Top Landscaping Contractors in Atlanta, Georgia Ranked

Transforming your Atlanta property into a beautiful, functional outdoor space requires professional planning and execution. A landscape contractor manages the entire process, from initial design to final installation, ensuring your vision accounts for the local climate, soil, and your lifestyle. This guide will help you understand the typical scope, costs, and timeline for landscape projects in Atlanta, empowering you to find the right local expertise for your home.

Gambo Scapes

1846 Brackendale Rd NW, Kennesaw, GA 30152

Gambo Scapes is a landscaping company based near Atlanta, GA, offering lawn mowing, landscape design, installation, and maintenance services. Serving Cobb, Paulding, and Fulton counties, they work with both residential and commercial clients to create and maintain outdoor spaces tailored to each property's needs. With over 10 years of experience, Gambo Scapes focuses on selecting suitable materials and plants to ensure long-term sustainability and aesthetic appeal. The company is licensed and insured and emphasizes educating clients on landscape care and planning.

5.0

259 Reviews

Wallis Landscape, Inc.

6720 GA-20, Loganville, GA 30052

Wallis Landscape, Inc. is a landscape design and hardscaping company based in Atlanta, GA. They provide design-build landscaping and hardscaping services, including yard drainage, grading, pavers, and retaining walls. Serving areas such as Grayson, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Loganville, Snellville, Walton County, and Oconee County, they handle all aspects of the project from design to materials and labor. Their team works with clients to create custom landscape designs and offers erosion control and drainage solutions for both residential and commercial properties.

5.0

208 Reviews

Total Lawn Inc.

1670 Hazelwood Dr SE, Marietta, GA 30067

Total Lawn Inc. is a landscaping and lawn care company serving the East Cobb area near Atlanta, GA. They offer a wide range of services including lawn mowing, fertilization, weed control, landscape design, tree removal, stump grinding, yard drainage, grading, and hardscaping such as pavers and retaining walls. The company is known for its expertise in grading and drainage, ensuring efficient water management while integrating aesthetic elements into the landscape. Established in 1992, Total Lawn Inc. has over 30 years of experience working closely with clients to create and maintain personalized outdoor spaces.

5.0

195 Reviews

LawnStarter - Atlanta Landscaping

773 Denise Ct SW, Stone Mountain, GA 30087

LawnStarter - Atlanta Landscaping offers a wide range of lawn care and landscaping services in Atlanta, GA. Their services include lawn mowing, landscape lighting installation, sprinkler system installation and repair, hardscaping such as patios and retaining walls, and general landscaping maintenance. They provide solutions tailored to the seasonal needs of Atlanta yards, including sustainable landscaping and smart irrigation systems. LawnStarter connects customers with local landscaping professionals through an easy-to-use platform, covering many neighborhoods in and around Atlanta.

5.0

151 Reviews

Hannah Outdoor Designs

2400 Herodian Way Suite 220, Smyrna, GA 30080

Hannah Outdoor Designs is a landscaping company based in Atlanta, GA, offering a wide range of services including landscape design, sod installation, irrigation, outdoor lighting, and yard drainage. They create custom 2D and 3D landscape designs and specialize in hardscaping features such as paver patios, walkways, retaining walls, and fire pits. The company holds several industry certifications, including those for retaining walls, soil and water conservation, pesticide application, and professional drainage, reflecting their expertise in outdoor living and erosion control solutions.

5.0

121 Reviews

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Understanding the Landscape Design & Build Process

Working with a professional landscape designer or contractor in Atlanta typically follows a structured, phased approach. This ensures your project is well-planned, stays on budget, and is built to last through Georgia's hot summers and variable winters.

Initial Consultation & Vision Setting: The process begins with a discussion of your goals. Are you looking to solve a drainage issue, boost curb appeal, or create an expansive outdoor living area for entertaining? This is when you'll share inspiration and receive initial ballpark estimates. ^{1 2}

The Design Phase: For comprehensive projects, a professional landscape design plan is developed. This detailed blueprint includes the layout of planting beds, hardscape features (like patios and walkways), lighting, and irrigation systems. Design fees in Atlanta often range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the project's complexity, and are usually applied toward the final installation cost. ^{1 3 4}

