Cost Guide · Updated August 2026
Landscape Design Cost in North Texas (2026): 2D vs 3D, by Lot Size
In Dallas–Fort Worth, a professional landscape design costs $750 to $2,000 for a 2D plan on a lot under half an acre, from $2,500 for a photoreal 3D design, and $4,500–$7,500+ for an estate master plan. Here is what drives the number — and how to pick the right tier for your lot.
By Cole Alder, Founder & Lead Designer, Designs of Eden
What landscape design costs in 2026
National cost guides put a 2D concept plan for a single area at roughly $500–$1,500, a full 2D master plan at $1,500–$3,500, and a complete photoreal 3D design at $2,500–$6,500, with estate-scale master plans running $5,000–$20,000 (HomeGuide, HomeAdvisor and Lawn Love, 2025–2026). Most Dallas–Fort Worth design studios do not publish fees at all; the few that do start around $1,500 for a base plan and set installation minimums near $20,000.
Our pricing sits inside those bands and is published in full on the pricing page:
| Tier | Price | Best for | Credit toward install |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2D Site Plan | $750–$2,000 | Single areas and full yards on lots up to about half an acre, with no pool, structure, grading, or lighting work. | 100% of the fee applies to a 3D upgrade within 30 days · $500 credited toward installs of $10,000+ |
| Complete Vision — 3D | From $2,500 | Full-property designs you can walk through before anything is built. Our flagship. | $1,000 credited toward installs of $10,000+ |
| Estate & Legacy — 3D | $4,500–$7,500+ | Acre-plus properties and multi-zone estates designed as a phased master plan. | $1,500 credited toward installs of $20,000+ |
What drives the price
- Lot size and designed area. A quarter-acre lot in Prosper or Allen and a one-acre lot in Southlake are different projects: more square footage means more planting zones, more hardscape, and more drainage to resolve. Designers across the industry price by acreage for this reason.
- Scope. Planting and layout is one thing; pools, pergolas, retaining walls, grade changes, and landscape lighting each add engineering decisions. Those projects are designed in 3D so the decisions are made on screen, not on an invoice.
- 2D vs 3D. A 2D plan is enough to build a straightforward project well. A 3D model lets you walk the finished yard before it exists — which is why the market prices a 3D step-up at about $500 to $1,000 over a 2D master plan, and why we hold our 3D floor at $2,500.
- Revisions and deliverables. Tiers differ in revision rounds, render count, and whether you get a phasing roadmap and presentation package.
By lot size: which tier applies in your city
| Typical lots | Cities | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 7,500–20,000 sq ft (0.15–0.45 acre) | Prosper, Celina, McKinney, Allen, West Plano, Flower Mound, Trophy Club, The Colony | 2D Site Plan eligible; 3D recommended for pools, structures, or lighting |
| ½–1+ acre | Southlake, Colleyville, Parker | Complete Vision 3D |
| 1–3 acres | Westlake, Preston Hollow (North Dallas), estate lots in Southlake and Colleyville | Estate & Legacy 3D |
The 2D cutoff is 20,000 sq ft of lot — about where suburban Collin County lots end and estate lots begin. Your lot size is on your county appraisal record.
2D or 3D: how to decide
- Choose 2D if your lot is under half an acre, the project is planting, beds, edging, and simple hardscape, and you are comfortable reading a plan. It is the fastest, least expensive path to a buildable design — and 100% of the fee applies if you upgrade to 3D within 30 days.
- Choose 3D if you want to see the result before committing $15,000–$50,000+ to installation, if the project includes anything structural, or if the lot is larger than half an acre. The walkthrough video is also what makes HOA and spouse approval painless.
- Choose Estate & Legacy when the property will be built in phases over seasons and needs lighting, irrigation, and drainage designed together.
What is not in the design fee
Installation is quoted separately after the design is final — typically $15,000–$35,000 for a full-property install in North Texas and $35,000–$50,000+ for estate work, depending on hardscape and plant sizes. Surveys, engineered drawings for permits, and city tree-removal permits (Southlake enforces tree preservation) are billed at cost when required.
Get an exact number for your property
Start with a free Virtual Discovery Session — a 15-minute call with photos of your yard and a realistic budget range — or book the $200 on-site consultation, credited in full toward your design.
Book a consultationFrequently asked
How much does landscape design cost in North Texas in 2026?
Landscape design in North Texas is custom-quoted by lot size and scope. Photoreal 3D design (Complete Vision) starts at $2,500; estate master plans run $4,500–$7,500+. For lots up to about half an acre without pools or structures, a 2D Site Plan runs $750–$2,000. Every design begins with a $200 on-site consultation, credited in full, and design fees are credited toward installation.
What is the difference between a 2D landscape plan and a 3D design?
A 2D plan is a scaled top-down drawing with plant placement and materials — enough to build a planting-and-layout project on a smaller lot. A 3D design models the whole property so you can walk through the finished landscape in a video before anything is built, and it produces the same architect-grade plans. 3D is required for pools, structures, grade changes, lighting, and any lot over about half an acre.
Is landscape design cheaper than hiring a landscape architect?
Usually. Licensed landscape architects in Dallas–Fort Worth commonly quote $3,000 to $10,000+ for residential plans and are the right call for commercial work, complex grading permits, or structural engineering. For residential planting, hardscape, and outdoor living design, a landscape designer delivers the plans a contractor needs at $750–$7,500.
Why is the design fee credited toward installation?
Because the design is the first half of the install. If we build it, the plan, plant list, and specifications are already done — so the fee comes off the install invoice ($500–$1,500 depending on tier). If you build with someone else, the design is still yours to keep.
Published 2026-08-28. Benchmarks from HomeGuide (Dec 2025), HomeAdvisor (Jun 2026), and Lawn Love (May 2026) cost guides; Designs of Eden pricing as of August 2026. Related: services · service areas · landscape design in Southlake · Prosper.