How Much Does Landscape Design Cost in Brisbane? (2026 Guide)

It's the question I get asked at every initial enquiry, and it's a completely reasonable one. Investing in a landscape design is a significant decision, and understanding what you're likely to spend before you start is just good planning.

The honest answer is: it depends. But let me give you the most useful framework I can.

The easiest one to answer is the on-site consultation. At Attn: Landscapes, this costs $350 and includes a one-hour on-site session, a follow-up digital moodboard, site notes, and a design fee for the works: a proposal setting out what a full design would cost so you can decide whether to proceed.

This is intentionally a low barrier to entry. A consultation gives you professional perspective on your space, a clear sense of what's possible, and a concrete next step, the design fee for the works, regardless of whether you go on to engage a designer for further work.

A concept design takes your garden from "I have a vague idea" to "I have a clear vision on paper." This includes a 2D concept plan showing layout, zones, materials, and planting direction, which is enough to share with contractors for preliminary pricing.

The range varies based on block size and complexity. A compact 200m² courtyard in New Farm is a different scope to a 1,200m² Kenmore property with retaining walls and multiple zones. Most residential concept designs in Brisbane fall in the $2,500–$5,000 range.

The detailed design stage produces a complete documentation package: scaled concept plan, detailed planting plan with species schedule, materials palette, and landscape feature details. This is what your contractor needs to provide an accurate quote and build from.

The range is wide because scope varies enormously. A straightforward backyard renovation might come in at $5,000–$7,000. A complex site with significant level changes, a pool, outdoor kitchen, and multiple material zones can reach $12,000–$15,000 or more.

It's worth knowing how the market talks about fees, because you'll hear three different languages when you gather quotes. Some designers charge hourly, commonly somewhere in the $120–$200+ range in Australia, which suits small, open-ended tasks but makes budgeting a full design hard. Some charge a percentage of the expected construction cost, typically landing between 5% and 15%. We prefer fixed fees quoted per stage: you know exactly what each stage costs before you commit to it, and the fee reflects your site's actual complexity rather than the clock.

You'll also see landscaping quoted per square metre, but be careful applying that thinking to design. Per-square-metre rates describe construction (turf, decking, paving), not the design work that decides where those things should go. A small, complicated site can take more design time than a large, simple one.

Site complexity is the main variable: steep slopes, awkward shapes, and difficult access all add time and therefore cost. Scale matters too: larger gardens require more drawings and more planting detail. And revision rounds have a cost; clear communication up front reduces these.

A professional landscape design typically costs 5–15% of the total construction cost. For most homeowners, the construction itself commonly costs $40,000–$150,000 or more. The design fee is the cheapest insurance you can buy against ending up with a garden that doesn't work.

More importantly, a well-designed garden adds genuine value to your daily life and to your property. The conversation about cost is really a conversation about value, and on that measure, professional design is almost always worth it.

If you'd like a specific quote for your project, get in touch and we'll follow up within one business day. And if you're still in the dreaming stage, our guide to designing a subtropical garden in Brisbane is a good place to gather ideas.