Landscaping is one of the final steps that turns a new house and lot into a finishes home. It is also one of the most property-specific parts of new construction. Lot size, soil conditions, slopes, drainage, retaining walls, finished lawn area, irrigation, trees, plants and the desires level of finish can all affect the final cost.
When building a new Price Homes home, it is important to understand the difference between the base price of the home and lot related costs.
Landscaping is not included in the base price of a new home build. Landscaping is treated as a separate line item in the construction budget and is included with the lot and site related costs, This allows the landscaping budget to reflect the actual property, since landscaping needs can vary significantly based on lot size, soil conditions, slopes, drainage, city or development requirements, and the homeowner's landscaping selections.
A landscaping allowance is typically established as part of the overall project budget. Price Homes uses $15,000 minimum landscaping allowance as a starting point, and that allowance may need to increase based on the property and desired landscaping.
Price Homes does not include one final grade as part of the home build. Final grading establishes the final elevations around the home and shapes the property to help move water away from the foundation and toward intended drainage areas.
Black dirt/topsoil, seed, sod, irrigation, rock, edging, trees, shrubs, plants, drip irrigation and retaining walls are not part of the base home price and are accounted for separately through the landscaping/site budget when applicable.
This works differently for a completed or existing Price Homes home that is being offered for sale.
When purchasing an existing Price Homes home for sale, the landscaping already completed on that property is included in the sales price of the home. There is not a separate landscaping allowance added to the advertised price for landscaping that is already installed.
Building a new home: Landscaping is separate from the base home price and is budgeted with the lot and site-related costs.
Because landscaping needs depend heavily on the individual property and homeowner selections, landscaping may be handled with an allowance in the construction budget. An allowance is a budgeted amount for work where the exact final scope or cost may not yet be known when the construction agreement is completed.
Black dirt/topsoil
Price Homes typically installs sod only when an irrigation system is installed and operational. New sod requires frequent and consistent watering while its root system becomes established. Without irrigation, the risk of losing a significant investment in sod is too high.
Once sod is installed, watering and maintaining it is the homeowner's responsibility. The same applies to trees, shrubs, and other plantings. Homeowners should monitor weather and soil conditions and make sure new landscaping receives the water and care it needs.
Trees, shrubs and plants
If actual landscaping costs exceed the allowance, the homeowner is responsible for the difference. If costs are lower, a credit is applied toward the final purchase price. An allowance is not a guaranteed price for unlimited landscaping.
Two identical homes can have very different landscaping costs. The house may be the same, but the land isn't.
This is especially important on acreage properties. The total acreage does not necessarily equal the area that will become finished lawn. A homeowner may choose to establish lawn primarily around the home while leaving other areas more neutral.
Black dirt is commonly used when establishing a seeded lawn because it provides a better growing medium and can help create favorable conditions for germination and establishment.
When sod is installed. additional black dirt may not always be necessary if the existing soil is suitable and properly prepared.
Typical quantities and cost to haul and spread black dirt (use as a reference; each lot is different and could require more or less):
| Property Type | Typical Black Dirt Quantity | Approx. Planning Cost |
| City/ Development lot | 6 loads | $5,100 |
| Acreage property | 12 loads | $10,200 |
Seed and sod can both create a successful lawn, but their economics are more nuanced than simply saying seed is cheaper. Seed has a lower cost per square foot, but on may projects black dirt is used to help establish the seeded lawn. Sod has a higher square-foot cost, but additional black dirt may not be necessary when the existing soil is suitable.
| Lawn Option | Typical Planning Price |
| Hydro Seed | $0.35 per sq.ft. |
| Installed Sod | $0.90 per sq.ft. |
The following examples are rounded Price Homes planning numbers of approximately $0.35 per sq. ft. for hydro seed, $0.90 per sq. ft. for sod and $850 per load of black dirt. Sod is shown both without additional black dirt and with the same typical black-dirt quantity used in the seeded option. Actual soil conditions determine whether black dirt is needed.
| Typical City Lot Example | Seed + Black Dirt | Sod - No Black Dirt | Sod + Black Dirt |
|
10,000 sq. ft. lawn |
|||
| Black dirt | 6 loads x $850 = $5,100 | $0 | 6 loads x $850 = $5,100 |
| Seed/ Sod | $3,500 | $9,000 | $9,000 |
| Estimated total | $8,600 | $9,000 | $14,100 |
| Difference | Lowest option | $400 more | $5,500 more |
At approximately 10,000 square feet of finished lawn, seed plus black dirt and sod without added black dirt are relatively close in cost. If black dirt is also needed under the sod, sod becomes the higher-cost option.
| Typical Acreage Example | Seed + Black Dirt | Sod - No Black Dirt | Sod + Black Dirt |
| 20,000 sq. ft. lawn | |||
| Black dirt | 12 load x $850 = 10,200 | $0 | 12 loads x $850 = $10,200 |
| Seed/ Sod | $7,000 | $18,000 | $18,000 |
| Estimated total | $17,200 | $18,000 | $28,200 |
| Difference | Lowest option | $800 more | $11,000 more |
At approximately 20,000 square feet of finished lawn, seed plus black dirt and sod without added black dirt remain relatively close. Adding twelve loads of black dirt under the sod materially increases the sod option.
