Landscaping Cost in San Francisco (2026)
Average cost in San Francisco
US$1,678 — US$100,000
US$4 — US$22 per sq ft
Cost Breakdown
ItemizedSkilled crew and installation
55%
Plants, pavers, and soil
28%
Architectural plans and site assessment
10%
City filings and tree protection
4%
Debris removal and site staging
3%
Sales Tax at 7.25%
📋What's Included
ScopeTypically Includes
- Sod or seed lawn
- Garden bed preparation
- Mulch & edging
- Shrubs & perennials (basic)
- Grading & soil prep
- Labor
Typically Excludes
- Hardscaping (pavers, retaining walls)
- Irrigation system
- Mature tree planting
- Outdoor lighting
- Fencing
Based on landscaping a standard 2,000 sq ft front or back yard.
🧮Estimate Your Cost
InteractiveEstimated Cost
US$9,760 — US$14,640
Based on 8 sources and market data for San Francisco. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.
🏢Top Landscaping Contractors in San Francisco
Verified providersInside Out Landscaping
373 Shaw Rd, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
20 reviews
Alder Landscape Architecture
3425 Alemany Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
13 reviews
Madroño Landscape Design Studio
2053 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
17 reviews
Provider data sourced from public business directories. Ratings and reviews are public and may change. LookupCost is not affiliated with listed providers.
💬What People Actually Paid
Community❓Common Questions
Homeowners should expect to pay between $75 and $120 per hour for professional labor. Rates below this range often indicate unlicensed or uninsured work, which is a significant risk in the San Francisco market.
A typical backyard renovation in San Francisco averages $23,250, with a common range between $7,750 and $38,750. High-end projects featuring outdoor kitchens or luxury hardscaping can exceed $100,000.
Permit fees for landscaping generally range from $500 to $2,760. Specific costs include a $362 fee for Tree Protection Plan Reviews and a $2,590 in-lieu fee per tree for removals.
Basic softscaping and lawn installation cost approximately $4 per sq ft. More complex hardscaping, such as patio installation, averages $22 per sq ft, while premium garden bed installations cost around $16 per sq ft.
📊Our Methodology
How we collect dataAggregated from 5+ verified web sources and cost databases
Licensed contractor estimates and regional cost guides
Government construction and labor statistics
Community-reported project costs and reviews
Last data collection: today. Updates run weekly. All costs in USD.