If you’re installing landscaping from scratch, you can expect to pay between $3,000 and $16,000 depending on the size of your property. This works out to roughly $5 to $12 per square foot or $200 per hour.

Here’s a breakdown of what you get for that much money.

Next, let’s take a closer look at each items, below.

Depending on the complexity of your landscaping project, you may need a municipal permit. In Toronto, for example, homeowners are encouraged to get in touch with a bylaw officer to determine whether a permit is necessary.

If the work is minor, the bylaw officer may simply issue a directive authorizing you to begin work without filing a formal application. For major projects – including those that may spill over onto public property (i.e. the sidewalk in front of your house) – you’ll likely need to submit an application.

The cost of applying for a landscaping permit in Toronto can range from $580 for simpler items like awnings and canopies all the way up to $2,500 or more for things like retaining walls. The government will also charge you for any associated legal fees.

If you’re working with a professional landscaping company, they may handle the application process for you at an extra cost.

While permits can be expensive, they’re a very important part of the landscaping process. If you have landscaping installed and your municipality later determines you didn’t get the right authorization, you may end up spending a lot more rectifying the situation.

Ponds are a very popular landscaping feature for those who don’t have space or money for a pool. While a pond is a cheaper option for incorporating a body of water into your backyard, it’s still among the highest landscaping costs at an average of $2,200 to $3,200.

Water fountains are another alternative to incorporating water into your landscaping. A basic water fountain set up typically costs a minimum of $2,000. At the higher end, expect to pay roughly $6,000.

A landscaping project offers the perfect opportunity to shuffle trees around on your property and place them in a more intentional way than the initial builder did.

For the typical tree on a residential property (no taller than 30 feet), you can expect to pay between $200 and $600 per tree. If you have towering 80-foot trees on your property that need to be moved, this will cost at least $1,500. Crews will need to remove the tree very carefully to avoid damaging nearby sewage lines.

Grading involves making substantial changes to your landscape by removing dirt to produce slopes and other features. This will typically cost you roughly $125 per cubic yard of dirt that will need to be removed.

Keep in mind that motor graders – the machinery used to move dirt – can also be quite large. If crews need to remove fencing or encroach on public property in order to maneuver the machinery, this will likely increase your landscaping costs considerably.

Given that the average cost of landscaping is quite high, many people choose to involve a professional designer who can ensure the job gets done right the first time. These professionals will typically charge within the ballpark of $100 per hour. Top-of-the-line landscaping designers may charge as much as $15,000 to oversee your entire project from start to finish.

If your landscaping project is particularly substantial (i.e. it involves dramatically altering your topography, building new semi-permanent structures, or installing complex irrigation systems), you may need to involve a landscape architect. Generally, these professionals are twice as expensive as landscape designers, costing $200 per hour.

Turf is another popular landscaping addition, especially for environmentally-conscious homeowners. You see, traditional lawns require quite a bit of water, which has drawn the ire of many environmental groups.

Artificial turf, on the other hand, looks great without the need for such a high environmental cost. You can expect to pay between $3,000 and $10,000 depending on your yard’s size and the quality of turf you purchase.

Sod is a popular option for those unwilling to wait for grass seeds to sprout. Depending on the type of sod you choose, expect to pay between 30 cents and 75 cents per square foot. Types of sod include:

• Bermuda sod, which is perhaps the most popular and costs between 30 cents and 75 cents per square foot.
• Fescue sod, which is incredibly tolerant of all seasons (including Canada’s notorious winters) and costs between 30 cents and 60 cents per square foot.
• Zoysia sod, which forms more of a carpet of grass than a traditional lawn with tall blades, and costs between 40 cents and 60 cents per square foot.
• St. Augustine sod, which is more popular in humid, southern climates like Florida.

Seeds are a more traditional approach to crafting the perfect lawn. The seeds themselves are also fairly cheap relative to sod, costing roughly 5 cents per square foot. Expect to pay roughly $500 to have a professional plant the seeds on your lawn.

You’ll also need to water the lawn regularly until the seeds start to germinate. In other words, count on slightly higher maintenance costs early on if you’re going with seeded grass.

Mulch can help ensure the ideal environment for your garden’s growth. Professionals typically charge around $500 to purchase and install the mulch for you. If you’re working with a professional landscaper already, this expense may make sense. If you’re handling much of the project yourself, you can buy the mulch and install it yourself at a cost of roughly $5 per cubic foot.

Curbing involves placing concrete or some other hard material throughout your landscaping. This allows you to very clearly draw lines between different areas of your outdoor space.

Curbing typically costs between $800 and $1,500 depending on the materials you’re using and whether the project involves building any retaining walls.

An irrigation system simplifies the lawn watering process and is much more efficient than you’d be with a hose. These systems typically cost roughly $2,500 to install from scratch. Depending on the complexity of your landscaping, the cost may rise as high as $5,000.