Conceptual landscape design for a standard front or backyard in Littleton runs $880 to $1,200.
Full project costs start at $12,000 for a standard yard and climb to $40,000 or higher when both the front and back are included. Larger builds, especially those with multi-level grading, fire features, and outdoor kitchens, can cost $100,000 or more.
Those ranges are honest starting points. What actually puts your project closer to the bottom or the top depends on a handful of site-specific factors worth understanding before you call anyone.
What Moves the Price Up or Down in Littleton
Slope and Multi-Level Builds
Flat yards are the exception in Littleton, not the rule.
When a property has any meaningful grade change, the design has to account for how water moves, how soil behaves under Colorado’s freeze-thaw cycles, and where retaining structures need to go.
A sloped backyard that calls for a multi-tier build with retaining walls and integrated steps will cost more to design and build than a level yard of identical square footage.
So, if your yard drops significantly from the house, budget accordingly.
Altitude, Sun, and What Actually Survives Here
Littleton sits at roughly 5,350 feet. That changes the plant palette.
Species that thrive at lower elevations may not overwinter reliably here, which means a designer who knows the region will specify differently than one who doesn’t.
UV intensity also increases meaningfully at elevation, which affects material choices, particularly for shade structures and anything with a factory finish.
Littleton’s frost-free growing season runs roughly 145 days, from early May to late September. A design built around that window, and around Colorado’s wind patterns and soil conditions, will perform better at year three than one that doesn’t account for any of it.
The Colorado State University Extension’s plant selection guide for Front Range landscapes is a useful reference for understanding which species are built for this environment.
Permits and Site Access
Some projects in Littleton require permits from the City’s building and development department, particularly those involving structural elements such as retaining walls over a certain height or new drainage.
Permit timelines add lead time, and permit fees add to project cost. At Land Designs by Colton, we handle the paperwork on our end, so you won’t have to navigate it yourself.
On top of that, tight site access, narrow side yards, or mature trees that need protection during construction also affect how much time a crew needs on-site.
Conceptual Landscape Design Cost
| Scope | Design Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard front or backyard | $880 to $1,200 |
| Front and backyard | $1,200 to $2,400 |
| Front, back, and side yard (corner lot) | $2,400 to $4,800+ |
Jonathan holds a degree in landscape architecture from Mississippi State University. Most companies offering landscape design services in Littleton hold no formal design credential, so the difference in how a plan is put together and how it performs on the ground is significant.
Full Landscape Design Project Cost
| Scope | Project Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard front or backyard | $12,000 to $25,000 |
| Front and backyard | $25,000 to $40,000 |
| Front, back, and side yard | $40,000+ |
How the Design Fee Works
The design fee is a standalone service. Jonathan will design your project, whether or not we build it. That said, the overwhelming majority of clients who go through the design phase with us proceed to build with us as well.
When a project is fully designed before ground breaks, there are fewer surprises, fewer change orders, and fewer budget overruns. The design fee pays for itself in what it prevents.
For the full picture of what we design and build, our landscape design and build service page walks through scope, materials, and process.
Pricing FAQ
Skip the Research and Just Tell Us What You've Got
You’ve now read everything that moves a Littleton landscape design price. You know about permits, slopes, plant selection at elevation, and how the design fee connects to the build. That’s useful knowledge if you’re comparing proposals or vetting someone new.
But if you’d rather hand it off to someone who’s been doing this since 2011, trained in landscape architecture, and already familiar with what Littleton properties demand, we’re ready when you are.
Call us at (720) 580-3677 or message us here.