A professionally planted privacy hedge typically costs $1,500-$8,000 for 100 linear feet, with an average near $4,500. The cost of privacy hedges depends most on plant species and size, spacing, soil preparation, access, and local labor rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed hedge, 100 linear ft | $1,500 | $4,500 | $8,000+ | Plants, planting labor, and ordinary site prep |
| Installed price per linear ft | $15 | $45 | $80+ | Small plants cost less; large specimens cost more |
| Plants only, per shrub | $15 | $60 | $200+ | Species, container size, and maturity affect price |
| Planting labor, per shrub | $25 | $50 | $100+ | Higher for large root balls or difficult access |
Assumptions: 100 linear feet, common evergreen varieties, standard spacing, and a site without major grading or utility conflicts.
What 100 Feet of Installed Privacy Hedge Usually Costs
For a straightforward 100-foot planting, homeowners commonly pay $1,500-$8,000, or about $15-$80 per linear foot. A basic job with small, readily available shrubs may land near the low end. Larger plants, premium varieties, close spacing, and substantial bed preparation can push the quote above the range.
A reasonable planning allowance is about $45 per linear foot for a standard installed hedge. That estimate generally assumes 3- to 5-foot nursery plants, 3- to 5-foot spacing, ordinary digging, and no fence removal or major soil correction. A dense hedge using 6- to 8-foot plants can cost $80-$180 or more per linear foot, depending on species and availability.
Plant price and installation price are not interchangeable. A 100-foot hedge may require 20-34 shrubs when plants are spaced 3-5 feet apart. Buying smaller plants lowers the initial invoice but leaves more years before the hedge reaches substantial screening height. Mature plants create faster coverage, but each may cost several times as much and require equipment or extra crew time to set.
How Plants, Soil Work, and Labor Shape the Quote
Most estimates combine plants, delivery, planting labor, and site preparation. Some contractors quote one installed rate per linear foot; others list each task separately. Comparing the included scope is essential, since a low quote may exclude mulch, irrigation, removal, or watering.
| Quote component | Typical low | Typical high | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrubs | $15 each | $200+ each | Size, species, and container or root-ball type |
| Planting labor | $25 per shrub | $100+ per shrub | Digging, positioning, backfill, and watering |
| Bed preparation | $2 per linear ft | $15 per linear ft | Weeding, tilling, compost, and soil amendments |
| Mulch and delivery | $150 total | $800+ total | Bed length, material, load size, and distance |
| Old hedge removal | $5 per linear ft | $25+ per linear ft | Plant size, roots, hauling, and disposal fees |
Contractor labor may be priced per plant or by crew time. Rates of roughly $50-$100 per worker-hour are common as a planning range, though company overhead and local wages affect the quoted rate. Planting, backfill, and cleanup can take 10-25 crew-hours for a 100-foot run with average-sized shrubs and clear access.
Check whether the written quote includes delivery, disposal, mulch, and cleanup before comparing totals. A separate delivery charge may be $75-$300 locally, while removal and hauling can add several hundred dollars or more.
Plant Height, Spacing, and Soil Conditions That Raise Prices
Plant size is often the largest price lever. A 1- to 2-gallon shrub may cost $15-$45, while a 5- to 7-gallon plant may run $50-$150. Specimens 6 feet or taller can exceed $200 each, especially for slow-growing or specialty varieties. Larger root balls also take longer to handle and may need wider planting holes.
Spacing determines how many plants cover the same length. At 5-foot spacing, a 100-foot run takes about 20 shrubs; at 3-foot spacing, it takes about 34. The tighter layout increases plant cost by roughly 70% at the same per-shrub price, although it can fill in sooner. Follow the mature width and spacing guidance for the selected species rather than assuming every hedge needs the closest possible planting.
