How Much Does Hardscaping Cost? [2024 Data]

Normal range: $4,900 - $17,850

You'll pay between $4,900 and $17,850 or an average of $9,000 for the cost of hardscaping, depending on the type, size, and labor costs for the job.

How we get this data
Luxury concrete patio with fireplace
Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock
Ginny Bartolone
Written by Ginny Bartolone
Contributing Writer
Updated October 11, 2023
Luxury concrete patio with fireplace
Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock

Hardscaping projects may cost anywhere from $300 to $30,000, or an average of $9,000, whether you want a new firepit for toasting marshmallows with your kids, walkways leading from your backdoor to the garden, or a back porch to sit and sip coffee on. Below, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the cost of hardscaping projects, both large and small.

See the price range for hardscaping:
How we get this data
Normal range for U.S.
$4,900 - $17,850
  • Average
  • $9,000
  • Low end
  • $300
  • high end
  • $30,000
LOWHIGH

How Much Does Hardscaping Cost per Square Foot?

The average cost of hardscaping is $5 to $25 per square foot. Some projects—like patio installations—start around $10 per square foot, while a new deck costs around $30 to $60 per square foot. While it's easy to confuse hardscaping and landscaping, pricing differs quite significantly, typically due to the significant materials and labor required for installation.

Landscaping TypeAverage Cost Range per Square Foot
Hardscaping$5 – $25
Landscaping$4 – $10

Hardscaping Cost Factors

Aside from the type of hardscaping project you decide to pursue, many factors, from demolition to permitting, can increase the cost.

Permits

Permits for outdoor projects cost around $250 to $2,000. While planting fresh flowers doesn’t require a permit, building a new deck or outdoor kitchen does. Requirements vary by city and state, but generally, if you plan to disrupt 2,500 square feet of soil or increase or decrease the soil grade by over 24 inches, you’ll need a permit.

Demolition

You may need to tear out old walkways or patios to make room for new hardscaping, and demolition can cost $2,000 to over $10,000.

Labor

Hiring a landscaper near you for hardscaping will cost about $50 to $100 per hour, plus an additional $25 to $50 per crew member. You may also need to work with a local electrician for about $50 to $100 per hour for installing an outdoor kitchen or hire a general contractor near you to build decks or porches for around $15 to $35 per square foot.

Location

Hardscaping costs can vary from place to place. These are the average costs homeowners spend on hardscaping in different cities around the U.S.

U.S. LocationAverage Price
Albuquerque, NM$4,500
Charlotte, NC$3,900
Chicago, IL$5,900
Honolulu, HI $7,550
Houston, TX$4,200
Las Vegas, NV $4,800
Los Angeles, CA$5,150
Memphis, TN$4,450
Miami, FL$4,100
Seattle, WA$5,550

How Much Do Hardscaping Projects Cost by Hardscaping Type?

Hardscaping may cost $300 to more than $30,000 per project. It involves a variety of different elements, from pathways to porches. With so many different options, the costs vary from project to project.

Hardscaping ProjectAverage Cost Range
Firepit$300 – $1,400
Patio$750 – $7,200
Walkway$1,200 – $2,850
Water Feature$850 – $4,460
Deck$4,100 – $11,700
Porch$10,000 – $30,000
Play Set$500 – $5,000
Pergola$2,500 – $6,000
Gazebo$7,000 – $10,000
Outdoor Kitchen$22,150 – $100,000

Firepit

To add a cozy feel to your backyard, consider the cost of adding a firepit for about $300 to $1,400. With a pit, you can enjoy a glass of wine by the fire after a long day, invite over friends on a chilly fall evening, or roast marshmallows and hot dogs with the kids. Premade firepits cost less than larger or customized ones.

Patio

Patios cost an average of $750 to $7,200 for a standard 12-foot-by-12-foot area. Gravel and concrete are less expensive options, or you can spend more on brick pavers or natural stone patios.

Walkway

Brick rambler house with paved walkway
PHoto: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock

Adding a concrete walkway costs about $1,200 to $2,400, and paver walkways cost an average of $2,850. This is a common hardscaping project and can add a finished look to any landscape.

Water Feature

Water features cost approximately $850 to $4,460 and can add exciting visual elements to your backyard. Items like paying for outdoor water fountain costs or waterfalls are attractive options to add to gardens or pools, but keep in mind that winterizing water features—and starting them back up in the spring—can add annual costs of about $360 to $700.

Deck

The average cost to build a deck is $7,630, ranging from $30 to $60 per square foot. If you want an upper-level deck so you can roll out of bed, step outside, and watch the sunrise, expect to pay around $38 to $80 per square foot.

Porch

A new porch can cost $10,000 to $30,000 to build. With costs ranging from $25 to $110 per square foot, larger porches will quickly add up in cost.

Play Set

Backyard with playground for kids
Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock

To add a play set to your backyard, you’ll spend around $500 to $5,000. Complex wood constructions complete with a playhouse, multiple swings, and a big covered slide will cost more, while simpler play sets with a couple of swings and a slide will be less expensive.

Pergola

A pergola costs around $2,500 to $6,000 and offers some shade to your outdoor spaces. There are many types of pergolas, including wood or vinyl options, and they’re a perfect backdrop for climbing plants.

Gazebo

A gazebo costs about $7,000 to $10,000 and creates a mostly enclosed space where you can enjoy bird-watching, sipping coffee, or practicing yoga.

Outdoor Kitchen

Backyard with brick outdoor kitchen
Photo: Stefano Garau / Adobe Stock

A typical outdoor kitchen costs around $22,150, but if you want to add a top-of-the-line fridge, dishwasher, and a wet bar for entertaining guests, you can spend over $100,000 for an outdoor kitchen with luxury additions, plus electrical and plumbing hookups.

Cost to Hardscape Yourself

Some hardscaping projects are easy and cost-effective to DIY. You could lay a quaint stone path from your door to your raised vegetable beds for about $2 to $10 per stone, and it’s a project you can finish in a day.

Other projects, like installing an outdoor kitchen, aren’t safe for a DIYer to tackle, especially if you need to work with electrical wires for lighting or outlets.

How to Save on the Cost of Hardscaping

In most cases, saving money on the cost of hardscaping comes down to determining which projects are DIYable and when it's best to hire a landscaper. For example, choosing the best type of landscaping rocks and distributing them throughout your landscape is often a cost-saving project to tackle yourself. On the other hand, it's often better to invest in the cost of a retaining wall installed by a professional to ensure it remains structurally sound.

Additional ways to cut the costs of hardscaping include the following:

  • Schedule your contractor far ahead of time to take advantage of material cost fluctuations. 

  • Request at least three estimates from contractors to compare cost factors.

  • Schedule multiple projects at one time for bulk pricing.

  • Handle all ground prep work on your own whenever possible.

  • Reseed your lawn or replant the garden after the hardscape installation on your own.

  • Opt for budget-friendly materials typically available in your area.

  • Work with wholesale material supplies and remain flexible about your design.

Morgan Rousseau contributed to this piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, hardscaping features bring value to your landscape, and they can even increase the value of your home. Hardscaping works best alongside professional landscaping. According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of Landscape Professionals, researchers found that hardscape upgrades, landscape upgrades, landscape management, and lawn care services are the top four outdoor projects that add value to a property for resale.

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Learn more about our contributor
Ginny Bartolone
Written by Ginny Bartolone
Contributing Writer
For the past ten years, Ginny Bartolone has encouraged readers to enhance their DIY skills in a wide range of home and lifestyle topics.
For the past ten years, Ginny Bartolone has encouraged readers to enhance their DIY skills in a wide range of home and lifestyle topics.
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