Quick Summary
- Who this is for: Austin-area homeowners pricing a lawn-to-xeriscape conversion (or a phased water-wise refresh).
- Outcome: A realistic budgeting baseline + line items to compare contractor quotes.
- Cost/Timeline: Many projects land in $8,000–$35,000 (often $12–$25/sq ft) with a 2–8 week timeline depending on scope and season.
- Biggest cost levers: Drainage/grading needs, plant size, and how much hardscape you add.
How much does xeriscaping cost in Austin in 2025?
In 2025, most Austin-area xeriscape conversions for single-family homes run $8,000–$35,000 (often $12–$25/sq ft) including demo, soil prep, drip, plants, and mulch/rock. Expect $1,500–$10,000+ more if grading/drainage is required, and higher totals when you add boulders, paths, lighting, or smart-controller upgrades.
If you want to talk scope with a specialist, start with our Xeriscaping & Drought-Resistant Design service page and use this guide to sanity-check quotes.
Why xeriscaping is surging now
With extreme heat events and water restrictions becoming the norm, xeriscaping offers a path to lower upkeep, bold curb appeal, and long-term savings.
If you haven’t yet, read our Austin sustainable landscaping guide for design context and our Landscaping services overview for what pros typically include in scope.
Cost ranges at a glance
Most single-family projects fall between $8K and $35K. Budgets shift based on grading corrections, irrigation retrofits, material choices, and permitting.
| Scope | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Front yard refresh | $8,000 – $14,000 |
| Full property rebuild | $22,000 – $35,000 |
| Add-on boulder + lighting package | $4,200 – $8,800 |
A simple line-item budget template (what your quote should roughly include)
Use this as a “missing line items” checklist when you compare proposals:
| Line item | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Design + layout | $750 – $3,000 | Often credited back if you build with the same team. |
| Demo + haul-off (turf/old beds) | $1,000 – $6,000 | More if you’re removing old edging, concrete, or big shrubs. |
| Grading + drainage corrections | $1,500 – $10,000+ | French drains, swales, downspout routing, erosion control. |
| Soil prep + compost | $800 – $4,000 | Critical for establishment, especially after sod removal. |
| Drip irrigation retrofit | $1,200 – $5,500 | More if you’re replacing controllers/zones. See Irrigation Installation & Repair. |
| Plants + installation | $2,500 – $12,000 | Plant size (1-gallon vs 15-gallon) is a major lever. |
| Mulch/rock/top dressing | $900 – $6,000 | Includes delivery, installation, and cleanup. |
| Steel/stone edging + paths | $1,000 – $8,000 | Adds structure and makes “low maintenance” actually feel tidy. |
What drives xeriscaping costs up (and how to control it)
- Drainage and grading: Austin storms move water fast; if runoff is cutting channels or pooling near the slab, you’re buying earthwork, not just plants.
- Hardscape add-ons: Patios, steps, and retaining walls can easily exceed the planting budget. If you suspect you’ll need structural work, start with Hardscaping & Outdoor Living.
- Plant size: Smaller plants cost less and often establish better, but need patience; big mature plants cost more and can stress in summer.
- Irrigation complexity: Converting spray to drip, adding zones, and upgrading controllers adds upfront cost but reduces long-term loss from “misting” and overwatering.
- Access: Narrow side yards and steep slopes increase labor and hauling.
- Material finish level: Steel edging, boulders, and specialty gravel can be worth it, but they move budgets quickly.
Austin-specific factors that affect your final price
Water rules + rebates
If you’re inside the City of Austin, it’s worth checking current rebate programs early because they can influence your design choices (controller upgrades, irrigation retrofits, and landscape conversions). Start here: Austin Water conservation programs.
Soil movement + storm runoff
Expansive clay soils and flash storms are a double-whammy: water can pool, then movement shows up later as settled edges and washed-out paths. Even if your project is “just landscaping,” use drainage principles from Watershed Protection to evaluate whether you need additional grading or runoff control.
Impervious cover and permeable options
If you’re adding paths or patios as part of a xeriscape conversion, permeable surfaces can help reduce puddling and runoff (and in some cases may help with impervious cover considerations, depending on jurisdiction and site specifics). The U.S. EPA permeable pavement overview is a helpful explainer when you’re comparing materials.
Savings tips (without cutting corners)
- Reuse on-site gravel or flagstone where possible.
- Bundle smart irrigation upgrades with planting so everything gets tuned together (and to capture rebates when available).
- Book installs in late fall to secure offseason labor rates.
- Keep a “green” zone (shade + seating) and reduce lawn footprint instead of trying to eliminate every blade of turf on day one.
- Ask for plant size options (1-gallon, 5-gallon, 15-gallon) and decide where maturity is worth paying for.
Before you sign a contract, confirm whether you qualify for Austin Water’s landscape and irrigation rebates so you can apply those incentives directly to your xeriscape budget.
Quote comparison checklist (so you avoid “rock yard” disappointment)
- Do they define square footage by zone (front beds, side yard, back beds, paths)?
- Are plant sizes specified (not just “3 Salvia, 2 Yucca”)?
- Is irrigation described as drip line + zones + controller settings, or vaguely “irrigation included”?
- What’s the plan for weeds (mulch depth, edging, maintenance expectations), without overpromising “no weeds ever”?
- Do they call out establishment watering and a first-season care plan?
Helpful references for plant selection
If you want to validate plant lists and water needs using trusted local sources:
Related guides (Austin metro)
- Austin sustainable landscaping guide
- Bee Cave sustainable landscaping guide
- Bee Cave hardscaping guide
Start your xeriscape plan
If you want help scoping the project and comparing bids, we can connect you with specialists who build for Austin heat, drainage, and long-term maintainability.