Per sq ft installed
Paver Patios
$18 - $52 / sq ft
Driven by paver grade, base preparation, pattern complexity, borders, and elevation changes.
Cost Guide - Sacramento & Placer County
What landscaping and outdoor living projects typically cost.
Every project is custom. The figures below are typical ranges for the Sacramento and Placer market to help you plan a realistic budget - they are not a quote. Request a consultation for an accurate, site-specific estimate.
How to read these numbers
Planning ranges, not promises.
We publish ranges because honest budgeting beats a guessed-at single number. Two backyards of the same size can differ by tens of thousands of dollars based on access, grading, materials, and structures. Use these to gauge scale and prioritize, then let us measure, design, and quote the real thing. All figures are installed costs for the greater Sacramento-Placer region.
Per sq ft installed
Artificial Turf
$13 - $25 / sq ft
Depends on turf quality, demolition, base depth, infill, drainage, and edging detail.
Project
Front-Yard Refresh
$15,000 - $45,000
Curb-appeal remodels with planting, irrigation, lighting, and select hardscape.
Project
Full Backyard Transformation
$75,000 - $250,000+
Grading, hardscape, structures, planting, lighting, and systems built as one environment.
Project
Outdoor Kitchens & BBQ Islands
$20,000 - $75,000+
Set by size, counter and veneer materials, appliances, utilities, and shade structures.
Project
Pool + Spa Environments
$90,000 - $250,000+
Includes the pool, spa, surrounding hardscape, planting, lighting, and site integration.
Per unit installed
Drainage & Grading
$15 - $28 / linear ft
Drainage (PVC or French) runs $15-$28 per linear foot. Site grading and demo start around $1,700 and run roughly $2.50-$4.70 per sq ft, based on soil, elevation change, and material moved.
Project
Landscape Lighting
$3,500 - $20,000+
Low-voltage path, accent, and architectural lighting; scales with fixture count and runs.
Project
Water Features
$8,000 - $50,000+
From bubbling boulders and spillways to integrated pondless and architectural features.
Project
Full Outdoor-Living Build
$150,000 - $500,000+
A complete environment combining pool, kitchen, structures, hardscape, and landscape.
Ranges are illustrative planning figures for the Sacramento-Placer market and not a quote. Final pricing is confirmed after a site visit and design.
What drives the number
Why two similar yards cost differently.
A few factors move a project within - or beyond - the ranges above:
- Site access. Tight side yards, slopes, and no-machine access mean more hand labor and time.
- Grading & drainage. Poor existing drainage, heavy soil, or significant elevation change adds engineering and material.
- Material grade. Standard pavers and turf versus premium stone, porcelain, and high-density turf.
- Structures. Pergolas, patio covers, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and retaining walls carry their own cost.
- HOA submittals & permits. Required drawings, approvals, and inspections add scope on many properties.
- Project size. Larger areas raise totals but often improve cost per square foot.
How pricing works
Design first, then a defined build cost.
We start with a consultation and site review, then move into design and construction planning so the scope is clear before any number is committed. Depending on project size, a design fee or design retainer may apply and is typically credited toward the build. Once the design and material selections are set, you receive a defined project cost - not a moving target.
Because we plan the whole outdoor environment together - hardscape, structures, planting, lighting, turf, and drainage - the estimate reflects how the finished space will actually look, function, and last, rather than disconnected line items.
Financing
Spread the investment over time.
Financing is available for qualified projects through our partner Lyon Financial, so homeowners can plan the complete space at once instead of compromising the design across phases.
Financing is subject to approval and lender terms. Rates, terms, and final approval are handled by Lyon Financial.
Request an EstimateQuestions
Cost guide FAQ.
How much does landscaping cost in the Sacramento and Placer area?
It depends entirely on scope. A focused front-yard refresh often runs in the low five figures, while a complete backyard transformation with hardscape, structures, and an outdoor kitchen commonly lands in the mid-five to six figures. The ranges on this page are typical planning figures for the Sacramento and Placer market and are not a quote. A consultation produces an accurate estimate for your specific site.
Why are these prices shown as ranges instead of a fixed number?
Every project is custom. Final cost depends on site access, grading and drainage conditions, material grade, structures, permits or HOA submittals, and overall project size. Ranges let homeowners plan a realistic budget before design; a site visit and design are required to produce a firm number.
How much does a paver patio cost per square foot installed?
Installed paver patios in the Sacramento and Placer area typically run about $18 to $52 per square foot, depending on paver selection, base preparation, pattern complexity, and site conditions. Premium materials, curves, and elevation changes move the figure toward the upper end.
Does Reliable Landscaping & Design offer financing?
Yes. Financing is available for qualified projects through our partner Lyon Financial, subject to approval and lender terms. Financing lets homeowners plan the complete outdoor environment at once rather than splitting the design into disconnected phases.
Is there a design fee?
Design and construction planning is a defined part of the process. Depending on scope, a design fee or design retainer may apply and is typically credited toward the build. Pricing and any design fee are confirmed during your consultation before work begins.
Are these prices a quote?
No. These are illustrative planning ranges for the Sacramento and Placer market to help homeowners budget. They are not a quote or a guarantee of price. Request a consultation for an accurate, site-specific estimate.
Ready to plan your budget?
Get an accurate estimate for your site.
Share your project scope and we will review your site, design the space, and provide a defined project cost - no guesswork.