Landscaping Costs in St. Louis, MO: Complete Pricing Guide for 2025
If you're planning to improve your outdoor space this year, understanding landscaping costs in the St. Louis area is essential. Prices can vary dramatically depending on your property size, soil conditions, and the type of project you're taking on.
This guide breaks down realistic 2025 St. Louis landscaping prices, cost factors, and money-saving strategies so you can plan your project with confidence.
Average Landscaping Costs in St. Louis (2025)
Landscaping in St. Louis tends to cost slightly less than coastal markets but more than rural Missouri. Most homeowners spend:
- Small projects: $300–$2,000
- Medium projects: $3,000–$15,000
- Large landscape redesigns: $20,000–$50,000+
The average St. Louis landscaping project ranges between $3,000 and $15,000, depending on whether you're refreshing beds, installing new plants, or building hardscapes like patios and retaining walls.
Because St. Louis experiences humid summers, clay soil, drainage issues, and harsh winters, pricing sometimes includes additional labor for soil improvement, grading, or drainage corrections.
Cost Breakdown by Service Type
1. Lawn Care & Maintenance
Weekly and seasonal services remain some of the most affordable landscaping options.
- Basic mowing: $30–$60 per visit
- Full lawn care program: $100–$200 per month
- Aeration & overseeding: $200–$500
- Seasonal cleanup (spring/fall): $150–$400 per visit
STL's fescue-heavy lawns often require overseeding each fall, which is why aeration + overseeding packages are so common here.
2. Landscape Design & Installation
If you're redesigning beds or creating a new layout, design services and installation will make up most of your cost.
- Design consultation: $200–$500
- Plant installation: $5–$15 per sq. ft.
- Garden bed installation: $10–$30 per sq. ft.
- Full redesign (front + backyard): $5,000–$30,000+
Design prices in St. Louis tend to be lower than national averages, but clay soil may require soil amendments, which can increase installation labor.
3. Hardscaping Costs
Hardscaping is typically the most expensive part of landscaping, especially with the engineering required for St. Louis's hilly neighborhoods like Kirkwood, Wildwood, and South County.
- Patio installation: $10–$30 per sq. ft.
- Retaining walls: $20–$50 per sq. ft.
- Walkways: $8–$25 per sq. ft.
- Outdoor kitchens: $5,000–$30,000+
- Fire pits: $500–$5,000+
Permeable pavers—popular around St. Louis for drainage—tend to be on the higher end of the price range due to increased base preparation.
4. Tree & Shrub Services
Tree services vary widely depending on size, access, and risk level. STL has many mature neighborhoods, so taller trees often increase pricing.
- Tree trimming: $150–$500 per tree
- Shrub pruning: $50–$200 per shrub
- Tree removal: $300–$2,000+ per tree
- Tree planting: $100–$500 per tree
Larger removals (oak, maple, sycamore) with tight access—common in St. Louis City—may exceed $2,500.
Factors That Affect Landscaping Costs in St. Louis
Several St. Louis–specific factors influence pricing:
1. Property Size & Elevation
Larger or sloped properties require more labor, especially for retaining walls, drainage, and soil movement.
2. St. Louis Clay Soil
Our regional clay soil often requires:
- Soil amendment
- Additional drainage
- Heavier equipment
- More labor
This is one of the biggest cost drivers.
3. Material Choices
Flagstone, natural stone, and premium pavers cost more but offer long-term durability.
4. Project Complexity
Multi-level patios, steep slopes, custom stonework, and outdoor kitchens dramatically increase cost.
5. Access Restrictions
Homes in older neighborhoods like Tower Grove, Soulard, or Lafayette Square may require smaller equipment and more manual labor.
6. Peak Season Pricing
Spring and early summer are the busiest months in STL, which may increase wait times and labor rates.
How to Get Accurate Landscaping Estimates in St. Louis
To make sure you're getting fair pricing:
- Schedule an on-site evaluation (phone estimates are rarely accurate here).
- Communicate your goals clearly—DIY vs. full-service makes a big cost difference.
- Request a line-item estimate for materials, labor, and equipment.
- Compare multiple quotes, but ensure each uses the same materials and scope.
- Confirm what's included: hauling, cleanup, soil prep, drainage, edging, warranty, etc.
- Ask how STL weather affects the installation timeline.
Because conditions vary block-to-block (especially with St. Louis hills and basements), in-person inspections are crucial.
Budget-Friendly Landscaping Tips for St. Louis Homeowners
You can create a beautiful yard without overspending. Use these cost-saving strategies:
1. Build Your Landscaping in Phases
Start with high-impact areas—front entry, patios, or foundation beds—then expand over seasons.
2. Choose Native Plants
They're cheaper to maintain, require less water, and survive St. Louis winters better than many ornamentals.
3. Mix DIY with Professional Work
For example: hire pros for grading, drainage, patios, and tree work; DIY simpler planting or mulching.
4. Select Cost-Effective Materials
Stamped concrete or standard pavers can look great for less.
5. Reduce Unnecessary Lawn
Replacing high-maintenance turf with shrubs, mulch, or gravel reduces long-term costs.
6. Maintain What You Already Have
A little pruning and mulching can extend the life of existing plants and delay major replacements.
Final Thoughts: Landscaping Costs in St. Louis in 2025
St. Louis landscaping pricing depends on soil conditions, project type, and materials, but understanding typical cost ranges helps you plan smarter. Whether you're freshening beds, installing a patio, or transforming your entire yard, having a clear budget and knowing the local market will help you get the most value.
Get a Free, No-Obligation Estimate
Bed's Landscaping offers free estimates for all landscaping projects in St. Louis, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County. We'll provide detailed pricing and help you understand all costs upfront.
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