Having a beautifully landscaped garden in your front yard or back yard has many benefits besides being aesthetically pleasing. Landscaped gardens and proper lawn care can increase the value of your house, improve the curb appeal, it has many environmental benefits, it creates an opportunity for outdoor recreation and boosts mental health. There are many ways by which you can enhance your outdoor spaces and make them more functional. Whether you have a small garden or a big area to landscape, a local landscaper can help you plan and design your project. In this cost guide, we have compiled the average, lowest and highest reported costs for some of the most common landscaping tasks in Toronto. This guide is based on 1,031 verified homeowner reviews written on HomeStars. You can refer to these costs while planning your next garden project or ask a local landscaping company to provide you with a customized quote.
Landscaping Costs in Toronto
| Task | Average Cost* | Lowest Reported* | Highest Reported* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Turf | $8,800 | $2,000 | $20,000 |
| Hedge Trimming | $840 | $100 | $1,800 |
| Interlocking Brick | $6,559 | $850 | $41,000 |
| Landscaping | $13,980 | $100 | $50,000 |
| Lawn Care | $449 | $100 | $10,000 |
| Patio Installation | $12,520 | $2,500 | $40,000 |
| Sod Installation | $3,055 | $400 | $8,500 |
| Sprinkler System Installation | $2,240 | $1,700 | $3,000 |
| Tree Trimming | $1,019 | $150 | $3,100 |
| Yard Cleanup | $1,044 | $230 | $5,000 |
Costs as of January 2021*
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is made of synthetic fibre such as nylon, polypropylene or polyethylene which gives it a look of natural grass. Artificial turfs are low maintenance, drought-resistant and cover maximum space in an even-looking texture.
Putting artificial turf on your ground may seem easy but there is a bundle of prep-work which goes beforehand. You have to prepare the ground by removing existing grass and levelling the ground with rocks and soil. You also have to measure the whole area you want to cover precisely before you purchase the artificial turf.
- We highly recommend hiring a professional contractor for the job which can cost you up to $20,000 in Toronto.
Hedge Trimming
- Trimming the hedges and shrubs is very important for proper blooming and flowering. It is recommended that spring-flowering shrubs should be cut after they bloom and summer-flowering shrubs should be cut in spring or winter. In addition to basic gardening accessories like gloves and protective glasses, you will also require pruning shears, hedge shears, pruning poles and an electrical chainsaw for hedge trimming. Based on the size of the hedges you may also have to get a step stool or a ladder. Finally, a leaf blower or a shovel will come in handy to collect the fallen leaves.
- Instead of investing in so many different tools and supplies, you can hire a professional hedge trimmer which can cost you $840 on average.
Interlocking Brick
- When it comes to exterior flooring in Toronto, you have to consider the specific type of flooring option which will be ideal during snowy winters and rainy fall season. Having an interlocking brick pathway in your front yard will make snow removal easy, its mortar-less system will help the snow melting process, making it an ideal choice for the freeze-thaw climate of Toronto. With proper maintenance, interlocking bricks can last up to 30 years.
- Installing interlocking bricks is not an easy task. You will need the help of a professional landscaping company with construction experience. Based on the size of the area you want to cover, it may cost you up to $41,000 for interlocking brick installation.
Landscaping
- If you have an outdoor space that you wish to design and convert into a functional space, we recommend you hire a landscape designer. You can share your ideas and requirements with the designer and based on your needs, the designer will help you maximize the space to your benefit.
- A landscape designer will not just help you to choose the perfect plants and shrubs for your exterior but will also help plan and execute and construct (patio, walkway or pool), lawn maintenance and provide creative solutions for your space.
- Whether you want a small herb garden in your backyard or want to develop a huge landscape surrounding your property, a landscaping company can help you with the task. It can cost you up to $50,000 for a landscaping project in Toronto.
Lawn Care
- A healthy, cared-for and well-maintained lawn around your house is a reflection of your personality. Maintaining your lawn’s health, colour and vitality are essential for your health and the look of your house.
- Lawn care services include pest control, weed control, fertilization, soil testing, aeration, seeding, deep root feeding for trees and shrubs and irrigation. Based on the size of your lawn, it can take roughly a whole day for a complete lawn care service. Besides cutting the grass regularly these services will improve the quality of your lawn so it can last longer. Lawn care services can cost you $449 on average in Toronto.
