Landscaping Statistics: Costs, Industry Size, and Home Value ROI (2026)

A well-kept lawn and thoughtfully designed landscape do more than make a home look good. They are among the highest-returning investments a homeowner can make, with some projects recovering more than twice their cost at resale. The numbers below draw on verified 2026 data from IBISWorld, the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), the Bureau of Labor Statistics, HomeAdvisor, and leading university research on curb appeal. If you are ready to hire, our landscaping services and lawn care services connect you with vetted pros, or browse all of our home services.

Landscaping and lawn care costs

1. A new landscaping installation averages about $3,517

Professional landscaping installation costs an average of $3,517, with most homeowners spending between $1,248 and $6,068, and the range stretching from $200 to $14,875 for complex projects, per HomeAdvisor. Cost per square foot typically runs $4.50 to $12 for standard work, and up to $40 for major renovations. Get a free fixed-price estimate through our landscaping services.

2. Front-yard landscaping runs $1,500 to $5,000; full backyard renovations average $15,000 to $50,000

Project scope drives cost dramatically. A front-yard refresh generally falls between $1,500 and $5,000, while a comprehensive backyard renovation averages $15,000 to $50,000, with larger or more complex designs reaching higher, according to HomeAdvisor. Hardscaping such as patios and outdoor kitchens adds the most to cost. Our financing options can spread out larger projects.

3. Lawn care services average about $123 per visit

The typical homeowner pays around $123 for a single professional lawn care visit, with the range spanning roughly $50 to $205 per visit depending on lawn size and services, according to HomeAdvisor. Monthly lawn care plans run $100 to $300, and annual full-service programs typically cost $700 to $2,600. Our lawn care services connect you with vetted local pros.

4. Sod installation averages $2,070, or $1 to $6 per square foot installed

Installing sod on a bare lot costs an average of $2,070, with most projects falling between $1,079 and $3,066, according to HomeAdvisor. Including labor, sod runs $1 to $6 per square foot. Resodding an existing lawn costs more, typically $2 to $4.50 per square foot, because the old turf must first be stripped and removed.

5. Sprinkler system installation costs about $2,541 on average

A residential sprinkler system installation averages about $2,541, with most homeowners spending between $1,637 and $3,583, per Angi. The NAR/NALP Remodeling Impact Report priced a typical residential irrigation installation at $6,000 for a complete system, which earned a Joy Score of 9.4 out of 10 from homeowners who installed one. See our irrigation services for more.

The US landscaping industry

6. The US landscaping services industry generated $176.7 billion in revenue in 2026

IBISWorld pegs the US landscaping services industry at $176.7 billion in 2026 revenue, growing at a compound annual rate of 3.0% since 2021 and forecast to reach $195 billion by 2031, per IBISWorld. Homeowners continued investing in maintenance and upgrades even as the for-sale housing market slowed, keeping the industry resilient. Our vetted pro network helps homeowners find licensed, insured professionals in this fragmented market.

7. About 556,000 landscaping businesses operate in the US

The landscaping services sector is served by roughly 556,000 businesses, most of them small operations averaging about two employees, per IBISWorld. No single company controls more than about 5% of the market, which means quality and licensing vary widely. Pro House Maintenance screens every contractor for licensing and insurance before they appear in our network. Browse all service areas to find coverage near you.

8. The industry employs about 1.3 million grounds maintenance workers

Grounds maintenance workers held about 1.3 million jobs in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Employment is projected to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034, generating roughly 171,600 job openings annually. The median hourly wage was $18.50 in May 2024.

9. Landscape maintenance accounts for roughly 44% of total industry revenue

Recurring maintenance, including mowing, trimming, fertilization, and seasonal cleanup, drives the largest revenue share of any landscaping segment, accounting for roughly 43.69% of total industry revenue, per market data cited by LawnStarter. This recurring revenue model reflects how deeply homeowners rely on regular, professional upkeep rather than one-time projects.

How landscaping affects home value

10. Upgrading landscaping from average to excellent raises perceived home value by 10% to 12%

A Virginia Tech Extension study found that homes with excellent landscaping were perceived to be worth 10% to 12% more than comparable homes with average landscaping, per Virginia Tech Extension. Design sophistication was the top driver of that premium, accounting for 42% of the added perceived value, followed by plant size (36%) and plant type diversity (22%).

11. Good curb appeal adds about 7% to a home's sale price

A peer-reviewed study by a University of Texas at Arlington researcher, published in the Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, found that homes with strong curb appeal, defined as tidy landscaping, a well-maintained exterior, and an inviting entryway, sold for roughly 7% more than comparable nearby properties, per Phys.org. In slower market conditions the premium climbed to 10% to 11%.