| Typical Acreage Example | Seed + Black Dirt | Sod - No Black Dirt | Sod + Black Dirt |
| 30,000 sq. ft. lawn | |||
| Black dirt | 12 load x $850 = 10,200 | $0 | 12 loads x $850 = $10,200 |
| Seed/ Sod | $10,500 | $27,000 | $27,000 |
| Estimated total | $27,000 | $27,000 | $37,200 |
| Difference | Lowest option | $6,300 more | $16,500 more |
As the finished lawn becomes larger, seed's lower square-foot price creates greater savings compared with sod. If black dirt is required under either option, that cost should be included in the project-specific comparison.
Using these planning assumptions, seed plus black dirt and sod without black dirt can be relatively close on smaller lawns, The comparison changes as lawn size increases of when black dirt is also needed under sod. The best decision depends on actual soil conditions, finished lawn area and the project-specific landscaping plan.
The key takeaway: seed is less expensive per square foot, but seed plus black dirt is not automatically less expensive than sod. The best choice depends on the property, soil conditions, finished lawn area, desired appearance and budget.
A basic residential irrigation system with up to approximately 30 sprinkler heads is typically about $5,000. larger yards requiring additional zones or heads will cost more. On acreage properties, homeowners should consider how much of the proper actually needs to be maintained as irrigated lawn.
| Item | Typical Planning Price |
| Decorative river rock with fabric/ poly installation | $6.50 per sq. ft. |
| Commercial-grade vinyl edging | $8 per linear ft. |
| Decorative/ stamped concrete edging | $18 per linear ft. |
Rock type, depth, access, landscape design and the amount of edging can all affect the final price. Decorative landscaping can often be expanded over time when project requirements allow.
Trees, shrubs and perennial plantings can have a wide range of costs depending on the number, species, size and landscape and design selected.
For budgeting purposes, some of the typical landscaping materials used on Price Homes projects include:
| Typical Planting | Typical Size/ Type | Approx. Installed Cost |
| Maple Tree | 2" diameter | $850 each |
| Spirea Shrub | Typical landscape size | $95 each |
| Perennials | Day lilies, hostas, and ornamental grasses | $55 each |
These are typical planning costs and selections. Actual pricing and plant varieties can vary based on availability, project requirements and the final landscape design.
When trees, shrubs or perennial plantings are installed inside landscape edging, drip irrigation also needs to be installed to provide consistent watering to the plantings.
A typical drip irrigation system for landscape beds can add approximately $500-$1,500, depending on the number and size of landscape beds, quantity of plantings and complexity of the irrigation layout.
Drip irrigation is separate from the cost of the individual trees, shrubs and perennials and should be included when establishing the overall landscaping allowance.
As with sod, newly installed tree, shrubs and perennials require consistent watering while they become established. Once installed, watering and maintaining the landscaping is the homeowner's responsibility. An irrigation or drip system makes consistent watering easier, but homeowners should still monitor weather, soil moisture and the condition of their landscaping and adjust watering as necessary.
Landscaping, including sod, seed, trees, shrubs and perennial plantings, is not a warrantable item because its success depends on watering, weather, soil conditions, pests and ongoing maintenance after installation.
Retaining walls may be needed when elevation changes or steep slopes cannot reasonably be managed through normal grading. They can hold back soil, create usable yard areas, support grading, manage elevation transitions and help accommodate the relationship between the home, driveway, and surrounding land.
| Retaining Wall Item | Typical Planning Price |
| Block Wall Retaining Wall | $55 per sq. ft. of wall face |
| Cap Blocks | $25 per linear ft. |
Wall face is calculated as wall length is multiplied by average wall height. For example, a 50-foot-long wall averaging 3 feet high has 150 square feet of wall face. At approximately $55 per square foot, the wall itself would be about $8,250 before caps and any additional site-specific work.
Large walls, engineering, excavation, drainage, difficult access, soil conditions and wall height can increase the cost significantly. Thoughtful house placement, garage elevation, driveway location and grading can sometimes reduce or eliminate retaining-wall needs.
Price Homes typically does not construct a single retaining wall over approximately 4-feet high. When an area requires more than approximately 4-feet of elevation to be retained, we typically tier the retaining walls by using two or more shorter walls rather than one tall wall. The exact layout and spacing depend on grade, drainage, soil conditions, available space and any applicable engineering or jurisdictional requirements.
A less expensive lot is not always the less expensive lot to build on. A property requiring extensive earthwork and retaining walls can sometimes cost more overall than a higher-priced property with simpler grades. Evaluating slopes, house placement and driveway location before construction can help identify these costs early.
Requirements vary by city, township, development and HOA. Some jurisdictions or developments may require certain landscaping or exterior improvements before issuing a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or final approval.
Final grading
These requirements can affect when landscaping must be completed and whether some work can be postponed until after occupancy.