Species affect both purchase price and long-term upkeep. Common arborvitae, privet, yew, laurel, and juniper have different regional availability, growth rates, mature widths, and pruning needs. A locally common 3-foot evergreen may cost $30-$70, while an uncommon cultivar of similar size could cost $80-$160. Fast-growing choices may offer quicker screening but require more frequent trimming.
Site conditions can add $200-$2,000 or more. Rocky or compacted soil, steep slopes, buried roots, poor drainage, and narrow gate access slow installation. Replacing unsuitable soil or improving drainage may add $5-$20 per linear foot. If the hedge runs near utilities, property boundaries, or a retaining wall, locating lines and adjusting the layout can also add time or require a different planting plan.
For a 100-foot hedge, every additional $10 per shrub adds about $200-$340 in plant cost at 3- to 5-foot spacing. Quotes should state plant height or container size, spacing, species, and whether substitutes are allowed; “evergreen shrubs” alone is not a precise specification.
Why Hedge Installation Prices Differ by U.S. Region
Regional nursery supply and labor availability can shift installed prices by about 10%-30% from a middle-of-the-country estimate. Large metropolitan areas and high-cost coastal markets often run 15%-30% higher than typical suburban markets. Rural areas can be cheaper for labor but more expensive for plant delivery when growers or landscapers must travel farther.
Climate also influences which plants are practical and affordable. A variety commonly grown in the Southeast may be costly or unsuitable in colder northern zones, where locally hardy alternatives may be easier to source. In dry western areas, irrigation setup and drought-adapted species can raise the initial budget, while water restrictions may shape the design.
Seasonal availability matters as well. Spring and fall are common planting periods, and peak demand can reduce scheduling flexibility. In a busy market, labor quotes may rise 5%-15% or contractors may book several weeks ahead. Buying during a nursery’s available planting window may help, but plants should not be installed when frozen ground, extreme heat, or drought threatens establishment.
Use local quotes for the final budget rather than applying a national average without adjustment. A 100-foot job priced at $4,500 in a moderate-cost area might approach $5,200-$5,850 in a higher-cost city if labor, delivery, and nursery prices are all elevated.
Three 100-Foot Hedge Quotes With Different Plant Sizes
These examples show how plant size, spacing, and site scope change the total. They assume an accessible yard, ordinary soil, and no old hedge to remove. Local nursery prices and labor rates can produce different estimates.
| Scenario | Plant specification | Estimated scope | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | 20 shrubs, 3-4 ft, spaced 5 ft | $700 plants, $700 labor and prep, $200 delivery and mulch | $1,600 |
| Midrange | 25 shrubs, 4-5 ft, spaced 4 ft | $2,000 plants, $1,250 labor and prep, $450 delivery and mulch | $3,700 |
| Fast screening | 34 shrubs, 6-7 ft, spaced 3 ft | $5,100 plants, $2,000 labor and prep, $700 delivery and mulch | $7,800 |
In the budget example, the plants average $35 each and take about 10-14 crew-hours to install. The midrange job assumes plants averaging $80 each and roughly 16-22 crew-hours. The faster-screening quote assumes about $150 per plant and may require extra handling, with approximately 20-30 crew-hours.
Plant count and plant height explain much of the gap between a $1,600 quote and a $7,800 quote. Ask contractors to identify the assumed plant sizes and labor hours so an apparently cheaper estimate can be compared on equal terms.
When Removal, Irrigation, and Permits Add to Hedge Pricing
Clearing an existing hedge can add $500-$2,500 for 100 feet, depending on plant size, root depth, access, and disposal. Small shrubs may be pulled quickly, while established trees or deep roots can require cutting, stump grinding, and hauling. Ask whether the contractor will remove roots or only cut plants close to the ground.
Drip irrigation can cost around $2-$8 per linear foot when installed alongside a new hedge, with valves, a timer, or a long connection run adding to the total. In dry climates, irrigation may improve establishment, but the need and system design depend on species, soil, and local watering rules. Mulch is often included in a full installation; if listed separately, material and spreading may cost $1-$4 per square foot.
