Landscaping installation in Georgia typically costs between $8 and $25 per square foot of planting bed, or roughly $75 to $400 per individual tree or shrub installed, depending on plant size, quantity, and site prep needed. A single privacy screen project (10-20 trees) commonly runs $2,500-$12,000 total, while a full front-yard landscape redesign can range from $8,000 to $30,000 or more.
Cost is the number-one question homeowners ask before starting any landscaping project, and the honest answer is: it depends heavily on plant size and site conditions, not just plant type. Below is a realistic breakdown based on typical Gwinnett County and metro Atlanta installation pricing.
What Determines Landscaping Installation Cost?
- Plant size: A 3-gallon shrub costs a fraction of a 15-gallon or B&B (balled and burlapped) tree
- Quantity: Per-unit cost drops with bulk installs (10+ of the same plant)
- Site access: Backyard installs requiring wheelbarrow access cost more than street-side front yard work
- Soil prep: Georgia clay often needs amendment, grading, or drainage work before planting
- Removal of existing plants: Stump grinding or shrub removal adds to the bill
- Mulch, edging, and irrigation: Finishing touches that are often quoted separately
Typical Installed Cost by Plant Size
| Plant Size | Typical Installed Cost | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 gallon shrub | $25 - $75 | Foundation beds, groundcover fill-in |
| 7-10 gallon shrub/small tree | $75 - $200 | Privacy hedges, accent shrubs |
| 6-7 ft privacy tree | $150 - $350 | Standard privacy screens |
| 8-10 ft privacy tree | $300 - $600 | Instant/faster privacy screens |
| B&B shade tree (2-3in caliper) | $400 - $900 | Shade trees, specimen trees |
These figures include the plant, delivery, digging, backfill amendment, and basic mulch — but not major grading, drainage correction, or retaining wall work, which are quoted separately based on site conditions.
How Much Does a Privacy Screen Cost?
A typical 50-75 foot privacy screen using 10-15 Green Giant Arborvitae or Leyland Cypress at 6-7 feet tall, spaced 5-6 feet apart, generally costs $2,500-$5,500 installed. Upgrading to 8-10 foot trees for faster, more immediate privacy can push that same 50-75 foot run to $5,000-$9,000, since larger stock costs significantly more per tree and requires heavier equipment to move and plant.
Ways to Reduce Privacy Screen Cost Without Sacrificing Results
- Plant smaller stock (5-6 ft) and let it grow in over 2-3 seasons instead of buying instant-height trees
- Mix in a lower-cost filler species like Wax Myrtle along less-visible stretches
- Phase the project — plant the most visible section this year, the rest next season
How Much Does a Full Landscape Redesign Cost?
A full front-yard or backyard landscape redesign — new beds, foundation shrubs, a specimen tree or two, mulch, and edging — typically runs $8,000-$20,000 for an average Georgia suburban lot, and can exceed $30,000 with hardscape elements like patios, retaining walls, or irrigation added in. Budget-conscious homeowners often phase a full redesign over two to three seasons: foundation plantings and mulch in year one, specimen trees and larger beds in year two.
Does Soil Prep Add to the Cost?
Yes — Georgia's dense red clay frequently requires additional soil amendment, and that labor is usually priced separately from the plants themselves, often adding $2-$5 per square foot for beds that need significant compost incorporation or drainage correction. Sites with existing turf, stumps, or poor drainage cost more to prep than a blank, graded bed.
Is It Cheaper to DIY or Hire Installation?
DIY planting saves on labor but not on plant cost, which typically makes up 40-60% of a landscaping project's total price. For small foundation beds under 10 plants, DIY is often reasonable for an able-bodied homeowner; for privacy screens, large trees, or anything requiring heavy digging in clay, professional installation usually pays for itself in survival rate — improperly planted trees and shrubs have a meaningfully higher failure rate in the first year.
What's Included in a Professional Installation Quote?
- Plant material at the agreed size/quantity
- Delivery to the property
- Digging and soil amendment
- Planting, backfilling, and initial watering
- Mulch (often 2-3 inches around new plantings)
- A basic establishment guarantee period (varies by nursery)
What Should a Landscaping Quote Include to Be Comparable?
A clear, comparable landscaping quote should itemize plant size and quantity, delivery, digging and soil prep, mulch, and any establishment guarantee period, since two quotes for the "same" project can differ significantly if one includes soil amendment and a guarantee and the other doesn't. Ask specifically whether a quote covers a follow-up visit or replacement guarantee if a plant fails within the first season — that coverage varies widely between installers and affects the real cost if something doesn't survive.
Common Hidden Costs to Ask About
- Debris/old plant removal if the project involves replacing existing landscaping
- Drainage correction on sites with standing water or poor grading
- Irrigation adjustments or new drip lines for new planting beds
- Permit requirements for larger tree removal or major grading work
Every yard is different, and the only way to get an accurate number is a site-specific quote. BB Blossoms provides free installation estimates for Gwinnett County and metro Atlanta properties, covering everything from a single specimen tree to a full landscape redesign.