“How much does landscaping cost?” is the first question every homeowner asks, and the honest answer is that it depends on what you’re doing. A sod lawn replacement on a small front yard costs $1,500 to $3,000. A full backyard transformation with a paver patio, retaining wall, drainage, sprinkler system, and plantings can run $40,000 to $75,000+. Most Portland residential projects fall somewhere in the $5,000 to $25,000 range.
Here’s how costs break down by project type so you can get a realistic sense of where your project fits before calling for a quote.
Cost by Project Type
Sod Lawn Installation
$1.50 to $3.50 per square foot installed. A 2,000-square-foot lawn runs $3,000 to $7,000. Includes old lawn removal, soil amendment on Portland’s clay, grading, sod material, and labor. Soil prep is the biggest variable. Heavy clay that needs significant amendment pushes cost toward the higher end. For full pricing details, see our sod installation cost guide.
Artificial Turf Installation
$12 to $25 per square foot installed. A 500-square-foot backyard conversion runs $6,000 to $12,500. Includes turf material, base excavation and aggregate, weed barrier, infill, and labor. Turf grade (economy vs. premium) and drainage requirements drive the range. For full pricing, see our artificial turf cost guide.
Paver Patio, Walkway, or Driveway
$15 to $35 per square foot for patios and walkways. $25 to $40 for driveways (deeper base required). A 300-square-foot patio costs $5,000 to $10,000. Material choice, pattern complexity, drainage provisions, and site access drive the range. For full pricing, see our paver patio cost guide.
Retaining Wall
$3,500 to $25,000+ depending on wall height, length, material, and site conditions. Small garden walls (under 2 feet) start at the low end. Structural walls over 4 feet with engineering, drainage, and geogrid reinforcement push into the upper range. Portland’s clay soil and drainage requirements add cost compared to drier regions. For full pricing, see our retaining wall cost guide.
Sprinkler System
$3,500 to $8,000 for a standard residential system with 5 to 8 zones. Smaller systems start around $2,000. Larger or more complex systems run $8,000 to $15,000+. Includes design, materials, trenching, controller, backflow device, and programming. For full pricing, see our sprinkler system cost guide.
Drainage Solutions
$1,500 to $15,000+ depending on the type and extent of work. A single French drain run costs $1,500 to $3,500. A perimeter French drain system runs $3,000 to $6,000+. A comprehensive multi-solution system (French drains, catch basins, grading, downspout routing) can run $4,000 to $15,000+. Portland’s clay soil and 43+ inches of annual rainfall make drainage a component of nearly every landscaping project. For full pricing, see our drainage solutions page.
Planting and Bed Installation
$500 to $5,000+ depending on the scope. A few shrubs along a foundation runs $500 to $1,500. A full landscape design with trees, shrubs, perennials, ground cover, and mulch across front and backyard beds runs $3,000 to $10,000+. Plant material is a significant portion of the cost, and prices vary by species, size, and availability from Portland-area nurseries.
Multi-Service Project Pricing
Most landscaping projects combine multiple services. Here’s what typical combined projects look like in the Portland area:
Basic backyard refresh ($5,000 to $12,000): New sod lawn, basic drainage correction, sprinkler system adjustment or repair, bed cleanup and mulch. This is the entry-level project for homeowners who want their yard to look good without a full redesign.
Backyard living space ($15,000 to $35,000): Paver patio, new sod lawn around the patio, retaining wall (if grade change exists), sprinkler system, drainage, and planting. This is the most common mid-range project. The patio and retaining wall are the biggest cost components.
Full property transformation ($35,000 to $75,000+): Front and backyard redesign with paver walkway and patio, retaining walls, new sod or turf, sprinkler system, comprehensive drainage, ornamental plantings, and landscape lighting. This scope typically involves a design phase, multiple weeks of construction, and coordination between hardscape, irrigation, and planting crews.
What Drives Cost in Portland Specifically
Clay Soil
Portland’s clay increases the cost of nearly every outdoor project compared to regions with sandy or loamy soil. Excavation is harder, drainage requirements are more extensive, base depths for pavers and turf need to be deeper, and soil amendment for sod is more labor-intensive. On a typical multi-service project, Portland’s clay adds 10 to 20% to the total cost compared to the same project on well-draining soil.
Drainage as a Default Requirement
In drier climates, drainage is an optional add-on. In Portland, it’s part of almost every project. Retaining walls need drainage behind them. Paver patios need drainage around them. New lawns need drainage corrections if the grade sends water toward the house. This isn’t an upsell. It’s the cost of doing the job correctly on Portland soil with 43+ inches of rain.
Access
Older Portland neighborhoods (Sellwood, Laurelhurst, Hawthorne, Alberta, inner Southeast and Northeast) often have narrow side yards, fenced backyards with no gate access, and mature trees with root systems that complicate excavation. Getting materials, equipment, and debris in and out of tight spaces adds labor time. Newer neighborhoods in Happy Valley, Damascus, and Beaverton typically have wider access and fewer obstacles.
Permits
Some projects trigger permits. Retaining walls over 4 feet typically need engineering and a building permit. Sprinkler systems need backflow device registration. Drainage work that connects to the public storm system may need approval from the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services. Permit costs are typically $200 to $800 depending on the type, and we handle the filing and inspections.
How to Get an Accurate Estimate
Online pricing guides (including this one) give ranges. An accurate number requires someone looking at your specific property: measuring the areas, evaluating soil and drainage, assessing access, and understanding what you want the finished space to look and function like.
We provide free on-site consultations for all project types throughout the Portland metro area. We’ll walk the property with you, discuss your priorities, and provide a written estimate with line-item pricing for every component. No pressure, no obligation.
Call (503) 847-9110 or request your free estimate online.
Pricing ranges last verified 2026. All estimates are based on typical Portland metro residential projects. Your actual cost depends on site conditions assessed during the free consultation.