Landscaping Cost in Lexington SC: 2026 Pricing Guide

Foundation planting (front of house, 4-6 shrubs, mulch): $1,500-$4,000. Full front yard redesign (demo + new plantings + mulch + edging): $3,000-$8,000. Paver patio (300 sq ft, Belgard or Tremron): $3,500-$7,000. Retaining wall (per linear foot, 2-4 ft tall): $20-$45. Privacy screen (10 trees, installed): $800-$2,500. Drainage correction (French drain, 50-100 ft): $1,500-$4,000. Full backyard transformation: $5,000-$20,000+. All prices include design, materials, labor, and cleanup.

1-gallon shrub (Loropetalum, Azalea): $8-$15 retail, $5-$10 wholesale. 3-gallon shrub: $15-$35. 7-gallon shrub or small tree: $35-$75. 15-gallon tree (Crape Myrtle, Japanese Maple): $75-$200. Sod (Bermuda, per pallet, 450 sq ft): $200-$350 installed. Hardwood mulch: $45-$75/cubic yard installed. Pavers (Belgard, per sq ft installed): $12-$25. Landscape professionals buy at wholesale, so installed pricing includes a markup that is typically offset by their faster installation and plant warranty.

Paver walkways (100 sq ft): $1,200-$2,500. Paver patio (300 sq ft, standard): $3,500-$5,500. Paver patio (300 sq ft, premium stone): $5,500-$8,000. Fire pit (built-in with seating wall): $2,000-$5,000. Retaining wall (50 linear feet, 2 ft tall): $1,000-$2,250. Retaining wall (50 linear feet, 4 ft tall): $2,500-$5,000. Seat wall or garden wall: $40-$75/linear foot. Steps (per tread): $150-$350. Permeable pavers add 15-25% over standard pavers but eliminate drainage issues. Most Lexington neighborhoods have HOA covenants that specify acceptable paver colors and wall heights -- check before committing to a design.

Project scope is the biggest variable. Beyond that: soil condition (heavy clay needs amendment before planting), drainage requirements (many Lexington subdivisions have grading issues), access difficulty (narrow gates, steep slopes, distance from truck to work area), demolition of existing landscape (removing overgrown shrubs, old retaining walls), and plant maturity at install (larger specimens cost more but give instant impact). Hardscape projects have higher material costs but lower ongoing maintenance than plant-heavy designs. New construction lots in South Lake, Saluda Pointe, and Hammock Bay often have builder-grade landscaping that needs upgrading within 2-3 years.

Lexington Place, Old Barnwell (established neighborhoods): $3,000-$8,000 typical. These properties often need demo of overgrown foundation plantings before new installation. Lake Murray waterfront: $8,000-$20,000+. Erosion control, retaining walls, and premium plantings for lake views. South Lake, Saluda Pointe (newer subdivisions): $2,000-$5,000. Typically builder-grade upgrades -- replacing 3-gallon generic shrubs with mature specimens, adding beds, upgrading mulch. White Knoll and Gilbert: $2,500-$6,000. Larger lots but simpler designs, often focused on privacy screening and low-maintenance plantings.

Phase the project: install hardscape and trees first, fill in with shrubs and perennials in the next season. Plant smaller specimens (3-gallon vs. 7-gallon) and wait a season for them to fill in. Choose plants that thrive without irrigation once established -- native and adapted species like Muhly Grass, Knockout Roses, and Loropetalum need minimal supplemental water after the first year. Bundle services: a combined landscaping + mulching + cleanup visit costs less than three separate mobilizations. Fall planting (September-November) saves 10-15% on plant material and gives roots the entire cool season to establish before summer stress.

Simple bed refresh (mulch + a few new plants): DIY saves 40-50% because labor is the main cost. Material markup at Home Depot or Lowes is higher than wholesale, but you avoid the labor charge. Paver installation: professional strongly recommended. A poorly compacted base causes settling within 1-2 seasons, and fixing a failed paver job costs more than doing it right the first time. Tree and large shrub planting: professional for anything over 7-gallon size. The weight, hole depth, and backfill technique matter for survival rate. Drainage: always professional. Incorrect grading pushes water toward the foundation instead of away from it.

Any estimate over $1,000 should be in writing with a detailed scope: specific plant species and sizes, material types and quantities, site prep included, timeline, and warranty terms. Avoid per-hour quotes for landscaping -- they create incentive to work slowly. Fixed-price proposals protect both sides. Get 2-3 estimates for projects over $3,000 to compare scope, not just price. We provide free on-site consultations with detailed written proposals for any project. Call (839) 250-1959 or use our AI-powered smart quote tool for an instant ballpark.