $200 to $350. A heavy renovation pruning on neglected hollies, boxwoods, and overgrown azaleas can cost $400 to $600 or more.
Most properties benefit from two to three pruning visits per year. Our shrub pruning service shapes your plants for health and appearance.
Landscape Design
Typical cost: $500 to $5,000+
Design pricing varies dramatically based on scope. A simple planting plan for a front foundation bed might cost $500 to $1,500. A comprehensive design for an entire property with detailed planting plans, hardscape layouts, lighting plans, and irrigation design can run $3,000 to $5,000 or more.
Some companies roll the design fee into the installation cost if you hire them for the project. Ask about this upfront. It can save you a significant amount.
Our landscape design team creates custom plans based on your property’s conditions, your style preferences, and a realistic budget.
Plant Installation
Typical cost: $50 to $200+ per plant, installed
This range is wide because plant sizes and types vary enormously. A one-gallon perennial might cost $15 to $25 installed. A three-gallon shrub runs $35 to $65. A 15-gallon tree can cost $150 to $350 installed.
A complete foundation planting for a front yard with a mix of shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses typically falls between $2,000 and $8,000 depending on the size of the area and the plants selected.
What affects the price:
- Plant size (container size at purchase)
- Plant variety and availability
- Soil amendment needs
- Number of plants
- Access and terrain
Our plant installation crew sources from trusted local nurseries and installs with proper technique for long-term success.
Hardscaping
Hardscaping covers patios, walkways, retaining walls, fire pits, and other built structures. These are typically the largest individual investments in a landscape project.
Patios
Typical cost: $15 to $40 per square foot installed
A 200-square-foot paver patio runs $3,000 to $8,000 depending on the material and design complexity. Flagstone costs more than standard pavers. Intricate patterns and borders add to labor costs.
Walkways
Typical cost: $15 to $35 per square foot
A 30-foot walkway that is three feet wide covers about 90 square feet. Expect to pay $1,350 to $3,150 for a typical residential walkway.
Retaining Walls
Typical cost: $20 to $50 per square face foot
A 30-foot-long wall that is two feet tall has 60 square face feet. That puts most small to medium retaining walls between $1,200 and $3,000. Taller walls and walls that require engineered designs cost more. Our landscape design team handles everything from small garden walls to large structural walls.
Fire Pits
Typical cost: $1,500 to $5,000 installed
Simple, pre-formed fire pit kits start around $1,500 installed. Custom-built stone or paver fire pits with seating walls run $3,000 to $5,000 or more.
Our landscape design services include all of these elements and more.
Drainage Solutions
Typical cost: $1,500 to $5,000+
Drainage work varies widely. A simple downspout extension might cost a few hundred dollars. A full French drain system running 50 to 100 feet across a backyard can cost $3,000 to $5,000 or more.
Standing water problems tend to get worse over time, not better. Fixing them early saves money and protects your landscape investment. Our drainage solutions team addresses the root cause, not just the symptoms.
Privacy Screening
Typical cost: $2,000 to $10,000+
A row of Green Giant Arborvitae or Leyland Cypress to screen a back property line typically runs $3,000 to $7,000 for materials and installation. Price depends on the number of trees, the size at planting, and the length of the screen.
Larger trees provide instant privacy but cost more. Smaller trees cost less but take three to five years to fill in. Our privacy screening service helps you find the right balance.
Property Cleanup
Typical cost: $200 to $1,500
Seasonal cleanups, storm debris removal, and property renovations fall in this range. A standard fall leaf cleanup for a typical lot runs $200 to $500. A heavy-duty cleanup on a neglected property with overgrown beds, debris piles, and extensive pruning needs can cost $800 to $1,500 or more.
Our property cleanup service handles everything from seasonal maintenance to full property renovations.
Factors That Affect Landscaping Costs in Atlanta
Several factors push prices up or down. Understanding them helps you set realistic expectations.
Property size matters most. A quarter-acre lot is fundamentally different from a two-acre estate. More area means more labor, more materials, and more time.
Terrain and access. Slopes, tight gate access, and properties far from the street add time and difficulty. Steep grades require more careful installation techniques for everything from sod to retaining walls.
Material quality. There is a big difference between builder-grade plants and premium nursery stock. The same goes for pavers, stone, and mulch. Better materials cost more but last longer and look better.
Existing conditions. Starting from scratch costs more than refreshing an established landscape. Removing old plants, regrading, and correcting drainage issues all add to the upfront cost.
Timing and demand. Spring is the busiest season for landscaping companies. Scheduling work in late summer or early fall can sometimes mean better availability and faster turnaround.
Getting Accurate Estimates
Here is how to get a reliable estimate for your landscaping project.
Get multiple quotes. Three quotes from reputable companies give you a good sense of the market. Be cautious of any price that is dramatically lower than the others. That usually means corners will be cut.
Insist on an on-site visit. No legitimate company can give you an accurate quote from a phone call or a Google Earth screenshot. Someone needs to walk your property and see the conditions in person.
Ask what is included. Does the price include soil amendments? Cleanup after installation? A warranty on plants? Irrigation adjustments? The cheapest quote might be missing important steps.
Check references and reviews. Price matters. But the cheapest crew that does mediocre work is not a bargain. Look at before-and-after photos. Read reviews. Ask for references from recent projects similar to yours.
Understand the scope. Make sure every company is quoting on the same scope of work. If one quote includes irrigation and another does not, the comparison is not apples to apples.
Is Professional Landscaping Worth It?
Real estate studies consistently show that quality landscaping returns 100 to 200 percent of its cost in added property value. In Alpharetta’s competitive housing market, curb appeal makes a measurable difference in how quickly a home sells and at what price.
Beyond property value, there is the time factor. How many hours a month do you spend on lawn care and yard work? At some point, hiring a professional crew to handle it frees up your weekends for things you actually enjoy.
And there is the quality gap. Professional-grade equipment, trained crews, and local expertise produce results that are hard to match with a consumer mower and a trip to the hardware store. The difference shows.
Get a Free Estimate for Your Property
Every property is different. The only way to get an accurate price for your specific needs is to have someone walk your yard, listen to your goals, and put together a detailed proposal.
At Rivendell Estate Care, we provide free, no-obligation estimates for every service we offer. We serve homeowners across Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, and the greater North Atlanta area.
No high-pressure sales pitch. Just an honest conversation about your property and what it needs.
Request your free estimate online or call us at (470) 556-5674. We will come take a look and give you clear, upfront pricing.