What is the average cost to hire a landscaper in Georgia?

For 2026, expect $55–$95 per labor-hour, $65–$120 per mow, $1.80–$3.50 per sq ft for sod installed, and $2,200–$5,000 for a typical 4–6 zone irrigation system. Atlanta and inner suburbs trend higher due to demand, access issues, and wages.

How much is monthly lawn care in Georgia?

Most Georgia homes pay $90–$220+ per month for mowing, edging, and blowing on a biweekly schedule. Larger lots, steep slopes, heavy leaf drop, and add-ons (fertilization, weed control, pruning) push pricing higher. Atlanta typically runs 10–20% above smaller Georgia metros.

Do I need permits for landscaping in Georgia?

Often yes for specific tasks: retaining walls above ~4 feet, significant grading that alters drainage, and protected tree removals (e.g., City of Atlanta). Irrigation requires a tested backflow device. Always check your city/county planning office before signing a contract.

Which grasses are most cost-effective for Georgia?

TifTuf Bermuda is durable and usually cheaper installed than Zoysia; Centipede is budget-friendly in coastal GA. Zoysia (e.g., Zenith, Zeon) looks premium but costs more. Choose based on sun, soil prep, and traffic. Shade areas may need fescue (seeded in fall) instead of warm-season sod.

Are landscaping services taxable in Georgia?

Materials are taxable; service tax rules can vary by job type and locality. Many maintenance services are billed as services, while installed materials are taxed. Ask your landscaper to itemize materials vs. labor and confirm with the Georgia Department of Revenue or your CPA.

Landscaper Cost Georgia: Real 2026 Prices, Tips & ROI

Georgia landscaper costs in plain English

We live and work in Georgia soils (hello, red clay), so here’s the no-fluff version. Landscaper cost in Georgia depends on labor rates, access, and what you’re installing. In 2026, most homeowners pay somewhere between a few hundred dollars for a cleanup and five figures for full-yard makeovers. Atlanta runs pricier than Savannah, Augusta, Macon, or Columbus.

What landscapers charge in Georgia (2026)

Hourly labor: $55–$95 per labor-hour in most of Georgia; specialty crews (stone, drainage, tree) run $85–$150/hr.
Lawn maintenance visit (mow/edge/blow): $65–$120 per visit for typical metro Atlanta lots; $50–$95 in most other cities.
Monthly lawn care packages: $90–$220+ depending on lot size and frequency. See our deep dive: Monthly Lawn Care Cost.
Design: $500–$2,500 for a basic plan; $3,000–$8,000+ for master plans with revisions. If you’re unsure you need a designer, start here: Should I Hire a Landscape Designer?.
Project installs:
- Sod (Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede): $1.80–$3.50/sq ft installed; removal/grade work or Zoysia can push higher.
- Mulch/pine straw refresh: $350–$950 for a typical front yard; large lots $1,000–$2,000.
- Irrigation (4–6 zones): $2,200–$5,000 installed; backflow test $60–$100/year.
- Drainage (French drain/catch basins): $1,200–$4,000 typical; complex slopes $5,000+.
- Retaining walls: $25–$55/sq ft (block) and higher for stone.

For hourly context, we also break down national patterns here: How Much Do Landscapers Charge per Hour.

Georgia-specific factors that change your price

Red clay and compaction: Adds time for grading, tilling, and topsoil import.
Slopes and tree roots: More labor, hand work, and sometimes mini-excavator fees.
Watering rules: Georgia’s state rule allows outdoor watering any day before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.; new landscapes get a 30‑day establishment allowance—plan irrigation accordingly.
Permits and codes: In many Georgia cities, retaining walls above ~4 feet need permits/engineer stamps. City of Atlanta’s tree ordinance often requires a permit to remove protected trees. Irrigation backflow devices require testing by certified pros; some work ties into licensed plumbing.
Materials delivery: Tight intown Atlanta streets or long rural drives can add $50–$200 per drop.

If you’re still vetting who does what, see What to Look For in Landscaping Near Me and 14 Key Questions to Ask a Landscaper Before Hiring.

Sample price snapshots across Georgia cities

Atlanta/Decatur/Sandy Springs: Mow/edge $70–$130/visit. Spring cleanup $350–$900. Sod installed $2.20–$3.75/sq ft. 5‑zone irrigation $2,800–$5,200.
Savannah/Pooler: Mow/edge $60–$110. Cleanups $300–$800. Sod $1.90–$3.20/sq ft. Irrigation $2,400–$4,600.
Augusta/Evans: Mow/edge $55–$95. Cleanups $275–$750. Sod $1.80–$3.10/sq ft. Irrigation $2,200–$4,200.
Athens/Madison: Mow/edge $60–$105. Sod $2.00–$3.40/sq ft. Aeration/overseed (fescue): $160–$320 for typical lots.
Macon/Warner Robins/Columbus: Mow/edge $55–$100. Sod $1.90–$3.20/sq ft. Drainage fixes $1,100–$3,500.

We’ve personally paid the high end in Decatur for tight access and giant oaks. Flat lots in Augusta? Much friendlier.

By the numbers: Georgia wages, water, and zones

Georgia landscaping and groundskeeping workers average roughly the mid‑to‑upper teens per hour, which maps to client rates of about $55–$95 per labor‑hour after overhead. Georgia allows outdoor watering any day before 10 a.m./after 4 p.m., and most of the state sits in USDA Zones 7b–9a (BLS OEWS; GA EPD; USDA PHZM: https://www.bls.gov/oes/; https://epd.georgia.gov/water-conservation; https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/).

DIY vs. hire in Georgia (products and prices)

DIY is tempting, but Georgia soil and summers punish guesswork.

Sod: Super‑Sod pallets (504 sq ft) of TifTuf Bermuda or Zenith Zoysia often run ~$420–$560/pallet; delivery extra. Installed by a pro: $1.80–$3.50/sq ft.
Pine straw: Longleaf bales $6–$8 each at Georgia Ace/box stores; installed by crews $8–$12/bale.
Irrigation parts: Rain Bird 1800 spray heads $7–$9 each; Hunter PGV valves $18–$25; controllers like Rain Bird ESP‑TM2 $160–$220. Backflow test: $60–$100 annually.
Seed: Tall fescue (for shade/transition areas) like Scotts 20‑lb bags $75–$95. Seed in fall. DIY tip: Renovating in red clay? Budget for compost/topsoil at $35–$55/yard plus delivery.

Who to call in Georgia (no‑nonsense short list)

We’re not endorsing anyone—just giving you real names to start quotes:

Gibbs Landscape Company (Atlanta)
Plants Creative Landscapes (Decatur/Atlanta)
The Grounds Guys of Savannah (Savannah)
Michaelangelo’s Sustainable Landscape & Design Group (Atlanta)
Super‑Sod (statewide sod farms/retail; supply only) Always verify insurance, backflow certification for irrigation, and tree permit knowledge where applicable.

Hiring smarter in Georgia

Compare 2–3 itemized bids with materials and labor split.
Ask about soil prep and disposal (red clay ain’t light).
Confirm warranty: plants (30–365 days), irrigation (1–3 years), hardscape (1–5 years).
Check crew size and estimated hours to sanity‑check the math. More on vetting: What to Look For in Landscaping Near Me, 14 Key Questions to Ask a Landscaper Before Hiring, and pricing basics: How Much Do Landscapers Charge per Hour plus maintenance math: Monthly Lawn Care Cost.