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San Antonio Landscaping Cost Guide 2026

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Quick answer: Most San Antonio homeowners spend between $3,000 and $25,000 on landscaping, depending on scope. Routine lawn care runs about $35 to $55 per mow or $1,400 to $3,200 a year for a full program. A new sprinkler system runs $2,800 to $5,500, xeriscaping $5 to $18 per square foot, and a paver patio $14 to $28 per square foot. Oak and tree work runs $350 to $800 per tree. Fully designed yards reach $30,000 and up. Free written estimates: (210) 864-8662.

Landscaping costs around San Antonio swing widely because the work does too. A weekly mow on a flat Bexar County lot is a different budget than a designed backyard with a paver patio, new irrigation, and a water-wise xeriscape front. This guide breaks down real 2026 price ranges for the five things San Antonio homeowners ask about most: lawn care, irrigation, xeriscaping, tree care, and hardscape. We serve the whole metro, from Alamo Heights and Stone Oak to Boerne, Schertz, and New Braunfels, and the ranges below reflect what local homeowners actually pay in a hot, drought-prone climate with strict water rules.

San Antonio Landscaping Cost Overview

Here is the quick picture by category before we dig into each one:

Service Typical San Antonio Range
Weekly lawn mowing $35–$55 / visit
Full-season lawn care program $1,400–$3,200 / year
New sprinkler system $2,800–$5,500
Xeriscape conversion $5–$18 / sq ft
Oak and tree trimming $350–$800 / tree
Paver patio $14–$28 / sq ft

Lawn Care Costs in San Antonio

San Antonio lawns are warm-season grasses: St. Augustine is the most common, with Bermuda and Zoysia on sunnier lots and drought-tough Buffalograss as a native, low-water option. The mowing season runs roughly March through November. Most homeowners pay $35 to $55 per visit for weekly mowing on a standard lot, with larger Stone Oak and New Braunfels properties landing higher. A full-season program that bundles mowing, fertilization, weed control, and seasonal treatments typically runs $1,400 to $3,200 a year. Because San Antonio Water System (SAWS) sets watering days by drought stage, smart scheduling is part of keeping a lawn healthy and legal.

Lawn Service Typical San Antonio Range
Weekly mowing $35–$55 / visit
Fertilization and weed control (per visit) $55–$110
Grub and pest treatment $75–$200
Spring or fall cleanup $200–$500

On thin, rocky soil over caliche, the right warm-season grass and a smart watering plan keep a lawn alive through the summer. See our San Antonio lawn care service, or compare turf options in the grass and watering guide.

Irrigation and Sprinkler Costs in San Antonio

In a semi-arid climate that averages only about 32 inches of rain a year and draws from the Edwards Aquifer, a smart, efficient sprinkler system is essential. A new system for a typical lot runs $2,800 to $5,500, usually $500 to $850 per zone, with six to eight zones on an average property. SAWS drought-stage rules limit watering to set days and hours, so a weather-based controller and drip zones for beds are worth the upgrade, and an annual backflow test is required.

Irrigation Service Typical San Antonio Range
New sprinkler system (6–8 zones) $2,800–$5,500
Drip irrigation conversion $1,800–$4,500
Weather-based controller upgrade $200–$500
Annual backflow test $75–$150
Repairs and zone adjustments $100–$400

A properly zoned system on the SAWS schedule is the single best way to cut a San Antonio water bill. Learn more about our San Antonio irrigation and sprinkler service.

Xeriscaping Costs in San Antonio

Xeriscaping, which means replacing thirsty turf with drought-tolerant plants, drip irrigation, and rock or decomposed granite, is one of the smartest investments in this climate. Installed xeriscaping runs $5 to $18 per square foot; a 500-square-foot front-yard conversion typically lands between $3,000 and $9,000. SAWS WaterSaver landscape coupons and rebates can offset a real share of the cost, and native plants like Texas sage, salvia, agave, and lantana thrive with little water once established.

Xeriscape Service Typical San Antonio Range
Full xeriscape conversion $5–$18 / sq ft
Decomposed granite or rock beds $3–$8 / sq ft
Native and drought-tolerant plantings $2,000–$6,000
Boulders and dry creek features $1,500–$5,000

Done well, a xeriscape cuts outdoor water use sharply while staying colorful through the heat. Plan a conversion with our San Antonio landscape design service.

Tree Care and Oak Wilt Costs in San Antonio

Tree work runs $350 to $800 per tree for most jobs, but live oaks carry an important local rule. To slow oak wilt, a disease that spreads fast through Central Texas oaks, oaks must not be pruned during the high-risk window of February 1 through June 30, and every cut should be painted immediately year-round to seal it from beetles. Prune oaks from July through January instead. Large heritage live oaks and any crane-assisted removals push the top of the range.

Tree Service Typical San Antonio Range
Trim a medium tree $350–$800
Large or heritage oak $800–$2,000
Oak wound painting (per visit) included with pruning
Tree or stump removal $400–$2,500

Timing oak work outside the February to June window is the cheapest insurance against oak wilt. Request a tree care quote to plan the right season.

