Let’s Talk about landscape project pricing
Understanding the Cost of a Landscape Project: What You’re Really Paying For
If you’ve started gathering bids for your landscape project, you’ve probably noticed something: the prices can vary a lot. One contractor might quote $25,000, another $60,000 sometimes for what seems like the same work. It’s a fair question to ask: Why such a difference?
The answer lies in more than materials or labor. A quality outdoor living space is the result of careful planning, skilled craftsmanship, safe practices, and a company that operates responsibly behind the scenes. This post will walk you through what actually drives the cost of a landscape project—and why it’s worth investing in one done right.
More Than Just Stone and Plants
The materials you choose have a major impact on price and longevity. There’s a real difference between basic concrete pavers and hand-cut limestone, between mass-market turf and native, drought-tolerant planting schemes.
Beyond that, it’s the installation that really counts. The grading, the base prep, the clean lines, the way water drains properly and lighting is safe and functional—those things don’t happen by accident. They’re the result of experience, attention to detail, and skilled work by people who take pride in what they do.
Who’s Doing the Work Matters
When you hire a landscape company to build an outdoor kitchen, patio, deck, or lighting system, you’re hiring a team of professionals that often includes licensed subcontractors—such as electricians for lighting and gas lines, or plumbers for sinks and drainage. These aren’t extras—they’re essential to doing the job legally and safely.
Coordinating these subcontractors is part of our job as a design-build company. We also bring in engineers when structural or drainage elements require it, and we handle permitting with cities or HOAs to make sure your investment is protected from compliance issues down the road.
Also, you want to work with a company that has a reputation to protect. Ensure they have public profiles that show reviews of previous clients. If they do not have a public reputation to protect you could be putting your money at risk.
The Planning Before the Build
A successful project doesn’t start with demolition—it starts weeks or months earlier with detailed planning. This includes:
Landscape design and revisions
Engineering when needed
Permitting and inspections
Utility locates
Material procurement and scheduling
All of this happens before any visible progress is made on-site, but it’s crucial to the success and stability of the build.
Our Pricing Method: Clarity Up Front, No Surprises Later
At Terra Dura Landscapes, we use a fixed-price contract model for nearly all of our projects. That means once your design is finalized and the scope is agreed upon, we give you a single, clear number—and that’s what you pay.
Why? Because we believe transparency builds trust. You deserve to know what your investment will be from the start, without worrying about last-minute charges or shifting estimates.
A Word of Caution About Project Creep
If you’re comparing bids, be sure to ask how pricing is structured. Some contractors use a low initial estimate to win the job, only to hit you with change orders and cost increases later. What starts as a $20,000 patio can quietly balloon into a $50,000 project due to vague allowances, missing details, or poor planning.
This kind of “project creep” is common when scope isn’t clearly defined or when contractors operate on a cost-plus or loosely bid model without solid design documentation.
With our fixed pricing, we spend the time upfront to carefully plan, specify materials, and coordinate trades. That way, when we break ground, we’re all on the same page—and you’re protected from budget surprises.
That said, clients are always welcome to make changes to the scope if they want to expand the project or upgrade materials. Those adjustments are made transparently, by choice—not because of poor planning or hidden costs.
What Your Investment Covers
Let’s break down where your money goes in a typical high-quality landscape project:
Design & Planning: Consultations, plans, engineering, and permits
Skilled Labor: Crews who understand site prep, masonry, carpentry, planting, and irrigation
Materials: Quality stone, wood, hardware, lighting, irrigation, etc.
Equipment: Tools, trucks, trailers, equipment, and everything needed to get the job done properly
Overhead: Project managers, insurance, safety training, and operations
Licensed Trades: Electricians, plumbers, and other specialists required for legal and safe installation
Most people are surprised to learn that after covering these costs, a reputable contractor’s margin may be just 8–15%—a modest return considering the responsibility involved.
Investing in a Lasting Outdoor Space
At Terra Dura Landscapes, we know a landscape is more than a project—it’s part of your home. Our goal is to build something that’s not only beautiful but built to last, with thoughtful design and responsible construction.
We understand it’s a big investment. That’s why we’re transparent with pricing, clear in communication, and committed to delivering lasting value—through quality materials, skilled craftsmanship, and reliable service before, during, and after the build.
If you’re planning an outdoor living space and want to understand your options, we’re here to talk. No pressure—just honest answers, practical advice, and a process built around your needs.