12. 92% of Realtors recommend improving curb appeal before listing

Nearly every real estate professional surveyed by NAR and NALP recommends curb-appeal improvements before a home goes on market, with 74% specifically suggesting landscape maintenance and 53% recommending standard lawn care service, according to the 2023 NAR/NALP Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features. Tree care was recommended by 44% of Realtors. Our tree service team handles trimming, removal, and health assessments.

13. 68% of homeowners have a greater desire to be home after a landscape project

Beyond resale, outdoor projects dramatically improve quality of life. The 2023 NAR/NALP Remodeling Impact Report found that 68% of homeowners reported a greater desire to spend time at home after completing a landscape project, 60% experienced increased enjoyment, and all 11 projects studied earned Joy Scores of 9 or above out of 10 (NAR/NALP). An irrigation system and new patio both scored 9.4 and 9.9 respectively.

Landscaping ROI at resale

14. Standard lawn care service recovers 217% of its cost at resale

At just $415 for a standard lawn care service, this is the least expensive and highest-returning project in the NAR/NALP Remodeling Impact Report. Realtors estimate homeowners can recover $900 in added resale value from a $415 service, a 217% return, according to the 2023 NAR/NALP Outdoor Features Report. It also earned a Joy Score of 9.4. Our lawn care services cover mowing, edging, fertilization, and seasonal care.

15. Landscape maintenance recoups 104% of its cost; an overall landscape upgrade recoups 100%

A $4,800 landscape maintenance program is estimated to recover its full cost and then some, at 104%, while a $9,000 overall landscape upgrade recoups 100%, per the 2023 NAR/NALP Remodeling Impact Report. The overall landscape upgrade also earned the highest Joy Score in the entire report at 9.7 out of 10, reflecting both financial and emotional returns.

16. Outdoor kitchen and landscape lighting recover 100% and 59% of their costs, respectively

Outdoor kitchens (estimated cost $15,000) recover 100% at resale, while landscape lighting ($6,800) recovers 59%, and fire features ($9,000) recover 56%, per the 2023 NAR/NALP Remodeling Impact Report. Landscape lighting earned the highest Joy Score of all 11 projects at a perfect 10 out of 10, making it a strong choice for homeowners who want to enjoy the yard as much as sell it.

Homeowner investment in yards

17. 80% of US households participate in lawn or gardening activities

Lawn and gardening participation hit an 80% household rate in the 2023 National Gardening Survey, a five-year high, reflecting sustained homeowner investment in outdoor spaces well beyond the pandemic boom (Garden Research / National Gardening Association). The average household spent $616 on lawn and garden activities in 2022, up roughly 20% since 2020.

18. 62% of homeowners rank landscaping as their top summer improvement project

In a NALP consumer survey, 62% of homeowners said landscaping was the number one project on their summer improvement list, ahead of pools, decks, and kitchen remodels, per NALP. Nearly one in three (29%) planned to spend up to $5,000 on outdoor improvements. Stress over weeds (47%), keeping grass alive (30%), and choosing the right maintenance on a budget (28%) were the top challenges driving homeowners toward professional help.

19. A pro landscaper charges $50 to $100 per hour; design adds $50 to $150 per hour

Labor for standard landscaping tasks runs $50 to $100 per hour, while landscape design consultations add $50 to $150 per hour for a designer and $70 to $100 per hour for a landscape architect, according to HomeAdvisor. Hiring a licensed and insured professional protects against poor installation that can waste plant investment and void equipment warranties. Our why us page explains exactly how we vet every pro in our network.

What this means for homeowners

• Landscaping and lawn care offer some of the best returns of any home improvement. Standard lawn care at $415 can return $900 in resale value, and a $9,000 landscape upgrade typically recoups its full cost, per the 2023 NAR/NALP Outdoor Features Report.
• Curb appeal is measurable. Homes with excellent landscaping sell for 7% to 12% more than comparable homes with average or poor outdoor presentation, per university research from Virginia Tech and the University of Texas at Arlington.
• The investment pays emotionally too. Sixty-eight percent of homeowners feel a greater desire to be home after completing a landscape project, and Joy Scores across all 11 outdoor projects in the NAR/NALP report averaged 9 or above out of 10.
• The industry is large but fragmented. With 556,000 businesses and no dominant player, quality and licensing vary widely. A vetted, licensed and insured pro is the surest way to reach the high end of any project outcome.
• Ongoing maintenance matters more than one-time upgrades. Landscape maintenance at 104% cost recovery outpaces most capital projects, and 74% of Realtors recommend it as a pre-listing priority.
• Pro House Maintenance matches you with vetted, licensed and insured landscaping and lawn care pros and provides free fixed-price estimates. Find coverage on our service areas page and request an estimate when you are ready.

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