If you’ve begun researching a landscape project for your Atlanta home, you’ve probably noticed that almost no companies publish their prices, so it’s hard to estimate what your project will cost or even get a sense of what you can create. There’s a simple reason why: every property, slope, and wish list is different, and most landscape companies either worry that a big number will scare you off or hesitate to share a single number when so many variables are involved. 

At Peachtree Landscape, we want our clients to walk into a consultation with our team well-informed, so here is a practical look at what landscape design actually costs in the Atlanta market, based on the projects we design and build every week across Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Dunwoody and Milton.

So, how much does landscape design cost in Atlanta? Standalone landscape design generally starts around $1,000 and can reach $3,000 or more for larger or highly detailed plans. But for most homeowners, the bigger investment is the construction itself, with landscape projects ranging from roughly $2,500 for smaller refreshes to $50,000+ for comprehensive outdoor living projects.

Standalone design fees. If you want a professional landscape plan that you can build in phases or use to solicit bids, designers in metro Atlanta typically charge $1,000–$3,000+ for a full-property design, with larger estates and plans that include 3D renderings costing more. Once you have the plan, you can work with any landscape company to complete the build.

At Peachtree Landscape, we offer both design and design-build services, but we pride ourselves on our full-service approach, where your project is handled by one experienced landscape designer and project manager from design through completion. We can often show you examples of our work in person so you can get a feel for what we can create for your property. For clients who want a detailed standalone landscape design, our design fees start at $1,000.

Design-build. Most of our clients choose our design-build approach. Some landscape companies credit their design fee toward construction, and we do the same: any design fee you pay us is credited toward the cost of your design-build project. What makes us different is that our designers also function as project managers, so you work with one experienced and dedicated professional from the initial concept through the final walkthrough. That continuity is one of the reasons Peachtree Landscape has become the landscape company Atlanta homeowners and property managers trust. You get an accountable team from concept through completion, and we develop the design and project scope with your budget in mind. Because our designers also manage our projects, we can help you understand what your vision will cost from the very beginning.

What a typical project investment looks like

While landscape design is the roadmap, construction is where most of your project investment goes. For every project, we account for material costs, direct labor, overhead and other operating costs. As a realistic guide for Atlanta homeowners:

• Small landscape refresh – this includes new plantings, mulch, and limited bed reshaping. This most often excludes any hardscapes and can usually be completed within one day. At Peachtree Landscape, our minimum project size for landscape installation is currently $2,500.
• Larger landscape refresh – this includes more extensive new plantings, sod installation, mulch, extensive bed reshaping and/or creation. These projects may involve more limited hardscaping such as pavers, and these projects typically span several days and are in the $10,000–$20,000 range. 
• Full landscape transformation – this includes full front- or backyard work with trees, plantings, walkways or patio construction, and lighting or drainage installations. These projects are essentially complete revitalizations of entire outdoor spaces and often cost between $20,000–$50,000.
• Outdoor living project – this is a major project that requires our hardscape team performing significant grading work, building larger retaining walls, and installing comprehensive outdoor features such as outdoor kitchens, lighting, and irrigation. Permits may be involved as well. Assuming your project is a substantial size, the cost will likely reach $50,000+, particularly when substantial grading work, lots of hardscaping and multiple days on site are involved. These larger projects are performed over multiple days and often can extend over 2–3 weeks. 

The four factors that most affect your landscape project cost

• Slope and access. Much of north Atlanta has hilly or sloped properties. A sloped lot often needs retaining walls or terracing before main project work begins, and tight access (fenced intown lots or shared driveways) slows excavation. Easy access can reduce the amount of time our crews spend on site, which can help keep your project cost down.
• Soil and drainage. Atlanta-area properties often have dense clay soils that can create drainage challenges, so our team may need to address water issues before construction begins. This helps protect the landscaping and hardscaping we install afterward. We can also identify existing erosion issues before work begins.
• Material choices. The spread between builder-grade and premium materials is real: on a recent 250-square-foot patio we completed, going from standard pavers to premium bluestone added about $3,900 to the project cost.
• Permits and engineering. Retaining walls and structures may require engineering or permits depending on the project and municipality. Permit requirements can affect project timelines and, in some cases, project costs. We factor the time required to obtain permits and coordinate with the municipality into our planning. 

How to budget smart

Start with the design, even if you build in phases. A master plan means phase two doesn’t demolish phase one. Give your designer your real budget. A good designer designs to it, and a great one tells you honestly what’s achievable. That’s what our team at Peachtree Landscape does. We listen to what you want and tell you what it will cost. We also create our proposals with every line item clearly broken out so you can see exactly what each part of the project costs. There is no black box in our pricing, and that’s why so many Atlanta homeowners trust Peachtree Landscape. 

When you receive proposals, compare bids on scope, not just totals: base preparation, paver brand and warranty, plant sizes, and cleanup are often where lower bids differ from higher ones. 

Also plan ahead on project timing. We can work around your schedule as long as we are prepared. For example, we recently completed an $80,000 backyard transformation for a client in Sandy Springs. Because they planned the landscaping alongside their home renovation, we were able to divide the project into two phases and coordinate the work without unnecessary additional costs.

FAQs

• Is the design consultation free? Our initial consultation and proposal are both free. If you want a detailed standalone landscape design beyond the scope of the proposal, design fees start at $1,000. If you later choose to have us build the project, that design fee is credited toward your design-build cost.
• How long does it take to receive a proposal? We aim to provide proposals within 48 hours and no more than one week after we visit your property, depending on the scope of the project.
• How long does a detailed landscape design take? More detailed designs typically take one to two weeks, depending on project complexity and revisions.
• Can I use your design to get other bids? Yes. Our goal is to create a design that clearly communicates the project scope. Of course, we hope you’ll choose to have our team bring the design to life.
• Do you design for phased construction? Yes. Many clients build over 1–2 years, and the master plan is designed so each phase stands alone.
• What’s the smallest project you design? Our minimum project size for landscape installation is currently $2,500. Standalone landscape design fees start at $1,000.
• Ready to see what your property could be? Call 404-431-1950 or request a free consultation online. We design and build across metro Atlanta.