What a Backyard Landscape Really Costs in The Hills in 2026 — From 50+ Real Quotes We've Written
· Cost guide
Short version:Across the quotes we've written for Castle Hill and The Hills District homes, a backyard landscape generally lands in three bands: roughly $8,000–$18,000 for a refresh, $20,000–$40,000 for a solid mid-range makeover, and $45,000–$85,000+ for a full transformation with retaining, paving, decking and planting. Where your project sits depends far less on the size of the yard than on one thing: how much builtstructure it needs versus garden. Here's the honest breakdown, element by element.
Why we put real numbers on this
Search “landscaping cost Sydney” and you get vague ranges and a contact form. The problem is that landscaping isn't one price — a flat, easy-access garden refresh and a sloping block needing engineered retaining are different worlds, and a single “per square metre” figure hides that.
We design and build gardens across Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Kellyville, Bella Vista, Glenhaven, Dural, Cherrybrook and West Pennant Hills, so instead of a generic estimate, here's what the work actually costs in this area, based on quotes we've written and jobs we've completed. All figures are indicative and ex-GST — every site is different, which is the whole point.
What a full backyard costs in The Hills
| Project level | What's included | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | New planting, mulch, turf, minor edging, tidy-up of an existing layout | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| Mid-range makeover | Paved patio or path, new turf, garden beds, some planting, simple edging or a low wall | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| Full transformation | Retaining, level changes, large paved area, decking, lawn, layered planting, irrigation, lighting | $45,000 – $85,000+ |
The jump between bands is almost always driven by hard landscaping — walls, paving, decking — not by plants. Soft landscaping is the affordable part; built structure is where the budget goes.
Cost by element
These are the per-unit ranges we see most often in The Hills.
| Element | Typical installed cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape design / concept plan | $1,500 – $4,000 (or from ~$50/m²) | Pays for itself by preventing expensive build mistakes |
| Paving — concrete / brick | $100 – $180/m² | Base prep and drainage, not the paver, drive the price |
| Paving — sandstone / porcelain | $200 – $320/m² | Premium look, common on Hills sandstone blocks |
| Retaining wall — concrete sleeper | $350 – $650/lineal m | The workhorse wall in NSW backyards |
| Retaining wall — under 600mm | $250 – $400/m² of face | Below this height usually no engineering needed |
| Retaining wall — engineered / sandstone | $600 – $1,200+/m² | Plus $500 – $1,500 engineering certification |
| Turf — natural (supply + lay) | $25 – $55/m² | Plus soil prep |
| Turf — synthetic | $80 – $150/m² | Higher upfront, lower long-term |
| Planting — native garden beds | $80 – $200/m² | Includes soil improvement and mulch |
| Decking — hardwood | $400 – $700/m² | Composite sits higher |
What actually drives your price up (or down)
After a few dozen quotes in this area, the same handful of factors decide the number every time:
- Slope and retaining. A flat, accessible yard is the cheapest scenario. Once the site slopes enough to need structural retaining, it becomes the single biggest line item — a 1.2m boundary wall alone can add $15,000+.
- The Hills' clay soil.Our heavy clay affects drainage, footings and what planting survives. It's why we build proper drainage into hard landscaping here — and why a too-cheap quote that skips it costs more later.
- Access. Wheelbarrow-only side access versus machine access changes labour dramatically. Tight blocks cost more.
- Hard vs soft ratio. The more paving, decking and walls relative to lawn and plants, the higher the budget.
- Materials. Concrete pavers vs sandstone, hardwood vs composite — the finish choice can double a line item.
How to budget — and get a quote that's actually accurate
The reason quotes vary so much is that a real price needs a real look at your site: the slope, the soil, the access, and what you actually want to do out there. A number over the phone is a guess. The most useful thing you can do is decide your rough band (refresh, makeover, or transformation) and your must-haves, and we'll quote the real scope.
If you'd like a figure for your own backyard, request a free quote — we'll walk the site and give you a written, itemised price, not a generic estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does landscaping cost in The Hills?
Most backyard projects in Castle Hill and The Hills District fall between $8,000 for a refresh and $85,000+ for a full transformation, with the typical quality makeover around $20,000 – $40,000. The figure depends mostly on how much retaining, paving and decking is involved rather than the size of the yard.
Why are landscaping quotes so different from each other?
Because the same-looking yard can hide very different work — drainage, footings, retaining and base preparation that you don't see in the finished result. A cheap quote often leaves these out, which is what causes problems a year or two later.
What's the most expensive part of a backyard?
Almost always the hard landscaping — retaining walls, level changes and large paved areas. Plants, turf and mulch are the affordable part.
Do I need council approval to landscape in The Hills Shire?
Most garden landscaping doesn't, but retaining walls over about 600mm typically need engineering, and walls over roughly 1 metre near a boundary can need development approval. We sort out what's required as part of the design.
Want a real number for your Castle Hill backyard?
NativeOutland Landscaping designs and builds gardens across Castle Hill and The Hills District. Request a free quote or call 0468 247 858.
NativeOutland Landscaping designs and builds gardens across Castle Hill and The Hills District. All prices are indicative and ex-GST; every site is different, so we provide a written, itemised quote after a site visit.