Permits are not usually required for ordinary shrubs, but local rules can govern sightlines near driveways, corner lots, sidewalks, and public rights-of-way. A fence-height ordinance may not apply to plants, yet visibility or utility easements can still restrict placement. Boundary disputes are more expensive to fix after planting, so confirm property lines before work begins.
Get written confirmation about removal, irrigation, disposal, and any local restrictions. These items are frequent reasons two quotes for the same hedge length differ by $500-$3,000.
How Long Installation Takes and What Labor Covers
A small crew of two or three workers may complete an uncomplicated 100-foot planting in one workday. Smaller shrubs and prepared beds can take 6-12 hours; large root balls, hand digging, or poor access can stretch the job to 2-3 days. Contractors may charge a minimum service fee of $150-$500 for small jobs, even when the hedge itself is short.
Labor generally includes marking the line, digging holes or a trench, setting plants at consistent depth, backfilling, initial watering, and cleanup. Trench planting can be efficient in prepared soil but is not right for every species or site. Ask whether the estimate includes hauling away excavated soil and whether a machine can reach the planting area.
Scheduling can affect both cost and plant survival. A contractor may charge more for rush work or jobs scheduled during a peak planting period, especially when the project requires special-order plants. A reasonable lead time gives the nursery a better chance to supply consistent sizes and lets the installer plan delivery without unnecessary holding or handling.
Clarify crew size, estimated workdays, and the tasks included in the labor charge. A quote with more labor hours is not automatically overpriced if it accounts for heavy plants, careful spacing, or difficult digging.
Ways to Lower the Privacy Hedge Price Without Sacrificing Coverage
Reducing plant size is the most direct way to lower the initial invoice. Smaller shrubs can save $20-$100 or more per plant, but they take longer to fill the sightline. A mixed-height layout or staggered double row may use fewer expensive tall specimens while still creating coverage, depending on available width and the species’ mature spread.
Keep the planting run simple. Curves, corners, and separate short sections take more measuring and handling than a straight line. Clearing weeds and movable debris before the crew arrives can reduce paid prep time, provided the contractor agrees that homeowner preparation is acceptable. Avoid digging near marked utilities or attempting heavy root removal without the right equipment.
Request two or three itemized quotes based on the same species, plant size, spacing, delivery, mulch, and removal scope. Ask whether a locally available alternative provides similar mature height and screening. A species that costs less but grows too wide may eventually require more pruning or removal, so compare mature dimensions and maintenance needs rather than purchase price alone.
Compare the installed cost per linear foot alongside the plant count and size. Choosing 4-foot plants at 4-foot spacing instead of 6-foot plants at 3-foot spacing can materially reduce the upfront budget, but the cheaper design may need several seasons to provide comparable privacy.
Pruning, Watering, and Five-Year Hedge Ownership Costs
Installation is only part of the expense. Newly planted hedges need establishment watering, and some varieties need regular pruning to stay dense and within their space. Homeowners doing basic upkeep may spend $50-$300 per year on mulch, tools, and supplies. Hiring a crew to trim a 100-foot hedge can cost about $200-$800 per visit, depending on height, access, cleanup, and local labor rates.
Many hedges need one or two trims per year after establishment, but growth rate and desired shape matter. Fast-growing privet or similar plants may need more frequent attention than slower-growing evergreens. A tall hedge can require ladders or specialized equipment, increasing labor and disposal costs. Plants that outgrow the available width may need repeated pruning or replacement.
For five-year budgeting, a modest hedge might require $250-$1,500 in homeowner supplies and periodic maintenance, beyond its installation price. Professional trimming once or twice annually could add approximately $1,000-$8,000 over that period. These figures exclude unusual pest problems, storm damage, replacement plants, and major irrigation repairs.
Include likely pruning and watering in the comparison between fast-growing and slow-growing species. A lower plant price can become a higher ownership cost if frequent trimming, water use, or replacements are needed.