What Landscaping Really Costs in St. John's Right Now (May 2026)

$68,000. That's what some St. John's homeowners paid for landscaping this year. If that number makes you want to drop your coffee, don't worry. Most people in the city spend closer to an average of $22,500, with some basic refreshes starting around $8,500. We have seen a 4.8% increase in costs compared to last year, which isn't surprising given the price of fuel and specialized equipment rentals right now. Whether you are looking to tame a backyard in Quidi Vidi or add some curb appeal to a property in Southlands, you need to know where your money is going before you sign a contract.

How Much Does Landscaping Cost in St. John's?

In St. John's, landscaping costs vary wildly based on what you are trying to achieve. A budget of $8,500 usually covers "softscaping." This means things like fresh sod, some garden beds, and perhaps a few hardy shrubs that can survive a Newfoundland winter. It's a great way to clean up a new build or prep a house for sale.

If you are looking at the average spend of $22,500, you are moving into "hardscaping" territory. This typically includes a mix of soft elements and one or two structural features. You might get a pressure-treated wood deck, a small interlocking stone walkway, or a basic retaining wall. At this price point, you aren't just planting grass; you are changing how you use the space.

The high end of the scale, reaching up to $68,000, is where things get serious. This involves major excavation, custom stonework, outdoor kitchens, or complex multi-level patio designs. In neighborhoods with significant slopes, like the Battery or parts of Kenmount Terrace, a large chunk of this budget often goes into the ground for drainage and structural support before you even see a single flower.

What Affects the Cost?

The biggest factor in St. John's is the rock. We live on "The Rock" for a reason. If your project requires digging for a patio foundation or a fence post, and the contractor hits a massive granite slab, your labor costs will spike. Most local crews charge more for excavation here than they would in the Maritimes because of the equipment needed to handle our stubborn terrain.

Material choices also play a huge role. Because we are an island, shipping costs for heavy items like premium pavers or specific species of trees are baked into the price. Using local slate or stone can sometimes save you money, but the labor to work with natural, irregular stone is higher than using pre-cast concrete blocks from a supplier like Carew Services.

The St. John's labor market is another piece of the puzzle. Right now in May 2026, skilled trades are in high demand. If you want a crew that knows how to build a retaining wall that won't heave during the freeze-thaw cycles of February, you're going to pay a premium.

Don't forget about wind. St. John's is one of the windiest cities in the world. This means fences need deeper posts and more robust hardware, and pergolas need to be anchored with serious engineering. You can't just "tack on" a trellis here; it will end up in the neighbor's yard after the first Wreckhouse-level wind event.

How St. John's Compares to Other Canadian Cities

When you look at the rest of Canada, St. John's sits right in the middle of the pack. Our average of $22,500 is identical to the cost in Barrie, which also sits at $22,500. Both cities deal with tough winters and similar labor pressures, though our shipping costs for materials are generally higher.

If you look at Victoria, the average is higher at $30,000. While they don't have our snow, their land values and specialized plant palettes drive prices up. On the flip side, cities like Oshawa ($9,831 avg) and Windsor ($9,250 avg) are significantly cheaper. This is mostly due to the ease of transport for materials in Southern Ontario and a much flatter, easier-to-dig geography.

Then you have the heavy hitters like Saskatoon and Kelowna, both averaging $42,500. In Kelowna, the high prices are driven by luxury outdoor living spaces and complex irrigation systems. In St. John's, we don't usually need to spend thousands on irrigation, but we make up for it in drainage solutions to handle our heavy rainfall and spring runoff.

How to Save Money on Landscaping

If you want to keep costs down, the best thing you can do is work with the land, not against it. Don't try to flatten a sloped backyard in Shea Heights; instead, use a tiered design that follows the natural grade. This saves a fortune on excavation and hauling away fill.

Another tip is to buy "Newfoundland-hardy" plants. Don't let a big-box store sell you something that looks great in a greenhouse but will die the first time we get a "silver thaw" (freezing rain). Stick to native species or varieties proven to survive Zone 5b or 6a. It saves you from having to spend thousands replacing dead shrubs next May.

Timing matters too. While May 2026 is the peak of the "getting started" season, you can often find better deals on materials if you buy them late in the previous autumn and store them. However, for labor, the best time to book is actually January or February for a spring start. If you wait until the weather turns nice to call a contractor, you'll be at the bottom of a long list and paying peak-season rates.

Lastly, consider doing the "soft" work yourself. Let the pros handle the heavy lifting of stone patios and retaining walls, but handle the sodding and planting of garden beds on your own. You can find a landscaping cost calculator to help you figure out which parts of the project are eating the most of your budget.

Is 2026 a Good Time for Landscaping in St. John's?

The 4.8% YoY increase tells us that prices aren't going down anytime soon. Inflation on raw materials like wood and concrete has stabilized a bit, but labor remains tight. If you have been waiting for a "crash" in renovation prices, you might be waiting a long time.

Right now is actually a decent window to start. The St. John's market is steady, and if you start your planning now in May, you can still get a project completed before the autumn rains set in. My advice? Get your quotes now. Contractors are booking up fast for the summer season, and the sooner you get on a schedule, the better your chance of locking in current material prices.

FAQ

How long does landscaping take in St. John's?

A basic sodding and garden project can be done in two or three days. A full backyard overhaul with a patio and walls usually takes two to three weeks. However, always add a "fog delay" or "rain day" buffer. We lose more workdays to weather here than almost anywhere else in Canada.

Do I need a permit for landscaping in St. John's?

For simple planting and garden beds, no. But if you are building a deck over 24 inches high, a tall fence, or a major retaining wall, the City of St. John's requires a development permit. Check the city's website or talk to your contractor, as rules vary if you live in a heritage area like Georgestown.

What are the best plants for a St. John's garden?

Stick to things that can handle wind and dampness. Highbush blueberries, serviceberries, and certain types of hydrangeas do very well here. Avoid anything that can't handle a late June frost, which is a real possibility in this neck of the woods.

Check the latest landscaping costs for St. John's and other cities on LookupCost.com.