A small landscaping job in Sydney typically costs $2,000 to $5,000, while a full garden typically costs $20,000 to $50,000. These are Absolute’s typical prices, including GST, confirmed in October 2026.
Typical costs by project size
| Work | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Small job (a new bed, planting, a patch of turf) | $2,000 to $5,000 |
| Medium job (new beds, planting and lawn) | $5,000 to $20,000 |
| Large job (a full garden) | $20,000 to $50,000 |
Our landscaping work focuses on garden beds, planting, soil preparation, lawn and small paths. A small job might add a bed or patch of turf; a full garden brings several elements together. The final quote depends on the work involved, rather than size alone.
Tell David your suburb and the work you have in mind. Photos are optional.
What is included in a landscaping quote?
Agree the areas, preparation, materials, planting, lawn and waste removal before comparing prices. Plants supplied on their own are different from plants supplied and installed. A clear quote should identify whether preparation and planting labour are included, so the same work is not counted twice.
A small garden wall or paving can be part of the job when that work costs under $5,000. Large retaining walls, extensive paving and pools are outside our service. Discuss any associated drainage or irrigation needs on site rather than assuming they are included in a garden budget.
Why there isn’t one landscaping rate per square metre
A lawn, planted bed and garden path need different materials and preparation. Two gardens with the same area can have very different costs if one needs clearing and new levels while the other is ready for planting. The project ranges above are whole-job budgets, not a rate to multiply by your property’s area.
For a more useful comparison, ask what each part of the quote covers:
| Part of the garden | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Beds and soil | Clearing, soil improvement, bed shape and edging |
| Plants | Species, quantities, pot sizes, planting and mulch |
| Lawn | Existing-grass removal, preparation, turf choice and laying |
| Small paths or paving | Area, materials, base preparation and finishing |
For the same work, a supplied-and-installed price already includes installation. Check the scope before adding a separate labour allowance.
Landscape design and planning costs
We plan the garden with you on site, then carry out the agreed work. The initial visit and quote are free. We don’t sell a separate package of drawings, architectural plans or council-ready documentation.
The budgets above are for garden work planned and built together, not a design fee to add on top. Our landscape design page explains the choices we work through with you: how you use the space, soil, light, planting and the layout of beds and lawn.
What changes the price?
- Existing condition: clearing, removing old materials and preparing the ground can be a substantial part of the job.
- Soil: depleted or compacted ground may need improvement before plants or turf go in.
- Planting: the number, size and type of plants change the materials and installation work.
- Lawn: removing old grass and preparing levels are different from laying turf onto ready ground.
- Layout: new beds, edges and paths require more work than refreshing an existing arrangement.
- Access: a long carry, steps or narrow passages affect labour and material handling.
For lawn-specific budgets, see our turf laying cost guide. For an existing garden being substantially changed, see garden makeover costs.
A real garden built in Ryde
Our Ryde new-build project brought together lawn, stepping stones, planting and a screening border beside the pool. Work ran from December 2017 to April 2018. The photographs show why a whole-garden quote needs to account for preparation and several different areas.
Read the Ryde garden project for the scope and photographs. Its historical project price is not published and should not be inferred from today’s guide ranges.
Choosing where to spend
Start with the areas you will use and see most. Retain suitable established plants and features, choose plants for the conditions and discuss whether the work can be staged. Compare quotes by included work and materials, rather than their totals alone.
After the garden is established, we can return for an on-demand garden restoration. We don’t offer scheduled maintenance rounds.
Get a quote for your landscaping
Tell David your suburb, the areas involved and what you would like to change. Photos are optional. We’ll look at the garden with you and provide a free quote for the agreed work.
Tell David your suburb and the work you have in mind. Photos are optional.
