Landscape Design & Installation in Ontario
Landscape design and installation covers the planning and build-out of a property's outdoor space: grading and drainage work, planting beds and trees, sod or seed lawns, walkways, patios, retaining walls, lighting, and irrigation. Some companies handle the full process from a scaled design drawing through to the last shovel of mulch. Others focus on installation only and work from a plan you already have. In Ontario, this work is also shaped by our climate: frost depth affects how retaining walls and patio bases are built, and plant selections need to hold up through freeze-thaw cycles and salt exposure near driveways and walkways.
We've reviewed 102 businesses in this category across Ontario. Before hiring, ask to see photos of completed projects similar in scope to yours, find out whether the crew that does the design also does the digging (or if it's subcontracted), and get a written scope that separates hard costs (materials, equipment) from labor. Landscaping quotes vary a lot based on site access, soil conditions, and whether drainage problems need fixing first, so a detailed site visit before quoting is a good sign.
Our ranked guide to landscape design and installation companies scores firms on factors like project consistency, responsiveness, and how they handle the less visible parts of the job, such as grading and drainage. Details on how we calculate that are on our methodology page.
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All landscape design & installation, ranked by score and relevance
We found 134 businesses offering landscape design & installation; 111 met the criteria for the scored directory. The order weighs each business's overall score by how much of its reviewed work is landscape design & installation, so a lower-scored specialist can rank above a higher-scored generalist. Filter and sort below, or open the full map view.
Enquiries submitted through our forms may be shared with partner providers who can do the work, and we may receive a referral fee. Our rankings and scores are based on our published scoring method only and are not affected by referral fees.
Common questions about landscape design & installation
- How much does a landscape design and installation project cost in Ontario?
- Small projects like a single planting bed or a walkway might run a few thousand dollars, while a full backyard redo with patio, retaining walls, and planting can run well into five figures. Get at least two quotes, since price differences often come down to material grade (interlock vs. natural stone), base depth for hardscaping, and how much grading or drainage correction the site needs.
- How often does landscaping need to be redone or refreshed?
- A well-installed hardscape (patios, walls, walkways) should last 15 to 25 years with minor maintenance. Planting beds and lawns typically need refreshing or partial replanting every 3 to 7 years as trees mature, perennials spread or die back, and mulch breaks down. Irrigation systems usually need servicing every spring and fall.
- What should I expect during the project itself?
- Expect a site assessment and design consultation first, often with a drawing or 3D rendering for larger jobs. Installation timelines depend on scope: a simple planting job might take a day or two, while a patio and retaining wall project can take one to three weeks including excavation, base work, and curing time for any concrete or mortar.
- How can I judge the quality of a landscaping company before hiring?
- Ask how deep they excavate and what base material they use for patios and walls (proper base depth matters more in Ontario's frost conditions than the surface material itself). Ask about drainage plans for the site, and check whether they warranty their hardscaping work against heaving or settling, which is the most common failure point.
Guides to choosing landscape design & installation
- What to expect from a landscape design and installation project
A step-by-step look at how a landscape design and installation project runs in Ontario, from first consultation to final walkthrough.
- Landscaping before selling your house in Ontario
What landscaping actually adds value before selling a house in Ontario, and what's not worth the investment right before listing.