What do landscapers charge per hour in Georgia?

Most Georgia landscapers bill $45–$85 per labor-hour, depending on crew size, insurance, and travel. Design time runs higher, around $90–$150/hr. Expect metro Atlanta to be 10–20% pricier than secondary markets due to demand and drive times.

How much is monthly lawn care in Georgia?

For a quarter-acre lot, expect $150–$300 per month for mowing, edging, and basic weed control. Add-ons like seasonal pruning, mulch refresh, or fertilizer programs raise that. Coastal humidity and Atlanta demand can nudge packages to the top of the range.

Is landscaping cheaper in winter in Georgia?

Slightly. Demand dips after fall leaf season, so installs and pruning can price 5–10% lower December–February. However, sod and many plants are limited, and rain can delay hardscapes. Book early spring for best selection and still-fair pricing.

Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Georgia?

In most Georgia jurisdictions, walls over 4 feet need a permit and engineer-stamped drawings. Some HOAs also require ARC approval regardless of height. Always check city/county rules and call Georgia 811 before digging to mark utilities.

What’s the cost difference between Atlanta and Savannah?

Atlanta typically runs 10–20% higher on labor due to demand and traffic. Savannah can add costs for coastal drainage solutions but often posts slightly lower patio and planting bids. Always compare 2–3 detailed quotes for your site conditions.

Landscaper Cost Georgia: Real 2026 Prices, What to Expect

Georgia landscaper cost: the quick answer

If you’re hiring a landscaper in Georgia, budget for $45–$85 per crew hour, with metro Atlanta trending 10–20% higher than places like Macon, Augusta, or Columbus. Typical mow/edge/blow runs $40–$70 per visit on a quarter-acre lot. Full-service monthly packages land around $150–$300. Hardscape and planting projects are priced by square foot or item (details below).

We’ve hired crews in Decatur and Savannah; the spread is real. Coastal humidity and clay-soil drainage issues add labor, while Atlanta demand bumps rates.

Hourly and trip fees in Georgia

Crew hourly (licensed/insured): $45–$85 per labor-hour.
Design/consult: $90–$150/hr, or a $300–$1,200 flat consult fee.
Minimums/trip fees: $75–$150 common inside the Perimeter; $50–$100 elsewhere.
Disposal/haul-off: $25–$60 per cubic yard or a flat $50–$150 add-on.

If you’re comparing bids, see our explainer on How Much Do Landscapers Charge per Hour for how overhead turns a $18 wage into a $60+ billable rate.

Common project prices in Georgia (Atlanta, Savannah, Athens, Macon)

Lawn mow/trim/blow (¼ acre): $40–$70/visit; biweekly often $85–$120/month.
Monthly lawn care package: $150–$300 (mow/edge, trims, basic weed control).
Core aeration (Bermuda/Zoysia): $75–$130 per 5,000 sq ft. Overseed rye (optional): +$0.20–$0.40/sq ft.
Mulch install: $45–$75 per cubic yard installed; pine straw: $8–$12 per bale installed.
Sod install (TifTuf Bermuda, Zeon Zoysia): $1.50–$3.50/sq ft turn-key (tear-out, grading, sod, roll, water-in).
Planting: 3-gal shrubs $35–$75 labor each (+$25–$45 per plant). 2–2.5" caliper tree install: $325–$700.
Irrigation: New zone add-on $500–$900/zone; smart controller swap $180–$350.
Drainage: French drain $25–$45/linear ft; downspout extensions $150–$350 each.
Retaining wall (segmental): $35–$70/sq ft face; natural stone higher.
Paver patio (concrete pavers): $18–$32/sq ft. Fire pit kits: $700–$2,500 installed.
Leaf removal: $150–$400 typical residential.

Tip: If you just want mowing, you might not need a full "landscaper." See Landscaper vs Lawn Care Service.

Georgia numbers that explain pricing

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers” in Georgia earn roughly $14–$19 per hour on average (May 2023 OES). Billable rates are higher once you add payroll taxes, insurance, trucks, travel, and profit—hence the $45–$85/hr you see on bids. (https://www.bls.gov/oes/)

Georgia’s year-round outdoor watering schedule and drought responses can affect service timing and plant selection, especially in Metro Atlanta counties. Check current rules before scheduling installs. (https://epd.georgia.gov/water-conservation)

Georgia regulations: permits, watering, and HOA fine print

Retaining walls: Most GA cities/counties require a permit and engineer stamp for walls over 4 feet. Check your jurisdiction (e.g., City of Atlanta Office of Buildings). Engineering adds $600–$1,500 but prevents blowouts.
811: Call Georgia 811 before digging or installing irrigation/drainage. It’s free, and fines for damage aren’t. (https://georgia811.com)
Watering: Georgia EPD sets outdoor use schedules; drought phases can restrict new sod watering windows. Verify before you lay $3/sq ft of Zoysia. (https://epd.georgia.gov/water-conservation)
HOAs: Coastal and suburban HOAs often require ARC approval for patios, walls, or tree removals—bake 1–3 weeks into your timeline.

Who charges what in Georgia: real local examples

You’ll see higher bids in Atlanta due to demand and traffic. For design/build, request quotes from reputable names like Gibbs Landscape Company (Atlanta) or Plants Creative Landscapes (Decatur). On the coast, The Grounds Guys of Savannah is a common maintenance option. Always get 2–3 written, apples-to-apples bids and run our 14 Key Questions before you sign.

Our experience: a Decatur paver patio (260 sq ft, base + polymeric sand) came in at $22/sq ft from a mid-size crew; a similar Savannah patio bid was $19/sq ft, partly due to easier access.

Products Georgia crews actually use (and what they cost)

NG Turf TifTuf Bermuda sod: ~$0.75–$0.95 per sq ft pallet pricing in GA; installed lands at $1.50–$3.50/sq ft.
Rain Bird ESP-TM2 8-zone smart-ready controller: ~$149 at The Home Depot.
Long-needle pine straw: $5–$7 per bale at Pike Nurseries; installed $8–$12.
Toro TimeMaster 30" mower (for DIYers with Bermuda): ~$1,599.
EGO Power+ 650 CFM blower: ~$199 at Lowe’s.
Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food (for warm-season): ~$27 per 14.5 lb.

We like smart controllers for Georgia’s summer thunderstorms + drought swings—they pay back fast if your water rates bite.

How to save on Georgia landscaping (without hating the yard)

Bundle services (mulch + trimming + pre-emergent) in spring for a better day rate.
Time installs for late spring or early fall—best survival rates for Bermuda/Zoysia.
Choose Georgia-proven plants: Osmanthus ‘Fragrant Tea Olive’, ‘October Glory’ red maple, Drift roses, Muhly grass.
DIY the easy bits (mulch, annual color); hire pros for grading, irrigation, walls.
Shop 2–3 quotes and compare scope line by line. For recurring care, see our Monthly Lawn Care Cost and Average Cost of Lawn Care Service in 2026.

Should you hire a designer in Georgia?

Complex front-yard regrades, pool-adjacent patios, or HOA-visible facelifts benefit from a designer or design-build firm. It adds $500–$3,000 but can prevent drainage mistakes in our red clay and convince an ARC. If you’re weighing it, start here: Should I Hire a Landscape Designer?.