Patio Installation
- Having a beautiful patio where you can have pleasant dinners, social gatherings or work on your art projects is considered the crown jewel of any landscaping project. You can build gravel, concrete, pavement, flagstone or tile patio as per your preference and the overall design of your outdoor setting.
- Building a patio in your backyard is not easy. You will require construction, landscaping and architectural knowledge along with an understanding of patio material handling. We highly recommend hiring a professional to build your patio who can mark the ground, level it, create proper slopes and build a base for patio construction, procure the patio material and construct it properly. Even the smallest mistake in patio installation can be damaging to your property and cause injuries.
- Talk to a local contractor to discuss your patio installation project which can cost you approximately $12,250 on average.
Sod Installation
- Sod is popularly used to build residential lawns. Sod installation helps avoid soil erosion, saves your time on seeding your lawn by providing an instant green cover for your lawns and it enhances your property. You can measure your lawn for sod installation and buy it from a local nursery or hire a professional to do the job for you.
- A landscape designer will help you choose the best type of sod rolls as per your requirements, purchase it for you and install the sod rolls after levelling the ground. Based on the type of sod you choose and the total square feet of area you wish to cover, sod installation can cost you $3,055 on average in Toronto.
Sprinkler System Installation
- If you have a big landscape garden that requires regular watering and you want to save time and effort on watering a larger property multiple times every day, we recommend you consider installing a sprinkler system. Even if you have a small lawn, a sprinkler system can be a lawn saver if you have a busy schedule but don’t want to compromise on your grass.
- A sprinkler system definitely adds value as it’s a time and energy saver. You can hire a local landscaper to install a sprinkler system as it involves laying underground water pipes, attach them to the main water line, set up timers, make sure that the system is not wasting water and most importantly it doesn’t ruin your current landscape in the process.
- Installing a sprinkler system can cost you anywhere from $1,700 to $3,000 in Toronto.
Tree Trimming
- Seasonal trimming of the trees in your yard helps to maintain their health by removing dead and old branches. It boosts air circulation and sun exposure by bringing a steadier structure to them. When it comes to trimming the trees, based on their size and type, specific heavy and powerful equipment may be required to complete the job.
- Professional tree trimmers in Toronto have huge ladders, chainsaw poles, personal protective equipment and most importantly knowledge of what part of the tree should be trimmed and how. Professional tree trimming can cost you approximately $1,019 in Toronto.
Yard Cleanup
- Yard cleanup services include different tasks which are season-specific. It can be spring cleaning, winter snow removal, clearing debris after a home or landscape renovation project or fall leaf clean-up. Based on your requirements, you can hire a local team of professionals to clean your yard.
Regular yard clean-up will decrease the chances of bugs or rodent presence, keep your surroundings clean and healthy, and improve the appearance of your house. Professional yard clean-up can cost you $1,044 on average in Toronto.
Factors Impacting Landscaping Costs in Toronto
Size of Property
- The biggest factor that impacts a landscaping project cost is the size of your property. You can decide the complexity of your project based on the size of your land. A pro will measure your yard and help you plan the ideal landscape project based on your budget and timeline.
Features Added
- You can create a minimalistic garden or a functional landscape with various features. Whether it’s building a fountain, creating a greenhouse or adding a fire pit, the cost of your project will increase based on the specific features you wish to add.
Materials and Plants
- Exotic plants and high-end materials such as Mexican beach pebbles can easily add to your overall budget. Whether you want to install an already bloomed garden or just want help with seeding so you can grow it yourself, the cost for both will differ significantly. Again, based on the size of your land, the number of materials and plants will differ, ultimately adding to your budget.
Maintenance
- Regular maintenance of your landscape ensures its health and longevity. Different seasons demand different types of care for your garden. Be it yard clean-up, tree trimming and pruning or lawn care, the more diverse your landscape, the more costly it will be to maintain it.
Planning, building, developing and maintaining a landscape garden in Toronto can be a difficult task. Unless you’re a master gardener or experienced landscape architect, we recommend you hire a professional landscape developer to help you with the project. You can check a local contractor’s Star Score, verification badge and homeowner reviews on HomeStars before making a hiring decision. When you’re ready to plan your project, ask a local landscaper to provide you with a custom quote.