Hardscape Costs in San Antonio

Hardscape, which means patios, walls, walkways, and fire features, is where San Antonio landscaping budgets climb the most. A paver patio runs $14 to $28 per square foot installed; poured concrete is cheaper at $8 to $16, and natural limestone or flagstone, quarried locally, is higher at $20 to $40. Retaining walls, common on the rocky Hill Country lots toward Boerne, run $30 to $60 per square foot of wall face, and local limestone makes a durable, classic wall material.

Hardscape Feature Typical San Antonio Range
Paver patio $14–$28 / sq ft
Concrete patio $8–$16 / sq ft
Limestone or flagstone patio $20–$40 / sq ft
Retaining wall $30–$60 / sq ft of face
Fire pit $1,500–$5,000

Excavating thin soil over caliche and limestone is the local cost driver, since rock often has to be cut for footings and beds. See our San Antonio hardscaping service for materials and design options.

What Drives Landscaping Cost in San Antonio

Several local factors push a project up or down the range. Thin soil over caliche and limestone makes digging for footings, beds, and drains slower and pricier than in deep-soil regions. Drought and the Edwards Aquifer mean SAWS watering restrictions shape irrigation design and reward water-wise xeriscaping. Oak wilt protocol adds timing and wound-painting cost to live-oak work. Slope and rock add cost on Hill Country lots toward Boerne and the north side. And in newer communities around Stone Oak, Cibolo, and Schertz, HOA landscape standards can dictate materials, lawn condition, and upkeep that affect the bill.

Best Time to Landscape in San Antonio

The strongest windows are spring (March to May) and fall (September to November), when milder temperatures help new sod, plants, and xeriscape establish before summer heat or winter. Warm-season sod is best laid from late spring into summer. Oak and live-oak pruning should happen July through January, never in the February to June oak wilt window. Hardscape and irrigation work can happen almost any dry day. Booking early in spring also locks in better scheduling and pricing before the season fills up.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does landscaping cost in San Antonio?

Landscaping costs $3,000 to $25,000 for most San Antonio homeowners, depending on scope. Simple lawn care and cleanups sit at the low end. Designed yards that add a patio, irrigation, and xeriscape reach $30,000 and up. Free written estimates show each line item before any work starts.

How much does lawn mowing cost in San Antonio?

Lawn mowing costs $35 to $55 per visit for weekly service on a standard San Antonio lot. A full-season program that adds fertilization, weed control, and seasonal treatments runs about $1,400 to $3,200 a year. South Texas warm-season lawns grow nearly year-round, so weekly service earns its keep.

How much does a sprinkler system cost in San Antonio?

A new sprinkler system runs $2,800 to $5,500 on an average San Antonio lot, usually $500 to $850 per zone. SAWS drought stages limit watering days, so a weather-based controller and drip zones help you stay compliant. An annual backflow test is also required.

How much does xeriscaping cost in San Antonio?

Xeriscaping costs $5 to $18 per square foot installed in San Antonio. A 500-square-foot front-yard conversion usually lands between $3,000 and $9,000. SAWS WaterSaver coupons and rebates can offset part of the cost, so apply before the crew breaks ground to keep every dollar you qualify for.

When can I prune oak trees in San Antonio?

Prune San Antonio oaks from July through January. The February 1 to June 30 window is high risk because oak wilt spreads fastest then, so avoid it. Paint every cut immediately, year-round, to seal it from the beetles that carry the fungus.

How much does a paver patio cost in San Antonio?

A paver patio costs $14 to $28 per square foot installed in San Antonio. Poured concrete runs less at $8 to $16, while local limestone or flagstone runs more at $20 to $40. Excavating caliche and rock is the main local cost driver, so budget for site prep.

Is xeriscaping worth it in San Antonio?

Yes, xeriscaping is worth it in San Antonio. It cuts outdoor water use sharply in this drought-prone climate, qualifies for SAWS rebates, and stays colorful with natives like Texas sage and salvia. It costs more upfront than sod but saves on water over time, and the savings compound every summer.

What is the best time to landscape in San Antonio?

Spring and fall are the best seasons for planting and sod in San Antonio. Oak pruning belongs in the July to January window to protect trees from oak wilt. Hardscape and irrigation can be installed almost any dry day, so those projects do not need to wait.

Do you serve San Antonio suburbs like Alamo Heights, Stone Oak, Boerne, Schertz, and New Braunfels?

Yes, we serve homeowners across the full San Antonio metro. That includes Alamo Heights, Stone Oak, Boerne, Schertz, and New Braunfels, all with the same pricing and free written estimates. Homeowners outside those areas can still call, and we will confirm coverage for your address before scheduling.

Are landscaping estimates free?

Yes, every landscaping estimate is free and delivered in writing. Itemized pricing lets you compare options line by line with no obligation to book. Call (210) 864-8662 to schedule a walkthrough, and you will have the written numbers in hand before deciding on any part of the project.

Planning a wall, irrigation, or tree project? Check the San Antonio landscaping permit guide before you start.

Hiring soon? Read how to choose a landscaper in San Antonio before you sign anything.

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