PlantLegitHow much does a landscape plan or design cost? (2026 prices)
Most homeowners pay about $1,900–$7,300 for a professional landscape design; Angi's 2026 national average is $4,588. A basic design runs about $300–$600. Hiring a landscape architect averages about $2,100 (HomeAdvisor). A DIY plan, like our $12 My Yard Plan, costs far less but does a smaller job (see the table).Prices are national averages from the cost guides below, as published on the dates shown. Your local quotes will differ.
Published price ranges
| Who / what | Published price | Source (date) |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape designer, typical range | $1,934–$7,267 (national avg. $4,588, from 3,233 projects) | Angi (updated Oct 17, 2026) |
| Design by complexity | Basic $300–$600 · Intermediate $700–$3,000 · Complex $3,500–$10,000+ | Angi |
| Landscape designer, hourly | $50–$150 per hour (avg. $100) | Angi |
| Landscape architect, normal range | $726–$3,557 (avg. $2,122) | HomeAdvisor (updated Jun 19, 2026) |
| Landscape architect, hourly | $70–$140 per hour | HomeAdvisor |
| Landscape architect, Thumbtack data | $863–$4,384 (low $265, high $10,858) | Thumbtack (updated Jun 25, 2026) |
What you get at each price
| Option | What it is | What it isn't |
|---|---|---|
| $12 My Yard Plan (DIY) | Plants picked for your ZIP that grow together, each with its legal status, plus your soil, freeze dates and a shopping list, delivered within 24 hours | Not a site visit, scaled drawing, grading or drainage engineering, or permit drawings. You do the layout and the work. |
| Landscape designer | A custom design for your yard; Angi's guide says plans are typically included in flat-rate quotes | Not necessarily licensed; Thumbtack and HomeAdvisor note architects handle structural, grading and drainage work |
| Landscape architect | Licensed; per Thumbtack, can produce construction documents and design retaining walls and drainage systems | The most expensive option for a simple planting plan |
Rule of thumb from the guides: if your project involves significant grading, retaining walls, drainage or permits, Thumbtack says a landscape architect is likely the right choice. If you mainly need to know what to plant and where, a DIY plan may be enough.
Related: fixing standing water · fast-growing privacy trees · when to plant trees and shrubs
Sources
- Angi: How Much Does Landscape Design Cost? [2026 Data] (updated Oct 17, 2026)
- HomeAdvisor: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Landscape Architect? (updated Jun 19, 2026)
- Thumbtack: 2026 Landscape Architect Cost (last updated Jun 25, 2026)
Checked October 19, 2026. Not legal or professional advice; the official text controls.