Landscaping costs in Melbourne vary widely because the scope of work varies widely. A simple turf and garden bed installation is a different proposition to a full backyard transformation with retaining walls, irrigation, paving, and planting. This guide gives you realistic price ranges for common landscaping elements, based on current Melbourne market pricing and our own project experience.
Turf and lawn preparation
Supply and installation of turf in Melbourne typically costs between $25 and $45 per square metre, depending on the turf variety and the amount of soil preparation required. Sir Walter, Kikuyu, and Couch are the most common varieties for Melbourne's climate.
The preparation work is where costs can vary significantly. If the existing soil needs to be removed, new topsoil brought in, and the area properly graded and compacted, the preparation can cost more than the turf itself. We always prepare the base properly because turf laid on poorly prepared ground will not establish well.
Paving and pathways
Paving costs in Melbourne range from around $80 to $200 per square metre installed, depending on the material. Concrete pavers sit at the lower end, natural stone at the higher end, and porcelain pavers somewhere in between.
The base preparation is critical for any paving work. We compact and level the base, lay bedding sand or morite, and ensure proper fall for drainage. Poorly laid paving that shifts, sinks, or pools water is one of the most common complaints we hear from homeowners who used cheaper operators.
Irrigation systems
A professionally installed irrigation system in Melbourne typically costs between $2,000 and $8,000 depending on the number of zones, the area covered, and the controller type. We install systems with WiFi-enabled controllers that let you manage watering schedules from your phone.
Our biggest landscaping project to date involved over 4km of irrigation piping and 18 solenoid valves, all connected to a WiFi controller. That was an unusually large system, but it shows the range of what is possible. Most suburban backyards require 4 to 8 zones to provide adequate coverage.
Want a realistic quote for your landscaping project? We visit your site and put together a proper breakdown.
Book a Site VisitWhat a full landscaping project actually costs
A comprehensive backyard landscaping project in Melbourne, including retaining walls, turf, garden beds, paving, and irrigation, typically starts from around $15,000 and can run to $50,000 or more for complex or large-scale work.
The scope is what drives the cost. We always start with a site visit to understand your vision, then put together a detailed quote that breaks everything down. There are no hidden costs and no surprises partway through the build. Every project is quoted on its merits.