A home can be ready for occupancy when weather or ground conditions make landscaping impractical. Frozen ground, snow, heavy rain or saturated soils can prevent grading, black dirt, seed, sod or other exterior work from being completed properly.
When required landscaping cannot be completed because of weather or season conditions, a landscaping escrow may sometimes be used. Funds are held to help ensure the required work is completed when conditions allow. Whether an escrow is permitted and the amount required can depend on the city or township, development, lender, title company, HOA and project requirements.
For homeowners looking for opportunities to reduce their overall construction cost, landscaping is one area where completing some work themselves may provide meaningful savings. Depending on the project and applicable requirements, homeowners may choose to complete items such as seeding, planting trees and shrubs, installing edging, installing rock or mulch, creating landscape beds or adding decorative landscaping over time.
DIY work is not practical or permitted on every project. Required drainage, final grading, erosion control, structural retaining walls and city/development/HOA requirements should be treated differently from decorative landscaping. Any later work should protect the final grade and established drainage.
Landscaping is a living part of the property and requires ongoing homeowner care after installation. Proper maintenance is especially important during the first growing season while lawns, trees, shrubs and perennials become established.
Once landscaping is installed, watering and maintaining seed, sod, trees, shrubs and perennial plantings is the homeowner's responsibility. Landscaping is not a warrantable item because its performance depends heavily on watering, weather, soil conditions, pests, disease and ongoing maintenance.
Water new sod frequently and consistently until the roots become established, then adjust watering based on weather and soil conditions.
Fertilizer can help an established lawn maintain healthy growth and color, but the correct product, amount and timing depend on the grass, soil and conditions. Homeowners should follow fertilizer label directions and may want to use a professional lawn-care provider or soil test when they are unsure what the lawn needs.
New seed and new sod should not automatically be treated the same as an established lawn. The installer's recommendations for watering, mowing and fertilizer timing should be followed during establishment.
Ongoing landscaping maintenance also includes protecting the drainage established during construction. Adding black dirt, landscape beds, patios, retaining walls, sheds or other improvements can change how water moves across the property. Homeowners and their landscaping contractors should avoid changing the final elevations or blocking drainage swales.
A beautiful landscape is not a one-time installation, it requires watering, mowing, fertilizing, weed control, irrigation maintenance and ongoing care to remain healthy.
Landscaping can vary significantly from one property to another, so Price Homes uses a landscaping allowance to establish a realistic starting budget while allowing the final landscaping plan to be adjusted to the property and homeowner selections.
For initial budgeting, Price Homes uses a minimum landscaping allowance of $15,000. From there, the allowance should be increased based on the property, finished lawn area, soil conditions and landscaping selections.
A $15,000 allowance is a starting point, not an indication that every property can be completely landscaped for $15,000.
| Landscaping Item | Typical Planning Cost |
| Black dirt - city/ development lot | 6 loads = $5,100 |
| Black dirt - acreage property | 12 loads = $10,200 |
| Hydro seed | $0.35/ sq. ft. |
| Sod | $0.90/ sq. ft. |
| Irrigation - up to approx. 30 heads | =$5,000 |
| Decorative river rock | = $6.50/ sq. ft. |
| Commercial grade vinyl edging | = $8/ linear ft. |
| Decorative/ stamped concrete edging | = $15/ linear ft. |
| 2" Maple tree | = $850 each installed |
| Spirea shrub | = $95 each installed |
| Day lilies, hostas, or ornamental grasses | = $55 each installed |
| Drip irrigation for planting beds | = $500-$1,500 |
| Retaining wall | = $55/ sq. ft. of wall face |
| Retaining wall cap | = $25/ linear ft. |
A relatively simple property with limited finished lawn area, seed and modest decorative landscaping may stay relatively close to the $15,000 starting allowance. As additional features are selected or site requirements increase, the allowance should increase accordingly rather than assuming the $15,000 minimum will cover them. A property requiring substantial retaining walls can add $10,000 or more to the landscaping budget.
Start with the $15,000 minimum landscaping allowance
The landscaping allowance is not a promise that all desired landscaping can be completed for that amount.It is money placed into the construction budget to account for expected landscaping costs. The actual cost is determined by the land, the finished lawn area, site requirements and the landscaping plan.
$15,000 is the starting point. The land and the landscaping plan determine where the final allowance should end up.
Landscaping is an important part of completing a new home, but it is also one of the most lot-specific and customizable parts of construction. Price Homes includes one final grade as part of the home build. From there, black dirt, seed, sod, irrigation, trees, plants, edging, rock and other landscaping can be tailored to the property, applicable requirements and budget.
The priorities should be proper grading, drainage, erosion control and any necessary retaining walls. Decorative landscaping can often be adjusted or expanded over time when project requirements allow.
Building a home isn't just about choosing the right house. It's about understanding the land you're building it on.
Planning Note: All costs in this guide are approximate planning ranges based in part on Price Homes' historical pricing adjusted for current budgeting. They are not quotes or guarantees and prices are subject to change. Actual project costs vary by location, scope, site conditions, material selections, contractor pricing and applicable requirements.