How much does a professional landscaping / landscape design cost in Chicago?

A professional landscaping / landscape design in Chicago typically costs $3,496-$34,960, 17% above the $12,000 national average.

What is the cost per sq ft for a professional landscaping / landscape design in Chicago?

Professional Landscaping / Landscape Design in Chicago typically costs $5-$23 per sq ft.

How long does a professional landscaping / landscape design take?

A professional landscaping / landscape design typically takes 1-3 weeks. The minimum timeline is 1-3 days (simple plant-and-mulch job), and complex projects can run 2-6 months (full design, permitting, and phased installation).

Can I DIY a professional landscaping / landscape design?

DIY feasibility for a professional landscaping / landscape design is rated Moderate - Simple planting, mulching, and edging are among the most DIY-friendly home improvement tasks. Hardscape (paver walkways, walls) is more demanding. Irrigation systems require professional installation for best results. A hybrid approach - professional design, DIY planting - is popular and cost-effective..

Cost to Professional Landscaping / Landscape Design in Chicago, IL (2026)

If you’re budgeting a professional landscaping / landscape design in Chicago, most projects run $3,496-$34,960, 17% above the $12,000 national average. What moves that number most is usually one thing: Design vs. Install Only. On its own it can swing the cost by $500 - $8,000, so that’s the decision to slow down on before you sweat the smaller stuff.

Easiest place to save: Buy plants in fall. Most nurseries discount remaining inventory by 30-50% at the end of the growing season, and fall planting gives cool-season roots time to establish before summer stress.

$3,496-$34,960 in Chicago

17% above the national average · 1.17x cost multiplier

In Chicago, a professional landscaping / landscape design runs $3,496 to $34,960 on average - about 17% above what homeowners pay nationwide. The Midwest market's labor costs account for most of the gap, with material pricing and local permitting fees adding to the spread. Use the cost table below to compare budget, mid-range, and premium options side by side.

Cost Breakdown in Chicago

Line Item	Low	Mid	High
Cost per sq ft	$5	$9	$23
Materials	$1,962	$5,995	$19,620
Labor	$1,900	$6,966	$22,798
Permits	$0	$327	$1,090
Design	$545	$1,635	$5,450
Total	$4,407+16% vs. national avg	$14,923+17% vs. national avg	$48,958+17% vs. national avg

Budget

Basic front yard refresh for 1,500 sq ft - new mulch, 10-15 new shrubs and perennials, simple edging, no hardscape

Mid-Range

Mid-range full front and backyard redesign for 3,000 sq ft - professional plan, new plantings, mulch, basic paver walkway, landscape lighting, irrigation tie-in

Premium

High-end full property landscape design for 5,000+ sq ft - master plan, premium plant palette, natural stone walkways and walls, full irrigation system, outdoor lighting, drainage, specimen trees

Material Options

Material prices below are national averages; availability in Chicago may shift costs slightly.

Material	Cost/Unit	Pros	Cons	Best For
Basic Refresh (Mulch, Edging, Annuals)	$1 - $4 per sq ft	Lowest cost, immediate visual impact, easy to change each year, good DIY project	Annuals must be replanted each year, does not add long-term property value	Rental properties, quick curb appeal improvements, or homeowners preparing to sellLowest cost, immediate visual impact, easy to change each year, good DIY project
Perennial and Shrub Planting	$3 - $8 per sq ft	Plants mature and fill in over 2-3 years, lower long-term cost than annuals, seasonal interest	Looks sparse in year one, requires patience, plant selection must match climate and microclimate	Homeowners who think long-term and want a landscape that improves each year with minimal replantingPlants mature and fill in over 2-3 years, lower long-term cost than annuals, seasonal interest
Natural Stone Accent Plantings	$8 - $18 per sq ft	Distinctive look, natural stone never needs replacement, low maintenance, premium aesthetic	Expensive, heavy, requires professional installation for stability, limited to accent areas	High-visibility areas like entry gardens, specimen tree circles, or front foundation plantings on premium propertiesDistinctive look, natural stone never needs replacement, low maintenance, premium aesthetic
Low-Water / Native Plant Landscape	$4 - $10 per sq ft	Lower water costs, minimal maintenance once established, wildlife-friendly, increasingly popular aesthetic	Looks informal or 'weedy' to some homeowners, plant selection is climate-specific, may conflict with HOA rules	Drought-prone areas (Southwest, Mountain West), environmentally conscious homeowners, low-maintenance preferencesLower water costs, minimal maintenance once established, wildlife-friendly, increasingly popular aesthetic
Formal / Estate Landscape Design	$12 - $30+ per sq ft	Highest aesthetic impact, symmetric and dramatic, significant property value addition	High maintenance, expensive initially, requires skilled installation and ongoing care	High-value properties where outdoor curb appeal and landscaping are central to the property's characterHighest aesthetic impact, symmetric and dramatic, significant property value addition

Other Projects in Chicago

Full Kitchen Remodel

Full Bathroom Remodel

Basement Finishing

Back to national average for Professional Landscaping / Landscape Design

Chicago Estimate

Typical Range

$3,496-$34,960

vs. National Average

17% above national

Cost Multiplier

1.17x

Cost Per sq ft

$5-$23

This 1.17x estimate prices Chicago labor from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) and applies a lighter regional adjustment to materials and permits, which vary less by metro than labor does. Actual bids vary by contractor, project scope, and timing.

See national average costs →