Is landscaping a front yard really that expensive or am I just looking in the wrong places?

Question

I recently bought my first house. The yard is not very nice at all, about 800 sq, ft. of patchy uneven, dry, half dead grass. The front also has enough concrete for three cars but no walkway to the door. I would like space for two and a path. I have always lived in apartments and never owned so this is all very new to me. I was thinking that about $3,000 all in would fix it up nicely. Well I have had 3 landscape gardeners out this week and I am shocked at the estimates I am getting. One guy said that to put in top soil, irrigation and sod would cost $4,000 alone then it would be another $4,000 to jack up a bit of the concrete and put in a walkway. Then to do the little bit of grass on the other side of the driveway would be another $1,500! The other guys were the same with one charging $12,000 and the other charging $9,000. I don’t live in a massive house by any standards, it’s a starter home. Can these prices be right? I live in San Diego by the way.

Answer 1

Plan out ideas of what you want your yard to look like (Picture it from the street so you will also know what your neighbors see). Start with small projects and work at your own pace as time and money permit. Good luck.

Answer 2

labor is expensive!!! my advise to do it on a budget, is to do it yourself. first, removing concrete is tough, back breaking labor. if you can, i would leave it. as far as the lawn is concerned, i would just buy grass seed, and plant it yourself.  be sure you have a hose and a sprinkler, and water it at night, so the water has time to soak in before the sun evaporates it.  you should be able to pick up materials(such as paving stones) for a walkway at any home improvement store, pouring concrete can be tough for beginners

Answer 3

first of all, you do not have to do all of this at one time, and you sure can find someone who is looking for work to do it lots cheaper, works slow right now ,lots of hungrey people..i would try and find a personwho works for a landscapper to do the work on week-endswon his own time, pay him by the hour, you buy the stuff you want.