COST CALCULATOR

How Much Does It Cost To Install Landscape Rock?

Typical range: $899-$1,174

Find out how much your project will cost

cost to install landscape rock Calculator

For your project in zip code 43215 with these options, the cost to install landscape rock starts at $149.83-$195.70 per ton. Your actual price will depend on job size, conditions, finish options you choose.

One of the more attractive ways to improve the aesthetics of your home is through landscaping. Landscape rock has several uses and can be utilized for driveways, walkways, gardens and drainage, retaining walls, water features, fire pits, and decorative fillers. River rocks are the most common stone for landscaping. River rocks can be purchased at improvement stores, garden centers, or rock quarries. They range from 3/8” to 5”, and one ton of river rock covers 55 to 135 square feet. Large landscaping rocks average 10” to 36”. For large projects, you can hire a landscaper for delivery and installation.

Cost Calculator
Calculations are dependent on where you live
Tons

Standard ServicesQuantityLowHigh
What you can expect
Range per ton:$149.83$195.70
Range for this type of project:$899$1,174
Estimate: $1,037
Landscape Rock Cost
6
tons
$768$847
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Cost of residential-grade, natural decorative rock up to 1/2" in diameter, with uniform shape and color mixture. Rate is inclusive of local delivery, as well as standard excess for perfect installation and occasional repairs.
Landscape Rock Labor, Basic
3
hours
$47$224
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Labor cost, under typical conditions, for complete installation. Landscape rock will be distributed and leveled to uniform 2" depth. Rate is inclusive of all aspects of the project, such as thorough planning, acquisition of equipment and material, preparation and protection of project site, and meticulous cleanup.
Landscape Rock Job Supplies
6
tons
$51$58
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Requisite supplies for the job, including basic soil amendments and treatments.
Landscape Rock Equipment Allowance
1
job
$33$46
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Daily rental of specialty equipment for maximum quality and efficiency. These include 100-lb. wheelbarrow, shovels, and landscaper spreading rakes. Consumable equipment elements not included.
Standard services
Landscape Rock Cost
$768 -$847
arrow_drop_down
6
tons
Cost of residential-grade, natural decorative rock up to 1/2" in diameter, with uniform shape and color mixture. Rate is inclusive of local delivery, as well as standard excess for perfect installation and occasional repairs.
Landscape Rock Labor, Basic
$47 -$224
arrow_drop_down
3
hours
Labor cost, under typical conditions, for complete installation. Landscape rock will be distributed and leveled to uniform 2" depth. Rate is inclusive of all aspects of the project, such as thorough planning, acquisition of equipment and material, preparation and protection of project site, and meticulous cleanup.
Landscape Rock Job Supplies
$51 -$58
arrow_drop_down
6
tons
Requisite supplies for the job, including basic soil amendments and treatments.
Landscape Rock Equipment Allowance
$33 -$46
arrow_drop_down
1
job
Daily rental of specialty equipment for maximum quality and efficiency. These include 100-lb. wheelbarrow, shovels, and landscaper spreading rakes. Consumable equipment elements not included.
Optional Services
What you can expect
Range per ton:
$150 - $196
Range for this type of project:
$899 - $1,174
Estimate:
$1,037
Cost Comparison
YOUR ESTIMATE
$1,037

NATIONAL AVERAGE RANGE
$933 -$1,219
YOUR ESTIMATE

Install Landscape Rock: national average cost

The national average materials cost to install landscape rock is $139.77 per ton, with a range between $132.94 to $146.60. The total price for labor and materials per ton is $179.34, coming in between $155.53 to $203.15. A typical 6 ton project costs $1,076.04, with a range of $933.20 to $1,218.87. Your actual price will depend on your location, job size, conditions and finish options you choose.
cost to install landscape rock
National Avg. Materials Cost per ton$139.77
National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 6 ton$1,076.04
National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 6 ton$933.20 - $1,218.87

Costs to install landscape rock

How much does it cost to have landscape rock installed? There are a variety of landscape rocks you can choose from. The most common rocks are easiest to source and install. If you’re looking to landscape on a budget, these will be your best options. If you want to use uncommon rock, your costs are likely to increase.

Landscape rock and stone material costs

Rock landscaping costs, on average, $3 to $6 per square foot. Crushed stone comes in cheaper, ranging from $1 to $2. Crushed granite can be $3 per square foot on the high side. Granite pavers can be roughly $6 per square foot. For building stone steps, you can expect to pay $100 to $300 per step.

Landscaping rock cost by ton, river rocks can cost between $45 to $130, whereas lava rocks can range from $80 to $240 depending on color and location. For large boulders, you can expect to pay $100 to $600 per ton.

Labor costs to install landscape rocks

The costs for installation varies based on the type of landscaping you want and include material, delivery, and installation. These average costs also factor into the common question, “How much does it cost to replace grass with rock?” Softscaping refers to plant elements, such as flowers, shrubs, and trees. This work can include weed management, mowing, and planting. Costs for softscaping can range from $900 to $3,000.

Xeriscaping conserves water and eliminates the need for irrigation by replacing plants with rock. This could look like a decorative lava rock trim around the home, or surrounding a feature. Depending on the job, xeriscaping installation can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000.

Hardscaping is the use of non-plant elements. Paths, decks, and retaining walls fall under this purview. As the range of hardscaping jobs varies, so does the average cost for hardscaping installation, ranging from $2,000 to $30,000.

How many landscape rocks do I need?

Most landscaping jobs require you to purchase rock by the ton, or by square footage. To calculate this, you need to ascertain the size of the area, the depth of the area, and the thickness of the rock.

Measuring for landscape rocks

The cost to install landscape rock is based on size. One ton of river rock can fill 115 to 135 square feet, assuming a 2” deep space. For 3” deep spaces, a ton of river rock only fills 80 to 90 square feet, and for a 4” deep space, that number drops to 55 to 65 square feet.

To ascertain how much rock you need, first, you need to divide the inches of rock layer thickness by 12 (this converts the inches to feet). Multiply this number by the square footage of the space, which tells you how many cubic feet of rock you intend to purchase. If you need the measurement in cubic yards, divide the cubic feet by 27.

Size of landscape rocks

The job you wish to accomplish will likely dictate the thickness of rock you require. 3/8 to 3/4 inches is ideal for paths and walkways, filling between pavers, playgrounds, and drip edges around gutter downspouts. One-inch river rock is great for walkways, riverbeds, and general landscaping. One to three-inch rocks are the most common size and are generally great for decorating water features. This can include waterfalls and pools. Three to five-inch rock can be great for garden borders, retaining walls, and accents for pools, ponds, and other features.

DIY or Hire a landscaper

It’s very possible to DIY your own landscaping project. You’d need a truck to haul the rock, as well as weed-blocking landscape fabric to lay down in the area you dig. You’ll want to be in good physical condition, as you’ll need to haul the stone and dig out the area you wish to landscape. You’ll layer the rock, and use a garden rake to evenly spread them out. Use a hand-tamp tool for leveling a walkway.

If you need to dig deep, or require grading, you’ll need an excavator. This should be done by a professional. You can also hire professionals if you’d prefer not to handle the physical labor or need someone to plan the job. The costs of professionals can vary based on location and contractor, so be sure to ask questions when chatting with various landscaping companies.

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