Site Preparation & Infrastructure: Before any beauty is installed, the foundation must be right. This phase includes critical work like grading, soil amendment, and installing drainage solutions, which can be a significant line item, often costing $1,000 to $3,000 or more. Proper site prep is crucial for the long-term health and stability of your landscape. ^{1 5 6}

Phased Installation: Construction is typically done in stages. Hardscaping-such as patios, retaining walls, and outdoor kitchens-is usually installed first. This is followed by the "softscape" installation: trees, shrubs, perennial beds, and sod. The final touches include irrigation systems and landscape lighting. ^{1 3}

Ongoing Maintenance Planning: A great landscape contractor will discuss a care plan for your new investment. This could include monthly maintenance services or seasonal tasks to keep your plants thriving and your hardscapes looking their best. ⁷

Common Landscape Services and Associated Costs in Atlanta

The final price of your landscape renovation depends entirely on the services you select. Here's a breakdown of common elements and their typical cost ranges in the Atlanta market.

Lawn & Garden Installation

• Sod Installation: For a new or renovated lawn, sod is a popular choice. Installed costs typically range from $1 to $2 per square foot. ^{1 2}
• Mulch Installation: Fresh mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Expect to pay $60 to $100+ per cubic yard, installed. ²
• Perennial & Shrub Beds: Installing planted beds costs $15 to $30+ per square foot. Individual shrubs can range from $50 to $200+ per plant, depending on size and variety. ^{1 8}
• Tree Planting: Adding mature trees is a significant investment, with costs ranging from $300 to $1,000+ per tree, with larger specimen trees costing considerably more. ⁸

Hardscaping & Outdoor Living Features

Hardscape elements add function and define your outdoor rooms. They are often the most substantial portion of a project's budget.

• Paver Patios: A well-constructed patio is a centerpiece for entertainment. As part of a comprehensive project, patios can contribute to total project costs in the $15,000 to $35,000 range. ^{1 4}
• Custom Features: Elements like fire pits, pergolas, and water features add cost but also immense value in terms of enjoyment.
• Outdoor Kitchens: This is a major investment that can push a comprehensive landscape project into the $75,000 to $200,000+ range. These projects involve masonry, plumbing, electrical, and high-end appliances. ^{1 3}

Essential Support Systems

• Irrigation Systems: In Atlanta's climate, an automated irrigation system is key to maintaining a healthy landscape. Budgeting for this during the initial build is more cost-effective than retrofitting later. ^{3 8}
• Landscape Lighting: Lighting extends the usability of your outdoor space into the evening and dramatically enhances safety and aesthetics. ^{3 8}

What Influences Your Total Landscape Renovation Cost?

Several key factors will determine the final investment for your Atlanta property makeover.

1. Project Scope: The single biggest driver is the scale of your vision. A simple lawn renovation and a few new beds will cost far less than a full "outdoor room" with a kitchen, fireplace, and sophisticated lighting. ^{1 9}
2. Material Selection: Costs vary widely between standard and premium materials. The choice between basic concrete pavers and natural stone, or between small shrubs and large, specimen trees, has a direct impact on your budget. ^{3 10}
3. Property Conditions: Existing site challenges add cost. Sloped yards require retaining walls or terracing. Poor soil needs amendment or replacement. Difficult access for equipment can increase labor time. ^{11 5}
4. Labor & Expertise: Complex designs requiring skilled masonry, electrical, or custom carpentry involve higher labor costs. The reputation and expertise of your chosen landscape professional are reflected in their pricing. ^{10 12}
5. Water Management: In Atlanta, managing stormwater is not just an add-on; it's a necessity. Integrating solutions like French drains, dry creek beds, or proper grading is a significant cost factor that protects your investment. ^{1 9}

Timeline and Maintenance Considerations

A full design-build landscape project in Atlanta is not an overnight endeavor. From the initial consultation to the final planting, you should expect a timeline of 3 to 6 months, depending on the project's complexity and the contractor's schedule. ¹

Once your new landscape is installed, preserving its beauty requires a plan. Maintenance services are often tiered:

• Basic Care: This typically includes regular mowing, edging, and seasonal cleanup, with costs ranging from approximately $100 to $250 per month. ^{2 7}
• Comprehensive Care: A full-service plan may include fertilization, aeration, overseeding, pruning, and bed weeding, with annual costs often ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 or more. ^{2 7}

Frequently asked questions

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