Last Updated on March, 2025
Wondering, How long does landscaping take?
You’re not alone. It’s a common question, especially when you’re excited to transform your outdoor space.
Whether you’re thinking of a simple landscaping project or going big with landscape constructions, hardscaping features, or even a kitchen outdoors, the timeline can vary. So let’s break it down.
Quick Summary
- The duration of landscaping projects depends on the size, scope, and complexity. Small projects like adding garden beds can take a few days, while large-scale projects like outdoor kitchens or complex hardscaping may stretch to several weeks or months.
- Factors such as project size, weather conditions, material availability, permits, and soil quality play a significant role in determining the timeline. Proper planning and flexibility can help streamline the process.
- Typical stages of a landscaping project include consultation and design, obtaining permits, site preparation, construction and installation, and finishing touches. Hiring professionals ensures efficiency and expertise, making the process smoother and more effective.
What’s Involved in a Landscaping Project?
At the heart of every landscaping project are a few things: scope, complexity, materials, and weather. These factors affect the timeline, from a few days to several months.
If you’re planning to add a well-designed landscape with proper drainage, irrigation systems, or retained walls, expect the job to take a bit longer than a quick plant bed addition.
Small Projects Quick tasks like adding garden beds, planting flowers, or creating small features can usually wrap up in a few days. But when you start adding larger elements like landscaping lighting, patios, or even a water feature, the timeline extends.
Larger Project Got a new house?
Landscaping a blank slate or redoing big outdoor spaces, with a complex landscape design, can easily stretch over several weeks or even a few months.
Additions like retaining walls, an outdoor kitchen, or custom lighting can increase both the time and cost. These are projects where experienced professionals really make a difference.
Useful guides:
Key Factors That Affect Landscaping Timelines
- Project Size and Scope This one’s obvious—the bigger the landscaping project, the more time it takes.
Building a small retaining wall or mulching beds might be done in a day or two.
However, large scale projects like a full landscape construction with hardscaping features, multiple plantings, or irrigation systems?
Those can take several weeks.
- Initial Consultation and Planning Starting with an initial consultation sets the stage for everything else. Here, a landscape designer will go over your ideas, budget, and vision.
The initial consultation usually takes a week or so, and once that’s done, the design phase kicks in, lasting anywhere from a few days to several weeks based on project complexity.
This is where all the little details get decided—from the layout of landscape lighting to selecting plants that suit the soil conditions.
- Weather Conditions Weather can be the hero or the villain in landscaping projects. Heavy rain can turn the site muddy, delay planting, and even hold up construction.
On the other hand, spring and fall are ideal times, though they’re also peak season, meaning you might have to wait a couple of weeks to get on the schedule.
- Soil Quality and Site Prep If your ground conditions aren’t great, the team might need to spend extra time amending it.
Landscapers may have to import soil or add compost to ensure a good drainage system, which is crucial for healthy plants and a low-maintenance garden. Site preparation like grading and clearing can also affect timing, especially for larger projects.
- Material Availability Choosing specific materials or plants can add time. If you’re aiming for native plants, unique pavers, or custom hardscaping materials, some of these items may need to be special-ordered.
This can add a few weeks to the project timeline, but it’s often worth it for the curb appeal they bring.
- Permits and Regulations Thinking of big changes, like retaining walls over a certain height or significant landscape constructions?
You may need necessary permits. Local regulations can add to the wait time, though landscape architects or experienced landscape designers usually handle this part for you.
Breaking Down the Stages of a Landscaping Job
To give you a clearer idea, here’s a quick look at typical stages in landscaping projects:
- Consultation & Landscaping Design:
Your landscape designer gathers info, gets to know your taste, and drafts the landscape design. This can take a week or two.
- Permits & Planning
If permits are required, add another couple of weeks. This ensures that your project complies with local regulations.
- Site Preparation
Clearing debris, grading the land, and prepping the soil. This varies based on the site and soil condition but usually takes a few days.
- Construction & Installation
Hardscape features like patios, retained walls, and water features are installed, followed by planting. For large scale projects, this phase can take several weeks.
- Finishing Touches & Cleanup
Mulching, adding landscape lightings, edging, and a final cleanup to complete the look.
DIY vs. Hiring Experienced Professionals
It’s tempting to DIY a landscaping project, especially for smaller jobs.
However, a team of professionals brings expertise, speed, and efficiency that can be hard to match solo.
For example, landscape architects and a landscape designer bring ideas that align with your goals, while also planning for minimal maintenance and energy efficiency in your landscape design. Plus, they handle local regulation, meaning fewer headaches for you.
Planning Tips for Smooth Landscaping Projects
Here’s what to do if you want your project to be as smooth as possible:
- Start Early: The earlier you start planning, the better chance you have of beating peak season.
- Clear Communication: Discuss your budget, goals, and preferred timeline during the consultation. Being upfront ensures the team knows what you want and can align the plan accordingly.
- Flexibility with Materials: Using locally available materials and plants can often shorten the wait time. While special orders are nice, they may not always be worth the added time if you’re in a hurry.
- Prepare Your Property: Make sure the work area is ready—move garden furniture, toys, or other obstacles to give the crew a clear space to work.
How Long Do Specific Landscaping Elements Take to Complete?
If you’re wondering about specific features, here’s a rough guide:
- Retaining Wall: Small retaining wall can be done in a few days, but larger, structural walls may take a week or more.
- Landscape Lightings: Typically quick, with installation in a day or two depending on the number of fixtures.
- Outdoor Kitchens: Depending on size and features, outdoor kitchens can take several weeks to design and install.
- Water Features: A small fountain or pond may take a few days, but larger water features can take a couple of weeks.
What to Expect for Costs?
Landscaping costs can vary just as much as timelines, based on the materials, features, and level of detail. Make sure to go over your budget during the initial consultation to get a realistic estimate. Knowing your costs upfront can help guide decisions on materials, and features.
Final Thoughts: Enjoying the Results
Yes, landscaping projects can take time, but the results are worth it. Whether you’re creating a garden oasis or adding curb appeal with a well-schemed landscape, the time and effort you invest now will pay off in a beautiful outdoor space.
Got ideas?
Ready to get started?
Give us a call! We’d love to help bring your vision to life, whether it’s a cosy kitchen, colourful gardens filled with plants, or a sleek, modern setup with landscape lighting.
Our team of experienced professional designers is here to make the process smooth, efficient, and enjoyable, guiding you every step of the way. Let’s create a landscape that’ll make your neighbours do a double-take!
