Landscapers Cost in Ottawa (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeIn Ottawa, landscaping labour commonly runs about CAD 50-100 per hour for a solo landscaper and roughly CAD 75-150+ per hour for a two-person crew, with many small jobs carrying a minimum call-out or half-day charge. Typical project costs vary widely: routine garden tidy-ups often start around CAD 150-400, lawn care visits around CAD 40-80, while larger softscaping or hardscaping jobs can range from hundreds into several thousand dollars. Exact public Ottawa price sheets are limited, so most figures below are clearly labelled estimates based on prevailing local market rates and Canadian consumer cost references.
Overview
Landscaping costs in Ottawa depend heavily on whether you need simple maintenance, seasonal clean-up, planting, lawn care, or a more complex construction job such as interlock, retaining walls, grading or sod installation. For straightforward maintenance, pricing is usually based on hourly labour or a per-visit rate, while design-build and hardscaping work is typically quoted as a fixed project price after a site visit. Ottawa’s climate also affects pricing: spring and autumn clean-ups are in high demand, and snow-related wear, clay soils, drainage issues and freeze-thaw conditions can increase preparation and repair costs. Consumers should also distinguish between general landscape maintenance and regulated tree work. In Ontario, most routine landscaping is not licensed in the same way as electrical or plumbing work, but businesses still need standard business compliance, and pesticide use is governed provincially. If excavation, grading, pools, decks, irrigation connections or major structures are involved, additional permits or utility locates may be required depending on the job. Ottawa homeowners should also expect HST to apply on top of quoted prices unless a quote explicitly states tax is included. Because many firms quote after visiting the property, the most reliable way to compare costs is to obtain at least 2-3 written estimates that specify labour, materials, waste removal and ongoing maintenance terms.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| General landscaping labour(per hour) Estimated range based on typical market rates for independent landscapers and small crews in Ottawa and comparable Ontario urban markets. | ~C$50 – C$100 | Estimated range |
| Two-person landscaping crew(per hour) Estimated range based on common crew-based pricing used for maintenance, clean-ups and light landscaping work in Ottawa-area residential jobs. | ~C$75 – C$150 | Estimated range |
| Minimum service call / small-job minimum(per visit) Estimated range based on typical local trade minimums for travel, loading, unloading and at least 1-2 hours of labour. | ~C$100 – C$250 | Estimated range |
| Garden tidy-up or seasonal clean-up(per job) Estimated range for basic residential beds, leaves, pruning of shrubs and debris removal for a modest Ottawa property. | ~C$150 – C$400 | Estimated range |
| Lawn mowing visit(per visit) Estimated range based on common weekly or bi-weekly mowing prices for typical urban/suburban lots in Ottawa. | ~C$40 – C$80 | Estimated range |
| Sod installation(per sq ft) Estimated installed range including basic labour and standard site preparation for residential lawn replacement in Ottawa; larger prep or grading issues can increase cost. | ~C$2 – C$5 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Labour
- Basic tools and equipment
- Green waste collection or bagging on some jobs
- Materials only if expressly listed in the quote
- Site visit and estimate for larger projects in many cases
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks / Skilled Trades Ontario (context-dependent); Landscape Ontario is the main industry association
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Small maintenance visits often take 1-3 hours; clean-ups may take half a day; hardscaping projects can run from several days to multiple weeks.
How Fees Work
Most landscapers charge either an hourly/crew rate for maintenance or a fixed written quote for defined project work. Materials, disposal, delivery and HST may be listed separately.
Factors Affecting Price
- Type of work: maintenance, planting, sod, grading, interlock, drainage or retaining walls
- Property size, access, slope, soil condition and whether waste must be hauled away
- Crew size, machinery required and whether materials are included
- Seasonal demand, especially spring clean-ups and peak summer booking periods
- Permit, utility locate or specialist requirements for excavation, irrigation or structural landscape features
Local Context
In Ottawa, quoted prices are normally in Canadian dollars and HST is typically extra unless stated otherwise. Costs can be higher for properties with difficult access, heavy clay, drainage problems or substantial winter damage. Tipping is not standard for landscaping trades, though some customers offer a gratuity for exceptional service or very demanding seasonal work.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
All figures are in CAD; Ontario HST may be added on top of quoted prices.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Landscape Ontario · industry
Industry association relevant to Ontario landscaping sector; useful for finding member companies and sector context.
- Landscape Ontario Member Directory · industry
Directory source for locating member landscaping firms in Ontario, including Ottawa-area providers.
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks · government
Provincial regulatory context for environmental and pesticide-related matters that can affect landscaping services.
- Ontario One Call · official
Official utility locate service relevant before excavation and digging work on landscaping projects.
- Canada Revenue Agency - GST/HST rates · government
Supports that HST applies in Ontario and may be added to landscaping quotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do landscapers in Ottawa charge by the hour or by the job?+
Both are common. Routine maintenance and small tidy-ups are often billed hourly or per visit, while planting, sod, patios, grading and drainage work are more often quoted as a fixed project price.
Is there a call-out fee for landscapers?+
Many Ottawa landscapers use a minimum charge instead of a formal call-out fee, especially for small jobs. A minimum of roughly CAD 100-250 is common for short visits once travel and loading time are considered.
Are Ottawa landscapers licensed?+
Routine landscaping is not generally a provincially licensed trade in the same way as plumbing or electrical work. However, businesses must still comply with normal business rules, and specialised work such as pesticide application, irrigation connections, excavation or structural features may involve separate qualifications, permits or utility locate requirements.
How can I find vetted landscapers in Ottawa?+
A practical starting point is Landscape Ontario’s member directory, which lists member companies in the province. You can also check business registration, insurance, WSIB coverage where relevant, and ask for written estimates and references.
Does the quoted landscaping price usually include materials?+
Not always. Maintenance work may be labour-only, while project quotes may separate labour, soil, mulch, plants, stone, disposal and delivery. Always check whether HST is included.
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