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One of the first questions homeowners ask is “how much will this cost?” — and the honest answer is almost always “it depends.” That’s not a dodge. Landscape projects in the Greater Seattle area involve so many variables — lot size, slope, soil conditions, material choices, permit requirements, existing infrastructure — that a single number would be misleading.
What we can do is give you real ranges based on actual projects. Over four decades of building landscapes across Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond, Sammamish, and Seattle neighborhoods from Ballard to Magnolia, Classic Landscaping has developed a practical sense of what things cost and where homeowners can (and can’t) save money without compromising quality.
The articles in this guide cover specific cost breakdowns for common projects, explain how the design-build process works from first meeting to finished yard, and walk through strategies like phased installation that make larger projects financially manageable. We’ve also included what to expect in a landscape proposal so you can compare bids with confidence.
For a typical Greater Seattle home (7,000-10,000 sq ft lot), a comprehensive landscape renovation — including hardscape, plantings, irrigation, drainage, and lighting — generally runs between $50,000 and $150,000. Smaller projects focused on a single area (front yard only, or a backyard patio with surrounding plantings) typically fall in the $15,000 to $50,000 range.
Absolutely, and we recommend it for larger projects. A phased approach means designing the whole property at once (so everything fits together) but building it over two or three seasons. The key is getting the design done upfront — retrofitting drainage under a finished patio is far more expensive than doing it right the first time.
Look beyond the bottom-line number. A thorough proposal should itemize materials, include a scaled design drawing, specify base preparation and drainage, outline a timeline with milestones, and detail what’s included in the warranty. The most common source of price differences isn’t markup — it’s scope.
The National Association of Realtors estimates that a well-designed landscape adds 10-15% to a home’s perceived value. The highest-ROI investments tend to be hardscape additions (patios, walkways), mature plantings, and landscape lighting.
Late fall and winter (November through February) are the slowest months for landscape companies. For the best balance of price, availability, and weather, starting the design process in fall for a spring build gives you priority scheduling.
For anything beyond basic maintenance or a straightforward planting refresh, yes. A scaled design is the only way to get an accurate cost estimate because it defines exactly what’s being built. Most design-build firms fold the design fee into the project cost if you move forward with construction.
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