How Much Does Landscaping Cost in Melbourne? A Realistic Breakdown (2026)
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Short answer: it depends — but not in the vague way people usually mean.
If you’ve been Googling “how much does landscaping cost in Melbourne”, you’ve probably seen answers ranging from $5,000 to $250,000. That’s not helpful.
So here’s a realistic, honest breakdown, based on what we actually see on Melbourne sites — clay soils, tight access, drainage issues, council rules, and all.
This article is written for homeowners who want to:
• understand where the money goes
• avoid nasty surprises
• and decide whether a project is worth doing now, later, or in stages
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Typical Landscaping Cost Ranges in Melbourne
Small garden refresh — $5,000 to $15,000
Usually includes:
• garden clean-up and green waste removal
• pruning or hedge trimming
• basic planting
• mulch, soil improvement
• minor irrigation repairs
Best for: tired gardens that are structurally fine
Not included: major excavation, paving, drainage, retaining walls
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Medium garden renovation — $15,000 to $40,000
This is where most Melbourne homeowners land.
Typically includes:
• partial excavation
• new garden beds and planting
• irrigation installation
• small paved areas or steppers
• turf or synthetic turf
• soil improvement (often critical in clay areas)
Cost drivers here:
• access (stairs, narrow side access, no machine access)
• soil type (Melbourne clay adds labour)
• material choice (concrete vs stone vs brick)
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Full landscape renovation — $40,000 to $100,000+
This is a complete reset.
Often includes:
• full excavation and spoil removal
• drainage systems (ag pipes, stormwater connections)
• paving or decking
• retaining walls
• lighting and irrigation
• detailed planting plans
At this level, design quality matters — mistakes are expensive to undo.
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Why Landscaping in Melbourne Often Costs More Than Expected
1. Clay soils
Large parts of Melbourne sit on reactive clay.
That means:
• deeper excavation
• more base material
• better drainage
• more compaction time
Skipping this is the fastest way to a failed garden.
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2. Access issues
Many Melbourne homes have:
• narrow side access
• stairs
• finished interiors that need protection
This turns “simple” jobs into labour-intensive work, which affects cost more than materials.
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3. Drainage (the invisible cost)
Drainage is rarely exciting — but it’s often the most important part.
Common issues we see:
• water pooling near the house
• failed lawns
• soggy garden beds
• retaining walls under pressure
Proper drainage can easily be $3,000–$10,000, but skipping it costs more later.
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Why Cheap Landscaping Quotes Are Risky
If a quote looks too good to be true, it usually means one (or more) of these are missing:
• correct excavation depth
• proper base layers
• drainage allowances
• waste removal
• soil improvement
These shortcuts don’t show up immediately — they show up 12–24 months later.
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Can You Reduce Costs Without Cutting Corners?
Yes — but it has to be intentional.
Smart ways to stage a project:
• do drainage and groundwork first
• plant later
• build in stages
• reuse existing materials where possible
A good landscaper should help you prioritise, not just upsell.
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Design-Only vs Design-and-Build
Design-only
• lower upfront cost
• good if you plan to DIY or stage works
• requires good coordination
Design-and-build
• higher upfront cost
• smoother process
• fewer surprises
• clearer accountability
Neither is “better” — it depends on your budget and timeline.
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Final Thoughts
Landscaping is not just about how a garden looks on day one — it’s about how it performs in Melbourne conditions over years.
A realistic budget, good planning, and honest advice will always save money in the long run.
If you’re unsure where to start, a site consultation can help clarify:
• what needs to be done
• what can wait
• and what will actually add value to your home
